#ThisorThatThursday Interview with Kaye George

I’d like to welcome mystery author, Kaye George to the blog this week for #ThisorThatThursday.

Things you need for your writing sessions: My computer, silence, my files, a deadline

Things that hamper your writing: Noise, heat.

Things you love about writing: I feel so very good after I’ve written something. Even better after it’s published and someone says they enjoyed it, that I entertained them and made their day better.

Things you hate about writing: How hard it on my neck, back, hands, and eyes.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Answering this question: Where do you get your ideas?

Easiest thing about being a writer: Getting ideas. I have enough ideas to last
me 100 years, should I live that much longer. I honestly have no idea where
they came from. They’re just there.

Things you never want to run out of: Dr. Pepper, toilet paper, sticky notes.

Things you wish you’d never bought: That caramel flavored candy corn. It’s awful. Way too sweet.

Favorite foods: Anything with sugar and/or chocolate

Things that make you want to gag:  Cilantro, anchovies, boiled okra.

Favorite beverage: I have several that I drink at least every week: iced tea, Dr. Pepper, Scotch (any kind but Dewar’s).

Something that gives you a sour face: Sweet tea, Dewar’s Scotch.

Favorite smell: Either lavender or vanilla. I like plain smells.

Something that makes you hold your nose: The skunks outside my house at night,
those stinkbugs that love to come inside, the kitchen sink and trash bag when
I’ve been writing too much and ignoring things around me.

Things you always put in your books: Some humor, some romance, tension, human beings as real as I can make them.

Things you never put in your books: Hurting children or animals.

Things to say to an author: Oh, you write mysteries? I love to read mysteries. Yes, I’d love your card.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Have I ever heard of you?

Favorite places you’ve been: Anywhere! I like to go. I love to go to places I haven’t been. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Europe a few times, to lots of writing conferences, to visit my far flung relatives
every once in a while. I’ve also lived a lot of places and liked all of them, with the exception below.

Places you never want to go to again: Montana in the winter when it’s 40 below (80 below with the terrific Great Falls wind chill). But I love it other times of the year.

Favorite books (or genre): I don’t really have just one. I like to read mystery, horror, biography, autobiography, true crime, history, historical fiction, humor, and maybe some others.

Books you wouldn’t buy: I’m not sure. I’ll never say never on this category.

Things that make you happy: My kids and grandkids. Good weather. Being able to tend a garden.

Things that drive you crazy: Allergens in the air. Too much rain, Not enough rain.

About Kaye:

Kaye George is a national-bestselling, multiple-award-winning author of pre-history, traditional, and cozy mysteries (upcoming is the new Vintage Sweets series from Lyrical Press). Her short stories have appeared online, in anthologies, magazines, her own collection, and her recent anthology of eclipse stories, DAY
OF THE DARK, by Wildside Press. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Smoking Guns chapter, Guppies chapter, Authors Guild of TN, Knoxville Writers Group, Austin Mystery Writers, and lives in Knoxville, TN.

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kayegeorge@gmail.com

janetcantrell01@gmail.com

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It's Our Book Birthday!

The second book in the Mutt Mysteries series launches today. Check it out at your favorite book retailer.

This is a collection of dog-themed, cozy mysteries by Jayne Ormerod, Rosemary Shomaker, Teresa Inge, and me.

My story is “The Fast and the Furriest.” It’s about a love triangle gone bad at a local race track in Amelia County, VA. Cassidy Green and the her Director of Security, Rottweiler Oliver need to solve the case before it sends her business in a tail spin.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Teresa Inge

I’d like to welcome Mutt Mystery author, Teresa Inge, to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday.

A few of your favorite things: Sweet tea, my dogs, husband, children, and writing!

Things you need to throw out: Clothes in my closet! I have too many.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Laptop.

Things that hamper your writing: Not much. I write in my car during lunch. I write in our RV when we travel. I write in our classic cars as my husband drives. I write on our back-deck. By the pool and with my dogs Luke and Lena by my side.

Things you love about writing: Creating memorable characters and settings. I love writing about the Outer banks (OBX) in my stories.

Things you hate about writing: Editing. Editing, Editing. But practice makes perfect so it’s a necessity.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Finding time to write.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Nothing. It’s challenging but well worth it.

