Debi Graham-Leard

At yesterday’s writing group in Plymouth, Pam suggested that my new character is quite a shock and a surprise, and thought he would be more easily “bought” by my future readers if there is more foreshadowing of his appearance. We discussed the fact that most agents and publishers frown on prologues these days, but many books I’ve browsed recently begin with a prologue, and they were published, so why not mine?

What I have found is that my cozy mystery is morphing into something a bit different, but I’m not at all dissatisfied with that turn of events. These days, a novel needs to have a twist to get attention, and I believe this new character will make my novel just a little more interesting.

So I’m busy writing the prologue and adding hints in earlier chapters that foreshadow the appearance of this character. The creativity makes me eager to continue the writing.

To borrow an old cliche, “Only time will tell.”