Here's a writing challenge for those who can't meet face to face (or who can but like the exercise).
If the main event in your story (key plot point, whatever) were reported in a newspaper, how would it read? Take a break from your novel and write at least a couple of leading paragraphs for the article. Who knows; you just might be able to include the news report in your novel.
Here's how I'd report mine. If you're a regular reader of mystery novels, you will know by the end of the third paragraph that poor Gupta is being framed.
PIKERVILLE, TENN. -- Piker County Sheriff Walter Avery reported that his officers are investigating the death of former socialite Mirabelle O'Malley Grady, who was found dead Sunday morning on the grounds of the O'Malley family lake house outside Pikerville, where a family reunion was taking place.
The death was reported as "suspicious." Sheriff's officers would not report a cause of death; however, some accounts say Grady was killed with a tulwar, an East Indian short sword.
Sheriff's deputies are seeking Atlanta cab driver Gupta Singh Khalsa and Grady's granddaughter, Katherine Michelle Grady, as "persons of interest."
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Carol Anne
2004: The Magnificent What? -- winner
2005: Murder at the Community College -- winner
2006: Murder at the Yacht Club -- winner
2007: Murder at the Family Reunion -- winner
50,015 / 50,000
Nov 21, 2007 - 23 46
Oh, this is fun. But nothing worth writing a news report about happens in this one. It's mostly internal chick-lit style dialog. I wish there was though. I would enjoy doing this.
66,184 / 50,000
Nov 22, 2007 - 00 06
Sure why not...
Corinth, Meridia System, Sector G2 - In yet another unusual turn from the Meridia System, there are now reports of strange events occurring on the third colonized planet, Corinth.
Regular readers will remember the shock of hearing a first for the Colonization Authority only weeks ago. It was then that a colonized planet was evacuated for the first time in CA history. Planet Hallan, also in the Meridia System, was evacuated only weeks ago due to still unexplained circumstances.
Then only days ago the second of the Meridia planets, Elios, was evacuated as well. The reports are still coming in, but the evacuation of Elios was as strange as that of Hallan.
Now, with all of the evacuees on Corinth for quarantine, the CA has declared a quarantine on the entire Meridia system. No traffic is allowed out of the system, and forces are ordered to delivered supplies only by using remote vessels.
The news of the quarantine is especially troubling to the citizens of Corinth. Recent disappearances have been overshadowed by the unexplained destruction of at least one town. And with the strange occurrences throughout the system many residents had been making plans to leave the planet. Those plans are now on hold indefinitely.
50,056 / 50,000
Nov 24, 2007 - 00 38
Earth - Only a few people on the planet can identify the cause of the worldwide earthquakes, flooding, gas shortage, and unusual weather caused by the ahrvesting operations of hte superbeing, Ipsum. Dr. Michael Chartwell is still trying to derail Ipsum's plans to destroy the human race, but has encountered some difficulty in reaching Ipsum's harvester factory, located, which is not located on Earth.
Dr. Chartwell's latest attempt to destroy Ipsum's factory failed when his coworker, Dr. Wilbur W. Rong, informed him that Ipsum's factory is not on Earth and cancelled Dr. Chartwell's plans to turn the world's first antimatter collection satellite into the world's first antimatter bomb.
Dr. Chartwell declined Dr. Rong's offer to join him in a specially designed shelter during the harvesting of planet and still believes that he can stop Ipsum, perhaps by paying a direct visit to the supercomputer himself.
57,244 / 50,000
Nov 29, 2007 - 00 34
OK, here's the latest news report:
PIKERVILLE, TENN -- Piker County sheriff's officers are investigating the death Monday of retired Boston police sergeant William Meany O'Malley and the serious injury of his wife, Clara Hallahan O'Malley, at the O'Malley family lake house just outside Pikerville, where a family reunion was taking place.
The O'Malleys were found in the remains of a tool shed that had been destroyed by a tornado. However, authorities now believe the death and injury to be homicide and attempted homicide. Officials would not confirm whether they believe these incidents are related to the death of former socialite Mirabelle O'Malley Grady, who was found dead on the grounds of the lake house Sunday morning.
Sheriff's officers say they are seeking Padraig Connor O'Malley, 98, as a "person of interest" in the case.