News: The Fifty-Seventh Issue

Happy 2025! 

A new year, a clean slate. 

Time certainly does not slow down for anyone, especially a writer on a deadline.  Even self-imposed deadlines have a way of getting the better of you.  Those can be motivating, if taken seriously.

Here’s the latest notes from me on writing, works in progress, a writing contest, notification of a new release, an interview with another author and this month’s music selections!

Got all that?

Ready?

Let’s rock.

Writing.

At a craft show in mid-December, I had my table set up with copies of all my books. Things were going well, with plenty of interactions with shoppers. I had just sold a couple of books when a lady hesitated in front of my spot.

“Books! You brought books to a craft show!  That’s brilliant!”

It is always a pleasure to interact with readers like her. As she checked out the covers, she had questions for each one. After looking them all over she asked when the stories took place.

I explained that each was contemporary, set in today’s world. It was worthwhile explaining that the timeline in both series covers less than a year.  Of course, it took me a lot longer than that to write each book.

“I don’t like books that are set way in the future. Or too far in the past. That bothers me if they don’t get the details right,” she said.

I understand that all too well. It’s important to me that the stories I write are accurate. Often that requires research, especially in areas such as technology.  That’s especially important with the crime novel I’ve been working on since most of it is set in 1992.

Research is essential to your writing. Even with fiction. Good stories need that connection with reality. That makes the tale believable. And it’s good entertainment.

A Writing Contest

My good friend, Diana Kathryn Penn, is hosting a writing contest.

There will be cash prizes available.  Diana has three elements to the prompt, to help get you started.  Deadline for submissions is March 1, 2025.  All qualified submissions, whether you win a prize or not, will be published in an anthology.

More details are available on the website, which is listed below. https://www.pagespromotions.com

Works in Progress

The last few weeks of December proved to be very productive for me. I was able to complete the first draft of “Part Time Criminal” the novella that demanded my attention since October.  I was able to share that draft with several beta readers who are willing to read my crazy efforts and give me feedback.  Once those reactions have been received, I’ll make the necessary revisions.  Then it’s off to the editor for the serious polishing, formatting and shaping.

This also allowed me time to return to Leo Agonasti’s novel. After being away from Leo for so long, it was necessary to reread the manuscript to pick up where I left off.

Meanwhile, ideas for the fourth Chene mystery keep arriving. And there’s also a certain redheaded female who is growing impatient. Jamie does not like to be left out of the action.