The short story collection Malice, Matrimony and Murder: A Limited-Edition Collection of 25 Wedding Cozy Mystery and Crime Fiction Stories debuted last week. Here to tell us about her writing journey and contribution is author Wil A. Emerson.
Take it away, Wil!
Thanks for opening the door to write on this most awesome blog. I have a few other superlatives to throw in but will save them for other invitations. Needless to say, the best part of being involved is to talk about the adventure of writing. Boy, could I tell a long story about my ‘how I got here’ but short and sweet is the order of the day.
I remember the very first time it struck me to put a ‘story’ on paper. Fall foliage was in all its glory. Orange, yellow, red leaves covered the ground. My family didn’t have to go on a leaf-themed fall trip. We had maples and a big oak tree in our front yard. The oak was full of acorns and the crackle of them falling on the driveway, all over the yard, was a symphony of sorts. The nuts were a free-for-all foray for squirrels that year. Allen, bright, witty little brother, gazed at the oak tree in all its wonder. Try as he may, he couldn’t catch one of those falling acorns. Then, much to his surprise, as he stared in wonder, one dropped in his nose. Howls followed. Tears flowed.
Laughter came, too. I couldn’t help but find the humor in it all. What were the odds? The stage was set. Mystery, the unexpected, the emotional effects. A great story. Every time I repeated the ‘how I got started’ story, my brother’s eyes rolled with ‘why me’. Needless to say, he’s wasn’t supportive about my creative desires. A writer’s dilemma with family members?
However, I’ve come a long way since the case of the missing acorn. Mysteries a big part of my life. Short stories have become my forte. I can’t help but be intrigued by the unexpected, the after effects of an emotional experience, an unchecked crime. Yes, I aspire for the big breakthrough, too. And I still want brother Allen to smile, offer his congratulations, if and when he reads this year’s list of releases.
When I was invited to write a short story for Malice, Matrimony & Murder, I immediately went to my file and thumbed through an assortment of short stories I’d written about Wally and Ollie, two guys always in trouble, always under the wrong tree when it came to love and marriage. They fit in the collection like a cup and its saucer. Warm mint tea inside. Over two dozen authors teamed for M, M & M, this wedding-themed collection of cozy mysteries and crime related stories. It debuts this November with a slew of bad bridesmaids, savvy sleuths and vengeful villains. I’m so happy to be included. When you find your niche, it seems only appropriate to boast about it. A writer’s privilege, don’t you agree?
Because the leaves are off the trees and there’s no danger of fallen acorns, I’ll venture to say things are looking up for this writer. With multiple releases of short stories this year, three this month, and a fantastic offer to have an art piece in a literary magazine, I’m feeling particularly lucky. Years of rejections, years of new angles, years for this writer to finally relax in the quiet winter to write and paint.
But I wonder, do others feel the loss of family support, on their lone, writing journey? Have others written about a loved one, with no intention of malice, and been ‘rejected’? Is it an intrusion of privacy to write these stories?
Cheers for the road ahead.
Wil A. Emerson
Readers: Have you ever felt a lack of support from a family member for an endeavor you were undertaking? How did it effect you?
About Wil A. Emerson
Wil A. Emerson is a Registered Nurse turned full time author. After a living in Germany for three years, she turned to writing. She lives in Raleigh, enjoys the ocean and mountains. When her muse takes a rest, she paints landscapes or whimsical animals. See her art gallery at www.wilemerson.com.
“Marriage, Neighbors and Best Friends,” Malice, Matrimony and Murder, Publisher Marla Bradeen, Nov. 2023
“Huey and Madelyn, Dead Heat,”Thrill Ride–Unlikely Partners Anthology, Matt Buchmann, editor
“Road to Reconciliation,” Crimeucopia: Crank it Up, Murderess Ink Press, Nov. 2023
About Malice, Matrimony, and Murder
The bride wore an orange jumpsuit…
Everyone loves a good wedding—and a good mystery. Combine the two and what do you get? Malice, Matrimony, and Murder!
Over two dozen authors have teamed up to offer you this wedding-themed collection of brand-new cozy mystery and cozy crime fiction stories that will keep you wondering whodunit and what’s next from the first page to the last. Between bad bridesmaids, conniving caterers, greedy guests, ill-mannered in-laws, savvy sleuths, and vengeful villains, this anthology has it all! All of the stories are clean and fun, with a general feel-good tone. If you read to be entertained, surprised, and uplifted, then this collection is for you!
Even better, YOU get to be an armchair sleuth! The anthology as a whole contains an overarching wedding whodunit woven throughout. As you’re reading, collect the clues, identify whodunit, and access a special ebook filled with bonuses and extras. Inside you’ll find recipes, character interviews, bonus stories, and more!
If you’re drawn to shorter mysteries that are light on gore and language, and high on humor, entertainment, and happy endings, then you don’t want to miss out on Malice, Matrimony, and Murder. But this collection is only available for a limited-time, so grab it now before it’s gone forever!
