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1 year ago
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Happy New Year!
I've been feeling sorry for this neglected post and decided to wish everyone a Happy New Year here.
New Years celebrations seem to focus on food at our house. We gave up going anywhere to celebrate long ago.
Tomorrow night I'll be making pizza from scratch--haven't done it for a long time.
New Years Day is always the time I make a seafood gumbo that's kind of my own. I cook the turkey carcass from whenever--usually Thanksgiving. Pick the bones, put the meat in the soup, add a big box of chicken broth, add chopped onions and celery and lots of seasonings and a couple of cans of seasoned tomato pieces. When that's ready, I add sliced okra, medium sized shrimp, and enough crab legs for how every many people I expect. I make enough rice for each person to put a scoop into their bowl, then pour the gumbo over it.
This is a very messy soup--because you have to use your hands to pick out the crab legs--but oh, is it good.
My granddaughter will be bringing her husband, three kids, her other grandma, a young man they've taken in until he can go in the Army, my daughter and husband will be here, too. Granddaughter always brings food for those who don't like seafood.
I can hardly wait.
Happy New Year!
Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com
New Years celebrations seem to focus on food at our house. We gave up going anywhere to celebrate long ago.
Tomorrow night I'll be making pizza from scratch--haven't done it for a long time.
New Years Day is always the time I make a seafood gumbo that's kind of my own. I cook the turkey carcass from whenever--usually Thanksgiving. Pick the bones, put the meat in the soup, add a big box of chicken broth, add chopped onions and celery and lots of seasonings and a couple of cans of seasoned tomato pieces. When that's ready, I add sliced okra, medium sized shrimp, and enough crab legs for how every many people I expect. I make enough rice for each person to put a scoop into their bowl, then pour the gumbo over it.
This is a very messy soup--because you have to use your hands to pick out the crab legs--but oh, is it good.
My granddaughter will be bringing her husband, three kids, her other grandma, a young man they've taken in until he can go in the Army, my daughter and husband will be here, too. Granddaughter always brings food for those who don't like seafood.
I can hardly wait.
Happy New Year!
Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
MAKE MINE MYSTERY - NEW HOME FOR SOME OF US
Hi Mystery Turtle Followers,
Some of us will be moving on over to a new blogspot for a greater range of activity, featuring not only us Hard Shell Mystery Turtle authors, but also authors from other houses, along with those connected with the mystery genre in various ways.
You're most welcome to join us at our new place, called Make Mine Mystery at
http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/
See you over there!!
Morgan Mandel
Marilyn Meredith
Some of us will be moving on over to a new blogspot for a greater range of activity, featuring not only us Hard Shell Mystery Turtle authors, but also authors from other houses, along with those connected with the mystery genre in various ways.
You're most welcome to join us at our new place, called Make Mine Mystery at
http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/
See you over there!!
Morgan Mandel
Marilyn Meredith
Series or Standalone? by Morgan Mandel
I see so many mystery series out there. They're very popular. The reader gets engrossed with a character and can hardly wait to read more about that character.
So far, I haven't been able to write a series. It seems all my inspiration comes in one dose. When I write a book, I'm totally immersed in the main character. When the book is done, that character is out of my system. I really can't think of anything more to say about him or her. I have a feeling if I tried, it would all be boring.
I wish I could do a series, since even later books generate interest in the earlier ones. Lots of possibilities for sales there.
I wonder how other authors feel. Let me know.
Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
So far, I haven't been able to write a series. It seems all my inspiration comes in one dose. When I write a book, I'm totally immersed in the main character. When the book is done, that character is out of my system. I really can't think of anything more to say about him or her. I have a feeling if I tried, it would all be boring.
I wish I could do a series, since even later books generate interest in the earlier ones. Lots of possibilities for sales there.
I wonder how other authors feel. Let me know.
Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
Monday, October 20, 2008
Discrimination Against Authors
I'm back on my soap box once again. On DorothyL, the premiere list for mystery fans and authors, they've been discussing the fact that Bouchercon has voted against discriminating against small press as far as allowing their authors to serve on panels. (They won't let self-pubbed or those who paid to be published however unless they've won a prestigious prize.)
Left Coast Crime on the other hand will not allow any author published by a non-MWA approved publisher be on a panel. Though going to mystery cons is an enjoyable experience, they are very expensive. If you can't be on a panel, your books will not be in the book room. If you're not on a panel of course no one will be able to purchase your book. For an author, part of the reason to go to a con is to let people know about your book.
I've decided to only attend mystery cons and writers conferences where I can be on a panel or be a speaker, for several reasons. I want the most for my promotion dollar. I also want to be able to take the trip off my income tax. And most of all, I'm really tired of this discrimination against authors who aren't published by MWA approved publishers.
