tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332261512024-03-07T04:40:27.776-05:00Working StiffsWhere Crime Writers Talk About Life, Work, and MurderWorking Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.comBlogger1503125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-44723603674052109692014-07-15T15:46:00.000-04:002014-07-15T15:46:41.308-04:00Dan Malmon Must Die<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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By Paula Matter</div>
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<i>I wrote this story after accepting a challenge. Read more about it here: </i> </div>
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<a href="http://danielboshea.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/the-kill-malmon-flash-fiction-challenge/" target="_blank">http://danielboshea.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/the-kill-malmon-flash-fiction-challenge/</a></div>
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<i> </i></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So what can you tell
me about this guy?” I like knowing a little about what, and who, I’m up
against. Right now, all I knew was someone wanted Dan Malmon dead by next
Tuesday. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know as much as you do. Let’s see if he’s on Facebook.
Amazing what you can learn about a complete stranger.” He clicked a few keys on
his laptop, then grinned. “Tons of public posts, photos.”</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What’s he look like?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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“A real geek. Skinny, wears tortoise shell glasses. Likes
hockey, comics, rides a bike.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Harley?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Schwinn, I think.” He scrolled. “Eats a lot of
junk food--Mr. Pibb, donuts, cookies, candy bars, Pop Tarts, pizza. All sorts
of crap. Jesus. Chocolate cake for breakfast.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Heart attack waiting to happen. And he’s skinny. Huh.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Must ride his bike a lot. Here he’s riding with his wife. Pretty.
He calls her “Red” and says she’s a real ass-kicker.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Let me see.” I leaned forward, glanced at the screen he turned toward me. “She is pretty. She won’t be around, right?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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“Right.” He scrolled some more. “Wait. They’ve got a dog.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Damn. I hated having to deal with animals. “Vicious?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nah. It wears dresses. Any man who dresses up a dog
deserves to die.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t disagree.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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“So. You want the job or not?” <span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He pulled a
thick envelope out of his briefcase.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I thought about it for about two
seconds, then said, “Sure.” Sounded like easy money, an easy target. The one
condition was weird, but what the hell. The customer was always right. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">paying</i> customer was always right. I
shoved the envelope of cash into my pocket.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* * * </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No barking when I rang the doorbell. The wife must’ve taken
the dog with her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The door opened about an inch, one eye peered out at me. “Yes?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mr. Malmon? I’m with O’Shea’s Roofing, here to look at your
roof.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I know nothing about this. Go away.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Your association wants me to take a look, sir. It’ll only
take a few minutes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh, okay.” He slid back the little chain, opened the door
wide enough to let me in then quickly closed the door. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had my knife at his throat before he even turned around. I
dragged his skinny ass to the living room, tied him to one of the chairs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Who are you? What do you want?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Keep your mouth shut. You’ve pissed off the wrong person by
talking too much.” I pulled my iPod out of my pocket, unwrapped the earphones
and shoved them into Malmon’s ears. “Let’s see how you like this,” I said. I cranked
up the volume and pushed the play button. I’d looped the video ahead of time,
and watched his face as he listened to the short clip over and over.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>didn’t take long
for Malmon to start whimpering. Once the blubbering started, I moved closer. Every
time I heard Letterman pause, I pulled the blade out of Dan Malmon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oprah, blade in. Pause, blade out. Uma, blade in. Over and
over and over again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The front door suddenly opened and in walked Malmon’s wife. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red. The ass-kicker.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She took one look at her husband’s body, clenched her hand
and held it up. “Now, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> is worthy
of a fist-bump.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The one condition. I returned her waiting fist. Like I
always say, the paying customer is always right. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Dan O'Shea, should we ever meet, I'd like to buy you a drink as a way
of thanking you for giving me an excuse to start writing again. Dan
Malmon, sorry, and I guess I should also buy you a drink. Kate "Red" Malmon,
you deserve free drinks forever. And ever. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-26092803894876709522013-04-01T11:42:00.002-04:002013-04-01T11:58:24.944-04:00Loss of a Working Stiffby Joyce<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubxdz1_F8L6JGbIw0aMNyzplhqI750PxV-zRtq-2QYgB-RIfKFRwGvFlFvV9-Youjirg2EDwhs6OIdOqxovRRpy7Rq7n83bpiASj2DcmOSXuKAzVZfBIrR7D3cVn1rXUPgWr1ig/s1600/95930_001_low_res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubxdz1_F8L6JGbIw0aMNyzplhqI750PxV-zRtq-2QYgB-RIfKFRwGvFlFvV9-Youjirg2EDwhs6OIdOqxovRRpy7Rq7n83bpiASj2DcmOSXuKAzVZfBIrR7D3cVn1rXUPgWr1ig/s200/95930_001_low_res.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>
For those who haven't heard the news, longtime Working Stiff <a href="http://wbereswill.com/Wilfred_Bereswill/Wilfred_Bereswill_Home_Page.html" target="_blank">Wilfred Bereswill</a> passed away suddenly on Palm Sunday. ("Passed away" seems inadequate when a death is
so unexpected.) I first heard about it on Easter Sunday, when Jenna
Bennett/Jennie Bentley posted a <a href="http://jenniebentley.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-few-words-about-swedish-stripper.html" target="_blank">link</a> to her blog on Twitter. To say I was shocked doesn't begin to cover it. It was all I could think about for most of the day.<br />
<br />
The only time I met Will in person was at Bouchercon in Baltimore. When Annette and I ran into him, it was like a family reunion. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0_IK8VrC8NEuptdErxo8I3umuw01aQ28a1SkkOuzhFDydQl0R7m3G4S5j1CDKE8qo9LgK1EeZNUi4Ldt1j5BgqUvCiMdsi_0MwpjSuvTsqQQeWUXMJWVLiMN-qj0YR9TQPRi-w/s1600/Picture+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0_IK8VrC8NEuptdErxo8I3umuw01aQ28a1SkkOuzhFDydQl0R7m3G4S5j1CDKE8qo9LgK1EeZNUi4Ldt1j5BgqUvCiMdsi_0MwpjSuvTsqQQeWUXMJWVLiMN-qj0YR9TQPRi-w/s320/Picture+029.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joyce, Will, Annette</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's strange how someone you know mostly through blog posts can make such a lasting impression. It's a testament to his ability to tell a story that so many people feel like they lost a good friend.<br />
<br />
<br />
Will posted often on <a href="http://workingstiffs.blogspot.com/2009/01/guo-nian-chinese-new-year-chinas-spring.html" target="_blank">China</a> and <a href="http://workingstiffs.blogspot.com/2009/04/rainbows-waterfalls-whales-lava-broken.html" target="_blank">Hawaii</a>--two of his favorite places. He wrote about his work, his books, his every day life, and a very poignant <a href="http://workingstiffs.blogspot.com/2009/12/colon-cancer-awareness.html" target="_blank">post</a> about losing his father at a young age to colon cancer. <br />
<br />
Will's every day life got hectic and eventually he had to drop writing for Working Stiffs. His last post with us was on March 7, 2011. Read it. It was titled <a href="http://workingstiffs.blogspot.com/2011/03/so-long-farewell-amen.html" target="_blank">So Long, Farewell & Amen</a>.<br />
<br />
Amen, indeed.<br />
<br />
So long, Will. We miss you.<br />
<br />
<br />Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-84635788859313621752012-03-22T00:01:00.001-04:002012-03-22T00:01:01.637-04:00This is it......our last day. It's been loads of fun. We've enjoyed getting to meet each and every one of you. We hope you'll track us down elsewhere and stop and say hi.<br />
<br />
It's with tears in our eyes we bid you adieu.<br />
<br />
Until we meet again, <br />
<br />
C.L., Gina, Martha, Kristin, Annette, Paula, Joyce, Jenna, Pat, and Ramona<br />
<br />
xoxoWorking Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-17439670495567896692012-03-21T06:04:00.000-04:002012-03-21T06:04:00.683-04:00Death and Taxes<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
by <a href="http://annettedashofy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Annette Dashofy</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to Benjamin Franklin, “in this world nothing can
be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Let me add <i>change</i> to that list. Nothing stays the same. Take Facebook for
example. As soon as you learn how to navigate it, they change everything. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spring seems an appropriate time for making changes. Mother
Nature is trading in the drab monotone shades of winter for greens and yellows.
