J. H. Authors

One Woman. Three Names. Many Books.

Musings

Older sleuths

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As I noodle a new book, I’ve been thinking about the lens, or lenses, through which I’ll tell the story. This matters for a few reasons. I’ll be spending a lot of time with these characters. I don’t necessarily have to like them. In fact, I’m playing with an unlikable protagonist and having fun. But I do need to enjoy sending them on adventures and watching their reactions.

My last series, the Garden Squad series, featured several characters, but centered on Lilly Jayne, a 65-year-old master gardener. I enjoyed writing about someone who had lived a full life, who couldn’t run because of achy knees, and who didn’t care what people thought of her.

What if that woman were unlikeable, but rarely wrong? Efficient but a pill? Smart but a social outcast? Bored and therefore reckless?

Do you like older sleuths? I’m reading them more and more. Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series, Deanna Rayborn’s Killers of a Certain Age. Wonderfully rounded characters full of life and adventure despite or, or because of, their age.

She isn’t fully formed yet, but a character is emerging, moving in. Her knees will be as creaky as mine. And she’ll be cranky. The rest is to be determined.

I write long, which isn’t working

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Writing a novel doesn’t mean that you can write a short story. I’ve learned this the hard way, several times.

I know many wonderful short story writers. A few friends have used short stories to help reboot their muse. I’ve tried, but every time I try and write a short story, I end up starting a novel. Nevertheless I persist. Partly because I like the challenge. Also because I’ve been asked to write for an anthology, and I need to turn something in.

When writing a short story there isn’t room for backstory, or secondary plots, or lots of characters. There’s room for a story, a complex story depending on the craft level of the writer.

Learning how to write a short story intrigues me as a way to develop my craft. But also as a way to explore new genres. I write mysteries. Maybe I could write a romance short story, or a thriller, or a caper? MAYBE horror, though it would be low key horror.

Short stories are also a great way to introduce readers to new characters. Or to fill in gaps between publishing in a series.

When you are a writer, you are always developing your craft. That’s never done. Will short stories be part of that craft development for me? Or a great way to start a new book? I’ve said yes to the anthology, so something’s going to be written.

The journey.

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I am a mystery writer. A reader of all sorts of books. An audio book fan. A theater lover. An arts administrator. A podcaster. A blogger.

That’s the professional me. There are, of course, other aspects of my life and my personality. I’ll discuss those here as well.

I’m also rebooting. So far I’ve published ten mysteries under three different names. I’ve several other books, two of which are pretty good. Others helped me learn.

The writing journey is what I can control. The publishing journey is a bit more out of my control. Nevertheless, I persist.

I hadn’t been blogging here for years, but now, in late March 2024, I’ve decided to start. Partly for myself, Partly for accountability. Partly to keep a record.

My name is Julie Hennrikus. I write as J.A. Hennrikus, Julia Henry, and Julianne Holmes. If necessary, I will write other another name for a new genre, a new series, a reboot. That’s the publishing part.

I’ve written two cozy series. I’ve written one traditional series. Now I’m interested in writing suspense mysteries, more stand alones. I’m musing a few new ideas, and am going to work on one. I’ll let you know how it’s going.