Writerly Ways

Before I launched into it, mom calls me this morning, talks briefly and then calls back 90 seconds later with an 'I forgot to tell you. May the Fourth Be With you."
Ha. thanks mom.

Today's post is courtesy of Return to Paradise a spin off of Death in Paradise only it's set in Australia not in the Caribbean. What to do with a well worn archetype.

A lot of open calls for instance say please don't give use hookers with hearts of gold, no more chosen ones etc.

I was thinking about it because once again we're given another neurodivergent detective (who is also abrasive). You want neurodivergent characters, go pick up a detective story (book, movie, tv show, don't matter) It's been around for a long time, certainly Sherlock falling into this mold. Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot as well. Law & Order SVU gave us Goren and I could go on and on.

Should we avoid these overused types? Is there a way to spin the morally gray character and make it feel new? But I need a chosen one? How to do it?

I'm not sure I have an answer. How about you all? How do you approach this? Do you avoid it all together? Is there a way you think it could be freshened up?

I do think if your character is likeable enough (or so hateable) the reader will forgive them being an overused sort of character and invest in them anyhow. Naturally this won't work for everyone because readers are so different. (Just finished an arc that I enjoyed and one of the other arc readers was like, yeah couldn't connect with these characters so there is never a universally loved/hated character).


Open Call

9 Publishers Open to Direct Submissions in May 2025

Taco Bell Quarterly it's a weird call but it pays well

Boozhoo Books with Bindery Books Are Open For Horror Novels By Women I don't know these groups but it's a 10K advance (I'd research it if I were you)

Lesser Cryptids of Appalachia Ironically I just sold my lesser appalachian cryptid story...

Dancing Star Press Is Open to SciFi and Fantasy Novellas

Yay! all queer: Free and Queer

Book Worms Horror Zine Issue #8Cryptids (very short fic under 1,500 words)

Stellar Parallax: Hope in A Grimdark World Science fiction that follows the title of the book



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From Betty

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Is Your Worldbuilding TOO Powerful? I liked this one. I've been whining about overpowered heroes for years

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How to rein in wandering characters

How Writers Can Save Time Using a Style Sheet

Do I need an ISBN if I self-publish my book?

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