by Keri Rozansky | Dec 24, 2025 | Blog
No, I’m not killing anyone in real life. But when writing about injuring or killing someone, there needs to be a level of realism. Experts in every field often subconsciously judge fiction – TV, movies, and books – for their realism. My dad is a former police officer and heavily scrutinizes police procedural fiction: ‘that wouldn’t happen’ or ‘it takes longer than a couple days to finish a murder investigation’ or some other detail that needs to be manipulated for the time (or page) constraints of piece of fiction.
Despite time and page constraints, accuracy does matter. There are ‘fast acting’ poisons where the effects can be felt in only a few hours while others take days. Some so long that the victim may not be able to associate the illness to the point in time at which the initial poisoning took place.
Why am I researching poisons you ask? A work in progress, of course! It is all still in research and drafting mode, so I won’t say much more. My detective character is in for some complex investigating when it comes to this.
Since this is by no means a ‘how to’ of any kind, I won’t be listing any of poisons or how my characters plan to use them. This particular line of inquiry has been interesting. I’ve learned of some ‘new’ (to me) poisons as well as various ways to use others I knew of already. I’m trying to create situations that aren’t so overdone that the reader will find it boring or typical and want to skip over things.
What is your favorite method of murder? Is there a poison or weapon that you think is overdone – or maybe not used enough? Tell me about it on Facebook!
by Keri Rozansky | Dec 24, 2025 | Blog
Merry Christmas Eve! Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions? Baking and leaving cookies for Santa, opening presents (even just one!)? Wearing Christmas-themed pajamas and curling up with Christmas movies, popcorn, and hot cocoa?
Let’s talk on Facebook!
by Keri Rozansky | Dec 17, 2025 | Blog
Hi. I’m Emma. This is a really difficult post to write. My boyfriend Turner and his friend Jay got into some serious trouble last summer. They found that dead man by the creek, and…Jay died. He was wrecked. We all were. Then Turner disappeared. Not a single word. We’d fought at his and Jay’s birthday party, so maybe he thought we broke up. I don’t know. He lied to me about where they were going, and yes it upset me, but I’m glad he didn’t get hurt, too. I was waiting for him to come to me and say sorry, but instead he just disappeared.
No one knew where, or would tell me. I think there’s something going on with his family because his parents are gone a lot, and there’s been rumors that maybe they’re involved in something. I hate that his life has been shaken like this. I miss him. He’s a good person and doesn’t deserve it. I hope he’s doing okay wherever he’s at.
Yes, I broke up with him. He did call, eventually, and it was only to see if we were still together or not. How can we be? I don’t know where he even is. Like I said, too, he lied to me. Then got himself hurt. Like, how do I stay with him? I’m not even allowed to see him or know where he is. What kind of relationship is that? I hope he gets through all this and gets better.
There was my friend Angelina to think about, too. She liked Jay, and was trying to start a relationship with him when he died. She’s wrecked, too. I don’t know if they would have started anything if he were still alive. I needed to be there for her. With Turner gone, it’s what I did.
No, don’t feel bad for me. Turner’s still alive and well and safe. That’s what matters. And the town is getting back to being safe again. That’s what matters. That’s all that matters. Right? I need to think about something else for a while.
by Keri Rozansky | Dec 10, 2025 | Blog
Last month I talked about ‘alpha readers’ – the readers that see your work in its earliest form. They need to have a writer-reader mindset (a fellow writer would be great for this role!) so they can point out plot holes and other major issues to help strengthen and complete the writing. Take their feedback and apply it to these areas to flesh out the story, fill in the holes, and make your writing the best it can be. Alpha readers give you the arsenal you need to strengthen your second draft.
Beta readers, however, have an entirely different job. You won’t need your beta readers until you’ve done a thorough self-edit. The product you had them should be as close to what you hope to release as possible. Betas approach your work as an average reader who picked up your book at the bookstore or found the write up interesting enough to download to their e-reading device. Your alpha readers should not be your beta readers! Betas need a blind approach to the work with no memory of what came before.
As a writer, you need to remember that these people aren’t here to offer negative criticism with malice against you personally. They should be speaking purely about the work and its flaws and strengths. Depending on how long you’ve ‘lived with’ your story, criticism can be painful, and writers need a thick skin to deal with it.
For my debut novel coming next year, I’ve lived with the story on and off for more years than I care to count at this point. When I was finally able to ramp up and focus solely on the book, I was past the alpha stage (I had run it past a writing critique group, perfect alpha readers!) and thought everything was so fleshed out and to a point where it couldn’t be changed I nearly skipped the beta step. I’m glad I didn’t. Everyone I asked came to the story with fresh eyes, and the ability to point out flaws I’d long forgotten about – or worse, just accepted I couldn’t change and moved on from.
Admitting I needed their help was the first step. Figuring out how to ask for it was the next. I asked in writing groups I’m part of, and timidly asked friends (who wants criticism from friends?). Once I had several responses from variety of people, I drafted a list of questions for them to keep in mind while reading, in addition to their overall thoughts and impressions. Most of them offered detailed answers that expanded far beyond the basic question asked. Their feedback has made it better than I ever thought it could be. It is not a step to be skipped!
by Keri Rozansky | Dec 3, 2025 | Blog
If you follow my social media like IG, Facebook, and X/Twitter, you’ve probably noticed me coming across your feed more often. As I approach releasing my book in 2026 (yes, it got pushed back) I am ramping up my social media activity in an effort to get in front of more and more people. Currently, I have a social media calendar that allows me to schedule content on a set-it-and-forget-it schedule.
I’m looking for feedback! Is it too much? Do you want to see more? What do you want to see? I love interacting with future readers and want to deliver what you’re interested in most. Give me your ideas and feedback on Facebook!
by Keri Rozansky | Nov 27, 2025 | Blog
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Enjoy food, friends, and family or however you celebrate!
