Hi everyone.

Today I attended my first critique session with a group of mystery writers. As most of you know, I write romantic suspense, but have been trying to break into the mystery genre for over a year. It's not an easy change.

Romance has rules, and while some refer to it in distain as a formula, it's a formula that works. When I asked a multi-published author who successfully made the switch what were the rules regarding mysteries, she said, "There are none." That gave me hope.

Eighteen months ago, I wrote my first straight mystery manuscript. I had no idea if I was on the right track or not. Unlike romance, mystery has no contests from which to gather feedback. Then in the summer of 2008, renowned mystery author Barbara Parker (a member of my local MWA chapter) offered to critique 4 writers' first chapters as a workshop. I jumped at the chance and submitted. I was one of the lucky four.

She gave me an honest critique about what I had done right, and what I had done wrong. The changes I needed to make were many, so I put the story away for a while.

Last March, Barbara passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. I felt that if she, knowing her fate, had taken the time to give me advice, the least I could do was follow it.  When this critique group formed last month, I re-wrote the story using many of her suggestions. Most of my partner's comments were to the good and they gave excellent feedback.

If this story is ever published, it will be due to the encouragement of Pat, Miette, Rebecca, Sharon, and most of all, Barbara.

Thank you Barbara, and wherever you are, may you still be writing.

Until later.

Suzanne