The last few months have been a challenge, to say the
least. The world has changed and if most of us will take an introspective look,
we’d notice changes within ourselves too. Even self-confessed recluses may feel
the differences. After all, just a few short months ago, your grocery/favorite
Chinese or pizza delivery driver wasn’t wearing a mask and rubber gloves.
Schools are closed. Non-essential workers are either unemployed (my company
calls it furloughed) or working from home. Our daily routine has changed and
many of us have changed with it. Netflix Binge watching has become a daily
activity rather than a weekend indulgence. Nevertheless, writers still have
deadlines and past activities that brought inspiration or sparked ideas are
either no longer an option in our new Stay-At-Home and practice Social
Distancing reality. Yet, there are still ways to stir up those creative juices.
My recommendation is to spend some time traveling and reconnecting with old
friends.
Before you pick up the closest rock and prepare to
hurl it in my direction, let me explain. One of the things that I find so
endearing about cozy mysteries is the fact that the characters really drive the
story. Characters are key, especially when there are long running series.
Often, readers pick up books in a series because they like the characters. They
enjoy spending time with them and want to know what happens next. Sue Grafton’s
Kinsey Milhone series wasn’t a cozy, but readers grew to know and love the
spunky private investigator as she worked her way through the alphabet. The
characters in a series become old friends who we enjoy spending time
with and, to make it more interesting, you can find great cozies in practically
every country in the world and throughout various time periods.
The next time you need inspiration, turn on a bit of
music and explore the streets, dance halls and the luxurious parlors of
Melbourne with lady detective, Phryne Fisher in the Phryne Fisher Mysteries by
Kerry Greenwood. Next, take a trip to early twentieth century New York City and
discover the haute cuisine of Swiss Chef, Fritz Brenner and the exotic orchids
of Nero Wolfe as told in the clever, jaunty lingo of Archie Goodwin in the Nero
Wolfe Mystery series by Rex Stout. Or, pour yourself a cup of tea and take a visit
to the charming village of St. Mary Mead where you can spend time with elderly
spinster and crime-solving maven, Miss Jane Marple by the queen of cozy
mysteries, Agatha Christie.
I love cozies. It’s what I read and therefore, what I
write. Whenever I need inspiration, I enjoy taking a stroll back down memory
lane and spending time with old friends. Generally, it doesn’t take long before
I find myself rejuvenated, inspired and ready to hit the keyboard. If you don’t
like rereading mysteries that you’ve already read, then sheltering in place is
probably the perfect time to tackle your To-Be-Read pile. If yours is anything
like mine, then it’s mountainous and ready to topple over. Who knows, you might
just find a new friend in its towering ranks.
As the world moved toward shutting down in March, I ordered twenty books from the library hold system. I'm still reading them. Next up: Susan Furlong's latest release. My husband found a winner in the pile, too: I Heard You Paint Houses, the book upon which the recent Netflix production of "The Irishman" was based.
ReplyDeleteHi, Valerie. You've recommended some of my favorites. It might add that for readers who say they can't focus enough to read a book right now, try downloading and listening to audiobooks. I really enjoy audiobooks since they enable me to be entertained while I am doing things that don't require a lot of thought.
ReplyDeleteSomehow, my TBR pile isn't going down - because I keep seeing books I need to add to list -- I've found ordering from some of my favorite indies from anywhere in the country has helped them and works well for me because many are offering free shipping, curbside pick-up, or other promos.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you Valerie! Since the shutdown my TBR pile of hardbacks has dwindled slightly (someone with no control is reloading it from the bottom. I'll speak to her.). What has really gotten me though this time, though, is reconnecting with old friends. Taking the time to go back to old series and read them though in order. It's like looking through much loved scrapbooks and photo albums, and it's amazing how much I missed in the first reads.
ReplyDeleteExcellent suggestion, Valerie. But I'm afraid that, with more time to browse, just like Debra I'm adding books (mostly to my Kindle) at a rate that far exceeds my reading capacity.
ReplyDeleteI should add that I'm "on my way" to add Buried in the Stacks, which is on sale, to my Kindle as soon as I'm done here.
ReplyDeleteHi Valerie,
ReplyDeleteI agree, characters make cozy mysteries fun to read. When I pick up a book, I read the blurb and the first few pages to get a feel for the characters. If I don't like them, I pick up the next book.
Have a great weekend!
Very good points! I never thought I'd feel this way, but I don't want to see Dateline and Forensic Files all day long. I did for awhile, but I'm searching out fluffier TV material lately. My reading has always been all over the map and I find it still is, though.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! Thanks for writing such amazing books!
ReplyDelete