I write across genres-—cozy mysteries, dark fantasy, and transformative nonfiction-—and each one asks for a different hat. The tools I reach for, the structure I use, and the way I access ideas change depending on the bookkeeping each genre requires. Below I share practical methods I use to capture ideas, break through writer’s block, build cohesive mysteries, and keep the creative energy clear and useful.
One process, many paths
Fiction lets me answer “what if?” and wander. Cozy mysteries are puzzles that must fit together so readers can solve the case or enjoy being misled. Nonfiction needs a clear, teachable path with practical exercises. Because the work of writing changes with the intent, my process changes too.
How I decide what to outline
- Outlines: Necessary when components must interlock—mysteries, series continuity, or step-by-step nonfiction.
- Free roam: For dark fantasy and short stories, I often trust the zone, letting scenes and characters unfold without rigid maps.
- Hybrid: Often, I alternate: outline a tight project, then write something freer to relieve the pressure of precision.
Where ideas come from—and how to keep them
Ideas arrive in dreams, on walks, in ordinary objects—a brush handle with a spike can become a demonic prop; a dog’s quirks can spark a cozy detective’s inner voice. When an idea flashes, treat it like a live ember.
- Capture immediately: Keep a notepad or phone by your bed and record titles, images, lines, or scenes the moment they arrive.
- Make lists: I keep pages of story snippets and prompts. They are a writer’s treasury.
- Back up everything: Save manuscripts to multiple places—external hard drives, secondary email addresses, and trusted readers. Don’t depend on a single file.
Knowledge without application is useless.
The creative zone and the divine request
When I’m in the zone, the story plays out vividly. I often begin a session by asking the creative source to speak through me. For me that means grounding energy at the crown and letting it move through my hands or voice. The exact language doesn’t matter—make a simple request and allow the page to receive it.
When you’re flowing, don’t edit. Let the raw material come. The energy you bring to the page matters: readers feel it. If you find sentences you don’t remember writing, celebrate—that’s the zone working.
Tools I use to solve stuck plots
Writer’s block is rarely mystical; it’s often a missing connective tissue in the plot or an unanswered question in research. But practical tools help me bypass the stuckness fast:
- Tarot: Yes—I use tarot to locate conflict, clarify character motives, and create movement in a scene. It’s a metaphysical mirror; draw a few cards and see what tension they expose.
- Astrology: For deep character work I sometimes build a chart to discover traits and likely behavior patterns.
- Physical action: Laundry, walking, or a household chore will often shift a stuck mind. Movement opens thought.
- Backtracking: If you’re immobilized, go back a scene or two and tweak what led to the stall—usually that’s all that’s needed.
Building a mystery: practical outlining tips
A good mystery gives the reader all the pieces to solve the case, even if a red herring misdirects them. To do that:
- Create a grid of clues, alibis, motives, and timelines to ensure consistency.
- Outline each character’s motive and the intersections between them.
- Place valid clues subtly in dialogue or small actions rather than announcing “clue time.”
- Use beta readers to test whether your misdirection feels fair rather than arbitrary.
Editing, beta readers, and honing craft
Self-publishing makes the gatekeeper’s job yours. That increases your responsibility for polish.
- Use beta readers: I have multiple readers for each genre who are brutal and specific. They catch missing pieces and unresolved threads.
- Layer your editing: Run software tools, but remember they are suggestions not rules. Vet each change against voice and character.
- Consistency matters: Names, capitalization, number formatting, and repeated terms must be uniform. Readers notice tiny inconsistencies.
- Don’t expect perfection: Even acclaimed books have mistakes. Aim for meticulous effort, not impossible flawlessness.
Practical checklist for writers
- Capture every idea immediately.
- Back up drafts in at least two places.
- Decide whether your project needs an outline or the zone.
- When stuck, try tarot, a walk, or return to the previous scene.
- Use at least three beta readers and one professional editor if possible.
- Run grammar tools but accept only what preserves voice.
What I’m working on
My current slate includes sequels and new nonfiction. Forest of the Dead continues: magical realism that threads a grieving son’s journey through tree spirits and an alternative burial ritual. I’m revisiting The True Nature of Energy and developing Love Patterns, research into the unconscious patterns that shape our closest relationships.
Final thoughts
Writing is both craft and energy work. Structure the parts that must be precise, and cultivate the flow that gives voice. Be meticulous about details, kind to your readers, and relentless about keeping your ideas and files safe. If you do that, the stories will find their way to you—and through you—-to readers who need them.