The Missing Ink by Karen Olson

Amazon.com

Powell's Books

It's been a long time since I've blogged here, mainly because I've been writing a book that's due September 1.

I signed a new, two-book deal with NAL/Obsidian for a new mystery series. By writing this new series, I'm violating that tried and true rule of Write What You Know.

The new series features a woman tattoo shop owner in Las Vegas.

I am a woman. That's what I have in common with this protagonist.  I do not have a tattoo, nor do I intend to get one.  I am not an artist.  I don't live in Las Vegas.  I haven't been to Las Vegas in 12 years (although I am going for a few days next week for research).

When I started writing the book, I feel a bit overwhelmed and far more challenged than with my current series that features Annie Seymour, a police reporter (I was a print journalist for more than 20 years) who lives and works in New Haven, Connecticut (I was born in New Haven and have lived in the area most of my life, as have my parents).  I suppose you could say that writing Annie was relatively easy.  She lives in my world.

Brett Kavanaugh does not.  She grew up in New Jersey, went to art school in Philadelphia, moved to Las Vegas where she bought a tattoo shop and lives with her brother, a cop.  Nothing about Brett is easy, except her voice.

It took a few tries, but once I heard Brett's voice and began writing her (in first person), the book came alive.  The plot is fun and full of twists and turns, tattoo-related of course, and I've introduced a cast of secondary characters who are quirky and edgy.

Once I got over my initial hesitation about writing what I didn't know, I'm discovering how much I do know and letting the creative juices flow.  I'm discovering how much fun it is to stretch my legs, get out of my comfort zone, and take on something that's fresh and new.