Sensitivity is a Superpower

Where Fleur visits the morgue, ponders character, and creates a writer workbook

I like to think I’m a tough cookie. I do my own DIY, wear overalls and steel-toed boots, and I talk to kid readers for a living—even eight-graders sometimes, which is the toughest audience in the world. So when I had the opportunity to tour my local morgue with Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, I jumped at the chance.

The tour started at eight in the morning, and by eight-fifteen, we stood in a big room where three autopsies were in full session. Reader, this tough cookie almost lost her oatmeal breakfast right then, and it took all my nerves to make it through the tour.

My local coroner is nothing short of amazing, and I learned a lot—I certainly have a few new story ideas. But I couldn’t help but think about the families who were missing a loved one. And the best story material was more about the human element of the coroner’s office: the levity in the Halloween-themed decorations, the wall of dog pictures there to feed their souls in this tough profession, and the coroner herself who shared a lot about what it means to work there and deal with death every day.

To me, it was this detail that was most valuable about the tour—the character stuff, not the technical or criminal. And you have to be sensitive in order to pick up on it. So as much as I would like to say the morgue tour didn’t affect me, I would be lying. I’m more sensitive than I thought, and I’d like to think it’s a superpower.

It’s not so bad to be sensitive. How else will you find the human element, especially as a writer?

Fleur, thinking about stuff since the 70s…

Where I’m Going

Mostly, I’m hanging out around the cottage, but my fall calendar is filling up fast with podcasts, school, and writing group visits. If you’re hoping to schedule an author visit or writer workshop, shoot me a message!

What I’m Writing

I’ve been tinkering with the outline of this new mystery for kids I plan to write this summer. The outline took a bit longer than I anticipated, but I’m still on track to finish a draft by Labor Day (beginning of September). This one will be fun to write.

New!

If you’ve been using Get a Clue: How to Plot, Write, and Sell Your MG or YA Mystery to write a mystery this summer, like me, I created a workbook to accompany the book.

(Edited: shoot me a message if you’d like the workbook! Substack does not like the link I have… )

What I’m Watching

On topic with this whole sensitivity theme, I recently watched Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. It’s about Mr. Rogers and his TV show, something I didn’t grow up with but have heard a great deal about. I liked this movie, in case you’re looking for something uplifting, too.

What I’m Reading

I finished Elizabeth Strout’s The Things We Never Say, also fitting the theme song here. Recommended, though not a mystery.

Fosterfloofs

There’s a new fosterfloof family staying at my house, a momma with (count them) EIGHT kittens. It’s crazy and fluffy over here, and I love it.

Momma cats are amazing…