Gray skies give way to blue. So not all change is bad. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which of course brings me to all of us Working Stiffs. This
is my last post here. Like all my fellow Stiffs, I’m feeling a bit nostalgic.
Over the years, since Nancy Martin introduced us on September 3, 2006, regulars
and guests have come and gone from this site. Only Joyce, Gina, and myself have
remained throughout. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve written through good times and bad. We’ve celebrated
book launches and mourned family deaths. We’ve covered serious topics such as
senseless murders in our own hometowns and we’ve gotten just plain silly more
than once. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I hope we’ve always done (sometimes with more success
than others) is to entertain. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m still going to be around cyberspace. I’m on Facebook and
Twitter. I have my own blog, Writing, etc, where I’ll continue to write about
whatever tickles my fancy on any given day. My website needs to be updated, but
feel free to stop in there, too. You’ll be able to find the real me (as opposed
to the virtual version) at the Pennwriters Conference in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Lancaster</st1:city> <st1:state w:st="on">PA</st1:state></st1:place>
this May (17-20), where I’ll be teaching a workshop Thursday afternoon. And
I’ll be at Bouchercon in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Cleveland</st1:city></st1:place>
this October even if I have to walk. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So at the end of the month, Working Stiffs may come to an
end, but it’s simply another of life’s changes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Spring! </div>Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-42764988367843639272012-03-19T05:00:00.001-04:002012-03-19T05:00:06.726-04:00New Beginingsby <a href="http://www.clphillips.com/" target="_blank">C.L. Phillips</a><br />
<br />
Today is my final post for the Working Stiffs. I'd like to thank Joyce Tremel for taking a chance on an unknown mystery writer from Austin, Texas. Prior to blogging here, I'd made a few posts on the Sisters in Crime blog. Joyce kindly offered me a home away from home, gave me a chance to find my blogging voice, and introduced me to the most amazing group of mystery writers.<br />
<br />
I confess I'm a little sad and excited to see the end of Working Stiffs. I've decided to strap on my big girl pants, grow a pair and launch my own blog at <a href="http://www.clphillips.com/" target="_blank">C.L. Phillips</a>, where I'll be waxing Texan about:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>True crime (yep, it's massively stranger than anything I could create)</li>
<li>Flash mysteries (like two of my later entries on Working Stiffs, here and here)</li>
<li>Interviews with cool people who love reading and writing mysteries</li>
<li>The Story behind the Novel (or the true story of how I come up with crazy ideas to write)</li>
</ul>
<div>
The focus is narrow. All mystery. All for readers. I hope to provide a place of fellowship and discussion for people that love to read mysteries, of all types. Like most of my work, there will be irreverent humor, veiled sex, and more than one story you can tell at the bar with your friends.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hope to see you there, and I'd love to keep in touch. You can find me on<a href="http://www.twitter.com/clphillips787" target="_blank"> twitter</a>, and this summer I am launching two books, FIRST MISTAKE, and KILLERS ANONYMOUS, Some of the Story behind the Novel will be hilarious, so you might want to stop by and find out how I created an ex-stripper-turned-psychic-channeler who channels a fifteenth century Irish Catholic priest and what happens when said priest drinks tequila.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And I hope to see you all at Bouchercon in Cleveland, where rumor has it, there is tequila at the hotel bar. Cue the Eagles, and Hotel California. You gotta admit, when you hear the line, "you can check in but you can never leave", you wish the song was a full length mystery novel, no?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Joyce, my deepest and sincerest thanks. And to everyone else, I'm buying the first round at Bouchercon.</div>Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-13867877668570838172012-03-16T04:15:00.001-04:002012-03-16T04:15:00.639-04:00Jane Austen Sequels and ReWritesBy Pat Gulley<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I think Dear Jane’s work is about the most rewritten and
sequels added to in a category other than Science Fiction. It all started in
1913 with Old Friends and New Fancies by Sybil G. Brinton and has been roaring
along ever since.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’ve read a bunch of them—the sequels, not the rewrites. I
don’t like rewrites, they seem too presumptuous, as if they know better than
the original author. Sequels allows us to find out more about secondary or
lesser characters. Some of my absolute favorites are The Lydia Bennet Story,
Charlotte Collins, The Diary of Captain Wentworth, and Mercy’s Embrace—a three
book series about Ann Elliott’s sister Elizabeth. Oh, you are not Janites,
okay, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Lydia</st1:country-region> and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Charlotte</st1:place></st1:city> are from Pride
and Prejudice and Captain Wentworth, Ann and Elizabeth are from Persuasion,
which is my all time favorite Austen Book.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I even have a sequel started myself. It isn’t one of my
files that I open frequently due to the fact that one must be in the mood for
the totally different speech patterns and spellings necessary to keep the time
period right. (I’m assuming all historical writers understand this, but OTOH, I
have seen some written with totally modern language. Most Janites would
disapprove. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So it occurs to me that a lot of famous books might deserve
sequels and I’d like to see what you think.</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Without doing Jane, or Conan Doyle or Shakespeare, and
not taking up the ones that already exist in SF, like Star Wars, Star Trek,
Stargate, and not Harry Potter, what great stand alone book or famous character
from fiction of any kind would you like to write a sequel to? No, we won’t
demand you get to it, just a little bit of daydreaming about if you could or
