Kellye Garrett's Blog
August 23, 2017
READ WITH ME: AN ANNOTATED GUIDE TO HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE CHAPTERS 6 – 10
My friend Rosey had the great idea to annotate a copy of Hollywood Homicide for a giveaway. I thought I’d take it one step further and share some insights in a blog post as well. (And I’m not just doing this because my handwriting is atrocious!)
Here’s some “insider info” on chapters 6 – 10. You can find the first five chapters here: https://kellyegarrett.com/2017/08/09/...,
Warning: This does contain slight spoilers if you haven’t already read these chapters. It doesn’t ruin anything beyond these chapters though. I hope.
CHAPTER 6:
I love gossip blogs but Anani isn’t based on any one in particular. Instead, it has some of my favorite elements from several different ones, plus a few gossip site staples.
PAGE 48: “OMG! THAT’S HIS NICKNAME ON ANANI. HE’S OFFICIALLY BIG-TIME.”
As I mentioned in the previous post, I have a big acronym theme in the book so Omari isn’t the only character whose initials are acronym. All my main characters have them. Some are more creative than others, like Sienna Michelle Hayes. SMH sums her up perfectly.
PAGE 50: THE LAST THING I NEEDED WAS TO BE IN THE THROES OF HYPNOSIS AND HAVE TO BUFFER.
This is my favorite line in the entire book. Don’t ask me why. I just find it hysterical. *Pats self on back.*
CHAPTER 7:
PAGE 59: SO IF YOU WANTED TO GET UP CLOSE TO YOUR FAVORITE CELEB, YOU JUST NEEDED TO BUY A TICKET TO ANOTHER MOVIE AND KIND OF HANG OUT IN THE LOBBY OR RIGHT OUTSIDE UNTIL SAID CELEB GOT TIRED OF SMILING FOR THE CAMERA.
Based on a true experience. My friends and I were going to see a movie at the ArcLight and we happened to be there at the same time as the Step Up premiere. We sat outside and watched Channing Tatum, Queen Latifah and a few others walk by us after they finished working the red carpet. No one stopped us, either.
PAGE 61: AS THEY TALKED, OMARI PUT HIS HANDS BEHIND HIS BACK. IT LOOKED LIKE HE WAS DOING SOME WEIRD GESTURE. I NARROWED MY EYES SO I COULD SEE BETTER. HE MADE A FIST, THEN RELEASED IT.
Also based on a true experience, just not mine. When I was at Vibe magazine, a coworker noticed a prominent (at the time) hip-hop producer would do this when he was stuck talking with an overeager wannabe-rapper.
CHAPTER 8:
PAGE 68: “THE Y IN YOUR NAME,” THE GUY SAID. “IT’S COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY.”
“The Y’s for Yolanda, my grandmother.” I was going to say more but realized I was explaining myself to a stranger. “Who is this?”
I can obviously relate to Day’s “unnecessary” Y. My E is for Ernest, my dad.
PAGE 69: I HADN’T THE SLIGHTEST CLUE WHAT THE UNITED WAY DID, BUT I SUDDENLY WANTED TO HELP THEM.
According to Wikipedia, “United Way’s focus is to identify and resolve pressing community issues and to make measurable changes in communities through partnerships with schools, government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations, voluntary and neighborhood associations, the faith community, and others. The main areas include education, income, and health.”
PAGE 69: I’D WANTED TO BE BETTY BOOP FOR HALLOWEEN WHEN I WAS FIVE. MY MOTHER WAS TOO SOUTHERN, TOO BLACK, AND TOO TRADITIONAL TO EVEN THINK OF LETTING ME LIVE THAT DREAM. I ENDED UP BEING STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, BUT THE NAME STUCK.
I didn’t have a nickname but I was Strawberry Shortcake as a kid. And this is definitely an homage to so many stories I heard of people not knowing their own family’s real names growing up.
PAGE 71: SOUTHERN GIRL DESSERTS
Yes, they exist in real life! One of my FAMU classmates is a co-owner. They are no longer at that location but you can find out more about them–and their amazing cupcakes–by visiting their website: http://southerngirldesserts.com/.
CHAPTER 9:
PAGE 81: I GOOGLED THE LAPD TIP LINE AND CLICKED THE LINK TO MAKE SURE I DIDN’T MISS ANY OTHER FINE PRINT LIKE HAVING TO SACRIFICE MY FIRST CHILD IF MY TIP TURNED OUT TO BE WRONG.
The quoted text is actually from the Tip Line. (Also, when I googled “Crime prevention cannot be achieved by the police alone.” my book was the fifth hit. So sorry anyone looking to report a tip and instead finding a really funny amateur detective novel written by a fabulous debut author!)
PAGE 83: DAY’S TIP LINE IDENTIFICATION 1018.
October 18th is actually my birthday. I actually chose to use that number because I knew I could easily remember it.
CHAPTER 10: CONTAINS SEMI-SPOILER
PAGE 92: EMME STOPPED HER CONSTANT MOVEMENT TO LOOK AT ME. “YOU’RE SITTING OUTSIDE THE HOUSE. OF A MURDERER. WTF?”
WHEN SHE PUT IT THAT WAY. I IMMEDIATELY GOT DEFENSIVE. “IT’S JUST A HIT-AND-RUN. IT’S NOT LIKE HE’S A SERIAL KILLER TARGETING BROKE BLACK CHICKS TRYING ANY CRAZY WAY TO GET MONEY.”
Like with most amateur detective main characters, Day puts herself in a lot of dangerous situations. So it was really important to me that someone point this out to her. This is the first of many lectures from her friends.
Here’s some “insider info” on chapters 6 – 10. You can find the first five chapters here: https://kellyegarrett.com/2017/08/09/...,
Warning: This does contain slight spoilers if you haven’t already read these chapters. It doesn’t ruin anything beyond these chapters though. I hope.
CHAPTER 6:
I love gossip blogs but Anani isn’t based on any one in particular. Instead, it has some of my favorite elements from several different ones, plus a few gossip site staples.
PAGE 48: “OMG! THAT’S HIS NICKNAME ON ANANI. HE’S OFFICIALLY BIG-TIME.”
As I mentioned in the previous post, I have a big acronym theme in the book so Omari isn’t the only character whose initials are acronym. All my main characters have them. Some are more creative than others, like Sienna Michelle Hayes. SMH sums her up perfectly.
PAGE 50: THE LAST THING I NEEDED WAS TO BE IN THE THROES OF HYPNOSIS AND HAVE TO BUFFER.
This is my favorite line in the entire book. Don’t ask me why. I just find it hysterical. *Pats self on back.*
CHAPTER 7:
PAGE 59: SO IF YOU WANTED TO GET UP CLOSE TO YOUR FAVORITE CELEB, YOU JUST NEEDED TO BUY A TICKET TO ANOTHER MOVIE AND KIND OF HANG OUT IN THE LOBBY OR RIGHT OUTSIDE UNTIL SAID CELEB GOT TIRED OF SMILING FOR THE CAMERA.
Based on a true experience. My friends and I were going to see a movie at the ArcLight and we happened to be there at the same time as the Step Up premiere. We sat outside and watched Channing Tatum, Queen Latifah and a few others walk by us after they finished working the red carpet. No one stopped us, either.
PAGE 61: AS THEY TALKED, OMARI PUT HIS HANDS BEHIND HIS BACK. IT LOOKED LIKE HE WAS DOING SOME WEIRD GESTURE. I NARROWED MY EYES SO I COULD SEE BETTER. HE MADE A FIST, THEN RELEASED IT.
Also based on a true experience, just not mine. When I was at Vibe magazine, a coworker noticed a prominent (at the time) hip-hop producer would do this when he was stuck talking with an overeager wannabe-rapper.
CHAPTER 8:
PAGE 68: “THE Y IN YOUR NAME,” THE GUY SAID. “IT’S COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY.”
“The Y’s for Yolanda, my grandmother.” I was going to say more but realized I was explaining myself to a stranger. “Who is this?”
I can obviously relate to Day’s “unnecessary” Y. My E is for Ernest, my dad.
PAGE 69: I HADN’T THE SLIGHTEST CLUE WHAT THE UNITED WAY DID, BUT I SUDDENLY WANTED TO HELP THEM.
According to Wikipedia, “United Way’s focus is to identify and resolve pressing community issues and to make measurable changes in communities through partnerships with schools, government agencies, businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations, voluntary and neighborhood associations, the faith community, and others. The main areas include education, income, and health.”
PAGE 69: I’D WANTED TO BE BETTY BOOP FOR HALLOWEEN WHEN I WAS FIVE. MY MOTHER WAS TOO SOUTHERN, TOO BLACK, AND TOO TRADITIONAL TO EVEN THINK OF LETTING ME LIVE THAT DREAM. I ENDED UP BEING STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, BUT THE NAME STUCK.
I didn’t have a nickname but I was Strawberry Shortcake as a kid. And this is definitely an homage to so many stories I heard of people not knowing their own family’s real names growing up.
PAGE 71: SOUTHERN GIRL DESSERTS
Yes, they exist in real life! One of my FAMU classmates is a co-owner. They are no longer at that location but you can find out more about them–and their amazing cupcakes–by visiting their website: http://southerngirldesserts.com/.
CHAPTER 9:
PAGE 81: I GOOGLED THE LAPD TIP LINE AND CLICKED THE LINK TO MAKE SURE I DIDN’T MISS ANY OTHER FINE PRINT LIKE HAVING TO SACRIFICE MY FIRST CHILD IF MY TIP TURNED OUT TO BE WRONG.
The quoted text is actually from the Tip Line. (Also, when I googled “Crime prevention cannot be achieved by the police alone.” my book was the fifth hit. So sorry anyone looking to report a tip and instead finding a really funny amateur detective novel written by a fabulous debut author!)
PAGE 83: DAY’S TIP LINE IDENTIFICATION 1018.
October 18th is actually my birthday. I actually chose to use that number because I knew I could easily remember it.
CHAPTER 10: CONTAINS SEMI-SPOILER
PAGE 92: EMME STOPPED HER CONSTANT MOVEMENT TO LOOK AT ME. “YOU’RE SITTING OUTSIDE THE HOUSE. OF A MURDERER. WTF?”
WHEN SHE PUT IT THAT WAY. I IMMEDIATELY GOT DEFENSIVE. “IT’S JUST A HIT-AND-RUN. IT’S NOT LIKE HE’S A SERIAL KILLER TARGETING BROKE BLACK CHICKS TRYING ANY CRAZY WAY TO GET MONEY.”
Like with most amateur detective main characters, Day puts herself in a lot of dangerous situations. So it was really important to me that someone point this out to her. This is the first of many lectures from her friends.
READ WITH ME: AN ANNOTATED GUIDE TO HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE CHAPTERS 1 – 5
My friend Rosey had the great idea to annotate a copy of Hollywood Homicide for a giveaway. I thought I’d take it one step further and share some insights in a blog post as well. (And I’m not just doing this because my handwriting is atrocious!)
Here’s some “insider info” on the first five chapters. (You can also find this blog post here: https://kellyegarrett.com/2017/08/09/...)
Warning: This does contain slight spoilers if you haven’t already read these chapters. It doesn’t ruin anything beyond these chapters though. I hope.
COVER:
It was created by an amazing artist named Richard Meril. You can see more of his work on his Instagram page.
TITLE PAGE:
Hollywood Homicide is actually my third title. It started off as IOU (and there’s still a heavy acronym theme throughout the book.) My agent suggested we change it. A friend came up with using Day in the title. Second title was Pay Day. However, my publisher changed it again to give a better sense of the world of the book.
As you see, the day theme lives on with the series title: Detective by Day.
CHAPTER 1:
This wasn’t my original opening. Day’s still interviewing for a job but it was for a temporary corporate gig. My agent, Michelle, suggested changing it. This was is so much funnier.
PAGE 3: “I’M A SIX.” IF IT WAS REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY STRETCHY.
When I was at Vibe, a certain A-list diva’s stylist used the “if it’s stretchy” line when discussing clothing options for a cover. I knew I had to use that somewhere.
PAGE 4: DAY’S BACKSTORY
Day’s backstory was inspired by someone I knew when I first moved to LA. This person had a cushy gig as a spokesperson for a well-known store franchise. The role called for the person to act a bit of a fool in the commercials. But when finished acting a fool, they sure drove off in their fancy luxury car to their fancy luxury apartment.
PAGE 5: DAY’S NO CURSE RULE.
I curse so much I consider it a hobby, so Day not cursing is always really hard for me to write. I have her use the word Fudge a lot but it’s not the same thing!
CHAPTER 2:
PAGE 9: THE FLASHBACK
This was originally a prologue but my lovely mentor, Sarah Henning, suggested we change it during Pitch Wars. Like the opening, I think it’s so much better here.
