Wednesday, October 3, 2018

October #IWSG: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (to write murder mysteries)




OPTIONAL IWSG Day Question: How do major life events affect your writing? Has writing ever helped you through something?

Co-Hosts:  Dolorah @ Book Lover, Christopher D. Votey, Tanya Miranda, andChemist Ken!



October affects my writing like no other month. Ideas are piling up faster than the leaves falling. I'm already five thousand words into a new story! There's just something about this season that inspires a well plotted murder mystery. I sense a change in the atmosphere. Haunted houses creep up everywhere. Cooler nights descend on us in shadowy form. Spooky graveyards beckon for a visit. Wax museums become all too real.

My new job (major life change!) as an elementary school librarian has me scrambling for different writing times. Early morning is still a go, but no more afternoon writing binges. Late nights or weekends are my choice for writing all the words now.




Mark Twain's boyhood home town has it all: gorgeous fall colors, haunted houses and wagon rides. Yes, even a disturbingly life-like wax museum. The perfect writing inspiration for me!

Does October inspire you to write? How are you celebrating fall? 

42 comments:

  1. Your post inspires me. I love all the pictures too. And do you really live in Hannibal? I am not far! I've wanted to visit Hannibal. Happy IWSG Day :)

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    1. Yes, I do! Where do you live? This place is pretty awesome in the fall.

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  2. Fall is perfect inspiration for a mystery.

    School librarian? We should chat sometime.

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  3. Great Post. And, so true. With the change of season, swirling into spooky Halloween can give a mystery writer a lot to sink their teeth into... !

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    1. I think all of my stories are set in the month of September or October.

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  4. I LOVE October, but when it hits, the year is over. Actually, that started in September for me. Family birthdays, holidays, church commitments, etc. What an epic job--librarian! Our local community librarians recently instigated a home school program, and I'm loving it! But it's one more thing to add to the insanity. Have an epic October!

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    1. It is an adjustment, but I'm loving my new job! Thanks, you too!

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  5. October is probably my favourite month of the year - love the crisp air and leaves showing off!

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    1. Same. I could live forever in the month of October.

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  6. That tree is gorgeous!

    Good luck with the new job! I bet you'll find lots of great inspiration there. :)

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    1. I can't wait for it to turn. We haven't had a lot of color yet!

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  7. October is my favorite month! It really does inspire me on a lot of levels. It's funny when I notice the majority of my stories take place in the fall. Hehehe! Good luck and have a great week! :)

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    1. Same!! I could never get bored writing stories set in fall.

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  8. Even if it's just the weekends, take advantage of the season and write.

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  9. October definitely inspires me with the chillier, more mystical weather. I drove home from a critique group meeting on Monday evening and was delighted to be surrounded by a light fog. I love this time of year, and my word count shows it.

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    1. Oooh!! Fog!! Yes, please. Mine too. I can crank out an entire novel during fall.

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  10. So great how inspired you are to write. And I'd love a new job as a librarian. Wish you could get me one. Enjoy yours!

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    1. I've debated for years to get back in the classroom. This job is as big as a commitment as a full-time teacher. So, it's perfect for me!

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  11. Mystery juices sure can flow with Fall in tow. Congrats on the new job, but yeah, new jobs sure can cut into writing time. Just be thankful your new job doesn't send you into the deep, dark woods where there are actual hillbillies, drug dealers, and bears lol ugg.

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    1. Ha! My stories send me to some pretty creepy places. At least, I can read anytime I want--on the job. Because it's my job. LOL.

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  12. Hi Jennifer - that's great you've got the new job - bet it will be fun and lead onto other greater things in due course. Library settings would be fun for various stories ... and certainly tickle the brain cells - good luck and enjoy life - cheers Hilary

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    1. It's been a challenge, but I'm getting used to being back in the classroom!

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  13. What is it about October that energizes and inspires writers? The light shift is certainly a factor. The expectation of new weather and cozier inside time has to be included. I also think the myths of the ancients help. I can't consider October without thinking about Persephone.

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    1. It brings back wonderful fall memories for me as a kid. That's why I enjoy writing middle-grade!

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  14. I love this time of year. Summer's heat makes me sluggish. Come fall and I'm energized. Wishing you lots of energy. Good luck carving out writing time.

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    1. I agree. The heat saps the energy right out of me!

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  15. Congrats on the job. Librarians rock!

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  16. Hi Jennifer, October inspires me to visit Mark Twain's old stomping grounds. Maybe buy it if I had the spare $$$.

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    1. It's fun to run around town, playing in his footsteps!

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  17. Hi Jennifer, 5000 words into your new story is too good. Congratulations on your new job. Hugs.

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  18. That tree is amazing! Glad to hear about your new job, and getting 5K into a new story is an excellent start. I sure do love this month as well. :)

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  19. I'm also energized to write when fall rolls around, but that may be because the kids go back to school and I finally have my normal writing schedule back.

    I am not so brave as to visit graveyards or haunted houses. Having all that imaginary spookiness in my head is scary enough for me.

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  20. October is completely inspiring to me too. Perfect murder weather. Lol.

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  21. October, with its cooler weather, certainly makes me want to sit in the house and write. And walk through the neighborhood. Lovely pictures. Good luck with the new job and new writing schedule.

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  22. I agree. Fall is the best time to write murder mysteries. i'm totally inspired and have a goal to write 100 pages this month. Best wishes with the new job.

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  23. An elementary school librarian would be a lovely job. My mom had worked in my elementary school's library. :)

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  24. Sounds like a wonderful source of inspiration you've found! And beautiful to boot! (or should I say boo for Halloween?)

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  25. I need inspiration. Oddly, a red fox just walked through our yard. We are smack dab in suburbia with little forest around. Maybe he was trying to tell me something?

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February #IWSG: Just Do It

                  Come join Alex J. Cavanaugh and the Insecure Writer's Support Group. We discuss our fears, insecurities, ups and downs...