What do readers want?
This article is part of the Rolling Mystery Blog Tours Ink group. To read articles on this subject from other members of the group, see the list of participants and their blog addresses below. As most writers, probably, I think about this very question a lot. I say “probably” because I think we all have different reasons for writing. When I first started writing, I didn’t think about the reader at all. I wrote to express myself. When you write articles and books for a living, you...
Read MoreMeet Sheila Rogers, another Cumberland Creek Cropper
As promised, another installment of “meet my characters” from SCRAPBOOK OF SECRETS. Sheila is one of the most interesting characters in the book—she is the scrapbook consultant who refuses to allow her children into basement, where she holds her weekly scrapbooking crops. She is also an avid runnier, rarely missing a day. Sheila and Vera grew up together—their mothers were best friends. Sheila mom passed away years ago from breast cancer—and so this is an issue that is near and dear...
Read MoreHave you seen Pinterest?
Pinterest is a virtual pin board. And I’ve been having some fun with this. As I am deep into writing the third book in my series, sometimes it helps to “play” with my characters and certain spots in my fictional town of Cumberland Creek. Sometimes it’s visualizing Annie’s pink kitchen or Betty White as Beatrice. This morning I thought of Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony—a secondary character in the first book, a more important character in the second, and so far,...
Read MoreWhat comes first character or plot?
This article is part of the Rolling Mystery Blog Tours Ink group. To read articles on this subject from other members of the group, see the list of participants and their blog addresses below. I’m really happy to jump on board for this topic. As luck would have it, I was just on a panel at the Mystery Day at the Library of Virginia that discussed this. As I listened to a few master’s of the craft, I realized that for me it’s hard to distinguish the two. My brain just doesn’t seem to...
Read MoreThe Cumberland Creek Croppers: DeeAnn
So, in my last post I introduced you to my main three characters in my upcoming novel, SCRAPBOOK OF SECRETS—Annie, Beatrice and Vera. Three other regular croppers meet every Saturday night—DeeAnn. Paige, and Sheila, who is the scrapbook consultant in the group. Since my last post was a bit long, I thought I’d keep it short this time and tell you a bit about DeeAnn. DeeAnn has been in Cumberland Creek for twenty-five years—and she’s still considered a newbie. She married a local...
Read MoreFive things I thought about during my morning run:
1. Want my Tess home. My day won’t be right until she comes home. I know she’s fine. The Pickerings are a wonderful family. I just miss her. 2. Gorgeous day. Go outside, friends. Walk. Run. Dance. Glory in the day! 3. Jen and I complaining about our aches and pains, like a couple of old ladies. But we are in pain because we are working out. And that’s a good thing. 4. Hoping to get lots done on my book this week. But I need to finish my gingerbread tin article and get my...
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