Words that describe you: Hard worker. Loyal. Trusting.  

The coolest person you’ve ever met: My husband, AJ.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: I love your books and can’t wait to read the next one.

Favorite books (or genre): Cozy mysteries. Since becoming an author, I now read my fellow author’s books.

About Teresa:

Teresa Inge grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries. Combining her love of reading mysteries and
writing professional articles led to writing short fiction and novellas.

Today, she doesn't carry a rod like her idol but she hot rods. She juggles assisting two busy executives and is the president of the Sisters in Crime, Mystery by the Sea chapter. Teresa is the author of the Virginia is for Mysteries Series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, and Mutt Mysteries Series.

Visit Teresa at her website: www.teresainge.com

Mutt Mysteries

When You Think You're Done Writing...

There is no other feeling like typing, “The End.” You have worked and worked on your manuscript, and now you’re done. Take a break and celebrate.

Now the work for the next phase begins. You need to polish and revise this to make it the best that it can be. If you’re going to query it to agents and publishers, you only get one shot.

• Go through your manuscript and remove all unnecessary or overused words. Use the find/replace feature. (Mine are “that,” “just,” and “a few minutes.”)

• Reread your manuscript and make sure the plot flows and the events move your story forward.

• Make sure that your main character is likeable and human. They shouldn’t be perfect. If they are, then, there’s not that much conflict. (Make sure that your reader knows who the story is about. You don’t want confusion.)

• Create a document that summarizes what happens in each chapter. This will help you see plot holes. (You’ll also need it later as an outline for a synopsis.)

• Make sure that you didn’t leave any minor story lines hanging. Readers will want to know what happened to something earlier in the story.

• Find a critique group, beta readers, or a writing partner to read your whole manuscript and provide you with feedback. (Parents, friends, and spouses are great for feedback, but you need someone who is going to tell you about the good, the bad, and the ugly.)

• Look over your feedback and make revisions. Sometimes, this means rewrites.

• Print a copy and check for typos, misspellings, and any other inconsistency. (I probably do this three or four times before the book is ready to send to an editor or agent.)

• I hire an editor to go through what I think is my final version. Then I go back and make the changes and proofread the book again.

Then take a few minutes to celebrate all the effort that it took to get your book ready. Now, it’s time to think about marketing and promotion.

What I Learned from Literary Agent Paige Wheeler

Literary agent, Paige Wheeler of Creative Media Agency, spoke to my Sisters in Crime - Central Virginia chapter recently about mysteries. Here’s what I learned from her presentation:

• Publishing is a business

• Publishing is all about the sales numbers

• Print is still alive and well

• Write your passion

• Know your readers

• Your book needs to be excellent

• Your writing needs to be fresh and unique

• Your work needs to stand out

• You need a unique marketing hook for your book

• Discoverability is important

• Authors need to be nimble and adjust to the tastes of the time

• Your query letter needs to spark interest

• Don’t be too wordy in your query letter

• Your sample pages are important

• Show how your character is transformed

• Focus on the whole story in your query

• Your query letter content is not back cover text

You Can Do This! Tips to Help Writers Stay Motivated

Writing is primarily a solitary business, and a bad day, the grumpies, a negative review, or someone’s snarky comment can easily send you to a demotivated state. If you want to be a published author, you need to persevere. Writing and publishing are work. You need to keep at it. Here are some ideas that can help you get going .

• Look at the feedback/criticism. Learn from it, but don’t dwell on it.

• Keep control of that voice in your head. Be aware of your self-talk. You don’t need to make things worse by fixating on them.

• Take a break and do something else for a while. Physical activity will clear your mind and get your endorphins going.

• Do something else that’s creative (e.g. paint, draw, knit, sew…). It will boost your energy.

• Be grateful. Count your blessings. You’ll be surprised at the list of positive things in your life.

• Volunteer or help someone else. You’ll often find that your troubles aren’t as challenging as what others are facing. And you are often able to make a difference in someone’s life.

• Writing is work, and it’s a long process. There is a lot of waiting (e.g. on queries, responses, contracts, edits…). You need to stay busy during the down times. Write your next book.

• When something happens that you don’t like, take a minute to cry, scream, yell, or eat chocolate. Get it out of your system and move on. You’ve got things to do. Don’t waste precious time wallowing in self-pity.

