Tag Archives: a believable lie

Why Do People Kill?

Posted on August 28, 2013 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

It’s a simple question, but people have been struggling to find the answer for centuries.  In last week’s blog I discussed the core legal definition of murder but asked this very question as I researched the subject. And law enforcement … Continue reading →

Posted in a killer gene, About James J. Murray, About Writing, Character Development Techniques, Characteristics of Killing, Characteristics of Murder, Defining Murder, Murder is Defined, Reasons Why People Kill, Reasons Why People Murder, Story Development, The Definition of Murder, The Psychology of Murder, The Science of Murder, The Warrior Gene, Why People Kill | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Murder – The True Definition

Posted on August 21, 2013 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

The criminal act known as MURDER is defined in a number of ways, but in most references the definition is distilled to the following words: an unlawful killing with malice. The words unlawful and malice give the term its defining … Continue reading →

Posted in a killer gene, About James J. Murray, About Writing, Characteristics of Killing, Characteristics of Murder, Defining Murder, Murder - The True Definition, Murder is Defined, Reasons Why People Kill, Reasons Why People Murder, The Definition of Murder, The Science of Murder | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mysteries vs Thrillers

Posted on June 26, 2013 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

A few years ago, mysteries were the hot genre. It seemed as if everyone was reading a mystery novel. The thrill of guessing, “Who done it!” was the excitement that kept me, and many others, reading book after book. More … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, All About Writing, Blogging, Difference Between Mysteries and Thrillers, Mysteries and Thrillers Compared, Mysteries Vs Thrillers, Role of Suspense in Mysteries, Role of Suspense in Thrillers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mysteries vs Thrillers

Posted on January 16, 2013 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

A few years ago, mysteries were the hot genre. It seemed as if everyone was reading a mystery novel. The thrill of guessing, “Who done it!” was the excitement that kept me, and many others, reading book after book. More … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, Difference Between Mysteries and Thrillers, Mysteries and Thrillers Compared, Mysteries Vs Thrillers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Fiction Character Development

Posted on November 21, 2012 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

When people learn that I write fiction, I’m often asked to describe my main characters and, specifically, they ask how I develop the concepts for those characters.  The answer is simple: from observing people in their everyday lives.  The long … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, Character development, Character Development Techniques, Protagonist Development, The Art of Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dialogue: The Good and The Bad!

Posted on September 12, 2012 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Last week’s blog was all about character development and using my 3P model to consider physical, psychological and philosophical qualities to flesh out characters.  Getting to know a character deep down is necessary before you can turn that character loose in … Continue reading →

Posted in All About Writing, Dialogue Techniques, Good Dialogue Development, The Art of Writing, Writing Dialogue | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Character Development Techniques

Posted on September 5, 2012 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Last month, I wrote a blog about the making of a hero in a murder mystery.  That brief exercise on character development generated considerable interest.  So today I’d like to expand those thoughts and discuss character development from a broader viewpoint. Often … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, All About Writing, Character development, Character Development Techniques, Protagonist Development, The Art of Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Making of a Hero in a Murder Mystery

Posted on August 8, 2012 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

There’s nothing better than a memorable protagonist in any story, but the good guy in a murder mystery is the one who saves the day by solving the crime and bringing the perpetrator to justice. As I develop storylines for … Continue reading →

Posted in All About Writing, Character development, Protagonist Development, Protagonists, Story Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Pharmacists as Protagonists: Is That Weird or What?

Posted on May 21, 2012 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

In pitching my debut novel to agents at writing conferences, I’ve gotten a few comments like, “A pharmacist as the main character?  Why?” or “Pharmacist turned vigilante?  Really?” I never thought of my main character as being weird.  I’ll admit, though, he … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, Pharmacists as Protagonists | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Fiction — A Believable Lie

Posted on April 4, 2012 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Hi, I’m JAMES J. MURRAY I’m that NEW WRITER, the one with fresh adventures of murder and international intrigue.  My novels often include the deadly trio of MURDER, MAYHEM and MEDICINE. I’m from Louisiana originally but now live in South … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, Introductory Post | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments