El Segundo Author Fair  

Okay, so everyone on the IAG talks about networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. All of which are lovely, but I don't have the time for. NEVER let your family gang up on you! My oldest comes home from Hawaii (she was visiting) and hangs out for a while. We catch up on family gossip and the next thing I know I have a Facebook account. How did that happen?

So now I have this website to maintain and another site to watch and clean-up. I love my friends and family...really I do!

I promised to also quickly address the part on who my books appeal to since I don't want to turn any readers away. Yes, this is a murder mystery solved by using genealogy as the tool. I know I have blogged on this before. My characters span ages. I have 40 something seventy something, teen something. I try and incorporate all sorts of people of all ages into it, because we don't always have friends that are just our age right, and we don't all work with people who are just our age right?

So because it is a genealogical mystery doesn't mean that just genealogists are interested. My readers are really split on this one to be honest. So as ABBA says "take a chance on me."

Oh yeah, the cover is FINALLY done. My goal is to have it in the mail on my 23rd anniversary of married bliss (was that carrying it a bit far?) or Ground Hog Day for those who aren't up on the off holidays. Considering that it is going to PA, and the groundhog comes up in PA, maybe it's a good sign!

So I can officially say now: Coming Soon! "A Commitment to Murder."

Okay, the website ate my blog entry - so let's try this again!

In a nutshell because I don't want to retype the tome I just wrote!

1) I got some writing done yesterday. It was prompted by a conversation I had with a friend of mine who asked me how the writing was going. I said it wasn't. With life, I just don't have time.

2) So then I asked myself why not? I used it as a stress reliever when I started and with all the things going on in my life right now, I need stress relief more than ever.

3) So yesterday I got 5 chapters of my new book (not the one coming out soon) A Class in Murder revised and it looks good! Now I just need to keep the momentum going.

4) Tomorrow my husband promised to work on my book cover for A Commitment to Murder." The new installment is about 10 pages longer than the old (and smaller type too!) so he needs to work on the size of the spine and since it's a pdf this is crucial. I also need to have him add the name of the photographer for my author pic. He took it last year when the READ shots were done.

5) What was 5...? Oh Yeah! I was letting everyone know how much I enjoy Lydia's nemesis in this installment. She is a great character, to the point everytime I read or revise I want to slap her. And the best part is this person is in the 21st century, not one of the people Lydia researches in the past.

6) Who this series appeals to and why...Since I am now tired of typing, maybe I'll save this one for the next blog installment. It will give me something to write about.

Until then...hang in there. The new book will be out shortly!

Well I actually got some writing and revising done yesterday! Will wonders never cease! I was working on book #4 A Class in Murder. I've written and revised that one countless times and I am finally on track again. Let's hope it stays that way. I was talking with a friend of mine the other day after our Woolies meeting (we're making socks as a group - UGH!) and she asked how the writing was going. I told her with SBCGS and work, the gym, the house, and home and faire and DAR and...and...and...that it wasn't going much at all. Then I thought - why not? Writing was my release of stress and I've let it go. So I decided to get back on the horse so to speak and actually got 5 chapters worked on.

Now don't give up, I haven't forgotten the one I am sending to the publisher the end of the month. I am getting my husband also back on the horse to finish the cover. The second installment is about 10 pages longer so he needs to adjust the spine for the cover since it is sent as a pdf. I also need to add the caption for the photographer who took my picture. When I had the READ poster shots taken this time last year he took tons, and we selected one of them to use for my author shot. But I want him to have full credit for doing it. I won't be adding any fancy Kirkus Reviews to the back cover like many authors can do, but it will not take away from the story.

I can't wait for you all to meet Lydia's new nemisis - this time in the 21st Century - Jackie. She is so...so... Well you'll just have to read it to get the full effect!

I think too one of the reasons why my books aren't for the big guns is because I spend time setting up the scene and getting my reader in tune with the characters before the first dead body shows up. Maybe that's the genealogist in me - and one of the reasons why these stories would appeal to that audience. Without the set up, the murder is pointless. And you need the genealogy to find the murder and to help solve it.

This is not to say that people who are not genealogists will not like my stories. I've had a number of people read them that weren't part of the collective (sounds so Star Trek doesn't it?) that liked it too.

So hopefully in a month you'll be seeing A Commitment to Murder ready to purchase.

I got all the descriptions together, I got the book merged and the pagination correct, the contract filled out, and the gift certificate waiting upstairs. Now I just need to finalize the cover and it is in the mail!!!!

I guess it pays to get your act together. It will be in the mail by next weekend. Look for the next installment of A Commitment to Murder to be heading your way soon!

Well the puppy is growing in leaps and bounds; and do I mean bounds! She's a force with the cats and leaps and dives and plays. So far she makes me less nuts than my family does. I've seen the Jack Russell in her - it's sort of like a cat - a bit stubborn when making a point, but not to the point of meanness. She's really loving though and is enjoying her time in the back yard. The doggy door has come and now we need to show her how to use it - all the while trying to keep the cats from learning the magic secret of how to go in and out!

The gift certificate came in the mail the other day. Now I need to put the files on to some sort of device. Do you know that most computers - especially the new ones - DO NOT have a floppy drive. That is how I submitted all my stuff in the past. CD Rom is looking like the thing to do. I'd put it on a flash drive - but I would really like it back at some point!

So if I really focus this weekend I can get the binders done as well as get my files ready to send. The contract is filled out - someplace on my desk. It's just a matter of getting my act together.

So look for a new installment soon. A lot later than initially planned - but it will happen soon.

Well I bit the bullet and sent for the gift certificate. Now I just need to get everything on disk, and as soon as the certificate comes in the mail I can send the files off.

So three weeks off and what did I get done? I worked mainly on the South Bay Cities Genealogical Society stuff - binders, periodicals catalog. I did take my daughter to the movies last Monday, spend New Years eve with friends and New Year's day too. I did get one page scrapbooked and sold one book. Life could be worse.

So the new year brought us buying a computer cord since the puppy killed two of them. I am writing this from my computer where the low battery signal is showing.

Oh yeah, I did hit the mall and got two pairs of work pants for 20.00 a pair. At least it was something nice for the day. Now I just need to figure out what is for dinner.

To all my faithful readers and friends - have a happy and prosperous New Year!