Some people think I’m crazy.
They’re probably right.
Since I sold HANDBAGS AND HOMICIDE, the first of a new mystery series, one of the questions I’m often asked is, “Why did you change genres?” Everyone asks in a nice way but, occasionally, I see that have-you-lost-your-mind look in their eyes.
I can’t blame them. I’ve been blessed with astounding good fortune writing historical romances. I’ve sold 23 books, most of them to Harlequin Silhouette, the largest publisher of romantic fiction in the world, under the pen name Judith Stacy. My books are sold in dozens of countries to a wonderful readership who have, thankfully, remained loyal for years, and I’ve been fortunate to garner some industry recognition.
So why give that up? Why start over in a new genre – writing under a different name to boot?
As with a lot of things, my decision to try my hand at writing mysteries didn’t hit me like a bolt out of the blue one day. It was several things, building slowly over time.
My career had been going great with Harlequin Historicals for several years, and when I finished my last contract with them I decided I needed a break. No deadlines, no pressure for a while. Just lots of lunches with friends, shopping trips, and afternoon naps. That lasted for about three weeks and I was bored.
At the same time my daughter, a college student, took a part-time job at a retail store. She came home with stories about how terrible the working conditions were at times. Problems with customers, management, co-workers – you name it. It was so awful, I thought, “This would make a great book!”
While the idea of a murder taking place in a department store brewed in my brain, along with a sales clerk who considered her job The Dark Side of retail, I knew I needed a little something more. This time, I did get a bolt out of the blue – handbags! I’m an absolute nut about purses so I decided that my main character should be passionate about them, as well. Thus, the character of Haley Randolph, reluctant sales clerk and self-professed handbag whore, was born.
My mysteries and romances have a lot in common. I love writing quirky characters. I love humor too. So there’re a lot of both those things in all the books I write.
I didn’t stray from romance for long. I love my editor and all the talented people at Harlequin Historicals, so when they invited me to contribute a novella to their spring brides anthology, I quickly agreed. It will be released in 2009.
The adventures of Haley Randolph continue with the next book in the series, tentatively titled PURSES AND POISON, set for release in 2009. I’m fortunate to have a wonderful editor and a team of creative people at Kensington Publishing.
I’m doubly blessed to be writing in two great genres, and yeah, a little bit crazy too.
Learn more about Dorothy and her debut mystery Handbags and Homicide right here!
Diana here!
I suspect it won’t be much of a surprise to any of you, but I’m having trouble keeping up with…well… everything these days. In addition to problems with my wrists, the stress of converging deadlines and other obligations is making me nuttier than my favorite Baskin Robbins double scoop!
So rather than continue to fall down on my blogging duties, I’ve lined up my very good friend and critique partner, Dorothy Howell. Some of you will remember Dorothy from a guest post way back when on the original Cozy Chicks blog. She had just signed with Kensington for a three book deal on a brand new mystery series — her first foray into murder and mayhem although Dorothy is very well known in the romance community as Judith Stacy.
Dorothy will be stepping in for the next four weeks while I regather and regroup — and bless her for it!
In the meantime, here’s wishing everyone a lovely, long summer! See you in the fall!
Boy, it’s hot. It’s hotter than hot. In fact, it’s hotter than. . .well, you get the picture. That’s what we expect from July, and brother—-July is not disappointing us. If it’s that hot here in Colorado, where we’re a mile high. . .I don’t even want to think about how hot it is back in my old stomping grounds, the East Coast.
I grew up in Arlington, Virginia, a stone’s throw across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. And every summer those hot temps arrived in July AND August. Right on schedule. August was usually hotter than July. In fact, we used to call those hot August days the “Dog Days” of summer.
As little kids, we always enjoyed the heat because we usually went to the swimming pool or played in the sprinklers. We were always outside. But the adults around us didn’t have the luxury of playing all day. They—like us now—had work to do. And those hot sticky day Back East made it veeeeery uncomfortable.