PAGE 15: NORTHWEST AND FORECLOSURE
I actually didn’t name the loss mitigation firm after Kim and Kanye’s daughter.
The backstory with the parents was mentioned in passing in initial drafts but wasn’t a major part of the story. We changed it after my agent came aboard. Not to sound like a broken record but it was another note that made the story stronger.
CHAPTER 3:
PAGE 27: SHE’D READ THAT THE STYLIST FOR SINGER/RAPPER KANDY WRAPPER ALWAYS TOOK PICS OF HER CLIENT TO ENSURE HER OUTFITS LOOKED GOOD IN PHOTOS.
I, too, read about a stylist doing this. This is probably our first hint at Sienna’s intense desire to be famous, which is a prominent subplot in the book.
PAGE 27: SIENNA’S DESCRIPTION.
I’ve always pictured Sienna looking a bit like Jessica Szohr.
CHAPTER 4
PAGE 31: AUBREY’S INTRODUCTION
He’s the only character that I didn’t have a celeb in mind when I was writing how he looked. I still don’t. (Any ideas?)
His outfit, however, is based on a friend’s roommate. He used to bike at night so he would wear one.
PAGE 39: EMME’S BACKSTORY
Emme and Sienna were actually one character. When I split them off, Emme’s backstory came from one simple question: What would happen if one of the Olsen twins quit acting right after Full House ended?
CHAPTER 5:
PAGE 42: EMME’S NECKLACE
I got this idea from my mom. She “repurposed” a few of her favorite pieces of jewelry into new and improved necklaces.
PAGE 43: STEPHANIE DIMSEY
That is my subtle shout-out to two members of my Writers’ Group (and two of my best friends): Stephanie Dodson and Mocumba Dimsey.
If you want to keep reading, you can find the annotated guide to chapters 6 through 10 in a different blog post.
You can also check back with my website as I continue to annotate the rest of the book: https://kellyegarrett.com/
Here’s some “insider info” on the first five chapters. (You can also find this blog post here: https://kellyegarrett.com/2017/08/09/...)
Warning: This does contain slight spoilers if you haven’t already read these chapters. It doesn’t ruin anything beyond these chapters though. I hope.
COVER:
It was created by an amazing artist named Richard Meril. You can see more of his work on his Instagram page.
TITLE PAGE:
Hollywood Homicide is actually my third title. It started off as IOU (and there’s still a heavy acronym theme throughout the book.) My agent suggested we change it. A friend came up with using Day in the title. Second title was Pay Day. However, my publisher changed it again to give a better sense of the world of the book.
As you see, the day theme lives on with the series title: Detective by Day.
CHAPTER 1:
This wasn’t my original opening. Day’s still interviewing for a job but it was for a temporary corporate gig. My agent, Michelle, suggested changing it. This was is so much funnier.
PAGE 3: “I’M A SIX.” IF IT WAS REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY STRETCHY.
When I was at Vibe, a certain A-list diva’s stylist used the “if it’s stretchy” line when discussing clothing options for a cover. I knew I had to use that somewhere.
PAGE 4: DAY’S BACKSTORY
Day’s backstory was inspired by someone I knew when I first moved to LA. This person had a cushy gig as a spokesperson for a well-known store franchise. The role called for the person to act a bit of a fool in the commercials. But when finished acting a fool, they sure drove off in their fancy luxury car to their fancy luxury apartment.
PAGE 5: DAY’S NO CURSE RULE.
I curse so much I consider it a hobby, so Day not cursing is always really hard for me to write. I have her use the word Fudge a lot but it’s not the same thing!
CHAPTER 2:
PAGE 9: THE FLASHBACK
This was originally a prologue but my lovely mentor, Sarah Henning, suggested we change it during Pitch Wars. Like the opening, I think it’s so much better here.
PAGE 15: NORTHWEST AND FORECLOSURE
I actually didn’t name the loss mitigation firm after Kim and Kanye’s daughter.
The backstory with the parents was mentioned in passing in initial drafts but wasn’t a major part of the story. We changed it after my agent came aboard. Not to sound like a broken record but it was another note that made the story stronger.
CHAPTER 3:
PAGE 27: SHE’D READ THAT THE STYLIST FOR SINGER/RAPPER KANDY WRAPPER ALWAYS TOOK PICS OF HER CLIENT TO ENSURE HER OUTFITS LOOKED GOOD IN PHOTOS.
