The monster under the bed might be real.

Playing on the White Strings

2012-01-13T08:51:00.000-08:00

Last summer I attended a harp workshop. In addition to listening to, and playing lovely harp music, the workshop took place in the middle of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. While I listened to and played all kinds of Celtic music, anywhere I looked, was a mountain to watch, paint, photograph or just enjoy.

One exercise I learned in the harp group involved playing on the white strings only. You see, on a harp there are red strings, blue ones and the white. I discovered this: if everyone in the room plays on the white strings only, no matter what they played, every tune harmonized with the other. Wow. How fun is that?

Of course, after a while, you realize this is not something you want to do all the time. Why? Because there are no longer any surprises. Where are the contrast, unexpected notes, and conflict?

I’m guilty of doing that in my writing. Sticking only to the known and not ever branching out to the unknown with your writing is like playing on the white strings. It’s fun for a while, but pretty soon you may feel as if you are missing something. It’s time to try the colored strings, even if it is intimidating, and you’re afraid of failure.

If you write romances, branch out to mysteries. If you write nonfiction, why not write a short story? Poets, creative nonfiction might be the perfect genre for you. Never get stuck in a rut, try the new scary thing. What if you fail? You learn and stretch and go on to other things.

Come on, get off those white strings, and take a risk.

Don't Give Up!

2012-01-11T14:41:00.001-08:00

Don't give up. Writing is hard and takes concentration. I've been letting life get in the way of my writing and my concentration. Time to get things under control.

Some things on my list include:

Finish the galleys for "Privy to Murder" re-release in print. Yay (Anxious to see the new cover.)

Read my BFF's WIP, can't wait.

Promo etc (Not my fave but necessary or none of my peeps will know what's up.

Then for me, paint and play music because I need to do that.

Anyone with great promo tips? Feel freee to share. Comments and tips will put you in the running for a print copy of the new "Privy to Murder."

Onward and Onward and Prize!

2011-08-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

I'm doing new things and setting new writing goals.

First news, Dan Case, from AWOC publishing is acquiring "Privy to Murder." It will have a brand new cover for it's re-release. Can't wait. It will be available as an e-book on Kindle and Nook and as a soft cover print book from AWOC Books.com.

So I'm revising and editing Privy once more.

Then I'm going to rev-up the revisions for "Fairy Dust" so I can send it to Carina.

After that I'll attack Museums are Murder, see what sales are with Privy and Edit "Bloody Murder" for re-issue.

In September I'll be going to a Celtic Festival in Colorado for a Harp class, should be so fun, girl friends too-wine and gossip and cool weather. What an idea.

I'll keep you posted. In honor of the re-issue, one commenter will win an electronic copy of the original "Privy to Murder."

News and Views

2011-07-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

All kinds of things going on here.

I have the rights back for my Tali Books and Fairy Dust.
Doing a re-write on Fairy Dust and submitting it to a new publisher.
Have a short fantasy running around in my head.
Working on a new Tali Cates short mystery.
Deciding what to do with the novel length Tali Cates books. Kindle? Look for another publisher? Do I need to make them sexier or beef up the romance??

Lay-off potentials making me evaluate whether or not I could stay home, write, fit in some nonfiction since that is where the money comes from at the moment.

Even just a part-time job would let me write more. Everything always comes down to finances. Have to pay bills.

So, I'll keep you posted. How do you handle major career-life changes? They stress me out. I like the familier but maybe it's time for me to take a leap.

New for Tali, Mail Drop

2011-06-22T09:58:00.000-07:00

Sara Sain John and I share a table.

AH, a victim (customer.)

Good news! I'm starting a new Tali Cates mystery, "Murder Most Fowl."
I will keep you posted when it's done and where to get it. This one will be shorter, 20 to 30,000 words. I love writing short and tight.

It deals with Murder of course, both the fowl and human kind. Should be fun. Wolves in north Texas.

I attended a book signing last Saturday. (See pictures above. Sara Saint James and I shared a table. Then we had lunch with other writing friends and had good food as well as wonderful conversation. Leaving the restaurant for 106 degree weather was not as fun. Couldn't touch the steering wheel or car door.

Mystery Blog Tour- Anne K. Albert

2011-06-13T06:28:00.000-07:00

Introducing Anne K Albert and her yummy looking mystery.

Bio: Anne K. Albert has taught high school art, sold display advertising for a small town weekly newspaper, and worked for a national brand water company, but now writes full time.

A member of the Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and married to her high school sweetheart for more than a quarter of a century, it's a given she'd write mystery and romantic suspense.

When not in her home office, she enjoys traveling, visiting friends and family, knitting, crocheting, and of course, reading.

Carol - What are your favorite books to read?

Anne - The same kind I like to write - cozy or gentle mysteries and romantic suspense stories. I can’t resist a puzzle to solve, a handsome hero, spunky heroine, and a happily-ever-after. It’s also very important to me that the villain gets his comeuppance in the end. Plus, I prefer that all morbid details, harsh language, and intimacy to be ‘off stage’. For that reason you won’t find any of those in my stories.

Carol - What did you hope to accomplish with your books?

Anne – All I’ve ever wanted to do is entertain the reader. If I can provide a fast paced story, bring a tear to their eye and a smile to their face, well, that’s all the better!

Carol –How would you describe your books to someone who has not read any of your previous novels? Anne - My stories chill the spine, warm the heart and soothe the soul – all with a delightful touch of humor.

Carol - Tell us about your book.

Anne – FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL is set the week before Christmas when the stress of the holidays is enough to frazzle anyone’s nerves. Tensions increase when a close friend begs Muriel to team up with a sexy private investigator to find a missing woman. Forced to deal with an embezzler, kidnapper, and femme fatale is bad enough, but add Muriel’s zany yet loveable family to the mix and their desire to win the D-DAY (Death Defying Act of the Year) Award, and the situation can only get worse.

Here’s an excerpt:

My cell phone blared from the confines of my purse. I dug to retrieve it, and then picked up. “Hello?”
“Muriel,” Aunt Val said. “Come home. Quick. I think I accidentally killed someone.”
“What do you mean ‘accidentally’?” Frankie accelerated, steering the Envoy into the outside lane of highway 290 and zooming past everything in sight. Including a police cruiser.
“How should I know?” I said. “Val hung up before I could ask for specifics.”
“She’s at your house?”
“I think so.”
“You think so?”
I checked the rearview mirror for flashing lights. “Slow down. You’ll get a ticket.”
“You’re more worried about a traffic violation than the fact you’re aunt just killed somebody?”
“She thinks she killed someone. Big difference.”
“Right.”
Ten minutes later, we arrived in my driveway. The Christmas lights I’d put up that morning stretched the full length of the front of the house and twinkled on the snow-covered shrubbery with wild abandon. I might have been impressed with my handiwork if not for Val and Big Boy standing guard beside the garage. In the shadows, I saw a body at their feet.
I climbed out of the Envoy and dashed to their assistance. Problem was I had no idea what to do. Dead bodies were new to me. As were missing persons, kidnappers and ransom demands. But I was learning. Fast.
“Are you okay?” I asked, as Frankie joined me.
“I’m fine.” Reigning Big Boy in by his collar, Val toed the body that lay face down in the snow. “Don’t know about him, though.”
“What happened?”
“I took Big Boy out for his evening constitutional. Got as far as your driveway, noticed you’d put up some lights and stopped to admire them. Then, I spotted someone crouching by the side of the garage. I figured he was a burglar, so I let Big Boy loose and, well, one thing led to another.”
“Such as?” Frankie knelt down to examine the body.
“Big Boy lunged at him. I thought he’d tear the guy to pieces. Turns out all he wanted to do was sniff his crotch. You know how dogs are.”
Yeah. We knew.
“Anyway, this guy wasn’t all that obliging. He tried to push Big Boy away. Big Boy pushed back. Then the guy fell backwards into that drift and I think he hit his head on Muriel’s gnome. See?” She pointed to a mound of snow. “It’s right there. You can see the top of its head. It’s the ugliest gnome I’ve ever seen.”
Frankie looked up at me. “You’ve got a gnome?”
“Gargoyle. And it’s supposed to be ugly. To ward off evil spirits.”
“Doesn’t ward off thieves or burglars,” Val pointed out.
Frankie placed his middle finger on the man’s throat. “He’s alive.”

Carol - Where can readers get a copy of your book?

Anne: (I’LL LET YOU ADD THESE LINKS, J) It’s available in e-book format now at Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/Frank-Incense-and-Muriel-ebook/dp/B004CLYDRO/
Barnes and Noble, http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Frank-Incense-and-Muriel/Anne-K-Albert/e/2940011142123/ Smashwords, http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/30192
or from my publisher, Vanilla Heart Publishing. http://www.vanillaheartbooksandauthors.com/ The print edition will be released in July 2011.

Thank you so much, Carol, for hosting me on this stop of the Murder We Write Blog Tour. I’d like to invite readers to visit my website http://www.AnneKAlbert.com/ or my main blog http://anne-k-albert.blogspot.com/.

If they drop by my Muriel Reeves Mysteries blog http://muriel-reeves-mysteries.blogspot.com/ and leave a comment mentioning this interview, I’ll enter their name in a draw to win a pdf copy of FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL. I’ll announce the winner at the conclusion of the tour, sometime during the week of August 22, 2011.

Flowers and Dogs

2011-06-10T09:39:00.000-07:00

Finally loaded pics of my yard so I can show you some of my favorite place, the patio and yard. Just because I love it. It's where I have coffee in the mornings, watch birds and just chill, at least on my days off.

The first picture is silly old dog Jasper. Then two yard views. If I dealt well with heat, I'd spend more time writing outside but I love early mornings and late evenings

Decided its time to write another Tali Cates mystery. So that's my current direction in addition to trying to sell to Woman's World.

New projects anyone? Or old projects you are going to renew? I've spent a lot of time exploring genre's but think I really want to go back to my first love, mystery with a paranormal element. So I need to start plotting away. I'm leaning toward making Tali's world and life a little darker and harder to deal with but don't want to give two much away.

Mystery Blog Tour, Vivian Zabel

2011-06-06T07:09:00.000-07:00

“Stolen,” is Vivian Zabel’s latestnovel. It’s a story, that for over 12 years was a true nightmare for Vivian and her family. “Stolen” is a story about a young mother’s effort to get her children back after they are “stolen” by her ex-husband.

Vivian’s advice for those wishing
to write a book…Bio

Vivian Zabel always has had a vivid imagination and, when a child, used it to tell her siblings and friends stories. As soon as she could write, she began to put those stories on paper. She wrote her first poetry when she was eight, and still writes it. Poetry was and is her therapy. When a “friend” laughed at her announcement that she would write a book someday, Vivian didn’t share her goal any more, but she didn’t stop planning on writing that book.
As she reared her children and was a stay-at-home-mother, with spells of working in the business world, Vivian wrote short stories, poetry, and articles, which were published. Vivian taught English and writing for 27 years and retired in 2001. Every year she taught, she attended writing classes, workshops, and clinics, not only to learn how better to teach her students, but also to hone her own writing skills. Finally in 2001 she was able to write full time and write longer works, after she retired from teaching.
At present, Vivian has six books to her credit, two co-authored. Her latest books are Prairie Dog Cowboy (written under the name V. Gilbert Zabel), Midnight Hours (written under the name Vivian Gilbert Zabel), and Stolen, released in November 2010.
Her interests besides writing include her family (husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren), reading, helping other people publish their books (through 4RV Publishing), and traveling.

As an editor for over thirty-five years, an English and writing teacher for nearly thirty years; an author with poetry, articles, short stories, and novels published over a span of forty-two years (with more than her share of rejections along the way) and the head of a small publishing company for over three years, Vivian Zabel experienced both sides of the submission experience. Since submissions for 4RV go to acquisition editors anonymously (only fair way to do the job), one of her submissions was rejected a couple of months ago.
Her publishing company 4RV Publishing produced the Oklahoma Book Award winner in fiction for 2010: Confessions of a Former Rock Queen by Kirk Bjornsgaard. Other books have received regional awards in their categories. 4RV has released children’s books, middle grade and young adult books, novels, and nonfiction books.
Vivian has also received emails from rejected writers thanking her for sharing evaluation comments that help and some swearing at her for being so blind she can’t tell wonderful writing when she reads it.
Since submissions for 4RV go to acquisition editors anonymously (only fair way to do the job), one of her submissions was rejected a couple of months ago.