Out here in Colorado, we don’t have the high humidity, so our high temps in the nineties is a dry heat. Still hot. But dry. I find that easier to tolerate than the hot AND sticky humid heat. Since I’ve been living out here, I’ve found it a shock to the system to return Back East in the midt of a hot and sticky summer. It always takes some adjustment.
I’ll get a chance to “adjust” some more next month in August, when I return to the Washington, DC, area to do some research for my Molly Malone mysteries that I’m presently writing. I plan to stay in Washington and be “out and about” all day for two weeks. Laptop in my backpack, walking around, scouting and taking notes. Then, in the afternoon when it’s brutally hot, I’ll simply find a great coffee shop, sit down and pop open my laptop, and write. Lots of us who write novels hide out in coffeeshops. They’re great. Food and drink are nearby. There’s air conditioning. And the shop is usually full of strangers (to you). No one knows you, and they don’t talk to you :)
So—-if you live or work in the Washington, DC, area, take a look around your favorite coffeehouse some afternoon. I bet there will be at least one writer holed up in there. Who knows? Maybe it’ll be me.
Confession time. I like ABBA music. I like the bouncy disco beat, and the harmony, and the lyrics that make me smile – or even cry a few times. And I like to sing along with their songs while driving in my car. Alone. (I wouldn’t subject my family to my warbling.)
So, naturally, I have to see MAMA MIA!
I love Meryl Streep. Also Pierce Brosnin and Colin Firth (Ohhhh, Mr. Darcy!) But they’re not the main reason I’m going. It’s to feel happy. ABBA music makes me feel happy. Musicals make me feel happy. (Sales of my book also make me happy, but that’s another topic.)
The other day on The Today Show the hosts were discussing how some big name movie stars have failed to draw audiences to their movies this season, and it got me to wondering why, if those actors were such box office draws, people didn’t make the effort to see them. Which made me analyze my own reasons for going to the movies. And I came to the conclusion that it’s not about the actors. It’s about the story — or music, in the case of MAMA MIA!, CHICAGO, etc.
I’ve seen some great independent movies this past year that had no big name actors in them. In fact, I hadn’t heard of most of the actors, and after watching the movies, I wondered why. Surely they had as much, if not more, talent than many top actors. For instance, there’s LARS AND THE REAL GIRL. I’d heard of Ryan Gosling, of course, but had never seen him. Or the other actors in the movie. But I have to say, it was one of the better movies I’ve seen this year. (I rented it, btw.)
Do you think maybe we are over-saturated with information about the big name actors, so they’ve ceased to be novelties? I mean, when Clark Gable starred in a movie, everyone went to see him because that’s the only place he could be seen.
Why do you go to a movie? Is it for the movie itself, or for the actors in it? Or both?
Kate
Cutting Back. Everyone’s talking about it. I hear sentences beginning with “In this economy…” This phrase is usually followed by the speaker’s declaration that they aren’t buying something they would have bought at the same time last year. For example, a group of women I see regularly at the Panera Bread where I spend the mornings typing away on my laptop, were trying to decide whether to head over to Nordstrom’s for their giant sale.
“I know I shouldn’t!” one said unhappily. “I’ll buy something I don’t need.”
“We all need shoes,” replied another. “And boots are half-off. Isn’t that economizing?”
I had to smile, because on one level I agree with the woman. If you need boots and they’re marked at 50% off, then they seem like a pretty good value. You could probably get three pairs of shoes for the same prize at a less posh store, but for this particular set of women, who looked like extras from Sex in the City, buying something on sale anywhere equaled economizing.
