Getting cozy
Michelle pointis burns,
UPSTATE NEW YORK's latest cozy mystery writer
Opening Editorial: Michelle's debut novel, Say Cheese and Murder, is a must have for those who love cozy mysteries. Described by one reader-fan as the "next Agatha Christie," Michelle has penned a fantastic story that not only revolves around a potential crime to solve (good luck with that!), but also a young woman, Cassandra Haywood, who must face perhaps the most challenging obstacle of all while solving the mystery: her own self-confidence.
Set during a New Year's Eve party, get ready for some crystal wine glasses, cheese, and a little mayhem!
Set during a New Year's Eve party, get ready for some crystal wine glasses, cheese, and a little mayhem!
Michelle is an avid student of the art and profession of writing, so I asked her some questions about (of course), writing and writing groups. Here's what she said.
You're an advocate of writers groups. Why and what has a writers group done for you as an author?
Joining the Corning (New York) Area Writers Group changed my life.
Really, it did.
I feel a group is essential to most writers. There are four ways it helped me and could potentially help other writers. Attending weekly meetings motivated me to write regularly. Most people have busy lives. It can be weeks or months between sessions, sitting down to work on our writing projects. The weekly meetings prompted me to write because I wanted to share my words. The only way to do that is to get your tail in the chair and create.
Reading others’ work improved my skills as an editor, and my writing evolved. Sometimes we’re blind to our (oft repeated) mistakes. After witnessing someone else make similar errors, your paragraphs magically improve. For chapters you’re critiquing, reading fantastic descriptions transports you into created worlds or dialogue that practically becomes a movie in your head, and inspires you to do the same.
Further, encouragement and advice from other group members sustained me. Writing is between you and the keyboard. However, if you keep your work entirely to yourself and then hit the publish button, it usually means the product isn’t your best. Most authors need others to read their pages and give feedback, both positive and negative.
You're an advocate of writers groups. Why and what has a writers group done for you as an author?
Joining the Corning (New York) Area Writers Group changed my life.
Really, it did.
I feel a group is essential to most writers. There are four ways it helped me and could potentially help other writers. Attending weekly meetings motivated me to write regularly. Most people have busy lives. It can be weeks or months between sessions, sitting down to work on our writing projects. The weekly meetings prompted me to write because I wanted to share my words. The only way to do that is to get your tail in the chair and create.
Reading others’ work improved my skills as an editor, and my writing evolved. Sometimes we’re blind to our (oft repeated) mistakes. After witnessing someone else make similar errors, your paragraphs magically improve. For chapters you’re critiquing, reading fantastic descriptions transports you into created worlds or dialogue that practically becomes a movie in your head, and inspires you to do the same.
Further, encouragement and advice from other group members sustained me. Writing is between you and the keyboard. However, if you keep your work entirely to yourself and then hit the publish button, it usually means the product isn’t your best. Most authors need others to read their pages and give feedback, both positive and negative.
- Positive feedback provides encouragement. Validating your ideas are sound is an addictive, non-chemical drug. It’s reassuring to touch a reader’s heart, teach something, or make people laugh or tear up. Writer group members cheer each other on with each success. They also lend an ear when the inevitable setback occurs. Friends who understand the ups and downs of the writing process are wonderful to have.
- Hearing your words aren’t perfect stings. Sometimes your ego takes a hit, but you become better when you evaluate and learn from the comments. You won’t agree with every suggestion people make, so you take the useful nuggets and leave the rest. All of it makes one a better writer. Everyone (it doesn’t matter if you’ve published many times) needs a variety of folks to read their stuff. When publishing your work for the world to see, you need thick skin. Membership in a writing group can develop that extra layer.
- Group members have different life events and occupations. If you have a character experience something not in your purview, having someone with first-hand knowledge can tweak it to make it more realistic or debunk a common misconception. When authors use this constructive expertise to color their work with a more accurate brush, it improves the quality. Trust me, after your book release, you’ll get dinged with poor reviews if you have inaccurately described occupations, time periods, legal proceedings, countries, hobbies, medical procedures, or any topic. The more realistic your work is, the better.
Author Bio
Michelle Pointis Burns juggles mothering her ten children, homeschooling (the oldest five have now graduated college), living her Catholic faith, and writing. She loves to research topics of all kinds, read British authors (especially Jane Austen and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), quote movies in regular conversation, and drink hot chocolate from elegant teacups. When asked how she manages it all, she has been known to reply, “Prayer, caffeine, and a sense of humor.”
Michelle has been a devoted member of the NY Chemung Valley Mothers of Twins Club (she has two sets of twins), and the Corning Area Writer’s Writers’ Group. Born and raised in Queens, NY,
Michelle currently lives in Upstate New York on a working goat and sheep farm with her husband and more than half of her children. Say Cheese and Murder is her first novel.
Editor’s closing note: Michelle’s novel, Say Cheese and Murder, can be found on all major book retailers, and you can follow her blog on homeschooling, cheese, and life at: www.michellepointisburns.com --JGC
Michelle Pointis Burns juggles mothering her ten children, homeschooling (the oldest five have now graduated college), living her Catholic faith, and writing. She loves to research topics of all kinds, read British authors (especially Jane Austen and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), quote movies in regular conversation, and drink hot chocolate from elegant teacups. When asked how she manages it all, she has been known to reply, “Prayer, caffeine, and a sense of humor.”
Michelle has been a devoted member of the NY Chemung Valley Mothers of Twins Club (she has two sets of twins), and the Corning Area Writer’s Writers’ Group. Born and raised in Queens, NY,
Michelle currently lives in Upstate New York on a working goat and sheep farm with her husband and more than half of her children. Say Cheese and Murder is her first novel.
Editor’s closing note: Michelle’s novel, Say Cheese and Murder, can be found on all major book retailers, and you can follow her blog on homeschooling, cheese, and life at: www.michellepointisburns.com --JGC