Making it Real

I was reading (listening) to a book by James Patterson recently. He said something about his writing that really stuck with me. He said on his list of 20 things he must do in writing a book number 18 is, "Be there." He explained that you can't fake anything; a bee sting, a hanging, whatever, research it and make it real.

There are parts of books that I have read that are too far-fetched for me to believe - even made up things can be too far-fetched. One thing J.K. Rowling did was to make it real for us muggles. She made me believe I was being squeezed when Harry was being taken along-side or going through the flue network. I could imagine all of it clearly.

So, my thought was to make those instances in a fantasy book real to us humans.

More Bang For Your Buck

So, I have been trying to think of why a book guy would be helping the police. I was considering missing persons. Old Guy could have been a master of maps and know the shifting of winds and terrain of the mountains. This way Mr. X, with his outdoor experience would actually be some help along the way.
My other idea comes from watching Mythbusters with all of their explosions. I don't know how to tie it in, but it could be fun to solve fires and explosions.
Opinions or more suggestions?

Who do you see?

Alright we need to pick an image of our main character. I have this scene in my mind where X has disappeared into the wilderness for a couple of weeks after the Old Man's death. He show back up at the bookstore looking a little rough around the edges and Cop Y, who has been waiting, thinks she can't take him seriously. Then he cleans up nicely and she doesn't know what to think. Here are a couple of guys that might be a good fit.

Jason Mraz... Tall, lanky, athletic build. He looks like a quirky NW guy; hat and all.
He reminds me of someone who wouldn't take thing to seriously, except maybe his hobbies.























This is Matthew Goode from Leap Year. If you took away his accent he would be from Portland. I also like that he spent most of the movie insulting Amy Adams.
He does clean up nicely but looks a little too young in this shot.








I can't say that Tom Brady looks like he is from the NW, but I have seen him mid football season with a full beard and pale as can be. He also might be a little too muscular.






















These are just some ideas. Do you have any other ideas? Does he need to be older or younger; taller or shorter? Suggestions?

It's a boy!

Okay, the vote is in. It is a guy.

Now, what type of guy?
Absentminded
Shaggie
Athletic
Recluse
Outspoken
Super Meticulous

What appeals to you?

Let's take a Vote

Alright so, let's take a basic vote: Should the main character be a...

Guy __________ or __________ Girl

Please add a sentence or two to argue your point.

What A Girl Wants

Yes, crazy, pushy Tia is at it again. I have this idea for a collection of Mystery books. I would like to write a bunch of mystery books about 200 pages long... like episodes of a tv show. I am looking for a funny, ironic type of main character with something special that sets him/her apart. ie:
Monk- Obsessive compulsive crime fighter
Psych- Lazy, liar who cons city into letting him solve cases by being super observant
White Collar- The best white collar criminal recruited by the FBI to hunt down other white collar criminals
Dexter- Serial killer who only kills the bad guys he doesn't catch on his day job, being a blood spatter analyst

My goal with the books is to make short quick reads that would appeal to the fans of Monk and Psych.

What I would like from you:
1) Ideas of quirky, ironic main characters
2) Sidekicks, other supporting characters
3) Scenery, where does it take place
4) Backstory
5) Anything else that you might think of

After I gather up all of the details, I will write out the first draft of the first book and then ask you all to murder it... tear it to bits and pieces... add in snappier dialogue... slip in a plot twist or two... do what it takes to make it a great book.
If all goes well, we will submit the book as a ghost writer and get our first one published, split the profits and take a real sisters trip.