All about comfort (Jan/Feb News)

It's cold here in Colorado--in fact as I'm writing this, there's a blizzard going on outside. I'm trying to be a good sport about the winter weather (it's so pretty, that snow, people say), but the truth is that I'd rather be kicking back on the beach....

The one upside to winter is that it's all about comfort, which is something I can get behind. Warm sweaters, blankets, soup, tea and a cat on the lap is the perfect excuse to read a lot. And I'm writing a lot too, so winter's not all bad.

Mystery Book News

MWA just announced the Edgar nominees--great news if you needed to add to your TBR pile. 

Congrats to the nominees, good stuff there.

Mystery TV

In the mystery TV department, we've been watching The Good Cop on Netflix. Good comfort TV, kind of Murder She Wrote-ish: humor with an easy-to-solve (cozy) mystery. I recommend it if you just want something nice. 
I just read that Netflix is not renewing this series, a bummer. Do you have any good mystery TV shows to recommend? I'm coming up short lately...

Books

In that same comfort vein, I've been reading Elly Griffith's Ruth Galloway series. It's set in Norfolk, England, which just so happens to be where I lived a few decades ago. 
The mystery revolves around (highly likable) archeologist Ruth Galloway, who helps the local police solve mostly cold case mysteries. 
A good series if you like a British cozy.


Where to find me

Mostly, you'll find me by the fireplace the next few months, or talking to kids at the many school visits I have lined up (my favorite part of the job). This must be the year of the author visit--good news!

If you're a writer, I'll also be speaking at Pikes Peak Writers' Write Your Heart Out here in Colorado Springs. It's a (free) conference warmup with speakers (like me) who will hopefully convince you to attend Pikes Peak Writers Conference in May. I'll be speaking there too, so come say howdy and complain about the snow with me, if you live in Colorado.

Also, I'll be at CCIRA in Denver, if you're at this educator conference in February. I'll be at the SCBWI booth being friendly and talking books.

How 'bout you? Anything to recommend this cold winter?

Mad March, Edits, And The Most Amazing School Visit Ever

March is certainly for madness—where is this month going?? Maybe it’s the nice weather that’s making time fly, or my giant to-do list…

In any case, on the writing side, I’m almost done with edits on my crime novel for adults. This project has been a long time in the making, but I‘m finally seeing the end. I’m not quite ready to spill the beans too much (I prefer to keep works-in-progress close to the chest, for fear of jinxing stuff), but I’ll say that the working title is 39, and the novel is set in the Deep South. To be continued…

School Visits

I don’t normally talk about school or Skype visits, because it feels too much like I’m tooting my own horn… But man, did I have the MOST AMAZING SCHOOL VISIT EVER!

I was invited to Campus Middle School in the Denver area, where they host an annual event called One Book One Campus. The librarian Derek Phelan and his staff choose a book that they wrap a week’s worth of events around, including games, activities, and book-themed decorations throughout the school. The kids don’t know what book is chosen until the start of the event—this year, I was honored to be the invited author.

A thousand copies of Double Vision were handed out to the kids; I did presentations, and was pretty much treated like royalty. The whole school looked like Paris, which is where Double Vision is set. Super cool. The Villager (local paper) and the Cherry Creek school district both wrote lots of nice things about the event.

School visits are a good reminder that you can really make a difference as an author. What fun, and what an honor…

Mystery Books and TV

I’ve been reading Heartbreak Hotel by Jonathan Kellerman, which I’d say is one of his best. The premise of the story goes back to the 1950s, to crime bosses and Hollywood. My only (tiny) gripe is that I wish Kellerman had shared a bit more at the end of the book about whether any of it was based in real life history; it was fascinating stuff, and his writing always makes the reading pleasurable.

On the nightstand right now is The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware. This title came flew across my radar several times, recommended by various review sites, so I thought I’d give it a go.

So far, it’s a contemporary Agatha Christie with a side of Bridget Jones, on a cruise ship. I’m having fun reading this one. Easy to read, other than the sudden introduction of lots of characters (very Christie).

Mystery TV has me watching Major Crimes on TNT. Mary McDonnell is great, and the cast of characters is always nice to revisit—kind of like hanging out with friends. At Bouchercon (mystery fan conference) in Cleveland, the writers/producers hosted a panel for fans, and I was impressed by how hard they work to get the crime/cop/law stuff right.

