I told you about my new short story on Tuesday, and promised I’d have an update for you by the end of the week. Today I’m sharing an in-depth article about the research that went into the story. You can find that article at SleuthSayers, the mystery blog, at the following link:

Drink On, Drinkers!

I don’t want to delve too much into the short story, or even the post, at the moment. Because why waste time listening to me blab about it here when you can listen to me blab about it there?

The gist of the piece today is this:

I am on the record as a serial over-researcher, knowing that my process often teeters close to obsession. I usually research until everything I read starts to sound repetitive. Then I know it is time to stop. This ritual is propelled by a fear that I will get something wrong, and incur the wrath of those who know better. This grew out of my years in journalism, when there might have been serious repercussions for getting a fact or assertion wrong. An old journalism professor of mine offered this advice on research: “You’ll never become an expert on a new topic. But with enough reporting, you can become a semi-expert.”

Suffice to say that writers are always warned not to over-research or cram every bit of their research into their writing. And I agree with that, up to a point.

But I’m at a juncture in my career where the only short stories that I care about writing are historical mysteries that really mean something to me. To do them right, I need to put in the time.

That probably sounds like a cop-out, but seriously, I have had about five ideas for stories simmering in my brain for a long while now. And they always get relegated to the bottom of the to-do list. Why? Because they’re demanding. Because they’re challenging.

I finally realized that doing them my way is the only way I’ll ever get them done. I’m through fighting with myself over how best to be creative.

So anyhoo, if you’re inclined to learn more about the new short story, “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bled,” hop on over to SleuthSayers today, and check out the article.

And if you like a nice drink with your mysteries, check out the Murder, Neat anthology. You can’t go wrong. For the price of fancy coffee, you’ll get 24 short mysteries by 24 different writers.

Check out the book right here, available in ebook format. (Paperback—we are told by the publisher—is coming soon. I’ll let you know when.)

Murder, Neat: A SleuthSayers Anthology

Click image to get the book on Amazon. (More retailers coming soon.)

I am so excited about my story that I had a cover designer create a story-specific image for me to use on the website.

Here’s the pitch as crafted by our editors:

Whether they drink whiskey or wine, crime fiction writers can often be found indulging in their favorite libations at all manner of drinking establishments (especially the hotel bar at most mystery conventions!). So, what better way to recognize this natural affinity than Murder, Neat, a collection of twenty-four crime stories set in a variety of bars, taverns, and tasting rooms, written by many of the most honored living crime fiction short story writers.
So, prepare to quench your literary thirst when you open this tantalizing cocktail of crime.

I really think this is the perfect collection for someone who digs bars, booze, and mysteries.

Here’s the (affiliate) link again: