What are your goals for 2014? (Notice, I said goals, not resolutions. Resolutions are those promises you make to yourself and then rapidly forget. Goals are what we work toward.) I have several goals in mind for 2014. 1. To work closely with my editor at Robert Hale Ltd. so my “former assassin” book—A KILLER […] [ ... ]
Yesterday I met with the Second Tuesday group, and I asked one of the members what I should blog about today. (I’m always asking her, and she always comes up with great ideas.) Since the group had just talked about goals for 2013, she suggested that topic, but as I was driving home from the […] [ ... ]
I believe in setting goals, and I believe in meeting those goals, if at all possible. I try to set goals that I’m sure I can achieve. Oh, there’s always that “dream” goal of making the New York Times list, but I really have my doubts that will ever occur. No, my “real” goals aren’t […] [ ... ]
During the Michigan Sisters in Crime meeting this month the subject of conferences came up: was anyone going to a conference this year? Had anyone been to (different conferences name)? Was it worth it? Over the years, I’ve been to most of the major romance and mystery conferences. Some were better than others, but none […] [ ... ]
I want to write a short story for a contest. I’ve written a couple short stories in the past that were published, but usually when I think I’m writing a short story it turns out to be a novel. I’ve heard people say, if you want to be a writer, start out writing short stories. […] [ ... ]
“How does it end?” A writer friend asked me that question recently after I told him a bit about the story I have started writing. His question stopped me. I’ve been having fun with this story, basically letting it write itself. I’ve been a “Pantser.” (Writing by the seat of my pants.) But I want […] [ ... ]
I love it when a reader tells me she or he was surprised by the ending of a book. At least I’m pleased as long as they also say the ending worked. I know when I’m reading a mystery, I like to be surprised. I want all of the clues to be there, but presented […] [ ... ]
I just spent 2 days working out (in my mind and on paper) why my secondary characters are doing (or have done) certain things. My P.J. Benson Mysteries are all told in first person, so I can’t have scenes where the reader sees or hears what secondary characters are doing or thinking, but that doesn’t […] [ ... ]
The first week of a new year is like pressing a “Restart” button. Maybe we didn’t reach all—or any—of the goals we made last January, but this year will be different. Right? This year I will lose weight. I will write 4 books, and, of course, those stories will (1) be picked up by an […] [ ... ]
I don’t know about you, but the day after Christmas and the week before New Year’s Eve is always a little depressing for me. The cheerful “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” greetings end, most of the romantic or hopeful holiday shows cease to be shown, and the major networks are consumed with highlighting the past […] [ ... ]
Last week I posted a picture of two crows flying. It would have been nice to simply take flight and head north; instead, my husband and I, along with our dog, were confined in a car as we traveled 1200+ miles from our winter home to our summer home. It wasn’t a completely smooth journey […] [ ... ]
In a few more days we will once again be tempted to make New Year’s Resolutions. But what about the ones you made last year? Did they all fall by the wayside or did you follow through and succeed? I don’t remember what resolutions I made last New Year’s Day. Oh, I’m sure the usual […] [ ... ]
I wouldn’t call myself a control freak, but I like to know what’s going to happen next: I plan ahead. keep lists, write appointments and events on a calendar that I check often, and I would rather “do it myself” than delegate jobs. Whenever I hear or read advice on how to plot a novel, […] [ ... ]
Please welcome Charmaine Gordon, a writer of many talents. (Read more to learn what those talents are.) Charmaine has just released Charlie’s Family Secrets, an “Omnibus Edition” of three of her novels: Reconstructing Charlie, Sin of Omission, and The Catch. Reconstructing Charlie Charlie Costigan has a secret. Home life goes from bad to worse when […] [ ... ]
I’ve been having trouble coming up with a topic to blog about. No, that’s not true. I’ve had plenty of ideas. I thought about blogging about agents—but then I realized I’ve done that several times (Agents1, Agents2 ,). Then I decided I’d write about titles. Oops, done that. (Titles Blog 1, Titles Blog2 ) Goal setting? Not […] [ ... ]
Do you have something you’d really like to accomplish? Some place to visit? A certain book to write? A painting to paint? Person to see again? Skill to learn? This past year has really pointed out to me how important it is for a person to—as the Nike slogan says—Just Do It! In 2015 two […] [ ... ]
Career Planning is often offered as a class in high school. Sometimes in college. I wonder how many people end up in the careers they originally thought they would follow. I certainly didn’t. In high school I told my friends I was going to major in animal husbandry. I would raise and train animals. One […] [ ... ]
I’ve been writing romances and mysteries for years now, but this week has had me truly thinking about the hero—my hero in particular. No, not the one in my latest book. I’m talking about the one I married. As a writer, I sometimes wonder: Why did I pick him? Most writers are familiar with characterization […] [ ... ]
I’ll admit it. I make lists. I’m more of a plotter than a pantser. I plan my day. I set goals. The problem is—Life gets in the way. Today my list included (1) send .jpegs of ebook covers to my virtual assistant, (2) write a blog about talking heads, (3) work on current work-in-progress, (4) […] [ ... ]
Did you set goals for 2014? We’re fast approaching the middle of the year. How are you doing? Soon, at least for those of us living in the northern hemisphere, it will be summer. School will be out. When my children were young, I always found my writing time decreased dramatically in the summer. I […] [ ... ]