by Jackie King
“Should cozy mysteries
deal with serious themes?”
This question recently appeared
on a LISTSERV for writers and readers. The answers received were of great interest
to me, because my character Grace Cassidy, often finds herself dealing with this
sort of dilemma.
Most of those who
responded to this query advocated that with the rapid changes happening in our world, problems faced
by cozy characters will naturally turn grittier.
For years we've dealt with murder, and that's pretty darned serious. The trick is to keep graphic blood, gore and blatant sex off the page. Everything else, even dark subjects, is now happening to our readers and need to be discussed.
The writing style, however, must still stay upbeat. Accomplishing this challenges a writer's skill. I think cozy writers are up to this task. I certainly intend to try.
For years we've dealt with murder, and that's pretty darned serious. The trick is to keep graphic blood, gore and blatant sex off the page. Everything else, even dark subjects, is now happening to our readers and need to be discussed.
The writing style, however, must still stay upbeat. Accomplishing this challenges a writer's skill. I think cozy writers are up to this task. I certainly intend to try.
One technique to keep our books cozy, is to include humor. I'm not talking about slapstick or gallows humor. At least not usually. I'm talking about the kind of humor that gets the ordinary person through life with some kind of sanity intact. Myself, I prefer the tongue-in-cheek kind.
My Bed and
Breakfast cozy mystery series features Grace Cassidy, an inn-sitter, and is written with a touch. My character has been involved in divorce, neglected children, teen pregnancy and more. Learning to live through life-changing experiences in the cyber age, and still keep a positive attitude, describes my heroine's life.
THE CORPSE AND THE
GEEZER BRIGADE, book three, introduces Slick Webster, a handsome biracial man approaching
his 21st birthday. His past memories involve seeing his mother die from a
drug overdose and his early struggles in foster care.
My main character Grace continues standing strong while learning hurtful things about her parent's past without blinking. She vows to never again turn a blind eye to
the elephant in the living room. No more sweeping family secrets under the rug.
Through all of these problems, Grace and her quirky sidekick Theodora Westmacott, take joy in decorating a new Bed and Breakfast using someone else's money, driving around in a Rolls Royce, and witty conversation.
Through all of these problems, Grace and her quirky sidekick Theodora Westmacott, take joy in decorating a new Bed and Breakfast using someone else's money, driving around in a Rolls Royce, and witty conversation.
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