maybe someday should.</span>Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-7935956082495513342012-03-15T07:00:00.003-04:002012-03-15T07:00:04.402-04:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Saying Good-Bye</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">By Paula Matter</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Two weeks ago this time, I was grateful I still had two weeks to come up with today’s blog post. My last one here at Working Stiffs. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Saying good-bye isn’t easy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Two weeks ago, I’d written about the sudden death of Davy Jones. Last Saturday I went to a memorial in Beavertown, PA to say good-bye to him. (There are tons of photos and videos on Facebook and Youtube. I have a couple of videos at both places).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Saying good-bye is not easy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">It helped that the atmosphere, the whole event wasn’t totally sad or somber. Lots of funny stories and good music helped ease the sadness. His life was celebrated and I was there with 500 others to help do it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">So that's how I decided to end my last post. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Y'know how you're suppose to give the audience what they want? </span><strong><span style="color: red;">Darcy Flynn</span></strong>, this one's for you:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0emLj0d66DQ&feature=player_detailpage">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0emLj0d66DQ&feature=player_detailpage</a><br />
<br />
Or you're suppose to leave 'em laughing?<br />
<br />
My favorite clean joke:<br />
<br />
Do you know why seagulls don't fly over bays?<br />
<br />
Because then they'd be bagels.<br />
<br />
No? Not laughing? Okay. Tell you what. Since this can't possibly be the last time we'll be together, next time we meet, I'll tell you some of my better, dirtier jokes.<br />
<br />
Thanks, fellow Stiffs, and dear readers and commenters, for all of the good times.<br />
<br />
Til next time. . .</div>Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-5652274563617682912012-03-14T07:55:00.000-04:002012-03-14T07:55:28.159-04:00Meet Amelia Fortune : And vote for a coverby C. L. Phillips<br />
<br />
Amelia Fortune, a twenty-four year old widow, is unjustly convicted of wrongful death of her husband, Tommy. After the verdict, she's viciously beaten in county jail. The ADA offers her a plea deal. The catch? Amelia must trade what she values most in life, her integrity, and confess to being responsible for Tommy's death. In exchange, she escapes prison, and will be placed in a 12-step program for people like her.<br />
<br />
Killers Anonymous. Seven years. A convicted felon.<br />
<br />
Against her better judgment, Amelia swallows her pride, and takes the deal. She trades truth for safety. <br />
<br />
At her second 12-step meeting, she learns a serial killer is stalking members of the 12-step program. When the medical director of the program, Dr. Barton Ponder, thwarts her escape attempt, Amelia realizes her only choice is to find the killer before she becomes the next victim.<br />
<br />
Killers Anonymous. Where nobody is innocent. Will Amelia do whatever it takes to survive?<br />
<br />
Now that you know a little about the story, please help me choose the cover art. Killers Anonymous will be available in Summer 2012 from Amyst Books as an e-book, available at all your favorite places such as Amazon, Smashwords, B&N, and of course, through <a href="http://www.clphillips.com/" target="_blank">my web site</a>. And if you'd like to be on my mailing list to receive a sneak peak and learn more about Amelia's journey, send me a direct tweet at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/clphillips787">www.twitter.com/clphillips787</a>, and I'll put you on my dear readers list.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPNK2Nher9sre5OgN3nv4vkYINQAhshZLr-Jq8dOkW9NjekSVE5Iksv5lqRxJUKtEaZFPs8w8C30KdkDDXaE8H7TR6nCEnBxEifc5d2Hq03KWxgvJEhy0mzk48PfbQYdxn1MFSQ/s1600/Killers+Anonymous+II+NEW+WM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPNK2Nher9sre5OgN3nv4vkYINQAhshZLr-Jq8dOkW9NjekSVE5Iksv5lqRxJUKtEaZFPs8w8C30KdkDDXaE8H7TR6nCEnBxEifc5d2Hq03KWxgvJEhy0mzk48PfbQYdxn1MFSQ/s320/Killers+Anonymous+II+NEW+WM.png" width="212" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrt_AXthoAbRPjOwIvFUFlYvzyavX9u98fHwJxcpcDpvGE7aVkqV80bpkjrNLvb2y8XVhfoilIhDxiohP2WIWnDDpCHslF7ziD2CWJmSjk0FkFbTvGIVI8tIhyphenhyphen_sPIT-snK8kHhA/s1600/Killers+Anonymous+IV+NEW+WM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrt_AXthoAbRPjOwIvFUFlYvzyavX9u98fHwJxcpcDpvGE7aVkqV80bpkjrNLvb2y8XVhfoilIhDxiohP2WIWnDDpCHslF7ziD2CWJmSjk0FkFbTvGIVI8tIhyphenhyphen_sPIT-snK8kHhA/s320/Killers+Anonymous+IV+NEW+WM.png" width="212" /></a></div>
Your cover choices are : Silhouette or Face. Don't be shy. Pick your favorite. And thank you for your support. I really appreciate your help.Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-56341780933588601182012-03-12T07:15:00.000-04:002012-03-12T07:15:35.608-04:00STICKING A FORK IN ITby Gina Sestak<br />
<br />
As those of you who have been reading posts for the past few days know, Working Stiffs is drawing to an end. <br />
<br />
[Excuse me while I go cry in a corner for awhile.]<br />
<br />
Ahem. OK. I'm back now. I've enjoyed participating. As a writing exercise, it's good to have something due periodically, a reminder that yes, it is possible write, even when the muse hasn't wandered in to strike a mood. <br />
<br />
Most of my posts have been personal stream of consciousness essays, discussing my past and present. I guess it's now time to think of the future . . .<br />
<br />
SO . . .<br />
<br />
Goodbye, farewell, aufweidersein, adieu.<br />
<br />
It's been a blast.<br />
<br />
And, in keeping with the habit I've established over the past year or so, here's a Bollywood clip for your enjoyment:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/J-pfa1p02KA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Seems to go with the mood. In the film, these characters (Dev and Maya) have had an affair which they finally confess to their respective spouses. The spouses do not take it well; both Dev and Maya are thrown out but, each thinking that the other has made peace at home, they go their separate ways, into loneliness . . .<br />
<br />
OK. Losing this blog won't be <i>that </i>bad. I hope.Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-4660324838625919212012-03-09T05:00:00.001-05:002012-03-09T05:00:01.019-05:00You, The Artist<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">by <a href="http://ramonadef.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Ramona DeFelice Long</a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s been a couple of
years since I began my monthly guest spot here at the Working Stiffs. In
preparation for this, my last post, I looked back at subjects I’ve
touched upon in prior posts. Some were writing related; some were inspired by
news events; some poked gentle fun at my family. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Several were on the
serious side, and I appreciate having a forum to write about difficult topics
like </span><a href="http://workingstiffs.blogspot.com/2011/10/double-dating-killer.html"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">wife killers</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">,
</span><a href="http://workingstiffs.blogspot.com/2011/02/twelve-average-citizens.html"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">cop killers</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">,
</span><a href="http://workingstiffs.blogspot.com/2011/03/paging-lorax.html"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">tree killers</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">,
and </span><a href="http://workingstiffs.blogspot.com/2011/07/position-of-trust.html"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">pedophiles</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">.
I don’t usually go to such dark places, but here I had the freedom to push the
envelope and test both the audience and my own writing mettle. I thank you for
that.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In that vein, I want to
write about another sensitive topic: Writers as Artists.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In February, as those of
you who’ve read my excited babblings know, I was awarded a residency at an
artists’ colony. The Fellows--which is what you become forever and ever once
you are selected for a Fellowship—included visual artists, composers, and
writers. I experienced many warm and generous moments in my time there. One of my
favorites was witnessing a Fellow greet a new arrival and ask this question:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
“What kind of art do you make?”</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a good question because it encompassed all possible answers: I paint, I write stories, I compose music, I make prints, I write poetry, I sculpt. The person who answered the question that particular time said, "I write."</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Some people don’t think of
writers as artists. Some writers are among those who don't think writers are artists. If you think this, you are wrong. To make art is to create something
out of nothing, or to mold something into something else. The creation
expresses an emotion, captures a moment, explores an idea, or shares a story. That
is art. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Artist” is a scary word
to some people, and I don’t just mean legislators who think supporting the arts
is a big waste of taxpayer dollars. (Those people are wrong, too.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It saddens me when a writer tries to deny or shrug off the title, as if being an artist is too flighty or high-falutin’ or
ambitious for someone who writes stories to entertain or to earn a living. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Artists make us think.
Artists make us feel. Artists make us wonder. Writers do all of this too,
right? </span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">As the regulars here know,
writing can a lonely business. It helps to have an online or in person
community to support your creative spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have been fortunate in having opportunities to work with young artists
and to encourage them to understand that self-expression is important and
necessary in our world. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So with this, my last post here, I encourage each
person reading to think about the next generation. If it is within your power
to influence the artists in our future, whether by visiting a school, reading
at a library, helping a young writers club, volunteering at a prison, or any
other donation of your time and experience,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hope you will do so. You will be rewarded tenfold. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If you are shy and not
sure how to approach a young artist, try this question: “What kind of art would
you like to make?” </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Art will never go away.
You can cut the funding but you can’t stop the creation. As long as people have
minds and hearts, they will seek expression. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>It has been a great pleasure to post here. I
wish you all the best of all things. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">xoxo,</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ramona</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-34163380114783355512012-03-08T00:01:00.005-05:002012-03-08T00:01:01.158-05:00Saying Goodbyeby Joyce<br />
<br />
Back in 2006, a handful of Pittsburgh Sisters in Crime members decided to jump on the blogging bandwagon. Although we were all writers, we decided we didn't want to write about writing. There were too many other blogs that did that. What would we write about? We tossed it around awhile and finally came to a consensus with our theme: Where writers talk about life, work, and murder.<br />
<br />
In the beginning, we wrote about some of the jobs we'd had. Gina beat us all with this one--especially me. We wrote about life in general, about crimes, about books--you name it. I wrote about the police department where I worked as a secretary. It turned out each of us had a little niche--a little area of expertise that we'd impart to our readers five days a week. Our readership kept growing until a year or so ago.<br />
<br />
With the popularity of social media like Facebook and Twitter, group blogs like ours have lost readers. So, like the fabulous Lipstick Chronicles did not long ago, we're closing our doors, shutting up shop, saying hasta la vista baby, taking the A train...well, you get the idea.<br />
<br />
As of the end of March, Working Stiffs will be just a memory. We'll keep the site online so you'll still have access to our archives, but it will be closed to comments. You'll still be able to find most of us either on Facebook or Twitter (or both). Some of us have websites and blogs, or contribute to other group blogs.<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you to all our readers and especially all the fantastic guest bloggers who've stopped by to visit. We love you all!<br />
<br />
As we say our goodbyes, we'll be sure to let you know where to find us.<br />
<br />
You can find me most days on Twitter: twitter.com/JoyceTremel. I have a website too (which really needs to be updated!) www.joycetremel.com.<br />
<br />
It's been a fun ride.Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-11307639360499471942012-03-07T02:25:00.001-05:002012-03-07T02:25:00.619-05:00Unraveling a Cat Mystery<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
By <a href="http://www.annettedashofy.com/" target="_blank">Annette Dashofy</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every year around this time, certain members of my family
take a vacation. I won’t say where because it’ll make me sound jealous. Which I
am. But that’s not the point. They go on vacation and I kittysit their cats. I
happen to be quite fond of these cats, so I don’t mind a bit. Usually,
“kittysitting” involves driving over there every other day, cleaning litter
boxes, refilling the food bowls, and changing their water. Then I play with
them for a while. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year hasn’t worked out that way. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shortly before they left, they noticed that one of the cats
had been peeing on the carpet in one corner. They told me it was Pepper, the
newer cat. They pulled up the carpet in the corner and put down plastic. Pepper
was to be confined to the basement, while Chili, the older cat, would have the
run of the upstairs, including the scene of the crime.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On <i>Day One</i> of my
kittysitting gig, I discovered a puddle on the plastic. Apparently, Pepper had
been falsely accused and convicted on circumstantial evidence. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePJRqRz77iMwJXYkbFyDWJYf3uzQres8ouOVSjtFox7AMwcGbIGKCGSrNG3DOsvWfhZSkaRn4IHne6klMszgCYkMs__ay_wluUnuIyEtp0e8yFeSWHpt_Lx4LuLRxJNZvFAaRZA/s1600/DSC_0004+(800x531).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePJRqRz77iMwJXYkbFyDWJYf3uzQres8ouOVSjtFox7AMwcGbIGKCGSrNG3DOsvWfhZSkaRn4IHne6klMszgCYkMs__ay_wluUnuIyEtp0e8yFeSWHpt_Lx4LuLRxJNZvFAaRZA/s320/DSC_0004+(800x531).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>(Pepper looking pitiful behind bars.)</i><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could do a Bounty commercial about the absorbency of those
paper towels. But I don’t think they’d want to show someone mopping up cat pee.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, anytime a cat suddenly starts urinating outside the
box, my first thought is Urinary Tract Infection. But I’m not a vet. I only
write about one. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of every <i>other</i>
