Saturday, January 29, 2011

Dog Island - A great place to get away from it all until it all comes looking for you.

For me, writing is an obsession.  My job requires occasional travel, so a lot of writing happens on airplanes, which incidentally is a great place to cultivate fans.  Unless the seat next to you is empty, your neighbor's eyes inevitably travel to your computer screen.  Then they get hooked.  When I mention I'm a writer, the first question they ask is "What are you working on," followed by, "what's it about?"

To answer both questions, my current project is honing DOG ISLAND, a mystery/thriller novel.

It starts on Dog Island, which is a real place off the Florida Panhandle town of Carabelle.  Dog Island's west end is developed with some pretty expensive vacation houses.  The east end is nearly deserted, with only three homes sharing a mile or more of unspoiled beach.

One of those homes is owned by Cornelius "Corney" Graham, the story's main character.  His wife, unable to adapt to Dog Island's isolated life style, leaves him.  Corney wanders to the beach where he sits alone, feeling sorry for himself.  Then the sound of a boat engine catches his attention.

The engine noise grows steadily louder, but Corney can't spot the boat in the darkness.  Without warning, the boat runs straight into the beach where Corney is sitting.  The pilot of the boat is dead.  Lisa Cataldo, the boat's lone passenger, is wounded.  Unable to call for help, Corney treats Lisa's wounds.

With Lisa tended to, Corney searches the boat.  Aboard is a cargo of cocaine and a large stash of cash.

What would you do in this situation?  Corney's choices, for good or ill, form the basis of DOG ISLAND. 

12 comments:

  1. I'm sure I would do something infinitely more sensible (and timid) than Corney does--which is why my life wouldn't be much of a novel!

    Best of luck in fining an agent or a home for your book, Tom!

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  2. I don't know, Jenny. Sometimes we get swept into things despite our best efforts to be sensible. Thanks for visiting.

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  3. Ooh, intriguing! I love the idea of ordinary people swept up in extraordinary circumstances. Hope you find a publishing home for it soon!

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  4. Thanks Lauren, glad you like the premise. Keeping my fingers crossed.

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  5. I would definitely be cracking the covers of this mystery if I came across it in a bookstore. Very intriguing premise, love the unique location. I reiterate what Jenny and Lauren said, best of luck finding a home for Dog Island!

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  6. lol--I would run away, and there'd be no plotline, just me cowering. Sounds like a FANTASTIC premise, Tom, and I have always thought so. Best of luck to you!

    Airplanes? You're lucky. I LOVE travel and I love to fly!

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  7. Hi Becca, thanks for stopping by. Encouragement like yours is always welcome.

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  8. Savvy, what if you DID run away, but it didn't solve anything?

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  9. Glad you liked it Shelley, and it is good to hear from you.

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  10. Snort the coke and spend the cash! No, seriously, I would just call the cops and quiver. The "what would you do" is a good hook.

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  11. Hi Sara, you'd seriously OD on that much coke! I guess we're a bunch of wimps after all. Not a larcenous bone in our bodies.

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