I, too, read about a stylist doing this. This is probably our first hint at Sienna’s intense desire to be famous, which is a prominent subplot in the book.
PAGE 27: SIENNA’S DESCRIPTION.
I’ve always pictured Sienna looking a bit like Jessica Szohr.
CHAPTER 4
PAGE 31: AUBREY’S INTRODUCTION
He’s the only character that I didn’t have a celeb in mind when I was writing how he looked. I still don’t. (Any ideas?)
His outfit, however, is based on a friend’s roommate. He used to bike at night so he would wear one.
PAGE 39: EMME’S BACKSTORY
Emme and Sienna were actually one character. When I split them off, Emme’s backstory came from one simple question: What would happen if one of the Olsen twins quit acting right after Full House ended?
CHAPTER 5:
PAGE 42: EMME’S NECKLACE
I got this idea from my mom. She “repurposed” a few of her favorite pieces of jewelry into new and improved necklaces.
PAGE 43: STEPHANIE DIMSEY
That is my subtle shout-out to two members of my Writers’ Group (and two of my best friends): Stephanie Dodson and Mocumba Dimsey.
If you want to keep reading, you can find the annotated guide to chapters 6 through 10 in a different blog post.
You can also check back with my website as I continue to annotate the rest of the book: https://kellyegarrett.com/
April 18, 2017
Thrill Begins Debut Diary: By the Numbers (Entry #1)
I have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to blog about my book Hollywood Homicide and my experiences as a first time author over at ITW's Thrill Begins resource site for aspiring and debut thriller writers.
The first entry is up today! I share the inspiration behind the book (Spoiler Alert: It had to do with me being broke), why my book has undergone three (yes, three) title changes and a few statistics sharing what it took for me to finally fulfill my dream of being a novelist.
Please check it out if you have a moment: http://thrillbegins.com/2017/04/18/ke...
Also, if you have any ideas for what you want to see discussed, please feel free to comment below or on the Thrill Begins site.
The first entry is up today! I share the inspiration behind the book (Spoiler Alert: It had to do with me being broke), why my book has undergone three (yes, three) title changes and a few statistics sharing what it took for me to finally fulfill my dream of being a novelist.
Please check it out if you have a moment: http://thrillbegins.com/2017/04/18/ke...
Also, if you have any ideas for what you want to see discussed, please feel free to comment below or on the Thrill Begins site.
November 11, 2016
THE BIG IDEA: A DREAM POP-OPEN CARDS POST
My boss got me these amazing Dream Pop-Open Cards. I figured I’d occasionally share one and how it relates to my dream of becoming a published author. Today’s message:
“Always be on the lookout for the big idea that can change your life.” — Normal Vincent Peale
For me, the idea for Hollywood Homicide came from literally driving down the street. While at a red light, I saw a billboard offering a reward for information on a murder. And, being broke, my thought was, ‘I should solve that for the reward money.” Horrible idea for real life. But great idea for a book!
It was actually my friend and writing group-mate Stephanie Dodson, who suggested that my main character actually have seen the hit-and-run at the center of the novel. I remember we were at a writers group meeting and she just randomly declared. ‘She needs to have seen it!” Talk about a light-bulb moment. It was something that made perfect sense, yet it had never occurred to me. And it really helped make everything come together with that initial draft.
If you’d like to purchase the Dream Pop-Open Cards, they’re available here.
You can also find this entire post (with photos) on my website: https://kellyegarrett.com/2016/10/25/...
“Always be on the lookout for the big idea that can change your life.” — Normal Vincent Peale
For me, the idea for Hollywood Homicide came from literally driving down the street. While at a red light, I saw a billboard offering a reward for information on a murder. And, being broke, my thought was, ‘I should solve that for the reward money.” Horrible idea for real life. But great idea for a book!
It was actually my friend and writing group-mate Stephanie Dodson, who suggested that my main character actually have seen the hit-and-run at the center of the novel. I remember we were at a writers group meeting and she just randomly declared. ‘She needs to have seen it!” Talk about a light-bulb moment. It was something that made perfect sense, yet it had never occurred to me. And it really helped make everything come together with that initial draft.
If you’d like to purchase the Dream Pop-Open Cards, they’re available here.
You can also find this entire post (with photos) on my website: https://kellyegarrett.com/2016/10/25/...
