Happy New Year! Do You Make New Year's Resolutions? Ideas for Writers.

Happy New Year! Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? A brand new year always a good time to look at your goals and the things you want to do in the upcoming year.

Here are some ideas to add to your list.

1. Read more. Sign up for GoodRead’s Reading Challenge. This helps me track what I’m reading throughout the year. It also reminds me to post a review.

2. Be kind. Look for ways to share with others. It may be a small gesture, but it means something to someone else, especially during these crazy times.

3. File and Shred. Clean up the piles of papers, receipts, and other stuff that accumulates on your desk. Get rid of what you don’t need. Put what you do need in its place. This is a good time to pull all of your tax files togehter.

4. Clean up your eFiles. Go through your pictures and files. Make sure that you’re backing up important things. Organize your electronic files.

5. Update Your Website. Look at your website and refresh outdated items.

6. Grow Your Following. Commit to spending some amount of time each week to your key social media platforms. Make sure that you are sharing, commenting, and building your audience.

7. Visit your Social Media Bios. Make sure that all of your author photos and social media bios are current.

8. Learn Something New. Find a way to learn how to do something new. This is going to be at the top of my 2021 list.

9. Protect Yourself. Make sure that you’re backing up your important files regularly. Make sure that you have security software on your computer and that your patches are current. And don’t click on links that you don’t know where they came from.

10. Look for Ways to Connect. During this crazy time, make sure that you’re talking, visiting, and sharing with others. Find a group and try to participate regularly. If you can’t find a group, create one.

11. Up and Out. Clean out your closets and junk drawers. If you haven’t used stuff in two years, it can probably go. Look for local charities that take donations of your old items.

12. Just Do It. Do that thing that has been on your task list forever.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Jackie Layton

I’d like to welcome Jackie Layton to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday, and thank her for being our New Year’s Eve featured author. Happy New Year!

A few of your favorite things: I like my books, family pictures, and my collection of mugs.

Things you need to throw out: I’ve downsized twice in the last five years, and I got rid of so many things there’s not much left to get rid of.

Things you need for your writing sessions: I need something to drink, and coffee is my drink of choice. I also have my storyboard, and I write on my laptop.

Things that hamper your writing: Social media can be a big distraction.

Things you never want to run out of: I don’t want to run out of ideas and inspiration.

Things you wish you’d never bought: I once bought a fruit dehydrator. I thought it would be healthier because it wouldn’t have the added sugars you find in dried fruit. Bananas were the worst, and it was a challenge to make it taste good. Needless to say, I got rid of it.

Favorite foods: Some of my favorite things to eat are Greek salad, lasagna, and brownies.

Things that make you want to gag:  I’ve always hated cooked peas.

Last best thing you ate: Tiramisu, enough said. 😊

Last thing you regret eating: I ate kale salad, not just salad with some kale, but all kale salad.

Things you always put in your books: I always include dogs, friends, and family.
Things you never put in your books: Swearing and graphic sex won’t make an appearance in my books. It’s one reason I love writing cozies.

Favorite places you’ve been: At the top of my list is Paris. I waited for years to visit France, and it didn’t disappoint. My husband and I went on a river cruise with my brother and his wife. It was a wonderful trip, and we made great memories.

Places you never want to go to again: I never want to go back to college. I’m glad I’ve got my degree, but I don’t want to go back except to watch football games.

 About Jackie:

Jackie Layton has always lived in the southeast United States. Kentucky, Georgia, and now South Carolina. She loves living in the low country and often can’t believe how blessed she is. Despite cracked ribs and a trip to the emergency room after getting a hook in her foot while body surfacing, she’s always had fun with her kids playing in the waves. When she’s not writing, Jackie enjoys long walks, bike rides, golf cart rides, reading on the beach, and collecting shells. 

 Links to Bag of Bones:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/34NtLvv

Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/y3f8g2vt 

Bares & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/y4crbcnf 

Google: https://tinyurl.com/y4a6gwu6 

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://jackielaytoncozyauthor.com/

Twitter: Jackie Layton (@Joyfuljel) / Twitter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackieLaytonAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackielaytonauthor

Pinterest: https://pin.it/3Z0A1th  

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/37slujv   

Bookbub: https://bit.ly/34kiwLW 

Does one good turn deserve a murder?

Despite all her good intentions to focus on a healthy lifestyle and leave crime solving to the professionals, Andi Grace Scott has run right smack into another investigation—literally.  Who’d have thought caring for stray cats and a healthy morning beach run could lead to murder?

Andi Grace has found another body and a young woman who needs help.  Solving this puzzle will come with a cost.  This time, catching the killer will require Andi Grace to confront her past relationships and truths about her deceased mother.

