Writing is Learning
Thank you Ally for inviting me to share some thoughts on writing. The thing that I enjoy most about writing is the depths to which I must dig to flesh out whatever story I’m writing. This might be due to my historical novel roots where research is such a fundamental building block of the novel.
The rule of thumb that seems to make sense to me is a hundred to one. For every single piece of authentic information I include, I must have read, noted, and understood one hundred. To write about a subject, you must become an expert—not to fill the pages but to minimize the information shared. The better one understands a topic, the more succinctly they can explain it.
The subject of Mind Trap, being released on October 6th, is cults. At the time that I began my research, I had no idea the extent of these groups in the world. There are various definitions, but most simply, a cult is the veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers.
This definition can certainly be used to encompass quite a lot. The definition if often accompanied by the concept of irrational beliefs. These are often associated with a charismatic leader that can convince their followers to act outside of conventional practices.
My mystery/thriller, Mind Trap, delves into these controversial interpretations of groups that have been labeled cults while also putting you on a thrill ride that keeps you turning the pages while also learning about the history of cults in the world.
My first book in the series, Wolfe Trap, dissected heroin trafficking and opiate abuse and the affect that fentanyl has had in this illegal and legal enterprise. The next mystery, Mouse Trap, will investigate genome engineering. And due out next September, Honey Trap, tackles the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena that has been in all the news as of late.
I have written several historical novels as well as the Mainely Mystery series. I’ve decided to combine those two loves for the project I’m currently working on, Brooklyn Eight Ballo, which will be out late next year. It is a PI mystery set in 1923 Brooklyn, and already I’ve been blown away with the wealth of fascinating people and events from back then. Throw in a little mystery, and you have the recipe for some fun learning.
Thank you for joining me for my thoughts. And as always, read on. Write on.
The rule of thumb that seems to make sense to me is a hundred to one. For every single piece of authentic information I include, I must have read, noted, and understood one hundred. To write about a subject, you must become an expert—not to fill the pages but to minimize the information shared. The better one understands a topic, the more succinctly they can explain it.
The subject of Mind Trap, being released on October 6th, is cults. At the time that I began my research, I had no idea the extent of these groups in the world. There are various definitions, but most simply, a cult is the veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers.
This definition can certainly be used to encompass quite a lot. The definition if often accompanied by the concept of irrational beliefs. These are often associated with a charismatic leader that can convince their followers to act outside of conventional practices.
My mystery/thriller, Mind Trap, delves into these controversial interpretations of groups that have been labeled cults while also putting you on a thrill ride that keeps you turning the pages while also learning about the history of cults in the world.
My first book in the series, Wolfe Trap, dissected heroin trafficking and opiate abuse and the affect that fentanyl has had in this illegal and legal enterprise. The next mystery, Mouse Trap, will investigate genome engineering. And due out next September, Honey Trap, tackles the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena that has been in all the news as of late.
I have written several historical novels as well as the Mainely Mystery series. I’ve decided to combine those two loves for the project I’m currently working on, Brooklyn Eight Ballo, which will be out late next year. It is a PI mystery set in 1923 Brooklyn, and already I’ve been blown away with the wealth of fascinating people and events from back then. Throw in a little mystery, and you have the recipe for some fun learning.
Thank you for joining me for my thoughts. And as always, read on. Write on.
About the Author
Matt Cost is the highly acclaimed, award-winning author of the Mainely Mystery series. The first book, Mainely Power, was selected as the Maine Humanities Council Read ME fiction book of 2020. This was followed by Mainely Fear and Mainely Money. Mainely Angst is the fourth book of the series.
I Am Cuba: Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution was his first traditionally published novel. He had another historical released in August of 2021, Love in a Time of Hate.
Wolfe Trap was the first in the Clay Wolfe Port Essex Trap series. Mind Trap was the second, published in October of 2021, and will be followed by Mouse Trap in April of 2022.
Cost was a history major at Trinity College. He owned a mystery bookstore, a video store, and a gym, before serving a ten-year sentence as a junior high school teacher. In 2014 he was released and began writing. And that’s what he does. He writes histories and mysteries.
Cost now lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Harper. There are four grown children: Brittany, Pearson, Miranda, and Ryan. A chocolate Lab and a basset hound round out the mix. He now spends his days at the computer, writing.
Author Links and Social Media
Email: matthew-cost@comcast.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.cost.3
Twitter: @MattCost8
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlangdoncost/
Matt Cost is the highly acclaimed, award-winning author of the Mainely Mystery series. The first book, Mainely Power, was selected as the Maine Humanities Council Read ME fiction book of 2020. This was followed by Mainely Fear and Mainely Money. Mainely Angst is the fourth book of the series.
I Am Cuba: Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution was his first traditionally published novel. He had another historical released in August of 2021, Love in a Time of Hate.
Wolfe Trap was the first in the Clay Wolfe Port Essex Trap series. Mind Trap was the second, published in October of 2021, and will be followed by Mouse Trap in April of 2022.
Cost was a history major at Trinity College. He owned a mystery bookstore, a video store, and a gym, before serving a ten-year sentence as a junior high school teacher. In 2014 he was released and began writing. And that’s what he does. He writes histories and mysteries.
Cost now lives in Brunswick, Maine, with his wife, Harper. There are four grown children: Brittany, Pearson, Miranda, and Ryan. A chocolate Lab and a basset hound round out the mix. He now spends his days at the computer, writing.
Author Links and Social Media
Email: matthew-cost@comcast.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.cost.3
Twitter: @MattCost8
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlangdoncost/
Mind Trap (Clay Wolfe/Port Essex mystery series, Book #2)
Genre: mystery
Mind Trap delves into a radical cult threatening a small coastal Maine town. When Clay Wolfe is hired to find a missing girl, the events come tumbling down in rapid fashion.
“You say your daughter is missing?” Clay Wolfe asked. The man in front of him was slightly disheveled. Red eyes. Fear creased his features.
What is the End Game?
It was as close to ecstasy as the woman had ever been in her life. It was enlightenment. She was no longer Martha Abbott. She was a warrior of Marduk engaged in a war of purity.
What is going to happen on Leap Day?
“We have allowed sin to fill our homes, and it is our divine labor to cleanse that filth from our streets.” Marduk’s voice boomed through the cavernous temple.
Something evil is lurking in the streets of Port Essex.
A missing girl. Violent attacks. It is up to Clay Wolfe, his partner Baylee Baker, and a colorful assortment of friends to get to the bottom of these odious occurrences before it is too late.
Buy Links
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Mainely-Angst-Matt-Cost/dp/1645992845/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=mainely+angst&qid=1631819295&s=books&sr=1-1
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mainely-angst-matt-cost/1140142186?ean=9781645992844
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