day, I started driving out there daily to check on things. And to keep the
puddle from overflowing onto the carpet again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcgW21sCQW-1_OSWJV_fohlc8BYuzSJKrcubTQQutDXqdVh1KuYyjuRUPbh5msrnH9AeEFXdJGIyuX2LNFPYGCQ-Du_OZ7cX04PjIIj6ZqhcQSIIT6VOI9yFmrFxzgq4zv-hP9Q/s1600/DSC_0011+%2528800x531%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcgW21sCQW-1_OSWJV_fohlc8BYuzSJKrcubTQQutDXqdVh1KuYyjuRUPbh5msrnH9AeEFXdJGIyuX2LNFPYGCQ-Du_OZ7cX04PjIIj6ZqhcQSIIT6VOI9yFmrFxzgq4zv-hP9Q/s320/DSC_0011+%2528800x531%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>(The real culprit, Chili, looking completely innocent of all charges)</i><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Day Two, Chili was also pooping on the rug. Her litter
box remained untouched. I filled a plastic specimen cup from the puddle on the
plastic and ran it out to the vet. Diagnosis? Urinary Tract Infection. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I guess a gazillion years as a cat owner combined with all
the research I’ve done to write my veterinarian protagonist has paid off. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The vet gave me Clavamox liquid to be administered <i>twice</i> a day. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did I mention this is a 20-mile each-way jaunt?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I’ve enlisted some help. Hubby’s new(est) job—don’t
ask—is nearby, so I’ve trained him how to give oral meds to cats. You can just
imagine how happy he is. (Not). Since he’s completely overjoyed at the prospect
(again—<b>NOT</b>), a neighbor has been
called in to give the evening dose, while I take care of the morning dose…and
the litter boxes and the food and the water. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of litter boxes, I moved the one that hadn’t been
touched over to where Chili had been pooping. Voila! She’s now back to using it
for BOTH. No more puddles on the plastic. Which is a good thing. I think I’ve
gone through an entire roll of Bounty. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday, I took Chili in to see her vet. The good doctor
praised my handling of the situation and basically told me to keep it up. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think I missed my calling. At the very least, if this
writing gig falls apart, I can always start a new career as a crittersitter.<br />
<br />
Or a defense attorney for cats.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-Ce_ZLB5DJ6cqOgQIs4Nwufx0vYGZRUsEKyiZE61LMPcMt1Juo4F_uvV5espv4S29bATxpxyW6vIt0WOzhSpaGC13SIqjCWrWBxsLXtAKjAF6SOcMamFlRixBJui9ZJoRWjkSw/s1600/DSC_0005+%2528800x531%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-Ce_ZLB5DJ6cqOgQIs4Nwufx0vYGZRUsEKyiZE61LMPcMt1Juo4F_uvV5espv4S29bATxpxyW6vIt0WOzhSpaGC13SIqjCWrWBxsLXtAKjAF6SOcMamFlRixBJui9ZJoRWjkSw/s320/DSC_0005+%2528800x531%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>(Pepper begging to have his conviction overthrown)</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9IAcSctKFk7qYkcdl46eMGoPLkY81z9Q4w0WUbn45AW6nxRodAYzvuM0fbvMcloYHKsYNcAllyBBFizDMPh6bmKbUX6c0_hqLWG_SjlJ0m0XWTdG6inoaIfgR5um5JzEGPDIlw/s1600/DSC_0014+%2528800x531%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9IAcSctKFk7qYkcdl46eMGoPLkY81z9Q4w0WUbn45AW6nxRodAYzvuM0fbvMcloYHKsYNcAllyBBFizDMPh6bmKbUX6c0_hqLWG_SjlJ0m0XWTdG6inoaIfgR5um5JzEGPDIlw/s320/DSC_0014+%2528800x531%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>(Just look at Chili. You can't tell me she didn't intentionally plant evidence in order to get rid of the pesky new kid in her house.)</i></div>Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-4255437883803972042012-03-05T05:00:00.001-05:002012-03-05T05:00:11.833-05:00Flash Mystery : Sold in Four Hoursby C.L. Phillips<br />
<br />
Callista Newton, the blonde, perky real estate agent, hit the sign with the flat edge of her shovel and stepped back to inspect her handiwork. She took great pride in her effort. The for sale sign was perfectly positioned on the corner lot, visible from either of the busy cross-streets.<br />
<br />
A black Land Rover wheeled into the circle drive, and a thin young woman, dressed in all black, exited the driver's seat, cell phone in hand. "I'm hanging up now. We will settle this later." She strode to the front door.<br />
<br />
Callista took a deep breath and forced herself to wait. "Just a moment. Go ahead and take a look. The door is open." She balanced the shovel in her left hand and watched as the woman entered the house. She signed. Selling houses wasn't as fun as it used to be, not since the recession gutted the market and banks made getting a loan nearly impossible. Still, she prided herself on her professionalism and attention to detail. She put the shovel in the trunk of her car, grabbed her jacket and went inside.<br />
<br />
"Is this the buyer's disclosure?", asked the woman.<br />
<br />
"Yes, and in the folder, you'll find copies of all the inspections and receipts from the recent repairs." Callista smiled and sized up her prospect. No buyer's agent. No spouse. Only a cell phone. "Do you have any questions?"<br />
<br />
"Only one. Can we close within two weeks?"<br />
<br />
"I don't see why not."<br />
<br />
"Good. My lawyer will send you the contract." The young woman reached out her hand. "Thank you."<br />
<br />
Callista placed her business card inside the kitchen drawer by the stove. On the back, she wrote, "Call me when she tells you to sell." She underlined the word <u>she</u>.<br />
<br />
Four hours later, Callista called her seller. "Yes, I have the contract." She listened. "I told you we could do it. All you needed to do was take my advice." She smiled. Ever since the recession, she'd had plenty of time to listen to her police scanner. Good thing she read Section 5.008(c) in the Texas Property Code. The seller has no need to disclose a prior murder or suicide unless it materially impacted the real estate.<br />
<br />
Callista smiled. Every agent needs a speciality, and she loved hers. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-71885951903381197312012-03-02T01:45:00.013-05:002012-03-02T01:45:00.236-05:00by <a href="http://www.jenniebentley.com/" target="_blank">Jennie Bentley</a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This idea struck me the other day. I can’t really say why,
other than that someone – on Twitter, where else? – was talking about Martha
Washington, and my mind made some sort of strange connection wherein I started
thinking about what kind of sleuth Martha might make.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="http://paulocoelhoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Coco_Chanel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://paulocoelhoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Coco_Chanel.jpg" width="146" /></a>Using real people as fictitious detectives isn’t anything new,
of course. From Amadeus Mozart to Elvis Presley and the entire Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra,
Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., etc.) the artistic element is well represented in
fiction, as is the political sphere, including both Theodore and Eleanor
Roosevelt, at different times and in different series. My personal favorite
might be Lizzie Borden, solving crimes thirty years after being acquitted of
murder. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As far as writers go, they’re the most heavily represented,
of course. There are mysteries out there featuring Mark Twain and Daphne de
Maurier, Louisa May Alcott and Beatrix Potter, Edgar Allen Poe and Arthur Conan
Doyle, not to mention Geoffrey Chaucer, Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë and Oscar
Wilde, along with the entire Algonquin Round Table, headed by Dorothy Parker. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
If you go <strong><a href="http://stopyourekillingme.com/JobCats/RealPeople.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></strong>, you can see a long list of real people used
as fictional sleuths.