I began to think about how I’ve started acting a bit differently in today’s dour market. I haven’t cut back on books or fresh foods. Those are two things that come first around here, but I’ve definitely been less interesting in buying clothes, cosmetics, or accessories than ever. Curious to see what other folks are doing, I started researching what kind of economizing is taking place at home. I narrowed down a few lists and have some examples for you here:
1. Take lunch to work more often
2. Organize a babysitting system in which you and your friends take turns watching one another’s kids
3. Color your own hair (yikes!)
4. Cut your kids’ hair
5. Pay credit card charges every month to avoid interest and leave your credit card at home unless you deliberately plan to go out and buy something
6. Eat what’s in season (as we’ve talked about before)
7. Rent movies instead of going to the theater. If you do go to the theater, smuggle in your own snacks (always do!) and attend a matinee
8. Coffee is an expensive item. Try to skip Starbucks and brew your own at home. Measure carefully so as not to brew more than you need.
9. Swap services with friends and neighbors. For example, get someone to fix something for you in exchange for cooking them lasagna.
10. Make homemade gifts instead of buying them. Bake a gift or create a craft. (Or write them into your next book J )
11. Watch out how many disposable items you’re using such as paper plates or razors or paper towels and try to use the permanent item instead.
12. Your bread will last longer if you keep it in the pantry or a breadbox, not the fridge.
13. Check with your bank to make sure you’re getting all the free stuff – free checking, free checks, free lollipops…
14. Buy holiday things out of season (Christmas in July, yippee!)
15. Skimp on anything else, but not on books by the Cozy Chicks! 
I hope your piggy bank will be rattling all year long, but if you’ve found a great way to economize, please share it!
24,026
I was looking through my oldest son’s phone bill and almost had myself a heart attack when I saw that number.
24,026. Text messages. In one month.
Unbelievable. My husband figured out the math (you knew it wouldn’t be me), and it roughly averages 800 messages sent and received a day. That’s a message every two minutes, 24/7.
The math is boggling if you factor in that he actually sleeps part of the day. And has a job (though I suspect that doesn’t stop him!).
Some experts say texting is good for kids. That it allows them to socialize and communicate more openly, freely. I suppose that’s true, since he’s now available 24/7 to all his friends and their every waking thought.
Personally, I miss the days when kids passed notes in class and actually called people on the home telephone to make plans.
I suppose that’s age talking. Or nostalgia.
Let me just say I’m really glad he has an unlimited texting plan. And that the phone company has stopped sending detailed printouts of usage. I thought it was bad when he had only 4,000 texts a month and the bill arrived in a box. Could you imaging the paper wasted on 24, 026?
My texting for the month, by the way? 117.
Mostly to my kids. All in the name of changing with the times, right?
~heather
Wow. I thought I was busy in June while I was touring for my latest mystery. But it’s been non-stop hectic ever since I returned home June 27th.
First, I had to finish the last revision on the mystery-in-progress and get that express mailed to editor on June 30th. Then—I had barely started sorting through the mail waiting, bills, etc when company arrived! My daughter from New York, Melissa, came for a extended July 4th holiday visit, which was fun. But the door had barely closed on her departure when I returned to that pile of “stuff” that I had to catch up on. Yikes! I swear those piles accumulate and grow while we’re gone.
And yesterday, I just received an email from my oldest daughter, Christine, who plans to visit this coming Saturday for a few days with family. Good thing I’d already scheduled the carpets to be cleaned tomorrow morning.
So—schedules are definitely taking a hit this month.
But—I did receive some really, really great news while I was touring last month. Concerning bestseller lists for the latest mystery, DYER CONSEQUENCES, and for the paperback edition of last year’s mystery, A KILLER STITCH. If you’re interested, it’s posted on my website. www.maggiesefton.com. Make sure you scroll down. Some of the news floored me. It was a good thing I was sitting down at the time.
Let me say right off the bat, although I have little people living inside my head, I do not have multiple personality disorder. I’m just one of that “special” class of people with overactive imaginations — also called fiction writers. Also, the little people do not control my life — much. As far as I know, it’s just me making personal decisions. I wish I could blame some of my decisions on someone else but, no. However, I do have a husband . . . Hmm.
But when it comes to what happens when I sit down at the computer and open up my latest work-in-progress, all bets are off as to who’s in charge. This was brought home to me when, as a guest at a bookclub meeting not too long ago, I found myself trying to explain how the characters I create are separate from me. They have distinct personalities, likes, dislikes, dreams and fears, some of which I share with them, but not all. In some cases, not any.