Links:

Vivian’s blog: http://vivianzabel.blogspot.com
Vivian’s website: http://VivianZabel.com
4RV Publishing http://4rvpublishingllc.com
Stolen http://Stolen.yolasite.com
Orders (other than from bookstores, online suppliers) http://4rvpublishingcatalog.yolasite.com

1. Read!
2. Learn!
3. Write!

The result of a broken heart – a novel, the writing of Stolen

Over 14 years ago, two of my grandchildren were taken by their father. We had no contact with them, didn't know where they were, didn't know if they were alive or not. The pain nearly destroyed us. We loved them so much, and they were such major parts of our lives, my husband and I felt as if a chunk of our hearts had been ripped out. I can only imagine the agony their mother, our daughter felt. Something had to be done with that severe pain and despair. I turned to my therapy - writing. Stolen was born. Every year for 12 years, around the time they were last seen by anyone in the family, I would blog a letter to them, giving my contact information. A friend asked if he could spread my latest blog, November 2007, through the blogs of his friends around the world. Of course I agreed. Early 2008, I received an email, "I think you're my grandmother." Finally, the novel is released and a sequel will be possible. God does answer prayer; He just sometimes takes much long than we want. If you're interested in reading more about the book visit http://Stolen.yolasite.com. Also my website is http://VivianZabel.com .

Mystery Blog Tour-Regan Taylor.

2011-05-23T06:46:00.000-07:00

This is the official beginning of the Mystery Blog Tour and my first guest is the lovely Regan Taylor with her book "The Glass Cage. " Regan, take it away. BTW-Love the cover.

Regan

As I sat down to prepare my post for Carol I took a moment to think about a few of the things she had mentioned about herself and what stuck out for me is that she has some younguns’ in her life. I don’t go into detail but she’s got some under eighteens that are pretty special to her. That led me to thinking about my aunt – kind of the reverse situation. I’m definitely over 18, but my aunt and I share the kind of bond I picked up about Carol and her family.

My aunt Carolyn is the last of my dad’s siblings still living. She’s an awesome woman and over the years I’ve not just heard but been a party to some of her best stories. She’s a fighter in terms of holding on to life and making every day count and has completely supported my writing career.

Two years ago she was going into the hospital to have a pacemaker put in and at 3,000 miles away I was concerned. There were so many things still to tell her and share with her and while the prognosis was good, she was, at the time 84. (She’s now 86 and still an avid reader, especially of my books.) She’d read my sweet western, Indentured Bride and seemed to like my characters. The Spell and The Glass Cage from my McKenna Crime series hadn’t come out yet – but she has said she liked them too. While preparing to go into the hospital and making sure she had enough reading materials she scoured the internet for what might tempt her. She came across my first book – the one I never talk about. Yes, it’s still out there but you have to dig for it.

My aunt was thrilled! She just couldn’t believe her good luck.

Neither could I. (not).

I panicked. I called her and told her not to read it. I called my cousins and asked them to PLEASE take the book away from her. In my world aunts who also happen to be former nuns (another story) aren’t supposed to read certain kinds of books. I was on the fence about the romantic suspenses because, well, sometimes in suspenses and definitely in mysteries, people die. Right?

We all went back and forth debating the wisdom of her reading the book – or any of my others for that matter simply because I had put a label on her age. Okay, that and her former profession or calling. It was my cousin, Mary, who I’m closer to than a sister, who was the voice of reason.

In her matter of fact way she said, “I can’t think of a better way to test out the pacemaker, can you?”

My aunt, however, had a different perspective. Her comment was, “Just because I was a nun 65 years ago doesn’t mean I don’t know the first thing about life and, after all, I did have four children.” And, I might add, in her now 86 years she has seen a lot, maybe more than most of us will in a lifetime.

She is still an avid reader – and for writers and publishers out there – large print. There’s a world of readers out there who would read a lot more if they had large print available for them.

And she is my hero.

You can learn more about my books at

www.Regantaylor.com.

More from OWFI

2011-05-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

Steve Berry's lovely wife, Liz, Executive Director of Thrillerfest in New York, in July.

The wonderful thriller writer Steve Berry surrounded by adoring fans, Nita Beshears, Amy Shojai and Carol Shenold as he takes time out of a busy day to pose with us, gracious as always. It's a southern thang.

Prom in the News

2011-05-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

Prom:
Invitation to prom on school wall.
Punishment dealt.
Boy banned from prom.
Media intervention.
Punishment recinded, changed.
Happy couple ready to dance.
The power of the press.

Conference pictures-OWFI 2011

2011-05-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

Above-Lois and Joanna Tweedy. Left, Frank and Ron, can you tell it's happy hour? Me dressed for banquet.

Amy's Queen dress to the right, my booksigning below.

Amy and Joanna Tweedy, both sweet and beautiful. Me at my book signing.

I never seem to get the pictures placed right, must practice.

OWFI and Beyond

2011-05-12T08:08:00.001-07:00

OWFI conference was wonderful this year. We had a great time. I spent time with Amy Shojai http://www.amyshojai.com/, got to hear William Bernhart and Steve Barry as well as Liz Berry, great speakers. Also heard and visited with a lovely poet, Joanna Tweedy and her husband.

I was so impressed with Liz Berry, I'm making firm plans to go to New York next year for Thrillerfest. http://www.thrillerfest.com/

Now, I have to buckle down, finish Dead Fairies--I know, I've said that before, write a mystery and romance for WW this month. If I could sell some, it would help pay for the NY trip. I decided not to let myself get distracted my any other projects before Dead Fairies is done.

I'll get conference pics posted here and on facebook this weekend.

Don't forget, the Mystery Blog Tour is coming May 23 and my first guest will be Regan Taylor

To Market, to market

2011-04-22T06:40:00.000-07:00

We've all heard the words "write for yourself, not for market." Of course we all want to be read, to sell, so we run to where the "money" is.

I thought I'd learned my lesson when I tried so hard to write straight romance and mystery with no paranormal elements, since that was selling. Guess what, it didn't work for me. The minute I let the paranormal elements creep in, I had way more fun writing and it must have come through because I began to sell.

But I got tempted again. A call for Medical Romances went out for Harlequin. I couldn't resist. I've been a nurse since before most people I know were born. I know medicine, I'm a good writer, I could do this. So I did. One chapter went out and got a request for more. 60pages later I sent off a three chapter proposal with a synopsis.

I was rejected. They really liked my writing and my strong heroine. However, my hero just wasn't the Alpha-McDreamy they had in mind for the medical romance line and they suggested I submit again, with a new idea and new characters. As rejections go, this was an extremely flattering one.

Guess what I learned. I write strong, kick-ass heroines. I like having the unexpected magic happen. The romance is secondary to the mystery/adventure, even though the romance is there. I'm going back to what I love because I had to make myself write the romance. I was already thinking of ways to add murder and mayhem into the mix. I may write a paranoramal that involves a medical background and mystery some day, but straight romance, probably not.

What genre switches have you tried and what did you learn? Comment about it to win an electronic copy of one of the Tali Cates mysteries.

COMING ATTRACTION

2011-03-23T11:41:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned!
In just a few weeks the Mystery Blog Tour begins.
Each week a new author will be my guest.
Author Stars include:

Blog Host: CAROL SHENOLD Features:
Week #1, starting May 23 – Regan Taylor
Week #2, starting May 29 – Carys Weldon
Week #3, starting Jun 6 – Vivian Zabel
Week #4, starting Jun 13 – Anne K. Albert
Week #5, starting Jun 20 - Beth Anderson
Week #6, starting Jun 27 – Pat Browning
Week #7, starting Jul 4 – Sharon Ervin
Week #8, starting Jul 11 – Jackie King
Week #9, Starting Jul 18 – Mary Martinez
Week #10, starting Jul 25 – Marja McGraw
Week #11, starting Aug 1 – Jean Henry Mead
Week #12, starting Aug 8 – Marilyn Meredith

Tour day will be every Thursday.

I can't wait to see all the exciting things we'll have to read each week.

I'll keep you all posted where I'll be appearing each week.

Snow? Please don't.

2011-02-05T07:11:00.000-08:00

Yes I'm still alive, hard to believe. This being trapped in the house, no sunshine, crises going on, all the pits. Beginning to hate snow. 3 or 4 inches not so bad, but 13 inches with blizzard winds? Seriously? We're in Oklahoma not Alaska. Snow in Dallas for super bowl, ice in Houston. The rate this is going, the end of the world, 2012 will involve snow and ice.

Enough whining. I have food, warm house etc. I have to think of the homeless with no choice except some shelter that they're afraid of.

I'm angsting about which book to finish first and what to do with them. I love writing Dead Fairies and at the same time I should finishe the medical romance. Plus I'm leaning toward trying a woman's world mini romance for fun.

Then do I really want to go for NY or another epub or is Kindle the way to go? There are Kindle authors who have gotten picked up by Bantam with advances. Right now, the idea of receiving all the money, not just puny royalties is definitely appealing. Of course all of this is moot if I don't finish one soon.

Thing is, I've made more from one nonfiction piece this year than I have for all my fiction. If I sold to WW, same story, more money than from all my novels.

So decisions are in the works as soon as I can melt the icecicles from out of my brain.

Christmas gone, New Year Coming

2010-12-28T10:50:00.000-08:00

Time to say goodbye to the candy canes, decorated trees and cute snowmen, except maybe on the east coast which is all about snow right now. The new year is almost here and we must make those goals, then make them happen.

I plan to make them simple.

Writing

Finish "Dead Fairies"

Finish "Something Old"

Personal

Exercise any way I will do consistently

Eat fewer sweets

Don't stress over those thing I can't control, which sometimes is my entire life.

Read more for fun.

That's it. That may be more than I can handle but it will be fun trying.

Food Glorious-fattening

2010-11-29T12:46:00.000-08:00

Are you as full as I am? Did you have a wonderful holiday and make use of the license to over eat. I did. Love fresh roasted turkey, can't stand the pressed, lunch meat, processed versions of turkey, fresh or nothing. The same goes for cranberry sauce, fresh, home-made or nothing. Love it.

Finished the third chapter of my Harlequin, now working on four and trying for 300-500 words a day, so I can finish a first draft on the off chance I receive a request for a full manuscript. Enjoying the process and learning as I go. Trying to balance some medical excitement with the romance, tempered by a little kid humor.

Making progress and sometimes that's all I ask.

Reading a new Janet Evanovich, "Wicked Appetites." Deisel meets urban fantasy. Love it so far. Saw "Eat, Pray, Love" and enjoyed it even though I was jealous because I can't just take off for Italy and parts unknown. Can't I go? Pretty please.

Thanks

2010-11-24T07:43:00.000-08:00

It's almost Thanksgiving. Thanks to those who read this and to those who comment. Thanks for writing and books and the career I have through words. Books have been in my life as almost an extension of me, since I first learned to read.

I've spent a lot of time in trouble for reading, especially when I would carry a book (fiction of course) to class in third grade, high school, nursing school (the nuns hated that.) I still carry books with me everywhere, on my Kindle, read at home and on the computer.

Words, the creation and joy have been one of the defining features for me. My wish for everyone is to discover the joy of reading and maybe even writing.

Obviously my personal nano isn't moving fast but I'm almost through with the first three chapters, a biggie and now I'll attack the rest.

NANO What?

2010-11-15T11:17:00.000-08:00

How did it get to be the 15th and I'm only 25% of the way to 50000 words? Not putting the butt on the chair enough, obviously. Truly, I'd be thrilled if I hit 50000 by the end of December. I want to finish this third chapter this week and get it off to Harlequin.

BTW, I have a blurb for "Something Old", my medical romance, posted. Check it out. Also, I'll be updating the page on medical terms and tips so you too can add the medical drama to your romances or thriller.

Must be Eight

2010-11-08T14:09:00.000-08:00

Didn't get as much writing done as I wanted this weekend but making slow progress. As soon as I finish chapter 3, off to Harlequin and then the wait, forever. In the mean time, write on. As long as I continue to make progress, it works for me, even if its only a few words.

Anyone see the first episode of Walking Dead? It was good if you like zombies.

Day Four-Nano

2010-11-04T12:33:00.000-07:00

Medical Mystery Saga

Very little writing done due to life interference, but even some is better than none. Will try to do more tonight. Need to focus and so much goes on between work and home, it's difficult to find that point for your mind to latch on to. Hoping for a better writing weekend and maybe some time on Friday and Sunday.

Sometimes I think I have a good handle on the story, other times I'm sure I don't. Writing out of my usual genre makes me have to work harder. I can't rely on a demon attack or magick happening to move the story along in a medical mystery and there are only so many times you can have a heart stop in one story. I actually have to make my characters work at being themselves.

Nano Madness

2010-11-03T07:24:00.000-07:00

It's time for Nanowrimo-National Novel Writing Month. I decided to post my progress on Something Old, even though I'm not an official Nanoite. I really need to finish the first draft this month so here I go, trying to hold myself accountable.

I love writing and would love to ditch the day job, but, food on the table counts, besides I work with nice people doing good work in healthcare, so can't complain too much.

If you haven't been to the blog lately, I haven't been keeping up. Maybe I'll post more when I'm trying to meet my own, public deadline. I promise to post more, of course if I don't have readers to interact with, it's a little more difficult to write to a vacume.

Sprayed for bugs yesterday, noticed some I hadn't had before. Pests encroaching into my space. Doing coffee, loving cooler weather.

Oil It

2010-08-30T07:38:00.000-07:00

I went to a class about infusing oils this week and was amazed at how easy it was. At least this class was.

All you need is oil (olive, canola) and any fresh herbs or spices you like. You can follow the same steps to infuse flavors into vinegar.(Use a plain vinegar.)

Take a clear bottle, put fresh herbs and spices, in a combination you would like for cooking, in the bottle.

For one bottle I used a combination of dried tomatoes, garlic, oregano and bay leaf. Filled it up with oil, a funnel is helpful if you have one, and put in the stopper.

Set the bottle on a window sill that gets sun. A west window is good. Turn the bottle over to mix the ingredients every day. In two weeks, strain the oil and store the oil in the refrigerator. I want to make a garlic, dill vinegar next I think.

I also am infusing an oil with cinnamon sticks and cloves and orange peel to use on candles to scent them. I'll let you know how that works.

For those of the magical persuasion, consider infusing an oil with salt and fresh sage to use for protection and purification.

Lets have Pun(s)

2010-08-24T09:31:00.000-07:00

A friend's father sent these to her and I had to steal them.

Puns for Educated Minds
1.
The fattest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.
He acquired his size from too much pi.
2.
I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian .
3.
She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.
4.
A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.
5.
No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
6.
A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.
7.
A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.
8.
Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.
9.
A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.
10.
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
11.
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
12.
Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other: 'You stay here; I'll go on a head.'
13.
I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
14.
A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said: 'Keep off the Grass.'
15.
The midget fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
16.
The soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
17.
A backward poet writes inverse.
18.
In a democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count
that votes.
19.
When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.
20.
If you jumped off the bridge in Paris , you'd be in Seine .
21.
A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess looks at him and says, 'I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger.'
22.
Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and says 'Dam!'
23.
Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
24.
Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, 'I've lost my electron.' The other says 'Are you sure?' The first replies, 'Yes, I'm positive.'
25.
Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root canal? His goal: transcend dental medication.
26.
There was the person who sent ten puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.

Check out the Kindle Store

2010-07-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

Privy to Murder went live today on the Kindle store. Now the entire Tali Cates series is available there as well as Fairy Dust. Cool Beans. Check it out.

http://www.amazon.com/Privy-to-Murder-ebook/dp/B003VP9W96/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1279203343&sr=1-4

Almost Time

2010-07-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

Time to go to Colorado
Time to see friends
Time to write what I want to write
Time to draw
Time to enjoy old friends
drink wine
watch squirrels and birds
be on guard for bear visits
smell mountain air
dance
look at art
watch a chick-flick
listen to aspen
cool mornings-coffee on the deck
Time to be selfish
wait on myself
take naps
read, read, read
shop
read more.
This is my idea of vacation.
I leave on Saturday.

Balancing

2010-07-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

Once again I find myself in a balancing act, much like those very bad ones on America's got talent, the ones that Piers immediately buzzes because they drop something. I'm dropping. I get involved in one project and immediately drop something that I should be taking care of on another one. I'm trying to keep up with nonfiction, fiction and a work related project that I have to partly do on my own time.

Fiction is fun and what I love to write, even though it's work sometimes. Nonfiction pays, enough said. Writing about diarrhea and the bugs that cause it, not so much. Then there is studying for IC Certification. A pain, but necessary. I miss the fiction, since it gets short-changed for the more immediate deadlines.

Its kind of like when you write fiction only, love the creative juices that go along with writing the first draft but hate editing, and yet you are finishing a first draft, editing another project and writing a synopsis(everyone hates that.) I should have put a whine warning at the first of this, huh?

Here I am published, on Amazon and Kindle, print books and I'm fussing about having work to do. Can I whine about the full time job? No, guess not, since a lot of people would kill for one. Getting old? Oops, the alternative ain't so great. Guess I'd just better look forward to Colorado and get it together.

What's your whine today?

Colorado or Bust

2010-07-01T09:26:00.001-07:00

In two weeks, this will be my view as I drive into Cuchara. Okay, minus the snow. But it will be cool and comfortable and beautiful and I can't wait. Writing and painting on the deck, my favorite things in the world. Watching deer, chipmunks, squirrels, Stellar Jays, Mountain Chickadees, too much fun.

Catching up with friends, even more fun. Us girls and gossip, wine, dine

shop, go to art shows and loung on the deck as the Hummers dive at us. We also write, plot and do other writerly stuff. I always love this time of year at my favorite place. My mind is already there. Can't I go today? Just sit on the deck and read? The very air and scent of the place renews me. I thought that sweet mountain air was just a legend, or figure of speech until I started going up into the mountains.

If you need a summer read for your stay on the deck or patio,

beach or boat, pick up your copy of "Privy to Murder" or "Bloody Murder" today on Amazon.

True Blood

2010-06-22T07:18:00.000-07:00

Anyone watching True Blood? Interesting developments. I like that the plots are just a little different from the books to keep you guessing a little. Still fun to watch. Bill's new Vamp girl is funny. The actor playing Pam is spot-on with her, so is Lafayette.

Working in nonfiction right now, not my fave thing since fiction is more fun but nonfiction pays better, and sometimes you have to do what you have to do while you wait...and wait...and wait...to hear from that editor, agent etc.

So, what do you do to keep yourself busy while you wait for that important call, write more, exercise, work in the garden, all of the above?

Wolves and Such

2010-06-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

First, the winner of an ebook is Cornelia. Send your email to cshenold AT cox DOT net and let me know if you would like "Museums are Murder" or "Fairy Dust." Congratulations.

I went to lunch with my wonderful friend Sara Saint John on Saturday. (Check out her books at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Sara+Saint+John)

Anyway, we talked about writing, and family and friends and movies and all the horror stories we both love so much, ate good food and missed the friends that couldn't come. After we ate we went to her house to watch "Wolfman" on DVD.

I liked it. Emily Blount is an actress I always like, no better person for the villian than Hannibal Lector with hair. Wish the screen play had devoted a couple of pages to the relationship between Lawrence Talbot and Emily Blount, but enjoyed it. Could have used one or two touches of humor for relief, Universal used to be good at that, but not this time.

I also watched "Legion" this weekend. Loved watching Lucas Black. Haven't seen him since "Sling Blade" and "American Gothic." Accent is still there and that sweet smile of his. Angels fighting angels was interesting and the use of humans as cannon fodder. Saving the baby was a bit cliche but what can you do?

Reading the new Harry Dresden "Changes." I think it's the best one yet and I've been a big fan all along. Didn't get much writing done this weekend but hope to remedy that soon.

Also, "True Blood" season three started with a bang (or should I say fang?) last night and was Fangtastic, as was Pam in her snarky blonde way. Fun series. So, now you know how I wasted the weekend.

New Experiences-toes

2010-06-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

No, that's not my broken toe. I thought baby toes were a better choice since they are so cute. You don't want to see my toe, or toes.

I've had a new experience. I broke/dislocated my little toe. At any rate, after I rammed it into the corner of a trunk, I looked down and saw it sticking out at a right angle to the foot. Like Jasper's claw looked when he hurt it. So, I reached down and pushed the toe back where it belonged, heard a click, taped it to the toe next to it and iced it.

The toe is now a lovely dark violet color. And, did you know you can't wear shoes comfortably with a broken toe, including flip-flops. I'm limping, and wearing black slipper with everything-a totally sex and the city fashion look-NOT! Anyone who know me is aware that I'm not a slave to fashion, but black slippers, in the summer-come on.

On to writing. I decided to finish Agatha Ann and the Shadow Curse and printed it out. I've done more on it than I thought. It should be fun. Also, study for the certification test we won't discuss and wait, wait, wait to hear from an editor, which most likely won't happen for months, if at all. Just adore the waiting game. My least favorite part of writing.

So, what's your favorite or least favorite writing task? One lucky commentator will receive an electronic copy of "Fairy Dust" or "Museums are Murder." Their choice. Include an email addy.

The End is Coming

2010-06-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

Earth quakes, floods, tsunami, volcano eruptions, baseball-sized hail. Is it the end of the world as we know it? Global warming must be causing it, or, is Mother Nature simply having a hissy fit because of things like the oil spill in the gulf? I'd do worse than that if I were her and you spilled oil all over me.

Our lives and careers seem to have the same ups and down sometimes. Then, we can't blame mother nature or global warming. It may be something we did or didn't do that started the down-ward spiral. What if we simply gave up and quit? Nothing good could happen then.

Writing is the same. There are those really good writing days and those where every word we put on paper sucks rocks, or seems that way to us. But guess what? Do we stop or push through? We know that book, story, poem will never be finished if we don't keep on keepin' on. So we do it. And when we finish, the product is good. We set out to make it even better.

We just have to be ready for those highs and lows in life and writing. Barrel through and see what happens. By the time you reach the end, you're on your way up again. That's were it gets good, the way up to the top. On your way, throw a mattress down so you can bounce your way back up if you slip and keep on trying.

Avatar

2010-05-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

I finally saw Avatar and I absolutely love the cinematography and the beauty of it. Spectacular computer graphics. But, what lazy writers. I've never seen such cardboard villains. What were the writers thinking? Big bad corporate guy and the toy soldier with tunnel vision. Even I could make it more believable.

That part was so disappointing. They did good going between human and avatar bodies. The belief system was well thought out. But, they kept a good movie from becoming a great movie by turning it into a cliche. Sad.

Now, what does everyone else think? Finished Agatha Ann edits, hope I get a bite from the editor. So hope.

Kindlizing

2010-05-08T09:09:00.000-07:00

"Museums are Murder" is now available on Kindle. Yay. I've been on Kindle Boards with promo, don't have the cover picture the right size yet, but at least I'm on. It's a start. Haven't seen much sales yet but still learning everything.

Had a great time at conference. Lori did not have a seizure! I met an agent that wants to see Agatha Ann, (I know, she says that to all the writers) but sending it anyway, at least someone will read it, maybe like it. You never know.

I signed books with friends, even sold a few. Here's a picture of Amy (middle) Sara and me (right) signing books and waiting for happy hour.

Conference

2010-04-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

It's time for the annual OWFI conference. Always a lot of fun with writers, agents, editors and friends. Also time to see all my writer buddies, and this year, listen to Dana Stabelow talk about mystery writing. Also, a couple of Texas friends coming. We will eat, sleep and talk writing and anything else that occurs to us. And, maybe even learn things too.

Autograph party, me with posters of two of my book covers. We'll have a good time. Tell you all the gossip when I get back.

When it Rains

2010-04-17T07:07:00.000-07:00

Life is crazy right now. Have two non fiction projects to finish and my daughter is having daily seizures, so we are seeing new doctors right and left. She's getting injured way too many times. She hates going to so many docs and specialists and getting stitched up for split lip or head. She actually managed to crush a small bone in her wrist. Not good. Dr. hasn't seen that break before and he's a hand/wrist specialist.

The winner from the contest post is Margaret West. Marget, email me at this address and I'll send you the electronic copy of "Privy to Murder." Have fun with it.

Other news, all my books are still available on Amazon and Fictionwise. Come on down. This is a short, on deadline post, will talk more later.

Happy/Unhappy

2010-04-10T08:24:00.000-07:00

Why is it that two small nonfiction projects (as compared to an 80,000 to 100,000 word novel, will pay more up front and with royalties than writing the fiction I love. It's the pits. Okay, I know there are people who would love to have that problem, just saying, I love fiction, that's what is fun to write, not the medical technical, infection control stuff. Whining this morning.

Weather gorgeous. Going outside to drink coffee and enjoy the sunshine, hopes that cheers me up. Daughter have more seizure issues. Have to find a neurologist who actually wants to do something to help not just throw up their hands and tell her to go to a psychiatrist for help. Continuous blunt trauma not helpful.

Conference in a couple of weeks, totally looking forward to that, writers, agents, gossip and friends. Signed up for Chisholm Trail Book Festival, should be fun and maybe sell books too. Will give a workshop and reading. Come to Duncan September. More details later.

Real Life or Reel Life

2010-03-29T07:06:00.000-07:00

Does anyone watch reality shows, like, real ones? Not the ones with games, and winners and strategy, but the kind where cameras are showing a slice of "real life" complete with drama and interaction. People living in a house together.

What would happen if you put a writer in a reality show? Even if it were Stephen King, big household name, money the whole ball of wax. He writes horror so what kind of strange things go in in that house?

What would happen? Ghost visits? Cocktail party with famous people, party all the time? Or, nothing. Okay, he's a writers, he writes every day. The camera would show someone in front of a computer typing, or not. Gazing off into space-caption...caracterization, plotting, dialogue in head-then typing again, for hours, with breaks to drink a soda, research something, then back to staring at a computer and typing.

Where is the drama, screaming fights, enemy attacks, in the writer's head or on the paper, certainly not on the reality camera. The cameramen are asleep for God's sake. Writers do not lead glamorous lives most of the time, they just do their job and create a world to which the rest of us can escape.

I live real life, I don't need to watch it for entertainment. Anyone watch Castle this week? I want to watch something with a beginning, middle and end, plus some resolution. Or maybe just read a good book. How about you?

Heartwarming or Horrific

2010-03-26T06:44:00.000-07:00

I saw a heartwarming story on the news today about a nanny who saved her five-year-old charge from a fire and was badly burned in the process. She essentially ran down a hallway and stairs, through a wall of fire, carrying the little boy. Talk about courage and dedication. Wow.

Now, as a writer, how could you use that same incident, but switch it around?

For you romance fans, the father could feel he owes her, pay for her medical expenses, move her into their new house, of course she has to family, and they fall in love-happy ever after.

OR

She set the fire herself, rescues the child, moves in the the father, mother and child and ends up breaking apart a family for whatever sinister motives are in her brain.

Or

The reason she was so dedicated to getting herself and the child out of the fire was the demon chasing them. She is a world class demon hunter, in hiding, pretending to be a nanny. She didn't count on being found by the demon or becoming attached to the human child.

Now, what story have you heard on the news lately that inspired you to think and plot? Share. I'm giving away a digital download of Privy to Murder, the first in the Tali Cates series, to some lucky commentator.

Lost

2010-03-21T15:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my grandson boarded a plane, he's 13, bound for Oklahoma City from Houston. Diverted to Kansas. In the airport all alone and the airline said they were not responsible for him since he was thirteen and considered an"independent minor."

In the meantime, my 9 year old grand daughter boarded a plane in Oklahoma City, sat on the runway for several hours before her dad insisted she be taken off the plane to be with him until her flight could take off. Then, when her flight landed in Houston, she wasn't on it. "Oh, well try this flight?" her mother was told. No. Not on that one. "We really don't know where she is." the airline told her mother. "Just try every plane that lands. No, we can't page you because anyone could claim her, even though you would be the only one with an ID."

Hours later she finally lands. Do you really want your kids to fly alone. The airlines don't care and aren't watch the minors even when they claim to. Nuts.

Winners

2010-03-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

I love winning. I won a gift card from Lowes, new grill I hope. How did I win? I baked cookies for a cook-off at work. Not a big deal but fun.

America loves winners, American Idol, Survivor, Apprentice. We also like to vote people off the island. Is winning so important? Some people will do anything to win, eat bugs, drink gross stuff, dislocate another contestant's shoulder (See Survivor-Heroes and Villains-First Episode.)

What is winning to you? What is winning for a writer? For me, as a writer, winning contests isn't such a big deal. Winning, for me, is writing, meeting my goal, words on the paper, the actual act of writing.

Will I feel like a winner if get published, make the best seller list. You bet. But, I will be a winner if I finish the book, do my best, own the process.

What makes you feel like a winner?

Interview Etc.

2010-03-08T17:11:00.000-08:00

I'm a dunce as a blogger since I keep running out of time to blog. Promise to get better. Saw my grand daughter as a mouse in Cinderella, too cute. She makes a great mouse, is also a good actor, singer, dancer. Gotta love grand kids.

Jasper the poodle almost had a heart attack today when a sudden thunderstorm dumped rain on him. He was totally wet, pissed-off and freaked out. Poor baby.

Tonight I have an interview on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Whats-Hot-In-Romance/
You can also sign in and join in the chat. Come on down and join me.

Seriously Folks

2010-02-18T07:23:00.000-08:00

If Gallo buyers don't know when they buy a fake Pinot Noir, how could consumers? Says something about the American wine drinker don't you think? Shouldn't someone been able to taste or smell the difference between a vintage and a conglmeration of different wines, like the execs at Gallo? Wouldn't they be the experts? But it was probably a good deal.

But, how often do we get caught up in frauds because something looks, sounds, seems good, but isn't? The old adage, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is, still holds true. That free cruise might just be on a ship that was junked last year, a cruise line that went out of business or doesn't even have cruises to that part of the world any longer.

And we fool ourselves into believing we really should go with that vanity press because we will make the money back, and make a profit and retire rich. We can bypass the uneccessary things like agents and editors. After all, we are great self-editors-not.

How have you fooled yourself or been fooled lately?

Watching

2010-02-17T18:41:00.000-08:00

I'm watching the Olympics and wishing I could do the equivelent of a gold medal with my books. But then, right now, if I don't get with the writing I won't have a new book to do anything with. I'm not a medal contender and won't be if I don't get myself back in gear.

So, how can I do that, convince that muse to come back, my hands to play the keyboard like a dulcimer or a painting, words to paint the story picture I want to share? Sheer will-power, tricks, inspirational reading.

Maybe Button, put butt on chair and write. Push through it.

How do you push through when your writing takes a nose dive instead of soaring?

Fun Stuff

2010-02-14T11:58:00.000-08:00

Stolen from Yasmine Galenorn-Life on the Fringe@blogspot.com

(x) Shot a gun
(X) Gone on a blind date
(X)Skipped school
(X) Watched someone die
(x )Been to Canada
(x) Been to Alaska
( ) Been to Cuba
() Been to Europe
( ) Been to Las Vegas
( ) Been to Mexico
( ) Been to Hawaii
( ) Been to Florida
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been on a cruise ship
() Served on a jury
(X) Been lost
() Gone to Washington, DC
( ) Swam in the ocean
(X) Cried yourself to sleep (hasn't everyone?)
(x ) Played cops and robbers
(x )Played cowboys/girls and Indians
( x) Recently colored with crayons. (markers, not crayons)
(x) Sang Karaoke (and I never will)
(X) Paid for a meal with coins only
(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
() Made prank phone calls
(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(X) Danced in the rain
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(X) Watched the sunrise with someone
(X) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
( ) Gone snow skiing
(X) Camped out under the stars
(X) Seen something so beautiful that it took your breath away?
(X) have gotten married
(x) Have Children
(X) Had a Pet
()Been skinny dipping outdoors
(x) Been fishing
(x) Been boating
(x) Been water skiing
(x) Been hiking
(x ) Been camping in a trailer/RV
() Flown in a small 4 seater airplane
( ) Flown in a glider
() Been flying in a hot air balloon
( ) Been bungee-jumping or sky-diving
(X) Gone to a drive-in movie
( ) Done something that should have killed you (a few times)
(X) Done something that you will probably regret for the rest of your life
( ) Been arrested
( ) Gone to a nude beach

1. Any nickname? Non.
2. Mother's name? Letitia Florence
3. Favorite drink? Truffle Latte
4. Piercings? ears,
5. Tattoos? Nope, chicken
6. Love your retirement? Wish I could retire.
7. Birthplace? Chicago
8. Favorite vacation spot? Cuchara, CO
9. Been to Africa ? No
10. Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? Duh! Yah.
11. Ever been on TV? Yes
12. Ever steal any traffic signs? No
13. Ever been in a car accident? Yes
14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4
15. Favorite Number? 6
16. Favorite movie? The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Practical Magic
17. Favorite holiday? Samhain.
18. Favorite dessert? Chocolate Pie or icecream.
19. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? In my own home, writing full time.
20. Last musical artist or group you listened to? Sarah McLaughlin

How it All Started

2010-02-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

People seem to think it's a little strange for a nurse to do creative things like write, paint, play the hammered dulcimer. But, I know a lot of nurses who do just that. In fact, the more you have to deal with life and death parts of nursing, the more you need an outlet for sanity.

Having said that, I've been writing and drawing and immersing myself in music long before I was a nurse. I've been a voracious reader since around the third grade. Loved to write essays in school (other kids hated me for that one.) I wrote book reviews for the library. I listened to musicals and Irish music and continued to draw.

Eventually, as an adult I began writing non fiction articles about medical subjects, pet care, music, clog dancing, anything I could think of. I also began writing fiction. Guess what? Fiction is harder to write and much more difficult to sell. I was well published in nonfiction long before I sold my first novel.

Non fiction is straight forward. You can research, outline, write and it follows logic. In comparison it's flat easier. But fiction is more fun. You can use your imagination, bring characters and places alive, create a world. Get lost in it.

If you go into writing for the money, go for nonfiction. You get to submit directly to an editor. Agents are not involved. When you get paid, you get paid, not your agent. But for a fun, exciting, addicting career, try fiction. Just be certain you have a high tolerance for frustration. I've enjoyed having my name on a nursing text book, my essay in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book, but nothing is as thrilling to me as holding my novel in my hand.

What Happened?

2010-02-03T14:48:00.000-08:00

How can it be February? It was just Christmas. Now, my youngest turned 35, Imbolc came and went, Valentines day is almost here and we still have snow on the ground from last week. Craziness.

I have not managed to keep my January goal of writing 300 words a day. February is not looking too good so far. Life keeps on sneaking in ahead of writing. Maybe if I write at 10pm I'll have a better chance. At this rate, my "Dead Fairies" will be dead, gone and resurrected before the story is resolved.

It would help if I didn't feel the need to fix everything, help everyone, all those obsessive things nurse/moms do. I need to spend some time on the things I want to do. I've told myself that before. Now I need to carry through with that.

Who else out there spends more time fixing things for others than helping themselves? Leave me a comment.

Winners of the Tali Cates Contest!!!

2010-01-26T08:41:00.001-08:00

Winners of the Tali Cates Mystery Contest!!!

Congrats to the winners of Carol Shenold’s Tali Cates Mystery Contest!!!

Dee Owens

Owner/CEO Personalized Marketing & Promotions

The Effect of a Short Story

2010-01-23T19:25:00.000-08:00

Even in grade school I liked short stories. The one that stuck with me was a very short one I read in a comic book. It involved a child coming home after school, reaching her house, finding it dark when she opened the door, calling out and receiving no answer, reaching in to turn on the lights. Instead of the light switch her hand lands on a large spider. She screams, wakes up from the (wait or it) dream, still in class.

After school she laughs at herself for being silly, reaches home, a dark house and no answer when she calls out. This time when she reaches out, touches the spider, she doesn't wake up.

I never forgot the story. Never reach for a light switch in a dark room without the spider visiting me.

I graduated to Poe, Saki and other horror writers, read better crafted stories, but none of them took hold with the same intensity as the first. Of course, even before I read the horror comic, my grandmother prepped me with bed time stories about a killer in the 1940's who scattered body parts in the sewers of Chicago, or the lady who kept hat boxes on her shelf with children's heads stored in them. Both supposedly true stories. If my grandmother had been alive when mother found out about the sweet bedtime visits we had, mother would have killed her.

Now, surprise, I write horror, dark urban fantasy, paranormal mysteries, and love it as much as I loved those first tastes of the macabre. Safe scares, that's what it's all about. And placing characters in the situation of realizing the monster under the bed is real.

Come visit me at www.carolshenold.com

New Year

2010-01-02T08:16:00.000-08:00

It's a New Year and a New decade. So what can I accomplish by the time I hit 78?
Finish another book. Yes.
Find world peace-uh no.
Find more peace in my own life, sure, if I work at it.
Big goal for the year, finish "Dead Fairies"
Write at least 300 words a day-being realistic here. I can't do 3000 a day and work too. Just sayin'
Lose weight-rarely happens but will try to at least cut back.
So time to go write-pick up house, get ready for the kid's return and chaos to reign once again. Kind of enjoyed the peace of the blizzard and having to stay home for a while.
Did finish reading Under the Dome and loved it. Now reading Breathless, also starting out well. Keep you posted on the writing goal. Later gator.

Blizzard '09

2009-12-26T07:06:00.000-08:00

We spent Christmas Eve listening to 50 MPH wind gusts and watching the fence sway back and forth. Drifts grew at an alarming rate. I've lived in places with wind and snow, but 3-4 ft. drifts, cancelled Christmas gatherings and 14 inches of snow are unusual happenings in Oklahoma City.

We stayed in, ate Christmas bread baked that afternoon, watched hundreds of people getting stranded on highways as they ignored the weather people telling them to stay home, do not get out and shop. Then things got scarier as there was a 50 car pile-up on I-40, the airport closed down and all the highways in the metro closed down.

When we opened the front door, a three ft drift blocked the way, the car in the driveway was blocked with another drift that size. Felt like I'd ended up back in Nebraska.

Yesterday we hibernated and read, watched movies, enjoyed a quiet Christmas. Today, if I can dig out the car, I'll try and make it to the store. Maybe next weekend I'll get writing done. we'll wee how things go. Trying to help my daughter with her holiday depression.

Winter Basics

2009-12-24T07:45:00.000-08:00

There is something basic or primal about sitting in a warm kitchen, watching sleet and snow outside while you kneed yeast dough for bread. You feel connected to the countless women over the years who have done the same thing.

Hopefully not too many people are struggling with a cold kitchen or no kitchen. Listening to the wind I couldn't help but think about settlers on these plains trying to deal with wind, cold and sod houses if they had a house. Brrr.

Everyone enjoy your holiday and keep a house full of the scents of christmas as you bake bread, make a dessert with cinnamon. Remember those who came before.

Christmas and Kids

2009-12-21T18:53:00.000-08:00

I have to brag about my thoughtful, beautiful nine-year-old grand daughter who actually thinks before chosing a gift. She chose a silver and black necklace for me. It is elegant and light because heavy necklaces give grandma a headache. Then she picked out a silver feather pin because in the old days, writers wrote with feathers and quill pens.

Is that cool or what? I love it. Kids are so much fun.

I'm reading Under the Dome and love it. I want to read Julie and Julia, the movie was so funny. Saw Four Christmases, loved it even if it was a little too slapstick for my usual taste.

Everyone have a wonderful Solstice, Yule, Christmas. Start the new year doing what you love. Come to www.carolshenold.com for a free gift of reading. Look for the wrapped package and click on it. You will find a new Tali Cates story.

New Pic-Christmas Movies

2009-12-11T05:56:00.000-08:00

See my new pic to the right. My good friend Cathy took that in Bricktown and it was so much fun. Now I actually have a picture of myself that I like. I can't wait to see the rest. I just had to share. She made the vibrant colors pop didn't she. Such a better picture. Now I have to replace my picture on every site I can.

What is your favorite Christmas movie?

I love "The Christmas Story} because it's so fifties nostalgic.

The musical version of "A Christmas Carol" with Albert Finney, for the music.

My kids love "One Magic Christmas"

My favorite in all its incarnations, "Its a Wonderful Life"- even the one with Bill Murray.

The Original Grinch and Mr McGoo's Christmas, again for the music as much as anything.

Come on, add some of your faves to the list.

Traditions-Office Party

2009-12-07T18:12:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season." .... for parties-Christmas parties-The dreaded office party.
Do you have a party?
Does your office have a party?
Do you go?
Do you love it, hate it?
Time for confessions again.
What is your favorite party memory, or your worst?

My favorite was a Christmas Eve party I used to have with several friends when we lived in Texas, with all the kids, in a house with no central heat but a big fireplace. We had great food, a little egg nog, lots of good food and fun.

Also in Texas was the worst, a work party with food and then two hours of Bingo, on purpose. Awful. But we lived through that so we could dance to the band that followed, now that was fun.

Now it's your turn. We'll find a new tradition to discuss next week, like maybe the white elephant exchange.

Christmas and Fashion

2009-12-02T04:06:00.000-08:00

First, the Tali Cates contest is over. The winners will be announced this weekend.

Now, for a most important discussion.

What Christmas item is it that:

Anyone under 30 laughs at.
Most women over 40 love to wear.
Teachers have one for every day.
And fashion gurus hate?

Yes. You are right. It's time for the dreaded Christmas sweater.
I have several, dragged them out yesterday. Wore one. Will wear one every day because I only have a month. Then, back in storage they go until next year.

Come on, confess, you secretly like them too. You have one. What is it like? Is it a vest, or cardigan you can ditch in a hurry or an all out pull-over. Tell all in the comment section. Its true confession time.

Christmas sweater wearers unite!

Excerpt -New Bloody Murder

2009-11-29T05:53:00.000-08:00

Now, Tali Cates and her best friend, Cherilyn have gone to the old Rayburn house and been driven inside because of storm. The storm isn’t the only scary thing in the old house. Remember to read Privy to Murder then the wait to snap up Bloody Murder on the 7^th won’t seem nearly so long.

Excerpt 3 Bloody Murder Book 2 in the Tali Cates mystery series.

“Shit, shit, shit. We’re going to have a tornado, and it’s not much after noon. They’re not supposed to hit until afternoon or evening.”

“Tell that to those clouds overhead.”

I scanned the kitchen and saw a door on the opposite side from the one outside. “Quick, in here.”

“If it’s a cellar, I’m not going to be trapped inside a death trap.”

“Oh, don’t be a baby. It’s just a pantry but it should protect us.”

She pulled back. “But it’s dark and old and there’s no telling how many critters are in there. Besides, how do you know it’s a pantry?”

I shrugged and pulled open the door, then looked around for light. In the middle of the pentagram on the floor stood a large candle. Plucking that from its resting place might not be good but it was better than being in the dark. I grabbed it, attempting to ignore the energy washing through me.

We barreled through the pantry door and closed it. Now we were in the pitch dark with an unlit candle.

“It’s noon in October, not late afternoon in May,” I shouted. “We shouldn’t be having this strong a thunderstorm.”

“Did you tell that to the weather gods? I don’t think they’re playing by the rules,” Cherilyn yelled back. “How about some light?”

“Do you have a lighter or something?” An abrupt flare of light blinded me as the wick of the candle I held burst into flame. I barely managed to hold onto the wax when I jumped. Thank God I’d dropped the sack of grass at the last thunderclap or I’d have a bag of flame.

“Okay. That was just plain weird. I know you have some gifts, but lighting things with your mind?”

“It wasn’t me. Not on purpose.”

Shelves held the usual things for an abandoned house—dust, cobwebs, more dust, spiders, a discarded, dented can of corn. The hail, wind, and rain had stopped, or else we simply couldn’t hear them, which made no sense. Was this the eye of the storm? I didn’t remember that tornados had an eye; they came and went so fast.

The pantry was enormous, as were Cherilyn’s eyes. She wasn’t looking at me, but above my head somewhere.

“What? What’s wrong?”

She pointed to the wall behind me. “Look.”

I turned. Symbols covered the wall. Most pantries had shelves on at least three walls but this one was as large as a living room, and one wall was covered with hundreds of drawings crammed together, one on top of each other. They glowed with a light of their own—or took the light from the candle. I moved closer to try to identify the drawings but an immediate chill shot through me.

My hands shook, my entire body trembled, sending the candle flame jumping like a demented firefly, throwing shadows in odd shapes all over the wall. I swore the shadows moved on their own. More than anything in the world, I didn’t want to see the things that made those shadows. Fear also moved on its own, pushed into me, froze my blood, stopping all movement, including my heart. Unreasonable fear that made me want to claw my way out of the room took over.

2009-11-22T07:33:00.000-08:00

Today I'm blogging at http://mystic-times.blogspot.com. At this blog, Diana Rubino, Ginger Simpson and I share postings on different dates. So come on down, meet a variety of authors and keep us company.

New Excerpt from Bloody Murder

2009-11-20T18:50:00.000-08:00

How about another excerpt. Watch for a question.

Screams shrilled from the dressing room area, not the carnival. What else could go wrong with this damned county fair contest I was in charge of? I shivered, and it wasn’t from the cooler evening air. What now? I ran toward the dressing room, reaching the door in time to be trampled by Theresa, who was shrieking and carrying her daughter, Charlice.

“Oh God, Oh God, Oh God. My baby, my poor baby.” She finally took a breath and sat down on the ground. “It’s dead, it has to be. I don’t know what it is.” Theresa was one of the pageant contestant mothers. From the way she was reacting you’d think her child was dead, not struggling against her mother’s tight grip.

I picked myself up from the cement stage, ignoring my scraped knee. Charlice buried her head in her mother’s neck.

I went into the empty dressing room that Theresa had just opened. She had been anxious that her daughter wouldn’t have enough mirror space to get ready for the talent competition.

Marcia Baker lay on the floor, or at least someone in Marcia’s clothes. The body looked like a mummy, not Marcia. It was as if something had removed all moisture from her. All I could think of was poor Marcia, poor Kimmie, who was one of the Queen Contest competitors. She would be without a mother.

I couldn’t catch my breath. My heart stuttered. I staggered out of the room, touching nothing. My cell phone rang. I fumbled it out of my jeans, swallowing several times before I could talk. It was Mumsie, my mother.

“What’s going on, Tali? Chung Po is beside himself. He says he can’t see anything but darkness.”

“Tell your stupid spirit guide to go into the light. Get off the phone and call JT. I have a dead body here in the dressing room.”

“Another one?”

“Just go call.” I hung up and threw myself behind a hay bale to be sick. It was déjà vu all over again.

Bloody Murder Excerpt

2009-11-17T07:42:00.001-08:00

"This Azo can simply show up from some other dimension and haul me off to hell to be his slave forever and there's nothing I can do?"

Okay, that came out more high pitched and panicky than I'd planned.

"It's why I'm here, Tali. To protect you, show you how to find and tap into power you can use to protect yourself."

"Well, shit. It was bad enough when I realized everything from vampires to werewolves were real. And now you're telling me I have to learn to use the essence of magic power to protect myself from the unseen things I thought were superstition? That's got to be the biggest pile of crap I've ever heard."

Fun Weekend

2009-11-15T18:28:00.000-08:00

I've had a great weekend.

Friday I went out to dinner with my daughter from Houston, love Chinese food.
Saturday, lunch with writer friends, gossip for three hours, or was it four. Also love a Leaning Bellini and Shrimp Portofino.
Made a big pot of Chili Saturday night, had the rest of the kids over and discovered chocolate wine-too good.
Had lunch today with my 88-year-old mother-in-law. discovered the most wonderful cake ever invented at Maggies, on 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK.
Okay, so this weekend revolved around food and drink. But it was fun.

So you don't think the weekend was a total loss, I almost finished chapter 13 of Dead Fairies, and have to figure out exactly who it is that Ande likes, Brandon or the new character trying to sneak in. Hmmm.

Also, I had an interview with Kim Smith on Blog Talk Radio on "Introducing Writers." That was fun. And in the interest of promotion, don't forget that all the Tali Cates books are at www.eternalpres.ca, or in print from www.amazon.com. If you need multiple e-formats, try www.fictionwise.com. You can catch the interview on Blog Talk in a couple of days. I'll put out an announcement.

I'm putting on a contest, see my website and visit my blog for a chance to win bookmarks, postcards, a Bloody Murder T-shirt, an autographed copy of a Tali Cates book and more. Stay tuned.

Chat with Carol Shenold

2009-11-15T12:07:00.000-08:00

Chat with Carol Shenold

Come on down and chat with me at blogtalkradio.

All My Witchy Friends

2009-11-12T20:18:00.000-08:00

Good Morning, Readers,

Thank you, Carol, for inviting me to be your guest author today.

I’m paranormal romance author, Tabitha Shay, author of Witch’s Brew, Witch’s Heart, Witch’s Moon and Witch’s Magic. Yes, there are more books to come in the Winslow witches of Salem series.

Bitten By Books gives Witch’s Brew a 4.5 tombstone review!

BLURB: WITCH’S BREW/BOOK ONE

Witches, wizards and magic!

Saylym Winslow regains forgotten magical powers, but is determined to ignore them. No way is she a witch; magic brings nothing but trouble. But when Talon, Waken Prince and assassin of witches is assigned to terminate Saylym by stealing her soul, she discovers being a real, spell-casting witch is only the beginning of her problems.

Talon is enchanted by Saylym's beauty and charm and refuses to do his duty. He is given a choice by the powerful Waken Guild: Handfast with the trouble making witch to keep her in line or they will send Drayke, the most ruthless waken assassin, to hunt her down.

Sparks fly in this bewitching, sexy battle of the sexes-witch-style.

EXCERPT /WITCH’S BREW/BOOK ONE

The hairbrush in Saylym Winslow's hand came alive, wiggling worse than a worm on a hook. With an earsplitting scream, she flung the brush across the bathroom and pressed a hand against her run-away heart.

Unfortunately, the brush landed in the commode with a distinctive plop. Water slapped over the sides of the porcelain rim, splattering onto the worn tiled floor.

Biting her lip, Saylym tiptoed to the toilet bowl and peered over the edge, then jumped back. Her breathing rattled to a dead stop in her chest. "Ohmigod! I don't believe it!"

The brush had inched its way up the side of the white porcelain as if it had suddenly sprouted hands and feet to pull itself up the wet surface. It reached the top, tottered for a second, then toppled over onto the floor and flopped like a fish out of water.

"No more," Saylym moaned. "Please. I can't stand one more inanimate thing coming to life."

There are eight more books planned for the series, with Witch’s Fire next in line, with an April release date planned from Eternal Press.

Quite often I’m asked where I got the idea for Witch’s Brew, book one. Honestly, it just popped into my head one morning while I was going to pick up my son from work. Listening to my CD by The Eagles, I was jamming to their song, Witchy Woman. Spssst, I really get into the drums of that song and of course, I’m an avid sing-along-person.

But that morning, I was listening, instead of singing, and it suddenly hit me, Hmm, I could write a book about a witch.

Now anyone who knows me at all knows this would be a big leap for me. I’ve written romances for years, but I tended to stick to contemporary western romances. The truth is, deciding I could write about a witch never even hit me that I was switching genres in mid-stream.

Mulling the idea over, the thought struck me if I was going to write about a witch, then she had to be different. Not just any old, warty-faced witch would do.

So how could she be different?

Okay, I had to think about that. What if she’s a witch who doesn’t know she’s a witch? Yea! That sounded like a good start. Okay, problem. Why doesn’t she know she’s a witch? It’s not like using magic is something one can hide forever.

Coffee Time Romance gives Witch’s Heart a five cup review!

BLURB: WITCH’S HEART/BOOK TWO

Journey into a world where magic rules and death is the penalty for mistakes-return to the kingdom of Ru-Noc, where witches, wizards, and warlocks dwell. . .

Hannah Miller is starting over-new life, new location, and the grand opening of the Sugar 'N' Spice bakery with her best friend, Kirrah Walker. But Hannah soon discovers Sanctuary is not small town America. Trapped in a world of magic where humans are considered aliens-Hannah soon becomes the target of a waken assassin.

The male witch, Sage, is sent to terminate Hannah, the impertinent human who has dared to enter their sacred realm. Sage usually complies with the guild's orders, but he faces this assignment with dread. He hasn't forgotten what took place at the Salem witch trials in 1692 and has vowed to avoid all mortals-until he sees Hannah for the first time.

Caught up in the immortal conflict sweeping across Ru-Noc, the star-crossed lovers wage a different kind of war that set off more sparks than a witch's wand. . .

Fall under the spell of Witch's Heart-where Sage and Hannah discover love has a magic all its own . . .

EXCERPT: WITCH’S HEART/BOOK TWO

"I know a lot more about you than your name, Hannah Miller."

His voice was pure silk. It wrapped around her like a fur coat, warm, sensual and smooth as honey.

For the life of her, she couldn't keep the curiosity from her voice. "Oh? What do you know? Exactly?"

"I know you're human, a frail illumrof whose life span is but a twinkle, then gone. I know you should have remained in your own dimension. And I know it's impossible to mate with you."

"Mate with me?" Hannah gulped and put her hand on the rolling pin she'd left on the counter earlier. If she was no use to him, then what did that mean? He was going to kill her? Crap! They were back to the slice and dice. She tightened her grip on the rolling pin. "Over my dead body!" she said under her breath.

Bad choice of words, Hannah. Really bad.

Right. So…what if my witch fell and hit her head? Has a bad case of amnesia? For how long? Three hundred years? Because right away I decided she had to be three hundred years old, or in that neighborhood.

Three hundred years of amnesia? Nope, don’t think so.

Why don’t I let someone erase her memory? Totally wipe away everything about her past. What would happen? How would she cope if one day her magic started to return, and she had no idea what was happening? So, dear readers, Saylym Winslow was conceived and born.

Coffee Time Romance gives Witch’s Moon a five cup review!

BLURB: WITCH’S MOON/BOOK THREE

Ru-Noc: A magical world teetering on the edge of destruction.

Excited about her first Beltane, the feisty and strong-willed Princess of Ru-Noc makes plans to find her ideal mate. But Princess Kali's world is turned upside down when finds herself whisked away and trapped in the mortal realm of vampires.

Captain Koran T knows he's in serious trouble when the King of Ru-Noc orders him to kidnap Princess Kali. He's no different than any other male of his species at mating time, so the urge to breed Kali is strong. But Koran T has a dark secret of his own, one that could have him banished from the coven.

Fall under the spell of a Witch's Moon-when dark forces gather to threaten the very existence of Ru-Noc--and Princess Kali and Captain Koran cross swords in a fierce battle only a witch can win!

EXCERPT: WITCH’S MOON: BOOK THREE

Ah, but the novel appearance of a male witch popping in at the all girls’ academy had them all atwitter, all—but one.

Abrupt silence filled the halls and avid gazes shot to Princess Kali as she marched down the hall like a stiff-backed soldier. Fury etched the aristocratic lines of her face. Her topaz eyes blazed with gold flames. Her heart-shaped lips were tight with displeasure and color stained her noble cheekbones.

What would the princess do? Say?

Money exchanged hands as bets were quickly made on the outcome of the battle that brewed. Who would win, Captain Koran T or Princess Kali?

Oh, but this was going to be an entertaining moment for all of them.

No doubt about it, the reckless and hot-tempered Princess was in a bit of a snit. In a swish and swirl of red silk, she left a heady cloud of jasmine and oleander perfume in her wake.

Necks craned and eyes widened as everyone watched the Princess storm down the corridor to Principal Wing’s office.

“What’s she doing now?” someone asked. “I can’t see her anymore.”

“Who cares what she’s doing? My heart’s still pounding from catching a glimpse of the Captain,” one young lady commented. “Did you see how handsome he is? The excitement is almost too much to bear.”

BLURB/WITCH’S MAGIC/BOOK FOUR

Witches, werewolves, and vampires-an unprecedented alliance between the species.

Prince of Darkness: The realm of Vampyre is on the brink of a devastating war. In order to save his covens from total annihilation and claim his right to be king, Prince Valerian Radu must find a mate immediately and breed her. However, convincing the feisty witch, Shasta LaVeau, she’s First Bride material is a war in itself--Shasta has but one thought on her mind—drive a stake through his black heart!

Princess of Light: In Shasta’s opinion, the only good vampire is a staked vampire. Half-witch, half-werewolf, she leaves the borders of Ru-Noc to save her best friend, Princess Kali, from the evil fangs of Valerian, only to fall under the hypnotic spell of the sexy vampire.

Witch’s Magic—where four realms collide—and there can only be one winner!

EXCERPT/WITCH’S MAGIC/ BOOK FOUR

She scraped his right nipple with a long fingernail. “So sexy,” she whispered. “I want to taste you.”

“Taste me, then. Do what you will.”

Oh, to feel her naked beneath his body, feel his cock push through the hot, velvety muscles of her feminine channel, each layer surrounding his aching shaft until he was buried deep within her honeyed sheath.

It wasn’t to be.

From the look on her face, she wasn’t here for him to sex her. No. The deadly intent in her eyes was easy to read. The ugly thing she held in her small hands looked ominous. Potentially lethal. Scary as hell!

His pulse jumped, pounded fiercely. Sweat dampened his face. This was it then. The end. “No!” The word slipped past his lips from deep within his undead body, a furious growl of denial that she would do this terrible thing to him.

His heart squeezed out the next painful beat.

“You said do what I will. I will this.”

You cannot do this!

I can. I will.

Terror clenched his muscles. Before where he’d been restless, now Valerian remained stone still, paralyzed as if he’d been bitten by a Shun-Rock Spider from his home world of Pi-Ram.

He knew what came next. The horror of it froze him as nothing else.

Then she committed the worst act of his nightmare, the one that sent chills down his icy flesh and solidified his already sluggish blood. She placed the sharp-tipped of wooden stake on his bare chest, directly over his heart. Her laughter was no longer happy or sweet, sunny or warm, but cold and cruel and ruthless. He saw no mercy in her lovely eyes, only merciless determination.

The needlepoint tip pierced his flesh. His mouth flew open with the shock of it. So sharp. So sharp! Valerian tried to scream, but no sound moved past his lips. The pain crushed, as if his chest was weighted with stone. His heart raced at such a high speed, he thought it might explode.

Frozen in a place somewhere between his world and hers, he couldn’t move. He couldn’t breathe. Held captive by the magnetic force of her cruel gaze, he watched the hammer swing down, felt the deadly stake pierce his chest and drive through his heart.

Now, I don’t want to reveal all Saylym’s secrets or the problems she faces when her magic starts to return, but obviously, the fun doesn‘t end with Saylym‘s story. No. Saylym has two sisters, Kirrah, whose tale in Witch’s Fire, will be released in 2010 and Nyra, who tangles with Death in Witch‘s Touch, in 2011, so be watching for them.

I’m so thrilled to announce that all my books are now available in print from Amazon.com

Anyone leaving a comment today has a chance to win a signed copy of Witch’s Heart or Witch’s Moon. Be sure we have a way to contact you if your name is drawn so I can get your snail mail addy from you or be certain to check back about 6 p.m. CST., when the winner’s name will be announced. Until the next time, scope out my website at http://www.tabithashay.com

I’ve recently added new pages of the hunky vampires and demons introduced in Witch’s Magic.

I can also be found at Myspace. http://www.myspace.com/tabithashay

Pay a visit to my publishers at http://www.eternalpress.ca

One more tidbit of information: I also write contemporary western romances under the pen name-Jaydyn Chelcee. You’ll find her at the same website Tabitha Shay hangs around at, plus she has a Myspace site. http://www.myspace.com/jaydynchelcee

See you soon.

Tabs

Pushing Christmas.

2009-11-11T18:35:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas music, and and the entire season. Key word season. Tis not the season yet. This is fall, Thanksgiving, football, turkey. Anticipating shopping. Thinking about what you will do next month.

Not yet time for a holly jolly. Let's have the rest of Autumn, watch leaves fall, make a bonfire, enjoy the month, then celebrate winter, and Christmas. Sound good. All right then. Let's do it.

I did already start on the eggnog. Shhhhh don't tell. Now I have to go write.

Fall is fallling-back

2009-11-07T07:54:00.000-08:00

Daylight savings time is gone at least for a couple of months!! Yay. No more fooling ourselves about time. Somehow my internal clock was never fooled.

I love fall. My mysteries like Autumn also. I did hear on the radio that leaves don't fall, but they are pushed off by the tree. Sorry, a season called "Push" just wouldn't be the same. a "Push Carnival" a "Push Dance" or "Push Bazaar." Nope, not doing it for me. Sorry. Can't let science facts interfere with what I know is real.

When we lived in Texas, we had big, old pecan trees and would pick up pecans, smell the pungent scent of burning leaves in the air, rake leaves into piles to jump in. We have piles of leaves hear also, and acorns for the dog to dash through. Had a fire in the fire pit on the deck last night, relaxing. Grilled burgers too, so good.

Trick today, write the next chapter of Dead Fairies and catch up on the old V. I recorded them on the Scy-Fy channel.

Spooks

2009-10-31T07:30:00.000-07:00

Do you have your costume yet? Are you ready for the party? How about dessert? Were having kitty litter cake with Tootsie Roll poop. How about you?

I'm going to be a bat with wings, Christie, my child bat, Hannah- a bat witch, Boys-vampire warlocks.

Main course is Road-Kill Burritos and bathwater punch. Sound good yet? I'll post pics but must go shopping for road kill.

How about a Halloween read?

Learn about Tali Cates and her psychic gifts in a story perfect for the season in – “Bloody Murder” by Carol Shenold NOW in Ebook and Print!!

Bloody Murder by Carol Shenold

Blurb:

Event planner Tali Cates’s psychic gifts have brought her more than enough trouble in the past. She wants those irksome gifts to leave her in peace so she can support her family and lead a normal life in the small town of Love, Texas.

But when not one, but two beauty contestants in the pageant she’s running turn up dead, Tali is again drawn into murder and mayhem. Toss in some witchcraft and kidnapping, and she has no choice but to protect her kids by hunting down the killer. Life gets even more complicated when her son accuses her new boyfriend of being a vampire, which is just plain ridiculous.

Or is it?

Excerpt

Buy NOW in Ebook from Eternal Press

Buy NOW in Print from Amazon

Visit Carol’s website to find more stories in the Tali Cates series!!!

The Great Pumpkin.

2009-10-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

As a writer, I sometimes feel as if I'm sitting in the pumpkin patch, waiting for the Great Pumpkin to come and bring toys to the good boys and girls. And, everyone laughs. I have to not loose faith that he will come and bring me that finished manuscript, deal with an agent, signed contract with a publishing company.

Yes, being electronically published is great, as is having books in print. Now I want the experience of having my book in a brick and mortar store. Will that Great Pumpkin show up this year, next. Of course, it boils down to me. The Great Pumpkin can't bring me a contract or agent deal if I don't finish the book.

Once again, it depends on me, and me alone, not whining about time, and family emergencies and being tired. Putting the butt on the chair and writing.

