Things I Miss from the 70s and 80s...

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I am a child of the late seventies and eighties. There are things like leg warmers, blue eye shadow, and shoulder pads that just needed to be retired with those decades. But there are some things that I miss...

I really liked Love's Baby Soft perfume. I wore this for years. (I was so excited to find a throw-back version on Amazon. I ordered it. I'll let you know if it's as good as the original.)

Blue M&Ms are fun, but I still miss the tan-colored ones.

Pop Rocks were fun. They're still around. Grab a pack of the cherry ones if you see them.

I miss "Must See TV." Everybody watched the same shows and talked about them the next day.

I liked getting my nightly news from Walter Cronkite. And I loved watching "Captain Kangaroo."

I loved Saturday Morning Cartoons. Scooby Doo, Josie and the Pussycats, Speedbuggy, H.R. Puffenstuff, and the Kroft SuperShows were the best.

I grew up in a beach town, and it used to be so cool to pull up to a stoplight, and everyone was listening to the same song on the radio. That never happens any more.

I miss that life seemed simpler then. We were busy, but we weren't as over-scheduled and harried as we are today. I hope you enjoy your weekend and can find some wind-down time.

 

 

Happy Veterans' Day!

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Many thanks to all who have served to preserve our freedoms. You and your families have endured and sacrificed much, so that we can enjoy what we hold dear. Our nation owes you an incredible debt.

Thanks to my veterans: Stan Weidner, Bill Cain, William Simpson, Landon Simpson, William Simpson, Jr., Lewis Welch, Sr.,  Irving G. Dewberry, Sr., Jack Dewberry, Harry Edwards, and Elwood Katzaman.

What Words Are Off-limits in Your Writing?

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How good are you at self-editing? I'm a great editor for others, but I don't see mistakes in my work. That's why my critique group is invaluable. Each member has his/her own specialties. When my stories or manuscripts make it through this group, I know they are ready for the next steps.

I've learned from this group that I have some crutch words. I've created a list, and when I'm editing, I go back and look for ways to remove these.

Here are my biggest offenders...

  • Just
  • Only
  • That
  • This
  • Was
  • Were
  • Said

I also tend to overuse names and colors.

Now that I've stared my list of things to look for, my writing is tighter before it gets to the critiquers.

Happy writing.

What's Your Super Power?

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I love Batman. I always wanted to be Bat Girl like Yvonne Craig. My new fun TV watch is Fox's "Gotham." I really enjoy seeing the stories and characters from Detective Jim Gordon's perspective. And I think Robin Lord Taylor is brilliant as Penguin.

It's fun to live in their world for a while where the characters have super powers or can access cool tools that the rest of us don't have.

It made me think about my own utility belt of gifts and skills. What's my super power? It's a toss up. I can write, and I'm super-organized. I can order any mess. And I can type about 80 wpm.

Now, I just need a cool name, cape, and a pair of sparkly boots to go with my new super hero persona.


Stuff You Need to Know...

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More and more Millennials are joining the workforce. Your generation is amazing with technology and gadgets. You can find anything in an instant. But I wonder if you're able to function without the gadgets. Here are seven things you need to know how to do.

1.  Know how to read an analog clock. It sounds funny, but I had to explain "quarter past the hour" and "quarter 'til the hour" to an intern recently.

2. Know how to read a map. You may not always have your phone or GPS. Can you look at a map and figure out where you want to be? Did you know that odd numbered interstates run north and south, and even numbered ones run east and west?

3. Google is my best friend most days too. I love that I can find anything on the Internet in 3-10 seconds. But don't always depend on the wikis and non-original sources. Explore the original sites and books once in a while. You'll be amazed at what you learn.

4. Don't get so wrapped up in technology or the busy-ness of life that you miss out on living. Go outside. Go on adventures. (My husband is still trying to talk me into camping. We'll see.)

5. I love my SmartPhone. It's not the toy that I once thought it was. But don't let it be your only connection to others. I read a study recently that said that those under 20 have trouble reading others' facial expressions and emotions. Don't lose face-to-face contact. We're humans, and we need all kinds of relationships and connections.

6. Not everything in life has to have a survey to go with it. Sometimes, you should just enjoy the experience without feeling compelled to comment or offer an opinion.

7. And try good ole pen and paper every once in a while. There is something magical about expressing yourself by creating something.  There's a connection that you don't get with digital media.

Happy Friday. I hope you have wonderful adventures this weekend!

Suffolk Mystery Authors' Festival - Nov. 8

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Join the Virginia is for Mysteries authors at the workshops at the Suffolk Mystery Authors' Festival on Saturday, November 8 from 11-7 at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. I'm doing a workshop on the History of the Mystery with Teresa Inge and Maggie King.