I’m usually the one early to the party, at the doctor’s office before my appointment, and already in my seat and waiting for the meeting to begin. But when it comes to 2012 resolutions and thoughts, I’m feeling like the last one to the party.

So, albeit rather late, what started me thinking, and subsequently prompted me to write this blog—which I consider both a homage to 2011 and salutation to 2012—was a short conversation I recently had with a Las Vegas resident. It went something like:

 “Where do you live?”

“In California in the Mojave between Baker and Barstow.”

A look of disbelief followed.

I then offered my usual wisecrack, “If you blink, you’ll miss our exit.”

Okay, I do live out in the middle of nowhere. And indeed, it’s not the Bay Area, nor the lush forests of Washington, nor the scenic shores of Lake Michigan—a few of the other places I’ve lived in and loved. And from that conversation to this blog—I am at last, reassessing where I live, why I remain, and most importantly, my writing. The stuff of New Years contemplations…

Tempe

Before starting writing this blog, one of my dogs, Tempe (not named after Tempe, AZ, but because we thought he was temporary seven years ago), insisted on a walk. Where I live the sand is a dry tan with hues of old-dishwater-gray, the natural vegetation is comprised of Palos Verde, mesquite, and sage brush—ranging in color from pale unsaturated and faded lime, to deep dirty green; all framed against backdrops of several rolling and sometimes craggy ranges of nondescript hills.

Doesn’t initially sound appealing. BUT, this morning, like so many mornings, as Tempe and I headed down the road in morning light, the hills were kissed with a diffused hint of orange, the uninhabited and spacious terrain reflected back a golden glow that accentuated multitudinous shades of green from the rugged and tenacious vegetation claiming their place in the Mojave. This morning, two Ravens watched and commented from utility poles–with a line of sparrows on the wire as audience. Several rabbits took our presence as a threat, and scurried to hidey-holes of security. And in the alfalfa field down down the road, a huge circular-irrigation bar had appeared overnight—as if by magic–and a great plot idea, also seemingly by magic, took root in a corner of my imagination.

For a few glorious moments, Tempe and I were walking in a world of wonder.

Thank you to everyone who has read my “blog thing” since I started it in 2009. May we all have a wondrous 2012!

(Coming in 2012 “Lies of Convenience” and “Pronouncements of Ravens.”)

Jean Henry Mead

I was lucky enough to electronically“meet” Jean Henry Mead while participating in the 2011 Mystery Writers Blog Tour organized by Anne K. Albert. During that tour I learned a lot of interesting information about all the participating authors[i]. It was a wonderful experience!

During that tour, I was immediately drawn to “wanting to know more” about Jean, because like with so many authors I’ve wanted to talk to, Jean wears so many hats. I just love that multi-interest, multi-focus ability that some among us can pull off. Consequently, energy and inspiration immediately filled my “electronic” aura of Jean. And, inconsequential as it may seem now in the re-telling, Jean has a picture on one of her blogs (indeed, she has five blogs![ii]), of the view from her “Mountain Top.” For me, a good photo can sometimes grab me, pull me in, and tell a story. The photographic view from Jean’s deck took me to a wonderful (albeit very cold!) and magical place[iii].

Welcome, Jean! I would like to start with one of your blogs. Just keeping one blog going is an uphill climb for me. I’m fascinated by your interviews on Mysterious Writers—some of the authors you interview I consider “rock stars” in the mystery world. My “how things work” curiosity prompts my first question. With their busy schedules,how do you “ask” well known top-selling authors to be interviewed? Clearly you have no problem, and I’m guessing your reputation as an interviewer proceeds you. And, how does your e-book Mysterious Writers dovetail with your blog?

Thank you for the invitation to appear here, Madeline. I was fortunate to interview Elmore Leonard because we were both members of Western Writers of America, and it was early enough in his career for him to still be accessible (1980s). So, when I began my Mysterious Writers blog, I re-ran the interview and included the link when I contacted other bestselling mystery writers for interviews. That gave me credibility and probably convinced Carolyn Hart, Jeffrey Deaver, Nancy Pickard and others to answer my questions. After I interviewed them, I was then able to add their names to my previously published list. I’ve been turned down by a few writers, including Janet Evanovich, but I’ve found that most well-known writers, such as Sue Grafton, are willing to submit to an interview if they have a new release and are currently publicizing the book.

Quite an accomplishment to have developed such a good reputation. Changing topics, I can see how you must love your mountain top—the solitude, the inspiration, the time to write. But, what about everyday life? Groceries, repairs(something is always breaking at my house), deliveries, mail, etc?

Our mountaintop home is only two years old and my husband is handy with repairs. Mail delivery is three times a week and our woman UPS driver only ventures up here at 7,000 feet if the road is ice-free, so we usually drive to the bottom of the mountain during winter to meet her. Grocery shopping is every two weeks. We have more than one refrigerator and freezer in our garage to keep us well supplied, as well as a large pantry. It just takes a little advance planning to keep things running smoothly. We also have snow removal equipment to get to the main road.

You make it all sound so easy! Well, while you’re on your mountain top, in a recent blog you talked about loving doing research, and when you visited my blog on our tour, you mentioned “I once read 97 years’ worth of microfilmed newspapers to research Casper Country, a central Wyoming centennial history book, which eventually became a college textbook.” I like doing research too, but WOW! I’m guessing you use the Internet, libraries, books? Do you also do interviews? And how much of your research would you guess is for what I call “underlying authenticity,” and how much for specifics?

My stint behind the microfilm machine was nearly 25 years ago, when I was young and foolish, and I’d never do that again. But the book sold well and I’m pleased that it became a college textbook. Most of my research is now conducted online, often at the Wikipedia—which is said by librarians to be as accurate as the Encyclopedia Brittanica—and my own personal large library of research books. But, I check the facts with other sources, especially historical events. I also interview “authorities” or experts in the fields I’m writing about, usually by phone or email. As for specifics, it depends on the book I’m writing. For my latest Logan and Cafferty novel, Murder on the Interstate, I interviewed a chemical engineer about sulfuric acid spills and he was most helpful. Ironically, he was recommended by my writer friend in Scotland, who knew him personally from a research trip to this side of the pond.

Funny sometimes how those “connections” work out. On your main website you have a page for photos, and you have a wonderful black and white photo of a butterfly. To my eye, it’s extremely lovely. I’m hoping you’re still involved in photography. How is photography fitting in with your writing-life?

I began my writing career as a news reporter-photographer and have a mini-museum of cameras I’ve used over the years. I still take occasional pictures, some of which have been used as background for my recent book covers, but since I’ve been devoting most of my time to writing novels, I take fewer pictures than I once did. However, when warm weather arrives, my husband and I will ride our ATVs along mountain trails to take photos of the mountain’s beauty as well as the abundant wildlife.

What fun! Switching directions on you again, I’m an ardent mystery fiction reader—nonetheless, your nonfiction title, Maverick Writers caught my interest? What is the back-story on that collection?

I joined Western Writers of America in 1979, after I had moved to Wyoming from my native California. When the large WWA convention was held in the city where we were currently living, I was asked to conduct the publicity. That led to my appointment as National Publicity Director, and as part of my job I interviewed members of the organization, including Louis L’Amour and Elmore Leonard. The interviews led to a book titled Maverick Writers.The following year, as part of my volunteer job, I established the Western Writers Hall of Fame, which is now housed at the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming. I became interested in the Old West after I moved to my husband’s home state, which is rich in frontier history. My plan is to combine the two genres by writing Western historical mystery novels based in Wyoming, as Ann Parker has done with her Colorado Silver Rush series.

Now that we know some of your writing plans, and before you leave, I sure would like to know what else is on the horizon for you?

I’m currently putting together a second book of interviews from my Mysterious Writers blog site, titled The Mystery Writers, which includes interviews with Sue Grafton, Lawrence Block, J.A. Jance, Julie Garwood, James Scott Bell and a host of other great writers, including yourself, Madeline. I’m also working on a fourth Logan & Cafferty mystery novel and a third Hamilton Kids’ mystery. I’ve been working sporadically on another western historical called No Escape, the Sweetwater Tragedy, a true story that I read about while sitting behind the microfilm machine all those years ago. I’ve been researching the novel for years and have visited the site to take pictures.

Amazing! You have so much energy. Going back to where we started, talking about interviewing–to quote you, “I enjoy interviewing ordinary people who have accomplished extraordinary things.” What a wonderful attitude to have when interviewing—I will remember. I just finished Murder on the Interstate, and I loved it. I especially liked how so much of this fast paced Logan & Cafferty adventure happens on the Interstate near me, which in sections is, or parallels Route 66. Especially since I just took that route to Left Coast Crime 2011 in Sante Fe, and to the International Route 66 Festival in Amarillo. So much of that area is still very fresh in my mind!

Thank you, Madeline. I’ve certainly enjoyed our visit. And speaking of people accomplishing extraordinary things, I have an interview book titled: Westerners: Candid & Historic Interviews with Extraordinary People. After my passing, I’ll probably be known for my interview books (five to date) rather than my novels, but I hope it will be the other way around because I much prefer writing fiction. (smile)

 Thank you, Jean. Sure enjoyed talking with you!

Murder on the Interstate

Jean’s latest Logan & Cafferty mystery/suspense novel, Murder on the Interstate, is available at:

Amazon.com: http://tinyurl.com/6znjvsa (print and Kindle) and

Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/3vxzppy (Nook)

Jackie Houchin

I’ve followed Jackie Houchin’s website reviews, blog posts, and Facebook comments since I first met her at a Sisters in Crime event in Burbank, CA. Her smiling and encouraging face helped get me through my first panel. And since that time, Writers in Residence[ii]—a website she shared with MK Johnston, Rosemary Lord, GB Pool, Bonnie Schroeder, and Jacqueline Vick—was one of my favorites, and I now follow her reviews on Jackie Houchin’s News and Reviews.

Jackie, I know you’re a reader, writer, and photographer — which I think is a perfect mix to-do–what-you-do so well. I see you as a Renaissance woman, with wide interests—your reviews cover books, plays, musicals, places, even recently, a butcher shop! And I’ve made immediate purchases of many books you’ve spotlighted. Clearly, I “listen” to your reviews.

As you know, I live out in the desert, which I like very much—but theater events are hard to find. During my days as a “city dweller” I used to love the theater, and now, often after reading your reviews, I’ve actually wished to move back to the “big city,” just so I can experience all the wonderful plays you’ve covered! I was salivating over “A Murder is Announced” — almost drove-in. So, I’m vicariously very much interested in how you became a reviewer, and what’s going through your mind when you’re reviewing a play, or musical.  My first question has two-parts. How did you become interested in writing reviews? And what are the things you look for in a live production to hang your review on?

For eighteen years I was a production photographer, shooting publicity, archival, and keepsake photos for theaters and their casts. Actors in one show would tell others about me in another show until I was shooting community and dinner theatres as well as the bigger Civic Light Operas all over Los Angeles.

 I loved capturing the color and drama of theater on film. I mean, after all, the directors and lighting designers really did half my job, and the actors already knew how to pose. I just told them what I wanted and they’d come together for perfect shots. I had a ball, and I learned to love these outrageously wonderful people – stage actors and crews.

 Well, ahem… I’m digressing. Reviewing? About the time photography was making a major switch from film to digital I decided I didn’t want to invest in new cameras and software etc., so I gradually shut down my “ShowPhotos” business.  But, what could I do with all those contacts?

 I was already writing book reviews and human interest stories for a couple local newspapers, so I approached the theatre I’d first done photography for way back in 1987 (Glendale Centre Theatre) and asked if they’d be interested in my reviewing their current show. YES! was the resounding answer; one that I kept hearing every place I asked.

 I already knew a LOT about how plays and musicals came together, how the director “staged” his actors and drew the best performances out of them. I’d heard musical directors lecture on singing and projection, and watched conductors keep an orchestra in line. I knew about backstage hustle and bustle and about how sets, scrims, and sound equipment worked (or malfunctioned).  Being a lover of books, I already knew what made a good story.  It was just a matter of “commenting” on it all in an interesting way.

 When I go to review a show, read the director’s comments in the program and anything I find there about setting, time or theme. Once it starts, I take notes. These are similar to the “blocking notes” I used to take when I watched for great photo opportunities to shoot.  I’ll take down quotes that are funny or that describe the action and watch how actors portray emotions. I’ll look at the set and costumes, noting especially memorable examples, listen to soloists/duets for exceptional melody, and watch for clever or beautiful choreography.

 At home I try to write my first emotions and observations right away. Then I review my notes looking for key points and grouping them together. Lastly I sit and compose that terrifying first sentence and paragraph. When that is done (sometimes 4-5 hours later) the rest of the review flows.

 I consider myself a “kind” reviewer and try not to be too critical. I will mention “disappointments.” I will always alert readers to overt profanity and sexually explicit scenes because they are things I’d want to know about before buying (or I should say NOT buying) a sometimes expensive ticket.

 Also if the play is based on a book, say an Agatha Christie mystery, or there have been film adaptations made, I will compare those.

Wow, you do a lot of work for your reviews. Very interesting! Online, I also enjoyed Writers in Residence. It was great “meeting” all the authors you spotlighted, and loved that you were helping other authors. Are there plans for its return, or a similar website?

 Sadly, I think that blog site is now defunct. It was a great opportunity to “get our feet wet.” Jacqueline Vick was the instigator of the blog and she herded us along until she wanted to branch out for herself. Only a couple of the writers wanted to go on with blogs or websites of their own.

 I’ve recently added a MY BLOG tab on my News & Reviews website, but so far I’ve not found time to write for it. I want to get a nice backlog written, so once started, I can post at least twice a week. Perhaps in the New Year….

Looking forward to your blog. On a different front, part of my “internet life” is scrolling through my Facebook posts in the morning and finding your tidbits on unusual facts, recipes, jokes, and “how to” clean this or that—those go right over me… Often, your comments have put a smile on my face when I needed it. Where do all your wonderful comments come from?

 Ah-HA! You want to know my secrets! Okay. Both my husband and I subscribe to a lot of magazines, e.g., Writer Magazine, The Smithsonian, Time, National Geographic, Prevention, Country, Real Simple, Sunset, Woman’s Day, Reader’s Digest, Cooking For Two, Hot Rod, Rod & Custom, Good Housekeeping, Cats, Seventeen… well, you get the picture. I peruse the in-between-the-big-article pages looking for tidbits. I add my own brand of humor and then pass them on.

I won’t tell anyone your secret! Switching topics again, I know you’ve written some children’s books for your granddaughters. I’d love to know more about that project. And since you’re such a wonderful supporter of mystery authors, do you have an adult or YA mystery waiting to come out?

Molly Duncan

Whoa, don’t I wish! But no, I fear my writing is of the “flash” variety – you know, written, in print, and then gone. Newspaper and website articles/reviews are my “genre” it seems.

 I did write three long serialized stories for my granddaughters, mailing them chapters (which I also illustrated) every couple of weeks. The oldest girl finally commented that it was too hard waiting for what would happen next and wished I’d just write them all together.

Princess Ebony

I wrote the first book for her – “Molly Duncan and the Case of the Missing Kitten.” After that I wrote “Princess Ebony and the Silver Wolf” (think, Princess Bride kind of story). I “Kinko-published” these books, printing only three copies each. Sadly, I did not finish one for my third granddaughter, although I had it outlined. (She grew up too fast.)

 But, to write a “real” book, and take it through the long, LONG process of rejections and finding an agent/publisher and then marketing it? All I can say is that I admire tremendously anyone who has done that, and done it again and again. YOU, for instance, Madeline.

Thanks, Jackie, but luck and generous author friends has a lot to do with hanging in there. (And being stubborn!) You’ve mentioned on your website you’re “an artist of sorts, and a horse keeper.” What kind of artist, and what’s involved in “horse keeping”? And, how do you fit it all in? Reviews, household and animal chores, car shows, Facebook, reading, SinC… Amazing!

 I’ve always sketched and doodled. Then I took Art in high school. One large black & white painting of a live (nearly-nude male) model was framed and hung in my brother’s apartment for a long time. I’ve done a couple so-so portraits in oil, and a seascape that I just recently discovered packed away from 1963! I matted and framed it, and, darn if it doesn’t look pretty good!

 I still sketch today (as the muse prompts) sometimes surprise myself when something comes together. I illustrated all the stories and books I wrote for my granddaughters using pen & ink and a variety of colored pencils. And when my oldest granddaughter wrote a children’s short story for her English class, she asked me to illustrate it. Wow, was THAT a challenge. I had to come up with twenty-one color drawings in about four days! I still have nightmares about not completing it for her. (She got an A.)

I also consider photography one of my artistic bents.

I’ve always loved horses and used to spend my allowance renting them to ride on weekends. I finally got a couple of my own when we moved here (a horse keeping suburb of Los Angeles). Now I simply board other people’s horses. It’s a twice-a-day, 365 day-a-year job. It was fun to have horses (and chickens) here when my granddaughters were growing up. And I’ve written several articles about them and those who ride them for the newspaper.

 That last question? How do I fit it all it? Sometimes I don’t do a very good job of it. Then I get stressed out of my mind and do crazy things! (grin)

Okay, don’t blush, but I’m in awe! I still can’t envision how you do so much.

On a recent blog you mentioned you’re selling your home of many years and moving! What an adventure, and a lot of hard work. We moved in 2003, still haven’t unpacked all the boxes of “items I couldn’t live without”… Do you see moving to an area where you’ll still have “opportunities” to review? Or is there something new on the horizon that’s caught your eclectic interest?

We are still “selling” our house. Lots of lookers, but no takers as yet. It’s a tough time economically to buy horse property. I would like to eventually get away from the constant and sometimes stressful responsibility of horse keeping. And I would like to live closer to the ocean and my kids.

In my travels up and down the coast I’ve discovered a plethora of smaller local newspapers that might like a freelance writer. I think I could review theatres anywhere – they are desperate for publicity. Authors in Sisters in Crime, as well as referrals, and Mystery Scene Magazine will keep me in ARCs. But, I would like to slow down a bit and enjoy the scenery a little more.

 Gads… did that sound like I’m getting old??? Sheesh!

Jackie, just read your review http://www.jackiehouchin.com , of “My Three Angels” playing at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in NoHo (North Hollywood) through January 15. Your review was wonderful—and I once again felt like taking the “big drive” into LA (I know, I know—I’m not that far away—but those freeways!)

I’ve wanted to talk with you for such a long time, but it’s taken awhile for me to make this happen. Your interests are so broad, just love that. Sure hope you’ll be continuing with your helpful hints and witticism. I love reading them. And for all us authors you’ve given, and continue to give a helping hand to, a great big “Thank you!”

Mystery We Write Blog Tour

Thank you, everyone who took the time from your busy schedules to visit all the wonderful authors that stopped by. If you missed anyone, all posts are archived. And if you missed any of my ramblings at their blogs, I’ve listed them below.

First on Board

And more great authors!

Buster has chosen the winners of autographed copies of Reticence of Ravens. (Ended up being 4 winners instead of 3 because an extra drawing slip stuck to his right paw).

They are:

Okay, yes, I found another drawing slip stuck to Buster’s tail–how that happened, I have no idea! So 5 winners in total.

*****

And if you missed, even though our tour is officially over, you can still catch my visit with:

Timothy Hallinan Nov 25th        http://www.timothyhallinan.com/blog/?p=5219

Jackie King Nov 26th   http://bnbmysteries.blogspot.com/2011/10/day-2-holiday-blog-tour-with-mm-gornell.html

Jean Henry Mead Nov 27th http://mysteriouspeople.blogspot.com/2011/11/virtual-tour-visit-with-m-m-gornell.html

Marilyn Meredith Nov 28th http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/2011/11/mm-gornelltalks-about-setting-as-it.html

Mike Orenduff Nov 29th  http://thepotthief.blogspot.com/2011/11/visit-from-author-m-m-gornell.html?showComment=1322577724188#c2034307762750644737

Jinx Schwartz Nov 30th  http://jinxschwartz.blogspot.com/2011/11/mm-gornell-my-mystery-we-write-blog.html

Earl Staggs Dec 1st   http://earlwstaggs.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/my-guest-today-madeline-m-m-gornell/#comment-260

Anne K. Albert Dec 2nd  http://anne-k-albert.blogspot.com/2011/12/day-8-mystery-we-write-tour-with-mm.html

Beth Anderson Dec 3rd  http://www.bethanderson-hotclue.com/blog/2011/12/03/mystery-we-write-winter-blog-tour-2011-presents-m-m-gornell/comment-page-1/#comment-89939

Ron Benrey Dec 4th  http://blog.benrey.com/archives/213

Pat Browning Dec 5th  http://pbrowning.blogspot.com/2011/12/get-your-kicks-on-route-66.html

John M. Daniel Dec 6th  http://johnmdaniel.blogspot.com/2011/12/meet-m-m-gornell-oops-theres.html?showComment=1323179738319#c5226495783846833966

Alice Duncan Dec 7th  http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2183201547392787469&postID=7618346167822264219&page=1&token=1323263855194

Wendy Gager Dec 8th  http://wsgager.blogspot.com/2011/12/mww-day-14-mm-gornells-hubert-james.html?showComment=1323351576457#c1642322741960865417

WOW! No wonder I’m tired.

Mystery We Write Blog Tour

Timothy, thank you for visiting my blog today and sharing your thoughts on writing.

Timothy Hallinan is the Edgar- and Macavity-nominated author of thirteen widely praised books—twelve novels and a work of nonfiction—including the Poke Rafferty Bangkok thrillers, most recently The Queen of Patpong.  He also writes the popular Junior Bender comic thrillers in ebook form, the latest of which is Little Elvises.  In 2010, Hallinan conceived and edited an ebook of original short stories by twenty mystery writers, Shaken:  Stories for Japan, with 100% of the proceeds going to Japanese disaster relief.  He lives in Santa Monica and Southeast Asia, and he is lucky enough to be married to Munyin Choy.

Timothy Hallinan’s Ten Commandments

Author Timothy Hallinan

I get a lot of mail from aspiring writers.  Most of them have specific questions, although some are asking for more general guidance.  A lot of the problems I hear about are based in the perception that there’s “no time to write.”  This is an argument for which I have no sympathy at all, as this piece will prove.

Anyway, if an aspiring writer were to ask me for ten commandments, these are the ones I would carve into the page on my computer.

1.  Write.  Wanting to write is not writing.  Talking about writing is not writing.  Talking about a piece of “writing” that you’re not actually doing is creatively damaging and is guaranteed to screw up your idea.

2.  Read.  There’s no challenge that can be faced on a page that someone hasn’t already solved.  Expose yourself to good writing; see how the people who did it solved their own problems.

3.  Read some more.  Read until you’ve found the kind of book you like best.  That’s the kind of book you should write.

4.  Write every day, or at minimum, six days a week.  Only frequent immersion in the world you’re creating will keep it vital, in motion, and open to you.  Quit for too long, and it becomes a dusty little diorama where you have to open the lid and reach in and move your characters around by hand.

5.  Continue to write on the bad days.  There are two reasons for this.  First, if you write only on good days—when the material comes easily—you’ll never finish your book.  Second (and you’ll find this out if you don’t know it already) you have no idea at the time whether you’re writing well or badly.  Sometimes the best work is the work you enjoyed least.

6.  Put your writing at the top of your “To Do” list.  You have to build a little temple to your writing in the structure of your day and honor it.  It is not acceptable to skip writing because you need to go to Trader Joe’s.  If you had a new girl- or boyfriend, you’d find time for her or him.  I hate to tell you this, but your writing may be with you longer than your new squeeze.

7.  Keep your mind open when you’re not writing.  The universe throws us material all the time: a face, a snatch of conversation, the name of a store, the way someone walks, a news story, a stupid joke.  You want a sort of mental spider’s web to snare these things.  Twice I had a book saved by something I heard someone say.

 8.  Finish your first story or novel or whatever it is.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s perfect—in fact, it won’t be.  No one has written a perfect book yet.  But here’s the bottom line: Until you finish your first, you can’t start your second.  The world swarms with aspiring writers with a dozen unfinished works.  Finishing a work requires taking the idea through to the end, which is completely different from the beginning or the middle.  A writer is someone who finishes.

 9.  Work on tiptoe.  Don’t get comfortable.  As you get better, write things you don’t know how to write, even if it’s just how to describe the weather interestingly, or manage a scene with four people in it in a way that the reader can keep it straight, or write a scene in which two people talk around their issue while the reader understands what they’re not saying.  We don’t grow if we don’t stretch, so once you’ve hit your stride, lengthen it.

 10.  Be patient.  You are going to get better.  You get better every time you finish a paragraph.  Writing is a lifetime activity, not a flavor of the day.  It’s worth working for years to produce a good book.  If that sentence doesn’t make sense to you, maybe you shouldn’t be a writer.