Magical Writing

2009-10-21T20:13:00.000-07:00

I'm reading a book about magickal writing. No, I didn't spell that that wrong. Magic is like slight of hand, magician, parlor tricks, illusions. Magick is infusing objects, yourself, your actions with positive energy to send out into the univers and make your desires known to God, Goddess, or Gods, depending upon your beliefs.

This author believes strongly in meditation with writing, before and during writing.Treating your writing tools with respect, carrying them with you and infusing them with energy. Our tools, including a computer, tablet, journal, special pens and anything else that allows rselvesto express ourselves freely, are extensions of us. This energy gives power to what we write.

If we write with the belief that we aren't really good enough, our writing will reflect it as will the energy we send out. On the other hand, if we infuse our writing with the will and power that we are doing our best and that it's good enough, well, positive attracts positive. The more we put out the confidence that we are great writers, the more confidence will come back to us with rewards.

For years therapists have used the tool of writing fears or sorrows and then burying them or burning them and burying the ashes as a means to put an end to them. The same holds true with the good things.

Write down your writing goals, keep one copy and put it in a safe place (preferably not the safe place where I put things and forget where they are.) Take the original coffee and on a full moon, put them in a fireproof container, take them outside and burn them, letting your powerful, confident emotions go into the air with the smoke and sparks, allowing the wind to carry the ashes. Samhain(Halloween) is a magical time when the door to the otherworld is thin. Ask your ancesters for help.

Next year pull out those goals and see how far you have progressed. You may be amazed.

Moving around

2009-10-17T07:42:00.001-07:00

Now that I've moved everything in the living room and the desktop computer is in the living room as well as my desk I find I love it. I have this wonderful view of my flowers, bird feeders, yard and trees out the french doors to the left. The TV at the end of the room if I'm in a movie, cooking show, soap opera (Desperate Houswives) mood. The framed cover of Privy to Murder is above my TV, not bragging, inspiration. If I can find my camera that Chris borrowed, I'll post a pic or two.

My new video is on all my sites and there are big plans for November contest ending just in time for December and Christmas. Many prizes in the works. Stay tuned for more details.

Video for Bloody Murder

2009-10-16T06:47:00.000-07:00

Run, don't walk to go see my new video for "Bloody Murder."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y8l86ZEDZU
It's spooky Halloween fun.
Remember, both Privy to Murder and Bloody Murder are available in print, now on
Amazon.

Speaking of, the Day of the Dead is coming soon. Do you have your pumpkin carved? Have you put up ghosts to scare away or welcome the spirits, depending upon your traditions.
We have ghosts on the window and in the tree in front. I need to get a pumpkin or two to carve but if you carve them too early, they get mushy.

Costume? We'll see. Whatever I become, it will be a fat one. Takes away some of the glamour.
,

Heating up, I wish.

2009-10-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

Remember I told you my heater was broken and repair men have been here for the past three or four days.

What you don't want to hear come out of the mouth of the repairman in the hall who is fixing the heater on a cold, cold day.

"Hmmmmm"

"Why is it doing that?"

"What is that noise?"

"Oh, man."

"Well shit?"

"Sigh."

"It went off again."

"That's never happened before."

"Listen to that clicking?"

There's still time to come join me at whippedcream2@yahoogroups.com for the chat with Personalized Marketing authors.

Monsoon

2009-10-09T05:08:00.000-07:00

Rain, rain and more rain.Getting soggy, grass growing too much because there is such a small window of opportunity to mow. Cold. Feels even colder since I know the heater is broken. Repair man out three days in a row, inbetween 0rdering parts, trying to fix it , ordering another, etc.

Also this week, the bank took out my house payment, auto draft, three times. Yup, I said three. Got that fixed. Also this was a zip up to manic and plunge to depressive week for Lori. All in all, fun times.

Moving things around at home, making my studio into one bedroom, the office into another. Chaos reighns. harder to write at the moment.But, plan to take advantage of the long weekend +rain to get writing done around chaos.

Plus-other news:

Multi-AuthorChat Event with the Clients of Personalized MarketingHeldat LASR Whipped Cream Yahoo group athttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/whippedcream2/

On Saturday October 10th from 9am to9pm the clients of Personalized Marketing will be at the Long and Short ReviewsWhipped Cream Yahoo Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/whippedcream2/

for an all day long chat event. Duringthe event you will get a chance to read excerpts, talk to the authors, and winfree prizes. So make sure to stop by andsay hello to the ladies as they bring you romance, mystery, and some greatreads.The list of Clients scheduled to attend are

AC Katt http://ackatt.com Author of The Sarran Plague and A Permanent Arrangement

Carol Shenold http://carolshenold.com Author ofMuseums are Murder, Bloody Murder, Privy to Murder and Fairy Dust

Foery MacDonnell http://www.moongypsy.com/ Author of TheFool's Journey and Laird of the Mist

Ginger Simpson http://www.gingersimpson.com/ Author of SistersIn Time, Amazing Grace, Beside Myself, Chastity's Charms (Stages of Love Book1), Embezzled Love, Embezzled Love, Forever Faith, Hope Springs Eternal, Lifeis a Bowl of Toilets and I Clean Them, Life Is a Bowl of Toilets and I FeelFlush, Paging Dr. Jones, Prairie Peace, Sarah's Journey, Sparta Rose, andVirginia's Miracle

Kayden McLeod http://kaydenmcleod.comAuthor of Jezebel’s Article, due December 2009 Paranormal Ménage, and Deadly Fetishes due March 2010 and free erotica series entitled Sara’s Story.

Tabitha Shay http://www.tabithashay.com/ Witch's Magic Book Four in Tabitha Shay's,Witch's Moon, Witch's Heart, Witch's Brew, No Holds Barred Book Two of theMontana Men Series, and In the Arms of Danger Book One of the Montana MenSeries

Raven Starr http://dkraven.blogspot.com/ Author of Fan-tasy, Going Home Again, HerSmile, One Night at the Office, The Perfect Match, The Pleasure Cruise, TaintedBlood and Thieves in the Night

See you atthis fun and romance filled event.

Timing is everything.

2009-10-02T16:09:00.000-07:00

Timing is everything in life and publishing. My life is proving that to be true as my central heat has gone out just in time for the coldest weekend so far this year.

An adult child has moved into my home with her children (Did you know adult sisters still fight?)
Yes, I have two adult children at home.

My grandson's new, expensive (for us) slacks have disappeared the day before the homecoming dance.

One of my best friends received a book contract offer--with an impossible deadline(Be careful what you wish for.)

My daughter's latest seizure has coincided with a book signing/selling event I'd hoped to attend.

Had the opportunity to read for an hour with no interruptions-got up at 4am-too sleepy to read without nodding off.

Time to write tonight with no interruptions. Still sleepy.

Moments of Clarity

2009-09-28T14:37:00.000-07:00

I love when those moments of clarity happen and you figure out what the story really is that you were writing about. Not that I didn't know the basics, villan, hero, subplots (sort of discover as I go) who committed the murders and why. What I didn't have perfectly clear was why Ande tries so hard to solve the murders and puts herself in danger. True, she has an elf and some fairy ghosts harrassing her to do it and she wants the department's respect.

But she has this self-respect thing, or lack of, going on that drives her without her even knowing.(Not giving away exactly how and why just yet-Spoilers), but it makes her actions more clear for me and hopefully will make sense to the readers.

I have found that when I read a really good article or take a short online course, or even see a bizarre news story, something can snap into place in the piece I'm writing. I do read urban fantasy while I'm writing it, but other things too. They don't trigger ideas the same way because I'm not applying them to my own story, I'm too caught up in theirs.

Now, time to write what I need to with so many people in the house-another story all together.

When Worlds Collide

2009-09-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

I heard about the most horrific thing on the BBC news. It was about the albinos in Africa who are being slaughtered because albinos supposedly bring good luck. 40 of them murdered and mutilated just this year. Why? Because a witch doctor said a potion containing Albino skin or other albino pieces, brings riches and good fortune. That leads random groups to go out, find an albino, attack him with knives and take away parts. Obviously, the good fortune did not extend to the albinos.

However, it did give me a good idea for "Dead Fairies" and the murderer's motivation. No, there is not a witch doctor in it. But the idea clarified some characterization for me.(That sounds sick and I don't mean disrespect to any families who lost loved ones.)

Then I read some writing tips from Jim Butcher and he made a lot of sense. See, it's never to late to learn, even for someone my advanced age. I love it when a book comes together and a theme occurs. The story is getting much darker, which is what I wanted.

Anyone else out there had any aha moments lately?

How Can You Tell?

2009-09-22T19:15:00.000-07:00

How can you tell that your adult daughter and her two children have moved home?

Let me tell you.

1. Instead of fine bath oils in pretty containers on the edge of my tub, I have a bobble head kitty, a bobble head puppy, five pretty ponies, a tiny comb, a tiny brush and no tangles shampoo.

2. No fine wine and shrimp in my fridge, with two kids I have Capri Sun, OJ, Water and Gatorade.

3. The artful arrangement of small framed photos on my table in the living room. No more. Replaced by Crayons, markers, a journal, light Pen, Hannah Montana books, Tinkerbell coloring page, Goofy painting and more.

4. The Irish harp in the corner---Electric guitar.

5. Oh, and the butter container has a hole in the lid, cleverly shaped like a guitar pick.

6. No car in the garage, one houseful of furniture and a little girl's bicycle.

7. Horror films? Replaced by Hannah Montana and the Jonas brothers.

8. Office/ art studio, now the room of a fifteen year old boy, full of girl friend's pics. Pretty little girl.

Now, I love the kids and my daughter. It's wonderful to have grand kid time since they've been living in Houston. Just a culture shock to suddenly be using twice as much water, double the groceries, hungry football player in the house, nine year old girl too.

Life is more exciting, not a bad thing. both kids are a joy and my daughter tries to take care of me and cooked me dinner-way cool. Fun times ahead, high school football, girlfriends, boyfriends all that goes with it.

It's Alive!

2009-09-17T08:06:00.000-07:00

My new website is now live. It is http://www.carolshenold.com. Please come by and leave a comment. The designer, Dee Owens did a great job. She runs a promotional service personalized marketing service through her website, www.deeowens.com. She has years of publishing business experience and is also a writer. Easy and fun to work with.

I love the dark look of the site and the contrast of the colors. Needless to say, I love the fairies, these are not your Tinker Belle Fairies.

Insults

2009-09-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor:She said, "If you were my husband, I'd give you poison."He said, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it."

Do you remember when people used language to insult each other, rather than four letter words? No? Well it was before e-mail, voice mail, twitter and texting. It was in the olden days when people not only used real language but enjoyed it. No BFFs LOLing all over the place. There were real words then, strung together to mean something.

Insults could actually be humerous and still be cutting, subtle but unmistakable. Conye West couldn't have conceived of one because he's just rapping "In your face." Destroying happy moments for other people.

I'll be featuring some of those lost insults on the blog just for fun. See what you can come up with, both cleaver and cutting, humor is a must.

Guitar Hero Rocks and other things.

2009-09-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

Still waiting on the website transfer, something about one domain accepting the change to another and no one wants to let go. Craziness, the wonderful world of website building. To be continued....

My daughter and two children have moved in, sisters still getting used to living in the same house together as I already had one grown daughter at home. Love having all my children in one town and spending time with my grandaughter, Hannah 9 going on 16. Too funny. We all went over to my son's house for dinner and played Guitar Hero. Stephen rocks, he's five and sings "No sleep til Bwookwyn!" at the top of his lungs. Hysterical. He "helped" Chris sing "Living on a Prayer." We all sang along, badly.

My daughter, Chris, will be singing at Java Daves, McArthur and Reno on September 25, a Friday. Come on down, she needs a crowd.

Writing hit a small snag with the move-in but will get back on track this week. I'm at 100 pages, not bad for me. Need to do more but dancing as fast as I can.

New Site

2009-09-03T10:21:00.000-07:00

I have a new website in progress. The domain name is now being transferred so stay tuned for the new site. Shortly after that I will be re-designing MySpace and Blogger. New things are down the line.

Writing is going well, around 4,000 words a week. I'm happy and the title for the WIP is "Dead Fairies."

My Houston daughter, Chris is coming home with her two kids, so my household will expand. Life will get exciting with one grade school and one high schooler in the house. Exciting times. I will be back with more info as soon as I have it.

Are You a REAL Writer?

2009-08-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

"But seriously, folks: the basic test of whether someone is a real writer or not is if they really write. There's no magic to it. Either you write or you don't. It's that simple."

I don't know the origin of the quote but it's absolutely true. You may not be a published writer, or a bestselling writer, but if you write, you are a writer. Being a writer doesn't mean you are selling your books or that your books are with a particular kind of publishing company.