For Writers

Come to Pikes Peak Writers Conference! I’ll be on faculty, along with a lot more famous people. It’ll be fun. Plus, Colorado Springs is a great place to visit; with some luck, you’ll catch the spring blooms and a bit of sunshine.

In the book department, I’m reading Be the Gateway by Dan Blank from We Grow Media, which came out earlier this month. I took a class led by Dan a few years ago, and have loved his personal, human approach to reaching readers, and enhancing productivity along with career satisfaction. Buy this book, follow his blog. Dan Blank sends out a newsletter every Friday that always has me inspired.  

What are you reading, watching, writing?

January is for new old plans

Most people hate Mondays, but not me. I love that first workday of the week for its promise of a new start, a beginning full of promise. January is kind of the Monday of the year, so I like this month, too. Call me crazy.

I'm making new plans, though most of 2017 will be about finishing what I started, so I guess there more new old plans, which I'd say is a good thing. I'm editing the crime novel project (no title to give yet) this month; here's a picture of the printed rough draft. I literally walk between the chapters, moving pieces around, taking notes, removing elements that don't work. I'm such a visual person... There's nothing like seeing your writing on paper when it comes to editing.

Mystery Books and TV

I'm all about setting this month, since my current work-in-progress has a very strong sense of place. So I'm trying to learn from the masters; one great author who nails setting is Michael Koryta, I think. I'm reading So Cold The River right now, after really enjoying The Cypress House.

I would love to hear it if you have any recommendations of author who are good at setting!

As far as TV goes, we watched both seasons of Bosch and loved it--I even got my not-so-into-mystery husband to like this series. I binge-watched River (British crime show) by my lonesome, it's also recommended. Great character in both these series.

For Writers

I'll be part of the faculty at Pikes Peak Writers Conference this year, very exciting. I'm always honored when I'm asked to speak, and this conference is one of the best for writers, I think (and I've been to a few by now...). If you're in Colorado at the end of April, come join me! There are some amazing authors (Tess Gerritsen, for one) on the faculty, so come and be inspired.

On the Web

I've been off the grid somewhat, since December is such a Sunday kind of month: nothing but holiday stuff and 'best of' lists. So I'll close with a picture I took at Rocky Mountain National Park instead, because I love the outdoors here in Colorado. Doesn't it make you feel all zen and stuff?

Happy New Year, all! I hope it brings you all the best, and good health.

Skills you wish you had--part deux

Last week, I talked about wanting to learn new things. Clearly, photography should make that list...

Here's the picture I took of R.L. Stine's keynote at Pikes Peak Writers Conference in April. Beyond horrible... Mr. Stine was very funny, by the way. If you have a chance to hear him speak in the future, I recommend you go.

And at least this time I remembered to take a picture, so there's progress.

Oh, and speaking of skills: I updated my author website and Double Vision's book website, so at least I have some minor skills there (thanks to website templates...).

Happy (early) weekend, y'all!

Where I'll be this winter/spring, and some good news about Linc and George Washington

So far, 2015 has been all about writing for me. It's been nice to hibernate a little, especially with all the snowfall we're having here in Colorado.

But I do like to get out every once in a while. And I hope to see you at one of these events, if you find yourself in Colorado!

Here's where I'll be:

Feb. 5, 2015: CCIRA Conference (Denver, CO):

I’ll be at the SCBWI table, sharing all the great things SCBWI has to offer!

 

Feb. 14, 2015: Pikes Peak Writers one day conference (Colorado Springs, CO)

I’m hosting a free workshop for local writers on how to plot a novel using plot points.

 

Apr. 11, 2015: Colorado Teen Literature Conference (Denver, CO)

Presenting a workshop on reaching reluctant MG and YA readers 

Apr. 24-26, 2015: Pikes Peak Writers Conference (Colorado Springs, CO)

Faculty member, presenting workshops on writing MG, plotting, and author platform building.

 

Double Vision trilogy books will be available at the bookstore at all events. Hope to see you there!

And to add a bit of good news: Double Vision: Code Name 711 will be out in paperback on February 10th!

Just in time for Presidents Day (since the book features George Washington), very cool...

To celebrate, there's a giveaway of signed copies over at Goodreads (see nifty gadget to the right). Or be wild and crazy with seven bucks, and buy yourself a copy at your favorite bookstore, or straight from the awesome people at Harper Children's. I love paperbacks, don't you?