 If any of these thoughts ring true to you, you might want to go to the FINISH YOUR NOVEL area of my website, where I’ve put up thousands and thousands of more-or-less organized words to help people get through that first book.  if you like it, drop me a line. His website is www.timothyhallinan.com.

Queen of Patpong

Little Elvises

And if you leave a comment, your name will go into the drawing for a free copy of Reticence of Ravens (three copies in total, randomly selected by Buster!)

Mystery We Write Blog Tour

Jackie, thank you for visiting my blog today and sharing your thoughts on Inspiration, Author Enjoyment, &  Reader Wishes…

Jackie King loves books, words, and writing tall tales. She especially enjoys murdering the people she dislikes on paper. She is a full time writer who sometimes teaches writing at Tulsa Community College. Her latest novel, THE INCONVENIENT CORPSE is a traditional mystery. She has also written five novellas as co-author of the Foxy Hens Series. Warm Love on Cold Streets is her latest novella and is included in the anthology THE FOXY HENS MEET A ROMANTIC ADVENTURER. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, RWI, Inc, Oklahoma Writers Federation, and Tulsa Night Writers!

Author Jackie King

Thanks M. M., for hosting me on this 13^th day of our Holiday Blog Tour. And thanks to each of your readers for taking a break from their holiday preparations to join us.  M.M. sent me these interesting questions:

What/who inspires you and your stories?  Inspiration seems a great mystery to me. Often when I’m doing something very mundane, such as loading the dishwasher, watering my house plants, or walking out to get the mail, a story idea will flash into my mind. But I think I’ve come up with my best plot and character ideas while I’m driving or putting on makeup. Nothing inspiring about any of these tasks, but perhaps while my body is occupied with ordinary things, my subconscious becomes free to zap a story idea into my brain. There’s no other way I can explain inspiration…it’s one of life’s great mysteries. And I so love a mystery.

What do you most like about being an author?  Writing allows me to be me. Few other things do. As a child I soon learned I’d better squelch my tongue-in-cheek sense of humor, because it often got me into trouble. My Grandma thought I was sassing her and threatened to slap me. Most grownups took what I said as being a smart mouth. (Okay, they were probably right, but joking was so fun!) I loved the adults in my life and started editing most of what I said into something I thought would please them.My learned habit of tongue-holding served me well as an employee. After an unexpected change in my life plans, I was able to support myself. For this I’m grateful.

The man I married didn’t like my sense of humor either, so I grew very quiet over the years. And boring, I suppose. When he left after years of marriage I decided to get reacquainted with myself. I went back to writing, and on paper, I could tell the truth. My characters could say whatever they pleased. Of course this got them into hot water, but that’s what readers seemed to like. It’s easy to identify with someone who is in trouble, isn’t it? And this is what I love most about writing.

What do you most want readers to take away from your novels—what do you want them to think and feel when the last page is read? I want my readers to finish the last sentence of my book(s) with a sense of satisfaction; happy that justice can happen, if only in fiction. Most of us read mysteries to test our wits and to expand our lives. Since I write cozy mysteries, I want my readers to have a smile on their lips when they think of  THE INCONVENIENT CORPSE, or any of my stories.

And remember to make comments on each of our 15-member mystery writer’s blogsites. We’re giving away over 50 books total, either during the tour or immediately afterwards. I’m giving away a signed copy of my cozy mystery THE INCONVENIENT CORPSE and a signed copy of  THE FOXY HENS AND MURDER MOST FOWL. Names will be drawn by random from those who take time to leave a comment. Also, don’t forget to leave comments at each of our Holiday Blog Tour team members blog sites for a chance to win their books.

Blogsite: Cozy Mysteries and Other Madness:http://bnbmysteries.blogspot.com

The Inconvenient Corpse

THE INCONVENIENT CORPSE is available at Jackie’s website: www.jacqking.com, Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well as available through all bookstores. Paper tradeback: $15.95.  Kindle $2.99  http://amzn.to/gMv7CH Nook $2.99  http://bit.ly/fovbLR

Thank you, Jackie, for your thoughtful comments and generosity–and for pointing out the generosity of all our blog tour participants! What a great tour.

If you leave a comment, your name will go into the drawing for a free copy of Reticence of Ravens (three copies in total, randomly selected by Buster!)

Today I’m visiting with Alice Duncan and talking about Rewriting. Sounds boring, but for me it’s fun!

http://aliceduncanblog.blogspot.com/

Mystery We Write Blog Tour

Jean, thank you for visiting my blog today and sharing your thoughts on Inspiration, Author Enjoyment, &  Reader Wishes…

Jean Henry Mead is the author of 15 books, eight of them mystery novels and historical fiction. Murder on the Intestate is the third novel in her Logan & Cafferty mystery/suspense series and she writes the HamiltonKids’ mysteries for 9-12 year olds. She’s also an award-winning photojournalist who has been published domestically as well as abroad.

