I’ve been writing as long as I can remember, and had story ideas spinning like a microwave plate in my brain even longer. In this blog post, I’m going to tell you a bit about my work-in-progress debut novel (without too many spoilers of course).
It’s my dream to be a published author. I’m incredible grateful to have two short stories already out there, but my ultimate goal is to publish a novel.
Ive written a few in the past, mostly young adult fantasy with plenty of dragons, angst and dark humour. Those might make it out of my hard drive one day, but the project I’m working on now I can wholly envision as my debut novel.
It’s called Don’t Shoot the Messenger, a cosy mystery about a spiritual circle solving the murder of the most hated man in town.
If that sounds like something up your alley, keep reading for some sneak peaks into the idea and where I’m at in the writing process.
What’s the book about?
Like I said, Don’t Shoot the Messenger is about a spiritualist group solving a murder in their small town.
We follow Lara Morrigan, who has just moved back in with her parents after university. Her family is fractured from tragedy, her town is boring and bland, and her friendship group is non-existent.
That’s when she’s introduced to Angie: a local clairvoyant who invites Lara to fill a slot in her circle, featuring Angie’s sleepy husband, a philosophy dropout, a hopeless romantic, a secret occultist, an emo with a tragic backstory, and an ex-hitman.
When tragedy strikes the town, Lara doesn’t have long to work out if her new circle are her allies or suspects. Will she solve the case, or drive herself crazy trying?
Who would you recommend it to?
I’d say this is The Thursday Murder Club for fans of Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
It’s got all you could want in a cosy mystery: small town, quirky residents, crazy backstories. Then there’s some extra spice added with tarot, demonstrations of clairvoyance, and a whole lot of crystals.
I think you’d like it if you’re on the witchy side of the internet, or if you’re a big mystery lover like myself.
What inspired you to write this book?
I started getting into tarot about three years ago. My mum said I should come with her to a demonstration of clairvoyance, and I was so mystified by the experience. I even went to a circle meeting and I did think: this would be an interesting set up for a book. The title came to me instantly, and as someone who’s bad at titles, that’s like a sign from the universe.
What do you want readers to take away from your book?
You’re not alone.
It’s still early days, but this is what has kept me going for so long. I see a lot of myself in all these characters, but especially Lara. I hope when it makes it out into the world, readers not only have fun with it, but feel better for reading it.
What else can you tell us?
I can’t give everything away before I’ve even finished it myself! I’m currently writing this project for my MA dissertation, and have taken a break from the main text to write my supporting essay🤮.
Instead of being direct about anything, I’ll show you some of my resources instead. Here’s some of the character mood boards I’ve made.
If any of this sounds like something you’d want to read, follow me below for updates!
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