The Mystery Writer: Earl Emerson; The Mystery Writer: J. A. Jance

Technically speaking, these two initial entries in a projected multi-tape series on writers, are very basic. The author speaks to the camera in edited clips which range from simple to jarring. On the other hand, the subject matter is obviously tailor-made for libraries. Earl Emerson, the more soft-spoken of the duo, is the author of the Thomas Black (The Rainy City, Poverty Bay) and Mac Fontana (Black Hearts & Slow Dancing) mystery series. Emerson generously shares his rules for writing a mystery novel, outlines his basic approach to creating character, and gives a lecture on "cutting" extraneous words that would make either of a writer's patron saint William's (Strunk or Zinsser) proud. In addition to some pretty meaty tips on writing mysteries ("insane murderers are taboo"), Emerson also talks about his day job as a firefighter, his 14 years of being an unpublished writer, and how he won a bet with a fellow author for successfully incorporating the phrase "a dog named Booger" into one of his books. J. A. Jance, on the other hand, is quite the opposite of Emerson both in personality and methodology. Remarkably candid and down-to-earth, the creator of the J. P. Beaumont (Until Proven Guilty, Taking the Fifth) and Joanna Brady (Desert Heat) series doesn't bother with book outlines, keeps no files, and is more than a little ticked-off by the phrase "formula fiction." Married at one time to a male writer who told her there would be only one writer in the family, Jance went solo, and as a busy single parent began writing from 4 a.m.-7 a.m. each morning. A former elementary school librarian and life insurance saleswoman, Jance credits her tenacity as the reason for her eventual success (her first two J. P. Beaumont novels netted her a $4,000 advance, so money was clearly not the inspiring factor). Although Jance doesn't offer as much insight into writing mysteries (with the exception of her commentary on character) as Emerson, she's very entertaining. How can you not smile together with someone who says: "I write the kind of book that people can buy in better bus depots everywhere." Again, these are visually crisp, but sometimes technically inept productions. But that won't slow aspiring writers or fans of Emerson and Jance. Recommended, with the above reservation. (Available from: Reel Life Productions, 6851 NE New Brooklyn, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110; (206) 842-9300.)