Criminal Pursuits

Last Friday and Saturday found me attending Criminal Pursuits. This was the second annual mystery conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The event is sponsored by the Southwest Chapter of Mystery Writers of America and put on by P.J. Nunn, founder of BreakThrough Promotions.

Featured speakers were Barbara Colley (Charlotte LaRue mystery series) and Jane Cleland (Consigned to Death). Barbara spoke about “the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of writing” as well as character development, and Jane discussed “Branding yourself, a marketing plan.” Both authors gave the audience solid information and advice on writing and a writing career.

The most unusual part of the event was Friday evening. After dinner, Mike Witzgall, a SWAT instructor, consultant and Peace Officer, introduced “Crime Scene Interpretation.” This exercise included two dead bodies (mannequins) as well as props and a liberal sprinkling and spattering of stage blood. Three teams gathered clues and vied for the most correct solution to the crime.

What does this have to do with writing? You may have heard others tell you to read if you want to be a writer — I put attending conferences in the same category. This one was well worth the effort and investment.

Bee Jay