Crime Writers’ Association – Debut Dagger

I’m happy to report that I completed my entry to the Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger. And more importantly, submitted it.

I was really pleased with the 2,700 word first chapter (which I polished until I could see it sparkle), the title (which changed a couple of times before I settled on ‘the one’), but I’m not so sure about the synopsis. It was the first one I’ve ever written.

My first novel, Depot 573, was written without knowing where the story was going. I enjoyed writing my characters into corners, and then trying to work out how they were going to extricate themselves. For my first foray into crime fiction, I needed to work out everything in advance in order to write the required synopsis. On reflection, I think it would be difficult to write crime fiction any other way, and I’m really glad I was forced to do it. Having the plot laid out for me, including all the twists and turns, should make completing the novel easy. Well, easier. But I’m not convinced the synopsis was as good as it should be. Sure, it gets the plot across clearly and succinctly, but I’m not sure it was a good reflection of my writing style.

I guess only time will tell.

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