Our stories:
• “The Groom’s Club” by Joslyn Chase.
• “A Wedding Planner’s Nightmare: A Persimmon Worthing Mystery” by Charlotte Morganti.
• “Cinderella at Midnight” by P.M. Raymond.
• “Ring Robbery: A Cozy Cat Caper Mystery Short” by Paige Sleuth.
• “What’s a Little Murder Between Friends” by Teresa Inge.
• “Icing on the Cake” by Sally Milliken.
• “Love and Death in Madison, Georgia” by Rebecca Olmstead.
• “Second Chances Are…Murder: A Vermont Radio Mystery” by Nikki Knight.
• “Wedding Vows & Vipers” by Shari Held.
• “The Bride Wore Death” by Barbara Howard.
• “Chill: A Naomi Sinclair Short Story” by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier.
• “A Bit of a Do” by KD Sherrinford.
• “Goes Around” by Stephen D. Rogers.
• “Jilted” by Elaine Togneri.
• “Sabotage and a Murder Mystery” by Lynn Hesse.
• “Til Death Do Us Part” by Margaret S. Hamilton.
• “A Wedding Most Bitter: A Lara’s Detective Agency Series” by Stella Oni.
• “Better Late Than Murdered” by Robert Petyo.
• “Charm City Wedding” by Pamela Kyel.
• “The Other Wedding Crasher” by Karen McCullough.
• “Marriage, Neighbors and Best Friends: A Wally and Ollie Series” by Wil A. Emerson.
• “The Wedding Dress in the Middle of the Road” by Jack Bates.
• “Death, the Unwanted Wedding Guest” by J. Aquino.
• “We Haven’t Had Cake” by Sharyn Kolberg.
• “To Have and To Scold” by Becky Clark.
Welcome to the blog, Wil! The collection looks fantastic. Congratulations on getting your stories out there.
Such a fun endeavor and just as exciting to be on the Wicked Author’s blog. A fine group of writers.
Thanks for sharing your story, Wil, and to the Wickeds for hosting! I’ve been lucky that most of the people close to me are supportive of my writing. Here’s hoping brother Allen comes around one day! –Marla Bradeen
Congratulations on the release of your story, Wil! Short story writing is an amazing talent. Cheers!
J. C. …you’re the brother I need. (kidding…Allen did read one novel and a couple short stories but he’d rather watch football.)
Thank we all want that nod of approval from loved ones. However, there are times I think in everyone’s life when that nod doesn’t come, but the drive to continue on that path are too strong to ignore. Also think that’s when one is more determined than ever to succeed in the endeavor just to prove them wrong. 🙂 One must listen to one’s own heart and then march to their own drummer in the follow through. Otherwise life would be a boring repeat of someone else’s path.
Congratulations on the release of “Malice, Matrimony and Murder”! Sounds like a fabulous collection of great stories.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Thanks so much for the encouraging words…that’s exactly what I’ve done and thought it was important to share with others so they don’t give up. Have a great day!
Congratulations on your stories! Kay is right. We all crave familial support, but sometimes, it’s just not there. The stubborn among us persist – if only to prove them wrong.
Welcome to the blog and congratulations on all of those short stories! I’ve been very lucky to have a supportive family. You’re acorn story made me smile. We have lots of oak trees in our neighborhood and while taking a walk, one fell on my head. It hurt!
Ouch…my brother might laugh at your mishap now but he sure didn’t that one fall day. Thanks for the welcome. Have a great day…fall, winter, spring, summer….
Sherry, that made me laugh because when I was in Oregon in Oct, I was trying to figure out what was making such a mess on the street. Simultaneously, these three things happened: I realized it was chestnuts; I said to my daughter, “Oh, these are chestnut trees!”; and one kamikazied directly into my face. Ouch, is right!
I’ve never received much family support in my endeavors. Mostly I get “why would you want to do that?”
Welcome, Wil! Your stories sound most interesting, and fit in with what I read. I am blessed that all throughout my life I have been supported and encouraged by just about every person I can think of. I have made mistakes, but learned, and continued, and never heard a negative comment from my peeps! Wishing you a Blessed, Happy and Delicious Thanksgiving…and may no acorns fall on you! Luis at ole dot travel
Unfortunately, yes. I decided to completely change how I eat this past summer. I’m down 36 lbs and feel great. I’ve never been happier and healthier. However there are one or two people in my family/friend group who make snarky remarks about it….ie “how much did you lose? Maybe you should save your clothes so when you gain it back…” I ignore it and chalk it up to their own insecurity with their weight. aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com
Often what I get from family members are hurried apologies, especially when we first see one another after time apart, “I haven’t read your book–your latest book, any of your books.” I always rush to reassure them, “There will never be a quiz.” Fiction is hugely a matter of personal taste and I never want a friend or family relationship to be conditional on reading my books.
Yes, I have. At first, it made me upset that they were questioning and not backing me. Then I set my mind up to prove them wrong. That we did. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.