What to do When You're Not Motivated to Write

Every writer hits a block from time to time, but the pandemic and all its struggles have taken a toll on everyone. I attended a writers’ event this week, and over 75% of the people there said that they haven’t felt or been motivated to write recently. It is a struggle. Be gentle with yourself. Write when you can.

I decided early on in the pandemic that I was going to use my normal commute time to and from work for writing time. It provided some bit of normalcy for me, and I have a daily time that I work on writing and revisions.

Here are some ideas. I hope they help you.

• Schedule some writing time daily or weekly. Know that that is your task for that amount of time.

• Find your writer friends (e.g. critique group, writing buddy, writers’ group). The support and encouragement is invaluable.

• Many writing groups are hosting “write-ins” or “check-ins” where you talk about your goals and work on your writing. Some groups do this on a virtual call and others with social media posts. It’s a daily check-in on your progress. It helps to have encouragement and to know that you’re not alone.

• Set a writing goal with a deadline. Nothing makes me move faster than a pending deadline.

• Work on other writerly tasks. Update your website or social media pages. Update your biography.

• Find a writing friend and check in on each other weekly. I have two critique partners, and we do this almost weekly as we provide new pages or edits to our chapters.

• If you don’t feel like writing, try doing some research or outlining for a future project.

• Exercise or at least move around. Do something you enjoy (e.g. walks, dancing, yoga, hula hoop). Take care of yourself.

• Check in on a friend. Reach out to to someone and see how they’re doing.

• Find ways to volunteer. If you can’t do it in-person, a lot of groups are looking for people to help with at-home projects.

I hope you and your family are safe and well. We will get through this together. And when we’re able to gather again, we are going to have the most stupendous celebrations and book events. Take care of yourself. And Happy Holidays!

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with E. W. Cooper

I’d like to welcome author, E. W. Cooper to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite things: Books, dinner with family, my kids, and a glass of wine with husband after a long day of work. But most of all, time with my family listening to their stories about the past and present.

Things you need to throw out: All those clothes from college I’ve convinced myself I will fit into again.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Time, music, and a good idea of where I need to get to in the story.

Things that hamper your writing: Sometimes I just run out of words. That will stop my work cold. That’s when I focus on reading and replenishing that reservoir of ideas.

Things you love about writing: I love the scenes I see inside my head taking shape on the page and hearing the characters talk to each other. Sometimes what they say and do is unexpected. When that happens, I can barely tear myself away.

Things you hate about writing: Editing feels like it can go on forever which can become discouraging. When that happens it’s important for me to remember that the better a book is edited, the better it is for a reader. That’s the goal, after all.

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

Easiest thing about being a writer: Coming up with ideas for Penelope and Lund is about as easy as it gets. I have the next four books plotted, just not enough time to write them.

Favorite music or song: I love opera, like my main character Penelope Harris, but I listen to all sorts of music new and old. Favorite music from an opera – the “Barrcarolle” from Tales of Hoffman, favorite classic rock “Rock and Roll Suicide” by David Bowie, favorite modern song “Uncle ACE” by Blood Orange.

Music that drives you crazy: Easy listening jazz. Please, no. Sorry Kenny G.

Favorite beverage: Unsweet iced tea – can’t get enough of it. I love it so much, but it keeps me awake all night, so I’ve had to cut back. Unless I’m writing – then I drink it by the gallon.
Something that gives you a sour face: Buttermilk – it makes a great cake but ick!

Favorite smell: Baking bread
Something that makes you hold your nose: Pancake syrup mixed with bacon. Strange but true – I can’t stand the smell of those two things together.

Something you’re really good at:  Writing
Something you’re really bad at:  Singing – don’t even ask me to try. I am so bad at singing it isn’t even a good joke. No one who has asked me to sing has ever asked me to do it again. Perhaps that’s why my main character is an opera singer – she does what I always wish I could?

Last best thing you ate: Chocolate cake        
Last thing you regret eating: That chocolate cake

Favorite places you’ve been: My mother grew up on Long Island, New York and introduced me to it when I was a baby. It’s a little slice of heaven for me. I go back as often as I can to visit family and restore. Santa Fe, NM is a close second.

Places you never want to go to again: I once spent a very uncomfortable and spooky night on a derelict sailboat and I will never do that again.

Favorite books (or genre): Historical mysteries are my favorite, but I have a soft spot for speculative fiction and noir thrillers.

Books you wouldn’t buy: Sadly, I do not enjoy poetry. That is not the fault of poetry. But otherwise, I will read just about anything. My mother is a retired librarian and always has something new to read. We do a lot of book trading between our households.

