Finding Characters in the Church Pew

Writers can find inspiration for characters in any setting -- a coffee shop, a line at the grocery, or even in the next pew at church.  Author M.B. Dabney discusses the inspiration for the lead character in his short story “Killing Santa Claus.” 

This story is one of a dozen tales of murder, mayhem and even redemption included in  Speed City Sisters in Crime Christmas offering, a hardcover short story anthology titled "Homicide for the Holidays."  A perfect Christmas gift for the readers on your list, the book is now available for pre-order (see below for links).

The Hero in the Next Pew

by M.B. Dabney

When it was first proposed, I thought Homicide for the Holidays was an interesting project. But I found myself scratching my head for a suitable hero for my story, Killing Santa Claus. Then one day at a church meeting I looked across the table and there sat the prototype of my protagonist, Drake Curtis.

No, he’s not a homicide detective, as in my story, or even in law enforcement. He’s just a big, physically imposing man with a salt and pepper beard – and perfect for what I needed.

Here’s an excerpt from near the beginning of Killing Santa Claus. Drake, who has lost some of the joy of the season, has just hauled the Christmas decorations up from the basement and is in the kitchen talking to his wife, Shelly, when they are interrupted by a neighbor.

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They were both startled when a neighbor suddenly appeared, banging frantically on the patio door.

“Help me, please,” she said, pointing behind her back toward the street. “It’s my husband Henry. Help me, please.”

Despite the cold outside, Drake and Shelly left the house without coats and ran behind the woman, who kept babbling on about her husband.

“Just got home. The car. The garage. Engine on.”

Three doors down, they rushed up a driveway. The garage door was up and inside the garage was a car with the motor running. A man was slumped inside.

Drake opened the car door and Shelly reached inside to check the man’s pulse. She turned back and shook her head, confirming what was obvious to Drake.

Henry Gibson was dead.

His widow’s wails reverberated throughout the couple’s garage.

If you want to know more – you’ll need to buy Homicide for the Holidays, and read the story Killing Santa Claus. The hardcover is a perfect holiday gift for the reader on your list. 

Pre-orders are now available on Amazon.com (click here), BarnesandNoble.com (click here) and Walmart.com (click here).