Whodunnit?
From my 10th floor perch in Chicago, I look out over the treetops of Lincoln Park to Lake Michigan. On the horizon, a tanker inches along—miles away, unidentifiable. A mysterious shadow moving south. Toward Chicago? Gary, Indiana?
With one app, I could solve the mystery in seconds: port of origin, destination, speed, even archival photos. Mystery solved, case closed.
Not so easy for a mystery writer, who still has to figure out how to turn the tables and bring a story to an end.
Today, I finally saw how that moment would happen. Relief washed over me. For once, I feel certain I can finish this draft of Lens of Suspicion (working title). That’s a big deal.
My process has always been hamstrung by the one-step-forward, two-steps-back syndrome: monkeying endlessly with sentences I’ve already written, while avoiding the terrifying business of moving forward. But today’s different. Today, I can see the end.
Now all that’s left is to get there.
Thank you for taking the time to get to the end. If you would like to join the Chicago Writers Circle on Zoom for our daily morning sprint, hop on.
All are welcome. We’re there daily at 9 am CST, 365 days a year. Link to the Meetup.