It boils down to the physical act of putting pen to paper, hands to keyboard, whatever you do to get words on paper. Do you really write? Do you just think about it, plot the book in your head, do research but never put words together to make sentences and scenes. Plotting and research are part of writing, but to be a writer you have to be actively producing work, not just talking about "Some day when I have time." or "When I retire." and "I have great material for a book, you should write about it."

Plain and simple, no magic, if you write you are a writer.

School Daze

2009-08-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

I read a blog today about school supplies and realized that I really want some too. New notebooks, new paper, pens, sticky notes, spirals, all that bright shiny new stuff you get when school starts. It smells good and feels like new beginnings.Mind you, I'm not going to school, don't need a bunch of new stuff, but that's beside the point, I'd love to have it.

I write on the computer, so new tablets aren't really what I need the most right now. Yup, I'm a dork, what can I say. There is just something about it that makes me feel good. Could be left over from the childhood feeling of a new adventure when school starts every year.

Anyone else feel that way? Anyone sneak new post-its for themselves in the bag of supplies they bought for their own kids or a lavender tablet?

Putting it Out There

2009-08-20T09:45:00.001-07:00

I've entered a short story contest. Not just any contest, but one with Good Housekeeping. The story doesn't have any ghosts, vampires, were wolves or demons. Can you imagine? That's even more scary, nothing to hide behind except my own writing. Will it win? Who knows? Or even place? Your guess is good as mine, but it's out there for the world to see, or at least the judge.

I'll be disappointed if it doesn't at least place, but I'll survive and maybe stop hiding behind extraordinary events in my stories all the time. Does that mean I'll stop writing the weird stuff? Not on your life, I love it, read it watch it. But it won't hurt to branch out, begin to stray into the more emotional or romantic story once in a while. I might even like it.

How about you. What have you done out of your comfort zone lately? Come on, I know you want to share. Post a comment, win a copy of Museums are Murder.

We have a winner for the "Fairy Dust" contest so JUDY, send me your address and full name to cshenold@cox.net and I will send you a copy of "Fairy Dust." If you would rather receive it electronically, be sure and let me know.

Announcements

2009-08-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

First, if I haven't been blogging like I should, I have been writing 800 words a day. Sounds puny, I know, but for me, with work and writing, it's a lot and I'm so pleased that I've gotten at least 9000 words written on my WIP since the end of July. I'm almost to 19,000, a quarter of the way done.

Next, I'm having a new website designed and it should go live, with contests this month, so stay tuned. Also in the works is a re-design of my blog, myspace, facebook etc.

Maybe I can ramp up blogging again too. Will work on that.

Now, if you haven't been watching True Blood, and you like paranormal, vampires, weres, rent the first season and get to watching. And the second season is even better. (Screen it before you let anyone under sixteen watch it.)

Book to Read

2009-08-05T06:46:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a fast, funny, touching love story, read "The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society." It was laugh outloud, totally unexpectedly fun story that strangely enough takes place on the channel island of Guernsey durning and just after WWII. You may realize the Germans occupied the channel islands, I missed the fact that they occupied British soil.

On a totally different front, I have an interview up at Manic readers.
http://manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=authorInterviews&iid=86

I also have a guest post up here.
http://kaydenmcleodparanormal.blogspot.com/

Heat!!!

2009-08-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

I really hate the heat and boy is it back, with a vengeance. Guess what? While I was in Colorado, we had a cool front. It actually started before I left and lasted until now. So 106 before I left for Cooler temps, and now we're back to triple digits in Oklahoma. Joy of joys.

Mind you, I don't like to be cold, but I can put on more clothes. You can only take off so much in the heat before you are arrested for indecent exposure, or at least for looking to bad to be on the streets. So much depends on what you get used to and age hasn't helped. When I was a teen, I would lay out in the July-in-Texas heat, slather myself with baby oil and iodine (no, I actually haven't had skin cancer-yet.) I had a wonderful tan. When my kids were little we'd spend weekends at the lake, in a camper, lay out in the heat and all that good stuff.

Something happened about menopause time and the headache and nausea that accompanied the heat made tanning much less fun. So now I stay cool. A lot of things change with age, not just tolerance for heat, but tolerance of other things. I'm less tolerant of adults who act like children or who fail to control their own children. I'm less tolerant of politicians who can't keep it zipped, either their mouth or their pants. I'm less tolerant of writers who just don't have time to write or they are "blocked."

If you are a writer, you make time to write, even if it is at 5am before you go to work or at 10:30 pm after the news. I've written in ER waiting rooms, at my son's karate class, in a clogging studio. Put the butt in a chair and write, you don't wait for inspiration or just the right quiet place, if your life is like mine, there is no such thing, especially if you have a family and work full time. Am I the perfect, self-disciplined writer? No, just ask my friends. I whine and complain just like everyone else. At the same time, in the past couple or three years I've finished two books and two novellas, not as much as some, more than a lot. As they say, whoever they are-JUST DO IT.

What do you do when you need to motivate yourself to get the writing done?

REALITY SUCKS ROCKS

2009-07-29T07:28:00.000-07:00

Hey, I just got back from a week of shopping, reading, writing, drinking wine and laughing, not necessarily in that order. I miss it, okay? I love, love, love being with my friends, M who loves to dance as much as I do, only she's younger and skinnier, J jeweler extraordinaire, C our diva, S the Queen, and Amy who sparkles. Not to mention the bears, deer, turkeys, chipmunks, birds and chipmunks.

Now I have to face work, home, reality. Get myself back into some kind of predictable writing schedule and deal with constant depression, angst and emergencies (No, not mine, family-need I say more?)

The writing schedule has to get back on track if I'm going to finish Changeling in the foreseeable future. Plus, I have to step up promotion for the Tali Cates books that are out there already (Yes, shameless self promotion, GO OUT, BUY BOOKS-preferably mine.) See http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Carol+Shenold&x=15&y=14 or click on the book cover in the slide show to the right.

I love the writing part of writing more than the business-sell yourself part.

Colorado Here I come

2009-07-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again. It's time to go to Colorado, cool sweet mountain air. Bears, chipmunks and squirrels coming to visit, gossiping with friends, writing, hiking (more or less) wine, books, and shopping. Did I mention wine?

Renewal is an important part of the writing process, of any creative process-poetry, painting, music, making something from nothing. For me, being at the cabin with my writer friends does it. I focus more clearly and usually make a lot of progress both writing and relaxing while I'm there.

And it never hurts to sit ouside, in the middle of the trees and watch for fairies. Of course, at the cabin, you can't afford not to watch for bears also.

Watched the newest episode of True Blood. Really like the Circe character and Sookie met her cousin. Always interesting seeing Sookie get into trouble.

Contest-EP Launch

2009-07-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

In honor or the Eternal Press Launch Day, I'm having a contest. Email me at cshenold@cox.net to tell me the poodles' name and I'll enter you in a drawing for a free, autographed copy of "Fairy Dust" or "Museums are Murder." Also, leave a comment on this post or the one below. That's as hard as it gets.

Signing and 4th

2009-07-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

Fire-crackers and sparklers. Time for celebration. Also, I have pics from the book signing with me and Sara Saint John.

On the left are Sara and myself, hot but fun with lots of good connections.

On the right is one of the gorgeous pieces of fiber art from the IAO gallery. Too rich for my blood but so beautiful.

And of course, the center of attention, Jasper P. Poodle.

Romantic Times Review

2009-07-01T09:42:00.001-07:00

"Bloody Murder" has a 4 star review in the August issue of RT Bookreviews magazine, page 103., it's classified as a compelling-Page turner. "Shenold has crafted another delightfully wity tale in the Tali Cates series. She's created highly entertaining characters, including a mother with two spiritual advisers, and penned an intriguing mystery."
Excited here and bragging.--

Rachel Vincent has a 4 starreview of her new YA, "My Soul to Take" in the same issue as does Carolyn Wall for "Sweeping up Glass" which received 4 1/2 stars.

Ewww-Too Scary

2009-06-30T07:28:00.000-07:00

I went to a book sale/signing at an art gallery last weekend. It was lovely, except for the heat (105 in the shade, my car showed 119 when I got in) but I digress. There was a fiber art show in progress, if you're close to Oklahoma City, it's worth it to go to the IAO Gallery on 8th and Broadway. Beautiful art. All kinds of writers, poets, Christian Writers, essayists, literary short stories were in place. Wine was available. Readings progressed from essays on the misogenistic tendencies of John Wayne movies as they demeaned women on purpose, to really good poetry.

Then there was those of us who write genre-horror, humerous horror, sci-fi, urban fantasy and paranormal mystery. You should have seen the looks directed at our books and covers. It was a university type of literary crowd. Not the best venue, even though I had fun and sold one book, (to one of the horror writers.) We had a nice display, colorful cover art, decorated the table with a crystal ball, quill pen, had suckers for the kids. Still got some curled lips and wide berths when passers-by avoided the table.

Boils down to exposure, fun visiting with friends and showing off the books and making connections. What has been the most interesting venue you visited with your books and how did you handle it?

Things That go Bump

2009-06-25T06:55:00.000-07:00

A good thing is happening, and it's all due to Urban Fantasy. Publishers are clamoring for Urban Fantasy, see http://www.samhainpublishing.com/ . I think it's all the fault of the Sookie Stackhouse books, and Harry Potter and Twilight. So, guys and gals, send those manuscripts in now.

I've been angsting about my own but I really need to stop doing that and just write it. Sub plots, the romance, the family issues, will all resolve themselves as a matter of course. I just have to get them woven in to the fairy mutilation murders. Just, right! That's all. I'm also worrying about where to send it, NY or epub. Hell, the thing isn't even written yet. How stupid is that?

So I have to practice what I preach, put aside the "I'm not sure I can write." fears and march on with the work. Saturday I'm scheduled to appear at a book sale at an art gallery so that should be fun. Have to remember to take my camera, post pictures. If you're in OKC Saturday, come to the IAO Gallery on Broadway and join us. Maybe if I sell books It wll spur me back to work.

When you start talking yourself out of writing the book, it's not "good enough" how do you push through it?

Newsletter-still.

2009-06-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

Promotions-Got all the addresses in for my newsletter. Now I need to get it written and sent. Finding promotion time is the hardest and something I need to do the most right now.

Craft-Have to push myself forward with the WIP first draft. I keep going back to edit and I know better, but it's hard some time. I just need to get on with the story and remember to polish later. That's the way that usually works best for me.

Home-New puppy did well with potty training this weekend but did not want to poop in the rain this morning and chose my office to do his business. Might have to kill baby dog-kidding, just kidding.

Puppy, Car and Newsletter

2009-06-08T07:38:00.000-07:00

I've been putting off getting a new car, but due to family crises, and need, I finally did it. You know, it's really easy to go in and spend money. Good credit and they will let you take the car, no money down, tags, title and tax included. So much for the loan crunch.

Got a new little PT Cruiser and I love it. I can get in and out easily, wonderful for an old lady, visibility is good, sits a little higher and love the retro look. Maybe because I'm retro, although I understand younger people also like PT Cruisers. Hey, the price was right, did my homework, got what I wanted for a price I was comfortable paying. So all in all I'm happy.

Colorado happens in a few weeks, would like to get words written before and get 2-3000 a day while I'm there. I definitely want a first draft by fall.

Jasper P Poodle is getting better about minding his three P's. Potty Outside, Pee and Poop. Love the little dickens. Have to remember to post pictures. Have to cure the kitty poop obsession.

Started entering emails from RT and will being trying to get a newsletter done and out with magic tidbits, character interviews and all that fun stuff, maybe even a contest and a prosperity spell. Leave a comment if you wish to receive the news letter. I will be providing an icon soon but if you leave a comment and send your email I'll get you into the mix. What strange tastes do your dogs or cats have?

Friends and books

2009-05-31T08:34:00.000-07:00

I heard from my old friend, Lynn Underwood. When the kids were little we used to get together and read romances, confession magazines, watch kids play in the wading pool etc. Her son, Chris escorted my daughter, Lori, to the Princess Contest at the Fannin County Fair one year.

If you've read "Privy to Murder" or especially "Bloody Murder" you know why those things sound familiar. Some of the basic atmosphere of the setting revolves around memories of the house, town and county in North Texas where I lived for twenty years. I think that is why the books work, setting becomes character. The characters are formed by where they live.

One of my daughters recently met a knew friend who is a country girl like she is and she'd been missing that common thread. Most of her friends were city kids and just didn't relate to her background of going to school in a rural community of 1000 people. So, when you write what you know, put your background to good use, or shamelessly eavesdrop on people's conversations to use their back ground. Exaggerate it and make it your own. It's too much fun.

In Changeling I'll be using my Texas background, but the big city, Big D atmosphere for a more Urban Fantasy feel for this Paranormal Mystery.