It isn’t complete, but it’s pretty darned good. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
One name that isn’t on the list is Coco Chanel. I’ve decided
that if I ever decide to write a series of mysteries with a real person in the
lead – and don’t hold your breath – <st1:place w:st="on">Coco</st1:place> will
be my protagonist. Can’t you just see it? High fashion murders in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Paris</st1:place></st1:city> in the 1920s? </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So what about you, fellow Stiffs? If you had to write a book
with a real person solving crimes, who would you choose to write about? Or if
not that, who would you choose to read about? Does anyone in particular come to
mind? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
* * *</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBmTumvmTdImevkut6JkSfJkJ-hio5xMNfHqyPlqTQp5SxgGEU0fKRA4Yv0M2Sg-tRisuWo6roZyrDV8uOzFUoE49FLWhy9aUuXW4geLcjfLs78eCe3Pbww_3iJX-nzBaPnpSYQ/s1600/9780425255568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBmTumvmTdImevkut6JkSfJkJ-hio5xMNfHqyPlqTQp5SxgGEU0fKRA4Yv0M2Sg-tRisuWo6roZyrDV8uOzFUoE49FLWhy9aUuXW4geLcjfLs78eCe3Pbww_3iJX-nzBaPnpSYQ/s200/9780425255568.jpg" width="123" /></a>On a not at all related note, if you haven't already seen the cover for DIY-6, <em>Wall to Wall Dead</em>, here it is. The spooky shadow is missing, but I've put out a call. I have hopes that one might be added. We'll see. At any rate, Wall to Wall Dead will be released September 4th, and will feature Avery Baker and Derek Ellis, who are both as fictitious as they come. </div>Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-4435083233514691802012-03-01T07:00:00.005-05:002012-03-01T07:00:09.561-05:00For All the Other Fifty-something Year Old Women Out There<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/67R_H2uzlrY" width="420"></iframe>Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-32881755148404533552012-02-29T05:00:00.003-05:002012-02-29T05:00:02.544-05:00Describe your Readerby C.L. Phillips<br />
<br />
Arrgghhh....I'm working on a marketing plan. Step 1 : Describe your reader. Okay. Sounds easy enough, right? So I dare you. Do it. <br />
<br />
Describe your reader. Who reads your books? What attributes do they share in common? How do they read your books? Electronically or trade paperback or hardback? How do they find your books? Where do they hang out? <br />
<br />
I'd love to see your answers. Maybe you will inspire me and help me learn how to describe my own readers.<br />
<br />
I'm sequestered without internet access today, so I'll be checking your comments late in the afternoon. And many kind thanks in advance for helping me crack this tough nut.<br />
<br />
Keep writing!Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-68682326938883379822012-02-27T01:08:00.009-05:002012-02-27T05:02:21.956-05:00THE WRITE PUZZLEby Gina Sestak<br />
<br />
Good morning, gentle readers. Let me propose a fun thing we can do today.<br />
<br />
Many years ago, when I was a wall painter [see my post, <i><a href="http://workingstiffs.blogspot.com/2006/10/making-difference-in-world.html" target="_blank">Making a Difference in the World</a></i>, for details], my co-workers and I would rush through our work every day so we could play a game. The game consisted of taking two headlines from the front page of the newspaper and writing them vertically side by side. For example, the first page of Sunday's Post-Gazette includes these two headlines: "Santorum faces flap in GOP for help to Specter" and "Why is it so difficult to separate good tweets from bad?" We would have written these as:<br />
<br />
S W<br />
A H<br />
N Y<br />
T I<br />
O S<br />
R I<br />
U T<br />
[etc.]<br />
<br />
We would then try to come up with famous people or characters with each pair of initials, i.e., S W = Sam Walton, A H = Andy Hardy, etc.<br />
<br />
Today's puzzle is based on this same principle, but is a little more complex and writerly. I have taken the first five words of the remaining headlines from the same page ["NATO pulls Kabul staff after 2 U.S. officers slain," "Some in Peters divided on issues involving coach," "A nonprofit wants to use solar power to help town," and "Tenacity, technology reveal Livingstone's words"] and lined them up as follows:<br />
<br />
NATO Some A Tenacity<br />
pulls in nonprofit technology<br />
Kabul Peters wants reveal<br />
staff divided to Livingstone's<br />
after on use words<br />
<br />
Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to compose a short, short, short story using the words from one horizontal line. <br />
<br />
For example, the first line might give rise to:<br />
<br />
"<b>Some</b> people have more <b>tenacity</b>," Josh mused. "Take my brother for example. He's been on <b>a</b> <b>NATO</b> peace-keeping mission for the last two years." He peeled off the nicotine patch and tossed it into the road, then pulled a cigarette out of a brand new pack. "Me, I give up easy." <br />
<br />
See what I mean?<br />
<br />
Now it's your turn. Post your stories as Comments.<br />
<br />
Ready, steady, GO! <br />
<br />
I don't have any prizes, but you'll win the respect and admiration of us fellow writers if you post an entry. Honest.<br />
<br />
OK. Those of you who are regular readers know I've developed an obsession with Bollywood films and have been including clips with these posts. Here's the Bollywood clip du jour, which has absolutely nothing to do with today's puzzle. It's just a lot of fun to watch. This is a dream sequence from <i>Shakti</i> in which the guy on the cot (Shah Rukh Khan) fantasizes about dancing with a famous movie star (Aishwarya Rai).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/7YEYehDKN5c?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-34028583044880715612012-02-24T00:01:00.002-05:002012-02-24T00:01:00.323-05:00Judging a Book By Its Cover<br />
by guest blogger Mary Sutton<br />
<br />
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” We’ve all heard this phrase before. Usually we hear it from our mothers and it’s usually a reference to not judging other people by skin color, race, or other external features. And usually that’s good advice. <br />
<br />
But I have a dirty secret: I judge books by their covers all the time. <br />
<br />
Oh, not in reference to people. In reference to, you know, books. <br />
<br />
Here’s a recent example. I follow Linda Rodriguez on Twitter. For a couple of weeks, I’ve been seeing tweets about her upcoming book and how it won an award from Malice Domestic. I thought that was cool, but I didn’t feel compelled to check out the book. <br />
<br />
Then Linda tweeted an image of her cover. That I looked at – and I liked it. So I Googled the title and found the synopsis. Murder in a college town? Sign me up. I preordered the book. <br />
<br />
Let me repeat that chain: cover à jacket text àpurchase. <br />
<br />
I distinctly remember wandering the library or book store growing up, looking for interesting books by cover art. I don’t think I’m alone. In fact, when I posted about this on social media, a friend of mine said, “I used to do that all the time, roam around the aisles of books and picked up what grabbed me, if I liked what the back said I got it. But I wouldn't pick it up unless it had an intriguing cover.” <br />
<br />
When I mentioned this topic to my SinC sibs, one of them immediately mentioned a new app –Flipbook. It allows her to see images related to posts on Facebook or Twitter, like a magazine. If the picture looks interesting, she can read more. <br />
