Guest Author Lorie Lewis Ham

Lorie Lewis Ham

This weekend, Type M 4 Murder is happy to welcome our honored guest blogger, Lorie Lewis Ham. Lorie lives in Reedley, California and has been writing ever since she was a child. Her first song and poem were published when she was 13, and she has gone on to publish many articles, short stories, and poems throughout the years, as well as write for a local newspaper, and publish 7 mystery novels. For the past 14 years, Lorie has been the editor-in-chief and publisher of Kings River Life Magazine, and she produces Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast, where you can hear an excerpt of her book One of Us, the first in a new series called The Tower District Mysteries. Book 2, One of You, was released in June of 2024. You can learn more about Lorie and her writing on her website mysteryrat.com and find her on Facebook, BookBub, Goodreads, and Instagram @krlmagazine & @lorielewishamauthor.

The Importance of Setting

by Lorie Lewis Ham

I wrote a series of mysteries many years ago featuring a gospel singing amateur sleuth (I used to sing gospel music). I set the series in a fictional version of my hometown of Reedley, CA. Then I took a break from writing mysteries to start an online magazine called Kings River Life. When I came back to writing fiction a few years ago, I was ready to do something new. 

The Tower District

When thinking about what to write next, I first decided on a setting for the books. While every part of writing a mystery novel is important, I think the setting can set the tone for the whole book/series. This time around I chose a real life setting with just a few elements fictionalized for story purposes. I chose to set my new series in the Tower District of Fresno, CA. This is the arts and entertainment district of Fresno and it is almost like its own small town, as it is very different from much of the rest of the city. It is a very artsy, quirky, creative community filled with theatre, art galleries, dance studios, and more. It is also filled with charming and quirky residents. There is a lot of history in this part of town as well—my main character often says that being in the Tower is like stepping back in time.

This setting has definitely set the tone for my new series The Tower District Mysteries—every book has something to do with that artistic community and the arts—especially theatre. It dictates what sort of stories I tell and what type of characters are in my books. The Tower District is almost like a character itself. 

I have found that the setting has also done something else for my books—it has helped them sell. Outside of the area, readers have found this setting interesting and unique. Locally, people have been excited to read about their own community and they have been very supportive. Perhaps part of that comes from it being an artistic community—they want to be supportive of other’s artistic endeavors. I also think they like the idea of people beyond the Tower District being able to learn about it and fall in love with the place too. Funny enough, when I wrote about a fictional version of my hometown I didn’t find that same support—so I think what community you write about can make a difference. 

I have also discovered that my books appeal to another community—and this was completely unintended. They seem to appeal to those who love pop culture just as I do. Sharing my love of TV shows, anime, manga, etc. in my books has made a connection with others who find joy, and often comfort, in those same things. Recently I was part of a booth at a book festival, and someone literally stopped to check out my books simply because I was wearing a shirt from the anime Fruits Basket. The shirt caught their eye and we talked a bit about the show, then I told them that my main character shared that love of anime and they bought my book! My main character also has a love of all things King Arthur and even knows how to use a sword (these are contemporary mysteries). I too have a replica of Excalibur and have brought my sword to events, which has also been a big hit. 

So I would definitely have to say that the setting of a book, and those extra little elements we include, really can help our books connect with readers. 

Universal Buy Link for “One of You” https://books2read.com/u/m0eWAy 

Elevator pitch-

Secrets, gossip, theatre, mystery writers, and murder! A Halloween Mysteryfest. Or is it a murderfest? One author murdered, others attacked. Is the killer writing their own murder mystery in blood? It’s a mystery set in the historic Tower District—Fresno's dining, arts, and entertainment hub. 

Pandemic Personality

Oh, hello there! You startled me, Thursday. You shouldn't sneak up on me like that. Since this "shelter in place" thing started, I've lost track of what day it is, or maybe even what month it is. Did you realize, Dear Reader, that by this time next month it will be June? That means that 2020 is almost half over. I hope that's a good thing.

In the last couple of months Don and I have begun the strange ritual of watching "The View" in the mornings. I have never in my life enjoyed watching daytime television, but for some reason since the lockdown I can't get enough of this particular show. This morning they talked about "pandemic personality." A British University has come up with the idea that we all fall into three categories when it comes to dealing with the pandemic : The Accepters are generally older people who accept the lockdown and adjust to a new way of life. The Sufferers are more anxious and depressed since lockdown began. The Resisters often (but not always, in my personal observation) tend to be young people who flout lockdown rules and think it's all big to-do over not much.

I doubt there is such a thing as a "pandemic personality." I imagine that whatever type of person you were before this all began, you are just more of it now. I'm sorry to say it, because my pandemic personality has turned out to be pretty sluggish. I should be learning all kinds of new skills and turning out books and stories by the dozens. Instead I'm barely managing to plug along. But I am at least plugging along and have not ground to a complete halt. I call that success. What have you learned about yourself during this unprecedented time, Dear Reader? Do you like what you see?

I wish I were a better promoter. This is my biggest weakness, I fear, and I haven't done any better this year than I ever have. However, I do have one bit of news to share with you. Mysteryrat’s Maze posted a podcast this week of an excerpt from my latest novel, The Wrong Girl, The Adventures of Bianca Dangereuse, set in Hollywood in the 1920s. The short excerpt (set at a Hollywood party!) is read by actors Maxwell Debbas and Brianne Vogt Debbas. I loved it! The production was top-notch. It’s such fun to listen to actors bring your characters to life. Mysteryrat’s Maze is a mystery podcast produced by Kings River Life Magazine with short stories & first chapters read by local California actors. If you enjoy the episode please review or rate it as that helps more people be able to find them!

Come on by and have a listen. It’s great fun and not very long. Here’s the full link, just click on and enjoy: Mysteryrat’s Maze