Re tuning your ear

I started to write my book and found that I was emulating a writer whose investigator I had come to like.  Hallie Ephron says in her book Writing and Selling your Mystery Novel that some people have difficulty in reading mystery fiction whilst writing, but states we can learn from the masters, 'Reading good mystery fiction tunes your ear.' So I should avoid this particular author for a time.  I haven't completely abandoned my heroine but I have included another character as a contrast.

This particular book also sets out some useful templates for character building - what does my mystery sleuth like, dislike?  How do they come across to people, what are they really like?

I am going to attempt a profile and ignore the nagging voice that tells me I'm procrastinating.  I'm not, I'm building a profile, I need to know what drives my character, I need to believe in her in order to create a believable character.