Deadly Gamble is the first in my Charlie Parker mystery series, but a little-known fact is that it was actually the second in this series to be written. How and why did I decide to switch the order of the first two books?
I was living in Hawaii at the time I went back to my reading roots, decided to write a mystery series, and came up with the character of Charlotte “Charlie” Parker. Going on the advice of “write what you know” I figured, what the heck—I’m living in Hawaii, it’s a beautiful and exotic place, and I can present the story with a lot more depth than if I’d come here on a quick vacation. BUT … I also knew I would be moving back to New Mexico within a couple of years and it made more sense to set an ongoing series in the place I knew better. So, Charlie’s home state would be the same as mine. She would merely be in Hawaii on her vacation. I sat down and wrote Vacations Can Be Murder.
I attended my next writer’s conference and met with a few agents. They liked the exotic location idea, but one guy advised me to establish Charlie first in her home territory. It was important, he said, that readers see her at home doing her regular thing before she goes off to this fabulous vacation. She should earn the vacation before she goes there. Okay. I didn’t disagree.
I went home and came up with Charlie’s backstory—her family, home, neighbors and career. Most importantly, her sidekick companion dog Rusty. He turned out to be one of the most beloved characters in the whole series, so I was glad to introduce him, along with the standard cast of characters, in Deadly Gamble. A few minor rewrites to Vacations to make it clear Charlie was home-based in New Mexico, and the series was on its way.
For readers who have not yet started this series, Deadly Gamble is free at most online retailers—a great way to meet Charlie and get a feel for the series at no risk. Click here to learn more about the storyline.
I was living in Hawaii at the time I went back to my reading roots, decided to write a mystery series, and came up with the character of Charlotte “Charlie” Parker. Going on the advice of “write what you know” I figured, what the heck—I’m living in Hawaii, it’s a beautiful and exotic place, and I can present the story with a lot more depth than if I’d come here on a quick vacation. BUT … I also knew I would be moving back to New Mexico within a couple of years and it made more sense to set an ongoing series in the place I knew better. So, Charlie’s home state would be the same as mine. She would merely be in Hawaii on her vacation. I sat down and wrote Vacations Can Be Murder.
I attended my next writer’s conference and met with a few agents. They liked the exotic location idea, but one guy advised me to establish Charlie first in her home territory. It was important, he said, that readers see her at home doing her regular thing before she goes off to this fabulous vacation. She should earn the vacation before she goes there. Okay. I didn’t disagree.
I went home and came up with Charlie’s backstory—her family, home, neighbors and career. Most importantly, her sidekick companion dog Rusty. He turned out to be one of the most beloved characters in the whole series, so I was glad to introduce him, along with the standard cast of characters, in Deadly Gamble. A few minor rewrites to Vacations to make it clear Charlie was home-based in New Mexico, and the series was on its way.
For readers who have not yet started this series, Deadly Gamble is free at most online retailers—a great way to meet Charlie and get a feel for the series at no risk. Click here to learn more about the storyline.
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