Crimespace...it's a crime not to

[Darren Laws]

Crimespace is the find of the year for me so far. I have tried many of the social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin, and even Bebo, but have failed to target an audience of readers and writers of crime fiction as succinctly as Crimespace. For an author or reader of crime fiction its like finding this huge wealth of talent collected with a singular interest. As a relatively new author the site is invaluable as it offers the chance to talk to readers and confirm or have blown out of the water whether you (as a writer) are on the right track. It is a great site also to talk to peers...chew the fat. Just by being on line here at Crimespace for the past few days for instance I have learned that my website www.darrenlaws.co.uk does not work on everyone's browser as it needs ActiveX installed and people are unwilling to do that for various reasons. So I will have to think about a redesign, in the meantime I am pointing the curious toward www.cnpublishing.co.uk where they can read the first chapter of both of my novels, Tripping, and my new crime thriller, Turtle Island. Thank you Crimespace and thank you all of you lovely people who have been so kind to leave comments.

[helen black]

I think your web site is very cool.
Mine is very 'informative' in comparison. Still I'm not much of a techy so am grateful it works at all.
Interested to note you're writing a series as am I. This had never been my intention but agent/publishers all insisted. How are you finding it?
Helen

[Darren Laws]

I invented a fictitious island 'Turtle Island' and made parts of the surrounding area the backdrop. I chose Missouri because I wanted a southern state that did not have such a cliche image as New Orleans or Texas. It also has a mystique which I like. Here in the UK we have some (wrongly and rightly) preconceived ideas of certain areas in the US and I did not want these to distract from the story. Choosing Missouri helped me combat these notions. My main character, Georgina O'Neil will be with me for three novels and I want her and the stories to explore different areas in the states as she helps solve crime. Btw, I love the idea of your novel, it sounds intriguing.

[Loretta Ross]

Really? That's cool! What part of Missouri and why did you choose to set it here, if you don't mind me asking?

[Darren Laws]

Hi Loretta, thanks for your comment. Fortunately, thanks to the comments from Crimespacers I have been able to track down a problem I never knew exiseted with my website. Allowing Active x to run solves the issue but not everyone likes this form of script. I note that you are from Missouri, this is partially the setting for my new novel Turtle Island. Nice to talk to a native Missourian.

[Darren Laws]

Hi Elizabeth, have to agree with your commments. I have been on MySpace for a while now and have to say that there is a very purile element to it.I have had to look twice at some of the comments, invitations and emails that have made their way to me. It is very worrying and certainly should be more tightly regulated. I am a great believer in free speech but there needs to protection afforded to people who are vulnerable and open to exploitation. I am contacting my other reader and writer friends on MySpace to make sure they are aware of Crimespace.

[Loretta Ross]

Hi Darren! First, thanks for friending me! :) I've only just gotten here myself, but I think you're right about it being a great place to meet people. And I sympathize about the website thing! I've very nearly finished mine (I hope!) in spite of a whole spate of weird obstacles. It works in my browser, anyway. Gosh, I hope it works for others!

I'm looking forward to reading the first chapters of your books. They sound interesting! Loretta :)

[Elysabeth Eldering]

I have to agree that myspace is stupid - I don't know why I have an account there (oh yes I do, my ex-publisher said it was good for business but it's a bunch of ads and robots and silly kids who haven't a clue what real mystery writing is or what real writing is --- this has been one of the best places I've found with some pretty good yahoo forums I've been on as well. The whole idea is to network with like-minded folks and being here is that. Thanks for adding me - wish I could contribute to the network by having books out but alas I don't - E :)

[Darren Laws]

As mentioned I have only just found Crimespace myself , but it has put me in touch with many people with an interest in crime fiction. Long may it reign.

[Maryann Mercer]

It is great fun. As a reader and an as yet unpublished writer, I like the idea of a place for us to get together and exchange ideas and thoughts. That said, real life has kept me away from here for a bit.2008 is a whole new ball game though. Welcome!