I’d like to get a little personal and tell you what goes on behind the scenes of my books. My little secrets.
When I think I’m done with the manuscript, I’m not. Even after the book is published and I read different sentences and pages I’ve written, I have a strong urge to change things around, but of course, I can’t. I tie my hands behind my back (figuratively), take a deep breath and move on. Have you ever completed a project or a task and had the urge to take another look and make changes? Fortunately, my post-publishing, wishful changes are minor. For instance, why did I use “ask” twice in a row in one paragraph?
If you’ve read at least two of my books, and you’re a fan of the dedication page, you might notice something. If you read all four of my books, you’ll notice that something even more - all of the books in my series are dedicated to the same person: my biggest supporter and ever-ready critic - my mom. She’s also steadfastly played father, friend and complaint & advice hotline my whole life. Plus, she likes to read my books over and over again. Who does that? Here’s to you, Mom! Do any of you ever read the dedications in books?
After writing a few drafts, the story is nearly complete. That’s when I get physical. I visit the locations in person to make sure I see, smell, hear, touch and taste everything that heroine, Corrie Locke, might experience in the same locale. Since my books take place in Southern California, and I live at the northern tip with my family, rescue dogs and hens, it’s easy to make the rounds (the canine and feathered family members stay at home). Much of the action in my latest novel, SLIGHTLY MURDEROUS INTENT, takes place around the Santa Monica Pier. I’ve visited the Pier in the past, but once the book is nearly done, I visit again and pay serious attention. What does the ground beneath my feet look and feel like? Is that cotton candy I smell? Sure are a lot of jets flying overhead. These visits give me a clear view of where heroine Corrie Locke is and helps to bring the scenes alive. I trace her steps, including her chase scenes and close encounters, allowing my senses to wander so I can fine-tune the manuscript and allow my readers to feel like they’re right beside Corrie.
I don’t visit all of the places in person. For instance, in my latest, some of the action takes place in a sea cave in the South Bay. After viewing a few videos of the actual caves, I decided I’d view them from afar. Very afar. That’s all I’m saying.
And finally, the acknowledgements don’t come easy. There are SO many people I’d like to thank. I limit my list to ten, tops. Then there’s finding the right words to express what I feel in my heart. The fuller my heart the harder to express.
The outer author writes the words. It’s a bit of the inner journey you’ve glimpsed today.
About Slightly Murderous Intent
There's a shooter on the loose who keeps missing his target. But that doesn't stop him from trying again…and again. It's up to Corrie Locke, rookie lawyer and spunky sleuth, to find the gunman before he hits his mark, Assistant Deputy D.A. James Zachary, Corrie's hunky and complicated frenemy.
When Corrie is stuck with more questions than answers, she enlists a team with various strengths, from weapons to cooking skills, to help her find the shooter. Her computer whiz boyfriend Michael is onboard. So is former security guard Veera. Toss in an over-the-hill informant and a couple of feuding celebrity chefs and Corrie's got her very own A-Team. Okay, maybe it's more like a B-Team.
Can Team Corrie hunt down the shooter before he scores a bulls-eye?
About Lida Sideris
Lida Sideris is an author, lawyer, and all-around book enthusiast. She writes soft-boiled mysteries and was a recipient of the Helen McCloy Mystery Writers of America scholarship award. Slightly Murderous Intent is #4 in her Southern California Mystery series, published by Level Best Books. Lida lives in the northern tip of SoCal with her family, rescue dogs and a flock of uppity chickens. To learn more, please visit: www.LidaSideris.com
Thanks very much for hosting me today, Jessica! :)
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