Jean Henry Mead

What inspires me? People I’ve met and interviewed, news events and life experiences have inspired me to write both fiction and nonfiction. I once read 97 years’ worth of microfilmed newspapers to researchCasper Country, a central Wyoming centennial history book, which eventually became a college textbook. The stack of leftover notes have since served as research for some of my historical novels. Also, one mycharacters is an investigative journalist, as I was for eight years, and elements of some of the stories I covered have found their way into my mystery novels.

I most enjoy editing and polishing my work and of course holding the print copy in my hands when it’s finished. I also like hearing from readers who say they enjoyed my books and ask when the next one will be available. My series characters are like old friends, whom I enjoy visiting each day. I especially like Dana Logan and Sarah Cafferty, two 60-year old amateur sleuths who are not only feisty and adventurous, they drive a 37-foot motorhome around the West (as I once did) solving murders. Sitting down at the computer each day I look forward to eavesdropping on their conversations and activities. Non-writers laugh when I tell them that I just type as fast as I can to keep up with my characters, but it’s true.

Probably because I started my writing career as a news reporter, I always include interesting bits of research in my novels so that I inform as well as entertain. But I’m careful not to load the reader up with paragraphs of research, which might bore them to tears. That reminds me of something one of my favorite authors, Benjamin Capps, once said, “No reader of mine ever felt so strongly or dropped a tear unless I did so in the writing.” Eliciting emotion is the most important ingredient in fiction, and I’m sometimes moved to tears while reading certain passages of my books, but the most comments I receive are usually, “What a fun book that was to read.” Humor is a main ingredient in my books, although subtle, not slapstick. I found plenty of humor in the old newspapers, including a story about three young boys who stole watermelons from a boxcar. When the arresting officer was asked about the disposition of the case, he said the melons were mighty tasty.

I want my readers to smile when they finish one of my books and feel satisfied that it was a good read. And, along the way, I hope they learn something they didn’t know before, even if it’s just something about human nature.

Also, to Purchase, just click on Book Cover

Thank you, Jean, for your thoughtful comments and generosity!

If you leave a comment, your name will go into the drawing for a free copy of Reticence of Ravens (three copies in total, randomly selected by Buster!) .

Mystery We Write Blog Tour

I’m so pleased to have Marilyn on my blog today. She is a friend and guiding light that is strong, bright,  and generous in scope.  Thank you for visiting my blog today and sharing your thoughts on Inspiration, Author Enjoyment, &  Reader Wishes…

Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest Bears With Us from Mundania Press. Writing as F. M. Meredith, her latest Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel is Angel Lost, the third from Oak Tree Press. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, Four chapters of Sisters in Crime, including the Central Coast chapter, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. (On the personal side, she’s a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and enjoys spending time with her huge family.)

Author Marilyn Meredith

Inspiration? When I read other authors’ books that I love, I’m inspired to write better. There are many who inspire me, including several on this mystery tour.

Inspiration for my mysteries comes from various places depending upon the story. Because I write a series about a Native American female resident deputy in and around a mountain town, I’m always looking for stories that will include a crime that might be unique to the area, something that could involve Indians or Indian lore, and a challenge for my heroine, Tempe.

Author Enjoyment? Because I love to write, being able to do that for a great part of my day is wonderful. One thing I never expected way back when I first began was how many new friends I’d make because of being an author. One of my favorites is the hostess of this blog, Madeline. We met at a book festival the first time, then we met again at a crime conference, then it’s been one place after another, and we enjoyed each other’s company.

I’ve made friends with so many authors that way, meeting them at a conference, convention, or book festival. It’s so much fun when you have the opportunity to meet them once again—almost like a reunion. The same thing has happened with readers I’ve met at various places. At a Left Coast Crime in Anchorage, I met two Native Alaskan sisters. We exchanged emails over the years and when Bouchercon was held in Anchorage, after the con I stayed with one of the sisters at her home in Wasilla for several days, had dinner with her family and became friends with her mom and dad. We all communicate via Facebook. A mother and daughter mystery fans I met at a con I kept running into here and there and formed a great friendship with them. We stay in touch through Facebook. There are way too many more to mention, but believe me, my life has been enriched in a way that would never have happened if I wasn’t an author.

Reader Wishes? First, I hope that the readers of my Deputy Tempe Crabtree mysteries will enjoy the experience of spending time in the Southern Sierra with Tempe while she solves whatever crimes she faces. At the end of the story, I want them to feel satisfied and to have enjoyed the time they spent reading. Most of all, though, I hope they’ll be anxious to know what is going to happen to Tempe in the future and be looking forward to the next book in the series.

Bears With Us

Visit Marilyn at http://fictionforyou.com and her blog at http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com/

Bears With Us  Blurb: Deputy Tempe Crabtree has her hands full when bears turn up in and around Bear Creek, a young teen commits suicide and his parents’ actions are suspicious, a prominent woman files a complaint against Tempe and her preacher husband Hutch, a love affair from long ago comes to light, and a woman suffering from dementia disappears.

Thank you, Marilyn!

If you leave a comment, your name will go into the drawing for a free copy of Reticence of Ravens (three copies in total, randomly selected by Buster!)

