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"The Da Vinci Code" meets "Our Town"
WARNING
I'll be posting this novel as I write it with the following caveats:
* Some things may not make sense.
* Some dialogue will be really bad.
* My shameless attempts to pad word count will be really obvious.
First drafts are often bad. Repeat after me: Bad bad bad. Embrace the bad.
Word Count
13,736
THE STORY
Local historian and general nutcase Fred Stark has been found dead in his beloved, lovingly restored 18th-century courthouse in the small town of Winslow, Michigan. The suicide note beside his body is packed with obscure historical references, prompting beleaguered police chief Skippy Bronson to call for expert help.
Enter Leda Morris, part-time history teacher, closet organizer and organizing freak. She never could stand Fred, who was her ex-fiance's uncle and a self-described "sixth-generation Winslowite." But the note is intriguing— and almost completely incomprehensible — and she finds herself researching the clues despite herself. Leda and her ex, Jeffrey Stark, attempt to sort out the bizarre riddles and follow a trail of clues hidden in “historic sites” throughout the town. (One historic site is a gas station with a big fiberglass oil rig on it.)
So welcome to Winslow, Mich., population 4,947, barely limping along economically since the Dodge air-conditioning vent factory closed in '92. Meet Winslow's secret, ruthless Society and learn about this small town's most valuable historic relic.
THE NOVEL
- Chapters (3)
CHARACTER SOUP
SKIPPY BRONSON
Winslow's police chief. He's grappling with horrific budget cuts and is obsessed with saving money.
BARNEY CRANSTON
Village trustee, owner of Barney's Bar and member of the Europa Society.
DAYNA FORD
Village Council President. Intimidating.
ALFRED GOOSEY IV
Winslow's most prominent citizen.
MALLORY LOOMIS
Timid Village Council Clerk. Lives with her formidable mother.
SAM LUTHER
Talented policeman trapped in Winslow. Spooky.
Winslow's part-time high school history teacher.
PRINCIPAL SEYMOUR
Leda's micromanaging boss at Winslow High.
CANDACE STARK
Jeffrey's sister, age 40. Likes gardening and collects shovels.
JEFFREY STARK
Leda's ex-fiance. He grew up in Winslow and brought Leda there a year ago. Then he quickly realized why he left his hometown and fled with another woman, leaving Leda behind.
Writing Hints
* Make sure the clue is there, but hide it among things that are similar but aren't clues.
* Avoid character soup — adding characters for the sake of creating a larger group of potential suspects, without having sufficient distinguishing traits, roles to play in the plot or even clear names.
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