To backtrack a moment, it’s always fun for me to attend a meeting of people who love books, and even more fun if they’ve read any of the Flower Shop mysteries. I enjoy talking about my characters – why I chose a particular name, a particular “look,” nationality, and so on. But I was stopped short when one woman asked me why I’d chosen a beat-up, 1960 yellow Corvette convertible for my feisty young sleuth to drive. Was it a car I owned? Ever dreamed of owning? In yellow? I had to answer no to all her questions.
“Then why did you pick a yellow Corvette convertible for Abby?” she asked.
I scratched my head. Looked around. Saw many pairs of eyes watching, waiting. I shrugged. “Abby picked them.”
Honestly, she did. I don’t even like yellow — except on bananas and lemons. Yellow makes me look like I just recovered from a case of jaundice. I don’t much care for convertibles, either, and I’ve never ridden in a Corvette. So why did Abby pick a Vette? See, that’s where it gets tricky – trying to explain how a made-up character is that real to me (without appearing insane.) Abby chose the Vette because 1) It was at a price she could afford; 2)It fits her personality; and, 3) Yellow is her favorite color. The decision was really out of my hands.
Another thing about having little people inside my head — they’re noisy. I mean, they really talk a lot, which is why I don’t turn on my CD player or the television when I work. Sometimes, when I take a break to get a cup of coffee, I’ll notice how silent the house is. But once back in my office, seated at the computer, well, it’s a regular talk fest.
I know other writers understand what I’m talking about. I’m wondering if musicians feel the same way when they’re composing, if they hear all sorts of sounds. What about artists? Do they hear anything or do they have visions?
Having those little people in my head talk to me for most of my work day may sound crazy, but actually it’s quite stimulating. They do say the darndest things. Sometimes they even make me cry. One thing for sure: I’m never lonely.
Kate
Summer is the time of wishes. Dandelion seeds, shooting stars, pennies in fountains, the finding of a sand dollar, or the capture of fireflies.
We’re used to the victorious Super Bowl quarterback telling millions of television viewers that his wish is to go to Disneyworld, but I think that wish is shared by kids of all ages. Any cooks out there dreaming of a trip to the Magic kingdom? I received this email and decided to post it here. Who knows, one of you may win a dream trip based on your culinary talents. I’ll post that on the bottom.
Back to wishes. A friend and I were recently tossing around the “if you had one wish…” fantasy the other day. These are not the world peace kind of wishes. These are totally, completely self-serving and selfish. The dreamer’s wish for his or herself. My friend’s involved a handsome actor and a deserted island. And mine? Oh, I blush to confess it but I’d love to be nominated for an Agatha just once. I don’t need to win, I swear, I just want to be able to call myself an Agatha-award nominated author. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Quite a few of the cozy chicks can say that, but I haven’t had the pleasure yet. A girl can dream, right?
Okay, I did it. Your turn. What’s your single, selfish wish?
A Recipe for a Free Trip to Disney
Between June 16 and August 11, 2008, people are invited to submit their original recipe made with at least ¼ cup of one of the following Smucker’s products: Smucker’s jams, jellies or preserves (including Low SugarÔ brand and Sugar Free products) that has been passed down for at least two generations and an original 200-words or less essay telling the story behind how their recipe makes family celebrations special. Smucker’s will post these traditions and recipes on its Web site and sweeten one family’s next gathering with a five day, four night family trip for eight to the Walt Disney World® Resort.
The grand prize family package for eight includes airfare, transportation to/from the airport, hotel accommodations for four nights, five-day Magic Your Way Tickets with Park Hopper® option and commemorative Disney T-shirts and photos. The top entries will be posted on the Smucker’s Web site on or around September 8, 2008 and visitors to the site will be given the chance to vote to help determine one grand prize winner. For official contest rules and prize details, visit www.Smuckers.com.