Mystery We Write Blog Tour

Mike, thank you for visiting my blog today and sharing your thoughtful comments on Reader Wishes…

Mike Orenduff grew up in a house so close to the Rio Grande that he could Frisbee a tortilla into Mexico. He came by his love of pueblo pottery during weekends, buying small pots from the pueblos his family visited and – in one case – acquiring one when his sister traded chocolate chip cookies for it.     His love of pottery expanded to a general interest in archaeology which he studied as an undergraduate.

Author Mike Orenduff

While in graduate school at the University of New Mexico, Mike worked during the summer as a volunteer teacher at one of the nearby pueblos. He went on to serve as President of New Mexico State University and as a visiting faculty member at West Point and President of Bermuda College. After retiring from higher education, he rekindled his love of the Southwest by writing his award-winning Pot Thief murder mysteries which combine archaeology and philosophy with humor and mystery.  Among his many awards are the New Mexico Book of the Year, the “Lefty” national award for best humorous mystery and two “Eppies” for the best eBook mysteries.

His first book, The Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras, was described by The Baltimore Sun as, “funny at a very high intellectual level and deliciously delightful,” and his latest, The Pot Thief Who Studied Escoffier, was called “the perfect fusion of murder, mayhem and margaritas” by The El Paso Times.

On Reader wishes –I hope I leave ‘em laughing. I hope their initial reaction is that they enjoyed the book and look forward to reading another one in the series.

But in their later reflective moments, I hope they think about the central underlying philosophical tenet; namely, that culture and ethnicity are not connected. My wife, who Madeline Gornell knows, is of Chinese ancestry.  When people learn she is an art historian, they almost invariably ask, “Is your specialty Asian Art?” In fact, her specialty is modern art. She recently published a book called The Transformation of French Catholic Religious Art in the Twentieth Century. She is not French and she is not Catholic. She is who she is, and her interests were chosen by her, not forced upon her by genetics.

Here’s a second example. The new book by Scott Simon called Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other, tells the story of Simon and his wife adopting two infant girls from China . In an interview, one caller asked him if he felt guilty taking the girls away from their culture.  He gave his answer in an affable tone. He said, “They were orphans.”

But there is a better answer he could have given. And that is, he didn’t take them away from their culture because the girls had no culture. Infants don’t have a culture. They have to learn it, and any infant can learn any culture.

I loved Scott Simon’s book, in part because — like his daughters — I began life in an orphanage. If I had been adopted by a Chinese couple and taken to Beijing, I would have grown up as Chinese, spoken their language, and adopted all the trappings of their culture. I would have looked weird in comparison to the other kids, but my culture would have been totally Chinese.

I didn’t have a culture as an infant in an orphanage. Neither did Scott Simon’s daughters. We are not born with a culture. We learn it from those we grow up around. Everything about me other than my physical make-up comes from the couple who adopted me. My beliefs, attitudes, likes, dislikes, accent  — in short, everything about my personality and psyche — was molded by the way they raised me, by where they raised me, and the experiences being their son exposed me to.

People sometimes ask me if I don’t want to find out about my parents. I say what’s to find out? I spent the first eighteen years of my like living with them.

“No,” they say, “your real parents.”

To which I reply, “Those are my real parents.”

“Your biological parents,” they clarify.

I have in common with my biological parents the same thing I have in common with all of mankind — the human genome. Everything else about me comes from the wonderful couple who raised me. This is the most fundamental truth about humans — we are all brothers and sisters and our ethnicity should be no more a factor in our lives than whether our belly button sticks out or in.

And yet people fight and die every day because of ethnic clashes. Will we ever learn?

Mike’s website is at: http://www.orenduff.org/ — and his Blog is at http://thief.blogspot.com/

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The Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras, The Pot Thief Who Studied Ptolemy, The Pot Thief Who Studied Einstein, and The Pot Thief Who Studied Escoffier are published by Oak Tress Press and are available as paperbacks in many Barnes & Nobles, Hastings, and Independent bookstores and as ebooks on Kindle and Nook readers.

“Hubert Shuze, pot thief extraordinaire, operates an ancient pottery resale shop, not entirely legally, in the middle of Albuquerque’s town square. His activities, both in the selling and creating of ancient pots and their knock-offs, tend to get him mixed up in an assortment of marginally ethical activities, murder generally being the most profound. Shuze operates by a complex set of ethics that allows him to sell questionably legal pots, burglarize, and launder money — but never to lie, cheat or steal. Along the way, Shuze, a perpetual student of life, educates us on his philosopher du jour. His previous novels featured the philosophies of Pythagoras, Ptolemy and Einstein.

  ”The Pot Thief Who Studied Escoffier” is a quirky repast of piñon-infused chimeneas, New Mexican sunsets, and a delightful band of foodie misfits.  It is best enjoyed in the fading glow of a Southwestern sunset, a fire crackling beside you, a faithful dog at your feet.” The El Paso Times

To Purchase, click on Book Cover

The Pot Thief Who Studied Escoffier

Thank you, Mike!

If you leave a comment, your name will go into the drawing for a free copy of Reticence of Ravens (three copies in total, randomly selected by Buster!)