<br />
All three examples have something in common: interest starts with cover art, with a picture. Yes, the story has to be good, the old “Content is King” concept, but we humans seem to be hardwired for images. We authors know this. Otherwise, why would we obsess about the cover art for our books? Why would we get so excited about it? <br />
<br />
Yes, a beautiful cover does not guarantee a great book. I am sure there are copies of Moby Dick with gorgeous cover art; that doesn’t make the story any better. But a great cover does something incredibly important in the process of selling books: it makes the reader pick it up and (hopefully) read the jacket blurb. This is no less important in the e-book world, which is why authors such as Joe Konrath are so insistent on self-pub authors not skimping on the cover art. <br />
<br />
A lot of readers will never hear about the Edgars, the Agathas, or Malice Domestic. But they will see your cover. That image might be your only chance to hook them. Why not make it great? <br />
<br />
So what about you? Do you judge a book by its cover?Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-7107893366402928612012-02-23T00:01:00.002-05:002012-02-23T00:01:01.616-05:00What Would Your Perfect Day Be Like?by Joyce<br />
<br />
Following up on Annette's post yesterday--<br />
<br />
If money were no object, what would your perfect day be like? Would you spend it writing in your villa in Tuscany? Reading on a beach somewhere? Or as simple as doing nothing at all?<br />
<br />
I can think of a lot of ways to spend a perfect day, so I'll choose a couple.<br />
<br />
1. If I had that bed and breakfast in Gettysburg I mentioned yesterday, I'd get up early to put the orange pecan french toast and the bacon cheese frittata that I prepared the night before into oven. I'd put a pot of coffee on (with freshly ground beans, of course) and arrange assorted baked goods purchased from a local bakery on a platter for my guests. After breakfast, knowing that my two perfect part-time helpers would have the guest rooms in order, I'd retire to the library to work on my latest bestseller (hey, a girl can dream!), while my hubby heads for his workshop where he's building some lovely oak tables. The rest of the day depends on what activities are going on in town and/or the battlefield.<br />
<br />
2. We're snowed in at our cabin in the mountains. There's a fire in the wood burning stove, homemade soup and bread in the kitchen, beer and wine in the refrigerator. While the soup simmers, I curl up with my laptop and write.<br />
<br />
Every perfect day scenario I came up with involved writing. I've come to the conclusion that no matter how crappy the day is, if I can write, I'm happy. I tried to not open the laptop one day over the weekend and it drove me crazy. I couldn't make it a whole day without at least tweaking a few words. I haven't decided if that's good or bad.<br />
<br />
How about you? What would your perfect day be like? Writers--does it involve writing, like mine does?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-23528375115741343762012-02-22T04:25:00.000-05:002012-02-22T04:25:01.027-05:00The If Money Were No Object Game<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
by <a href="http://annettedashofy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Annette Dashofy</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My hubby and I took a drive this weekend to check on our
camper in Confluence. It was fine, as I expected. After all, we haven’t had any
real snowfall this winter. Mostly it was an excuse to get away for the day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The drive to Confluence is about two-hours long on mostly
two-lane, scenic roads. The trip is as pleasant as the destination. And it
tends to spark some interesting conversations, most of which begin with <i>If money were no object…</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rest of the question varies each time we play this game.
This trip the question was, <i>If money were
no object where would you want to live?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My answer was <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New
Mexico</st1:place></st1:state>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After being together for over 30 years, I actually surprised
my husband with this one. I think he expected me to say Confluence or Clarion
or <st1:place w:st="on">Lake Erie</st1:place>. All favorite Pennsylvanian spots
of mine, but come on. IF MONEY WERE NO OBJECT requires thinking <b>BIG</b>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Okay, some of you probably think I'm not thinking big enough and should have picked someplace like Paris. But this is MY fantasy and I'm sticking with New Mexico.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He probably wouldn’t have been too surprised if I’d said <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wyoming</st1:place></st1:state>. I’m
pretty sure I lived there in a previous life because I’ve always been drawn to
that state. In my mind at least. In reality, I’ve never made it farther west
than <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Indiana</st1:place></st1:state>.
<st1:place w:st="on">Eastern Indiana</st1:place>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyhow, I figure winters might be kinder in <st1:state w:st="on">New Mexico</st1:state> than in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wyoming</st1:place></st1:state>.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So now it’s your turn to play. If money were no object,
where would you want to live?</div>Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-88811309159096196412012-02-21T00:01:00.001-05:002012-02-21T00:01:01.634-05:00Not Enough Hours In The Day<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
By K.M. Humphreys<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
That
might seem like an odd topic for a blog post, or maybe it’s just perfect. I’m sitting at the computer writing this blog
after a long day at work. A lot to do
and not enough time to do it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
That
seems to always be the way it is anymore.
It’s not just at work that this problem occurs. It happens at home, too. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Spent
most of the weekend doing cleaning around the house. Floors were swiffered, furniture was dusted,
dishes cleaned. It seems to never
end. My husband is catching up on the
laundry and I’ll put it away when it’s done.
Bills need to get paid and bathrooms need to be scrubbed, dog needs to
be walked and fed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Exercise?
Sleep? Who has time? There are too many other things to do in the
24 hours that we have each day. Meals
are often on the run, or eaten much too quickly to be healthy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
We
all try to squeeze so much into our days.
If we work a full time job that just takes up more of our time. Not only do we spend time at work, we spend
time commuting to and from which takes precious time from everything else we
have to do. There are time I bring work
home which keeps me from getting other stuff done that I want to get done.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
We
all need a break every once in awhile, but breaks are hard to come by. If you’re like me, while you’re relaxing, you
think of all the stuff you should be doing.