The coolest person you’ve ever met: Cate Blanchette – she was so friendly and happy. And did I mention – drop dead beautiful? A class act.

The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video: Johnny Depp – really not what I expected at all. He was a very long stretch of bad road. Oddly, he spoke with a British accent the entire time.

About E. W.:

Booklife Prize 2020 Finalist (Mystery/Thriller) E.W. Cooper lives quietly with her partner, children, three dogs, and one cat in a very noisy house in South Texas. A lifelong fan of mystery novels and Grand Opera, Ms. Cooper is hard at work on the next book in the Penelope Harris Mystery series. To read more about the author and the other short stories and novels featuring Penelope Harris, visit her website at www.ewcooper.com. 

Let’s Be Social:

Roll up of everywhere The Jade Tiger is sold: https://books2read.com/thejadetiger

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysteryattheopera

Twitter: E (@ewc_cooper) / Twitter

Instagram: EW Cooper (@ew.cooper) • Instagram photos and videos

Website: www.ewcooper.com

What I Learned from Art Taylor and Tara Laskowski about Building Suspense

I love the programming that the Sisters in Crime chapters do. I learn so much from the guest speakers. Recently, Art Taylor and Tara Laskowski did a presentation on building suspense in your writing for the Sisters in Crime - Central Virginia chapter. Here’s what I learned.

• Write what you love to read.

• Use what you read as models for your writing.

• Your openings need to catch the reader’s attention and keep it.

• There is a difference between action and suspense. Use shorter sentences for dialogue, action, and suspense.

• Start your story quickly and show the conflict immediately.

• Pacing is key for dramatic tension. When and where do you put in the plot twists? You don’t want to bore your reader, and you don’t want to spoil the twist.

• You want your reader to have a level of uncertainness or uneasiness.

• Increase the dramatic tension to make an ordinary situation menacing.

• Slow down the story or the passage of time to turn down the velocity. Long sentences slow the pace.

• Slowing down the pacing makes it unbearable for the reader. Make them want to find out what happens next.

• Three ways to end a chapter are cliff hanger, a question, or a reflection.

• Reflection at the end of a chapter is often more powerful than a cliff hanger.

• Vary your chapter endings. They all shouldn’t be the same technique.

• You always want the reader to turn the page.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Lane Stone

I’d like to welcome author Lane Stone to the blog this week for #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite things: Dogs, lighthouses (I’m on the board of Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation) and travel.

Things you need for your writing sessions: white noise – pre-COVID Panera’s background noise was absolute perfect. 

Things that hamper your writing:  My husband talking to me.  Too honest?  Ok, let’s go with clutter. 

 Things you love about writing: Hanging out with readers.

 Favorite music or song: Cold Little Heart by Michael Kiwanuka is the ring tone on my phone.  I thought the whole soundtrack from Big Little Lies was amazing.

Music that drives you crazy: Neil Diamond music. 

Favorite beverage: Starbucks Trenta Black Iced Tea, Light Ice, Light Water, One Stevia, No cane syrup.  (I’ve gone to Starbucks almost every day since COVID started.).

Favorite smell: My dog, Cordy, wet or dry.

Something that makes you hold your nose: The smell of turnip greens cooking.  (But some days I miss my Mom so much I’d gladly smell it if I could see her again.)

The last thing you ordered online: Alice Boatright’s Christmas mystery, WHAT CHILD IS THIS.  Every year I like to read a holiday mystery. 

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: When my husband plays his Neil Diamond tapes. 

Things you always put in your books: Our first Standard Schnauzer, Abby, is in each of my books. 

Favorite books (or genre):

Books you wouldn’t buy: Autobiographies by negative people, who just want to get in the last word. 

Best thing you’ve ever done: Marry my husband, Larry Korb, 30 years ago.

 About Lane:

Lane Stone is the author of the Pet Palace Mysteries and the Tiara Investigation Mystery series.  The first book in her new series, The Big Picture, will be available in 2022.  She lives in Alexandria, Virginia during the week and Lewes, Delaware on the weekend.

When not writing she’s enjoying characteristic baby boomer pursuits:  traveling and volunteering for good causes, like the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation and American Association of University Women.  She recently earned a post-graduate certificate in Antiquities Theft and Art Crime.  She can be found at www.LaneStoneBooks.com and https://twitter.com/themenopausedog. 