Another big decision I've made is not to pay my next year's dues to MWA. I've been a member for years--but they haven't really done anything for me except to discriminate against me. I get far more out of other organization I belong to such as Epic and the Public Safety Writers Association, and the San Joaquin chapter of Sisters and Crime as well as the Internet chapter of Sisters in Crime.
Now I'll climb off my soap box.
Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com
Left Coast Crime on the other hand will not allow any author published by a non-MWA approved publisher be on a panel. Though going to mystery cons is an enjoyable experience, they are very expensive. If you can't be on a panel, your books will not be in the book room. If you're not on a panel of course no one will be able to purchase your book. For an author, part of the reason to go to a con is to let people know about your book.
I've decided to only attend mystery cons and writers conferences where I can be on a panel or be a speaker, for several reasons. I want the most for my promotion dollar. I also want to be able to take the trip off my income tax. And most of all, I'm really tired of this discrimination against authors who aren't published by MWA approved publishers.
Another big decision I've made is not to pay my next year's dues to MWA. I've been a member for years--but they haven't really done anything for me except to discriminate against me. I get far more out of other organization I belong to such as Epic and the Public Safety Writers Association, and the San Joaquin chapter of Sisters and Crime as well as the Internet chapter of Sisters in Crime.
Now I'll climb off my soap box.
Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Rejection by Morgan Mandel
Monday night my husband and I thought we’d give our dog, Rascal, a treat by walking her to her favorite hangout, Bentley’s Corner Barkery. Rascal knew the way, having gone there many times before. She strained at the leash. Her tail wagged and her eyes sparkled in anticipation.
We got to the door. It was closed. She sniffed and whined, not understanding why she couldn’t get it. Feeling horrible that we’d taken her there only to be disappointed, we led her from the door. All the way back, she kept looking over her shoulder as if wondering if she could still somehow go back and get in the store.
Tuesday I called the store to find out why they’d been closed. I learned from Lisa, one of the owners, that it just happened we’d come on a Monday, which is the only day of the week they’re closed.
You can bet we walked over again Tuesday night. The door was open. Rascal had a wonderful time with Daisy who was minding the store. Treats, playtime with other dogs, what more could Rascal want? She was in heaven. We were thrilled to bring such joy into her life.
As writers we handle rejections in many forms. We send queries, speak to editors or agents at conferences, win contests, and, if we’re lucky, we get the opportunity to submit our full manuscripts for consideration. We worked hard getting our novels done. We’re almost inside the door. All we need is for our manuscripts to get accepted.
Then we get a rejection letter. If we’re lucky it answers the question of why, but not always. With the rejection, the door to publication is closed.
The question is, do we give up, or try again? We can’t expect the door to be open every time we try it. We just have to keep coming back until it is.
For more Morgan Mandel blogs, you're invited to hop on over to http://morganmandel.blogspot.com and http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com
Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
We got to the door. It was closed. She sniffed and whined, not understanding why she couldn’t get it. Feeling horrible that we’d taken her there only to be disappointed, we led her from the door. All the way back, she kept looking over her shoulder as if wondering if she could still somehow go back and get in the store.
Tuesday I called the store to find out why they’d been closed. I learned from Lisa, one of the owners, that it just happened we’d come on a Monday, which is the only day of the week they’re closed.
You can bet we walked over again Tuesday night. The door was open. Rascal had a wonderful time with Daisy who was minding the store. Treats, playtime with other dogs, what more could Rascal want? She was in heaven. We were thrilled to bring such joy into her life.
As writers we handle rejections in many forms. We send queries, speak to editors or agents at conferences, win contests, and, if we’re lucky, we get the opportunity to submit our full manuscripts for consideration. We worked hard getting our novels done. We’re almost inside the door. All we need is for our manuscripts to get accepted.
Then we get a rejection letter. If we’re lucky it answers the question of why, but not always. With the rejection, the door to publication is closed.
The question is, do we give up, or try again? We can’t expect the door to be open every time we try it. We just have to keep coming back until it is.
For more Morgan Mandel blogs, you're invited to hop on over to http://morganmandel.blogspot.com and http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com
Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
Monday, October 13, 2008
Mysteries and Blog Tour
Like Morgan, I've loved mysteries since Nancy Drew days.
I'm just back from a writers conference where I had the privilege to not only share two meals with thriller writer, David Morrell (First Blood, Rambo and many others) I also introduced him as the featured speaker. It was most exciting for me as I am a fan of his books.
I'm also on a blog tour all month, this week's stops are here:
Marilyn
I'm just back from a writers conference where I had the privilege to not only share two meals with thriller writer, David Morrell (First Blood, Rambo and many others) I also introduced him as the featured speaker. It was most exciting for me as I am a fan of his books.
I'm also on a blog tour all month, this week's stops are here:
Oct 13 http://itsallinthesetting.blogspot.com/
Oct 14 http://www.bookwormsballroom.blogspot.com/
Oct 15 http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/
Oct 16 http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com/
Marilyn
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