#ThisorThatThursday Interview with Author LeAnna Shields

I’d like to welcome LeAnna Shields, author and mystery podcaster, to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday.

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Favorite things to do: Writing, podcasting, and watching old movies
Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Being on
Survivor.

Things to say to an author: I loved your book. How did you figure out that great character.
Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Oh if only I didn’t have a real job than I’d sit around and write like you.

Things you always put in your books: hopefully a good mystery
Things you never put in your books: swear words

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: wasps or anything that stings or
has more than four legs.

Things you’d walk a mile for: I’d walk a mile for some great chocolate or a great coffee
drink.

Favorite beverage: Iced coffee or Chai lattes
Something that gives you a sour face: Macha (sp) Tea it tastes like grass (not that I’ve eaten grass)

Music that drives you crazy: I can’t stand hard rock music.

Favorite music or song: I’m a huge fan of pop violin music right now my favorite song is
Dreamer by Black Violins

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Fearful, shy, and plus-size

Words that describe you: Creative, fun, loyal, and introverted

Things you wish you’d never bought: Oh so many, but if I had to peg it down I’d say a
paint set I don’t think I’ll find the time to use.

Things you ever want to run out of: Chocolate Milk and iced coffee
Easiest thing about being a writer: Easiest thing about being a writer is (for
me at least) creating the character. They just seem to find the back door of my
imagination and come on in. Lol.

Hardest thing about being a writer: The hardest thing about being a writer is finding the
right words.

Things that hamper your writing: a comfy place, a good movie, and figuring out my podcast

Things you need for your writing sessions: Music, coffee, and a comfy place

Things you need to throw out: Bathroom scale, jeans, and clocks

Most embarrassing moment: My aunt was teaching me to drive using her golf cart and I drove it into her neighbor’s front yard, right over their Christmas decorations. Thank goodness it wasn’t a
nativity scene, or I’d still be hearing about it.
Proudest moment: My proudest moment was when I published my first book.

You can visit LeAnna at her website and find her books, Sparx of Suspicion and The Art of
Facts on Amazon.

Her podcast, The Cozy Sleuth, is available on Anchor.com or wherever your readers find their podcasts.

Cyber Security Tips for Writers

I attended a cyber security discussion this week, and these are good reminders for anyone who is on the internet. Cybercrime is a real threat to everyone. (Thanks, Peter for the great presentation!)

1. Just like physical security, if you see something odd, say something.

2. Hackers look for easy routes to attack or access your system. Don’t be an easy target.

3. When you buy devices that connect to your home internet, make sure you change the password from the manufacturer’s settings. (This means cameras, routers, and other smart devices. These can also be hacked.)

4. Phones are easy targets for hackers. Make sure yours is secure. Be careful of public wifi.

5. Change your password frequently. Don’t use the same password for all of your sites.

6. People post a lot of personal information on social media sites. Don’t use your street name or pets’ names for passwords. Those passwords are easier to guess from the information you post on social media..

7. Passphrases are harder to guess. These are longer phrases or sentences that have meaning to you.

8. Everyone has a lot of passwords to remember. Don’t write them down. Use a password locker like KeePass or Password Safe to store them securely.

9. Don’t click on links you don’t recognize.

10. Never give out personal information unless you’re on a secure site (https).

11. Make sure you install updates and patches on your devices regularly. Many of these fix security issues.

12. Pay attention to details. Check your bank and credit card statements. Follow up if there are unknown charges (especially small ones).

13. Here are some terms that everyone needs to be aware of:

    1. phishing - This is when someone sends an email, designed to look like one from a specific person or company to trick users into providing personal or financial information.

    2. spear phishing - This is when a phishing campaign is targeted at specific people.

    3. vishing - This is when someone calls or leaves voicemail messages that appears to come from a reputable company. The idea is to trick the person into revealing personal or financial information.

    4. SMishing - This is the practice of sending text messages with the intent of tricking the receiver into providing personal or financial information. (It gets its name from SMS Short Message Service [texting]).

    5. juice jackng - This is when a public charging station is contaminated with malware or viruses that infect the unsuspecting user.

    It’s a big, crazy world out there. Be careful and be aware.