This chapter starts to move the novel forward. After using the first five chapters to setup the history, the characters, and the relationships, here we finally get the jump-off point - the catalyst that now gives the main characters their reason to work together and provide the rest of the novel : a murder.
With this being my first novel attempt, it was also my first attempt at writing a murder sequence. It’s a little unnerving to be honest. There’s something about willingly writing about someone’s life being intentionally taken away. I didn’t get into the heads of the killers. I let the story paint the basic picture.
Another point to this was the reader audience. Initially setting out to write this with the intent to publish it as a novel, I expected the reader group to be late teens, college-aged group. I didn’t want to go down the violent route. While there is violence, I tried to minimize it. I tried to write the scenes as simply as possible.
As I got into the writing of the novel, the naming of characters becomes just as fun as naming locations. Island Vintage Surf Shop - the name “Island Vintage” comes from an amazing coffee chain in Hawaii. Been there many times and go as often as possible. Island Vintage Coffee was also the inspiration for the coffee shop where Liz works in Chapter One. While I did not name the coffee shop, I put it in the same location, gave it the same characteristics and atmosphere.
Truth be told, I love paying homage to my favorite places. It puts a little bit more of me into the story.