Let’s Be Social:

Website  

Twitter

Facebook

Book Links

What I Learned from Lori Rader-Day about Book Marketing

I am loving all the workshops and classes that are available on Zoom. I had the pleasure of attending Capitol Crimes’ presentation on book marketing for introverts with SinC past-president, Lori Rader-Day. She is such a talented writer with a the best sense of humor. I had the pleasure of being on a panel with her a few years back at Malice Domestic, and we had more fun that should have been allowed on an early Sunday morning. Here are some nuggets that I learned from her Zoom presentation about book marketing.

• Work on your craft (the writing part) first.

• Build a supportive network of other writers to share information and experiences.

• Make a plan for your launch. Don’t think of your launch as a single event. Gather your resources as you plan.

• Decide what you’re good at and do those things. You can hire people to do some of the other tasks.

• Find role models and examples. Buy/read their books, look at their newsletter and website, and attend their events.

• Know where your readers are and who else they read. Where do you have a built-in audience?

• Schedule events (in-person or virtual) and guest blog posts ahead of your book launch.

• Don’t contact booksellers during the holidays. Plan ahead.

• Don’t overload your schedule. You don’t have to do everything.

• Leave space in your schedule in case anything amazing pops up.

• Good self-promotion is not including “buy my book” in every conversation.

• Carry business cards and bookmarks with you.

• Make real, authentic connections. Just be yourself.

• Protect your personal and writing time.

• For those who are shy, try doing an event. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.

• Talk about the interesting things in your story/research, your hobbies, or your pets.

• Give first before you ask for favors.

• Read the books in your genre.

• Write another book.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Jodi Rath - Holiday Edition

I’d like to welcome author Jodi Rath back to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday! Today is a holiday edition.

A few of your favorite traditions:

Decorating the tree, inflatable holiday cats in the front lawn, wreaths around the home.

Something holiday-related that you’ll never do again:

Tree with eight cats—yet, I still do it every year! BWWWAAAHAAHAA!

Favorite holiday song:

“All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth”

Holiday song that always gets stuck in your head for the wrong reason:

“Jingle Bells”

Favorite holiday treat:

Peppermint bark

A holiday treat that makes you gag:

Eggnog

Favorite holiday show or movie:

Love Actually

A holiday show or movie that you’ve seen too much:

Love Actually

Favorite holiday beverage:

Peppermint Mocha iced

A drink that gives you a sour face:

Eggnog

Favorite holiday smell:

Baked ham

Something that makes you hold your nose:

Deviled Eggs

Best holiday gift ever:

Oxford English Dictionary—I know—I’m a weirdo😊

Something you wished for but never received:

Peace on Earth that never ends

Best holiday gift you gave to someone:

Cats—my husband and I like to adopt cats😊

A gift that needs regifting:

Fruitcake

Best thing you ever cooked/baked for the holidays:

Cast Iron Skillet Honey Glazed Ham

Your worst holiday kitchen disaster:

Souffle—I was SO wrong to try it!

Favorite place you spent the holidays:

Home

The worst place to spend the holidays:

Anywhere but home.

Yuletide Cast of the Iron Skillet

Holiday folly—LITERALLY! Alongside a murder comes another new little addition to the human race in Leavensport, Ohio. Not to mention a broken-off engagement, a double wedding, and buried bones in the village chapel cellar. The Martinez family is back in town to observe Nochebuena with Ava as the Tucker family gears up for their Christmas feast. Leavensport community center is abuzz with preparations for the village multi-cultural shindig until the discovery of an old unresolved crime casts a dark shadow over the town. Will Jolie and Ava solve their first cold case in time to save the holiday celebrations—and will they both survive it?

Welcome to Leavensport, OH, where DEATH takes a DELICIOUS turn!

About Jodi:

Moving into her second decade working in education, Jodi Rath has decided to begin a life of crime in her The Cast Iron Skillet Mystery Series. Her passion for both mysteries and education led her to combine the two to create her business MYS ED, where she splits her time between working as an adjunct for Ohio teachers, educational writing, marketing consultant work with authors, and creating mischief in her fictional writing. She currently resides in a small, cozy village in Ohio with her husband and her eight cats.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: www.jodirath.com 

FB Author page: @authorjodirath or https://www.facebook.com/authorjodirath/

Twitter: @jodirath

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jodi-rath

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard

Book Links:

Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Yuletide-Cast-Skillet-Mystery-Holiday-ebook/dp/B085ZR2CRQ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Yuletide+Cast+of+the+Iron+Skillet&qid=1606691798&sr=8-1   

All other e-platforms:  https://books2read.com/u/mdzPwR

Newsletter link to A Mystery A Month—sign up for my monthly newsletter to receive a free Mystery a Month and a chance to win prizes for those who guess the right answers! http://eepurl.com/dIfXdb