Of course, I think of all the stuff I would rather be doing while
sitting in boring business meetings as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Bottom
line is our lives have become so busy and so overwhelmingly crowded with tons
of stuff we “have” to get done that we don’t often get done the things we “need”
to get done. These things include having
a nice, relaxing meal with family, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Now,
I’m off to do the ten million other things I have to get done before I go back
to work tomorrow morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
Ciao!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-54265851213389096702012-02-20T05:00:00.002-05:002012-02-20T05:00:02.115-05:00Music and Mysteryby C. L. Phillips<br />
<br />
My heroine is in trouble. As Adele would put it, she's rolling in the deep. Deep doggie do. Deep trouble. Deep tension.<br />
<br />
But I can't find the right song to play while I'm writing the scene. Does anyone else play music while writing to evoke a mood? In the early part of this novel, the heroine is steered to an unconventional twelve-step program. I bet you can guess the song I played while writing her rejection scene, can't you?<br />
<br />
Rehab by Amy Winehouse.<br />
<br />
And when she hitches a ride on a desperate escape attempt with her seventh-grade boyfriend, a man who is now a grown-up illegitimate businessman? What music plays in the background? Jack and Diane by John Mellencamp. Okay, the timeframe for the song didn't synchronize chronologically, but I decided Jack and Diane is a rock and roll classic.<br />
<br />
So now my heroine is trapped. Restrained on a gurney in the killer's basement. Nobody knows she is there. She's been drugged, and when she awakes, she starts to fight. She must free herself.<br />
<br />
And her song? The music you hear in the background? What is it? Tell me. I need help. :)<br />
<br />
Admit it. You're still singing Rehab in your mind, aren't you? I know I am.Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-75283077906240042982012-02-17T05:03:00.001-05:002012-02-17T05:03:00.136-05:00Shorter Fiction: Novellas and Pamphleteering<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
By Pat Gulley</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
With the success of all things ‘e’ in publishing doing so
well, much has been written about the shorter novel. So, I thought I’d write a
bit about old and older norms that are new again.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Seems the
100,000 word, over 300 page book is falling by the wayside, debunking the
general assumption of big publishers that one size fits all. Younger readers,
and a lot of older ones with eReader are much happier with less. Short stories
are a bit longer, but books are getting shorter, leading to popularity of the
novella.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Does this
mean that the American reader’s attention span is shrinking? Some may say so as
they deplore anything changing, but I’m not inclined to believe it. Mostly, I
believe that we are all looking for a well told story and an interesting
to-the-point article and we do not want a bunch of extraneous words because the
publisher demands a certain word count.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Shorter
should not mean less information, but making words count and have a broader
meaning. It provides writers with a flexibility not seen in some time. Like
around the time of the Gutenberg Printing Press, well no, just teasing about
that. Another format that hasn’t been seen for a long time is Pamphleteering
(almost a century) and quite a few writers are returning to it for ePub.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Granted
some publishers have always preferred the 200 to 250 page novel, while others
favored just over 300 pages. They all tend to be in a specific genre, while
literary writers and publishers are appalled that you can’t write 50 pages on
the beauty of your feet touching the gorgeous patina of wood while descending a
5-step staircase.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m not
going to ask you to make a choice, just comment on what is being expected from
you as a writer by your agents, editors or fans.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I’m away today, will be home Monday and will look in then,
but Cindy is minding the posts today.</div>Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-66948503895276184212012-02-16T07:00:00.001-05:002012-02-16T07:00:17.970-05:00Readers and books and pies, oh my!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">By Barbara Poelle</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thanks for having me back to guest blog! I had suspected that my inane ramblings may have excluded me from further invitation, but Paula has indicated to me that perhaps the rest of you are not quite normal yourselves, so MY PEOPLE! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">And hey, how is it FEBRUARY again? It seems like it comes EVERY YEAR or something. Aside from the birthdays of some of the loveliest people, I feel like living through February is like buying a pair of pants for an oyster: funny for a minute, but then OH MY GOD why is it so cold?!?!!? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The ONLY thing I look forward to in February are the weekend days where it is too cold to make plans with friends so I HAVE to stay inside and read all day. Please, who are we kidding, I don't care much for "activities" or "others" so I am THRILLED to stay in and read anytime. However, there is something about it being bitterly cold outside, but warm with a book inside, that really makes me feel like I am getting away with something, like that time I bought a pair of pants for an oyster. Aaaaand with the Edgar nominees <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>out (gestures WILDLY to the Mary Higgins Clark Award Nominees where Tracy Kiely's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murder Most Persuasive</i> is nominated) I can have a new reading list to work from. THE DEVOTION OF SUSPECT X </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="background: white; color: black; line-height: 115%;">by Keigo Higashino<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>was stupendous,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so I feel like that might have me pinned down for best book. And come on, you HAVE to backflip for Steve Ulfelder's <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Purgatory Chasm</i>, and the rest is just a grab bag of delicious reading. And I like having a list to systematically work through, like a big neon arrow saying YOU WILL LIKE THESE.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Which wait, totally brings me to a new point. Is it me, or do people still go mainly off of word of mouth when they are looking for a new book to read ? If I had a personal pie chart, or wait, I want a personal pie. Okay, I want to eat a razzleberry pie while I talk about this pie chart. Yes, razzleberry is a real pie option although I think it has cartoon ingredients and, like, 4000 calories. Anyway, get me a spoon. Okay. So pie chart while eating pie of how I hear about books: </span></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7d-ueGw4QJJEPHrPGrGk0NfRpgFH42BCV5lbYtQ1irIBwByE5dIjqa899PQuate838CpILiEa-LSStklIxV0Rq3t7KpZjZeoiByGke_Oe8KgP_xTjBdLOTM6-SGEMnQl8cnpVA/s1600/blogchart.jpg" yda="true" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Holy CRAP! I just MADE A PIE CHART! Is this something that people know how to do!?!?! I think I might be some kind of GENIUS! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Although now my keyboard is covered in sticky pie filling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here's the thing, even with the influx of ebook retailers and their helpful suggestions, I am still an old fashioned kind of gal as far as purchasing new titles. I want someone to tell me they loved it first, and that someone is usually a reader, NOT a blurb from another author. I also still loooove to wander through Hudson Books, or Barnes and Noble and just scoop up 4 or 5 titles that speak to me through the cover art and back copy. Taking those kinds of chances led me to books like FALL ON YOUR KNEES (Ann-Marie MacDonald) and THE DEVIL'S TEETH (Susan Casey).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I would LOVE to hear from you on the way you discover new readers. Oh! Let's do this: You tweet me that you have made a comment in the comments section here (<strong>and throw the link of the blog in the tweet</strong>) about how you find new authors and books and I will read all of the comments and then I will pick several to win fun new books! Wait, does that need to be another slice of pie up there? The agent giveaway slice of pie. Mmmmmm, pie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyway, tweet me at @Bpoelle after you comment below so I can find you again for the drawing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Can't wait to hear from you!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7d-ueGw4QJJEPHrPGrGk0NfRpgFH42BCV5lbYtQ1irIBwByE5dIjqa899PQuate838CpILiEa-LSStklIxV0Rq3t7KpZjZeoiByGke_Oe8KgP_xTjBdLOTM6-SGEMnQl8cnpVA/s1600/blogchart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></a></div>
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</div>Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33226151.post-15506033180750246172012-02-15T05:00:00.001-05:002012-02-15T05:00:08.225-05:00Would you like Sookie if she had a different name?by C.L. Phillips<br />
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True confession. I never watch True Blood and I just started reading<i> Dead Until Dark</i> by Charlaine Harris. I'm seventy pages into the book, and it hit me. I liked Sookie before I even knew her because of her name.<br />
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Her name?<br />
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I kid you not. Something about <i>Sookie Stackhouse</i> makes me want to cheer for her. Even though, I'm not so sure I like her flirting with that Bill character. After all, he's a vampire. She should know better. And reading people's thoughts is no excuse for hanging out with a vampire. Not in my book.<br />
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That's when it hit me. A name works on so many different levels.<br />
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So, tell me, which characters do you love simply because of their names? Who did you dislike because of their name? When is a name more than a name? How do you name your characters?<br />
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Keep writing!Working Stiffshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270595837074553752noreply@blogger.com6