Susan Buffum's Blog: Welcome to My World, page 16

A Message to Giveaway Winners

To the six winners of signed first edition copies of Black King Takes White Queen- your books went out in the mail this morning via media mail. Estimated delivery date is Monday, September 26th. The delivery date is just the post office's best estimate- books may arrive sooner or a few days later than that date. Thank you for entering the giveaway!

Ugh! Horror is not for Me!

Normally I write suspense/supernatural tales this time of year. Past efforts have been collected in the three Miss Peculiar's Haunting Tales volumes. I started a new story this year based on a story I wrote last year, but giving it a different twist because last year's story, Prince Cyrus, still makes me a little uncomfortable.

This evening a story idea came into my head when I was flossing my teeth after dinner. I wrote it in about two hours. It turned out to be horror- which I do not write! I read parts of it to Kelly as I was writing it and she was giving me looks like, "Where on earth is that coming from?"

Once I started it I thought I'd just continue it and see where it went. I don't think I'll be writing any further horror in the future.

This story starts out with a four-year old boy watching a thunderstorm from his preschool classroom window when a fly buzzes by his ear and lands on the window. He eats the fly as he calmly rejoins his classmates for story time. Then it jumps twenty-five years into the future...that's all I'm saying about it.

I'm on the fence about this story. It's not my usual thing. I stepped outside my comfort zone and am feeling uneasy about the results. I don't know if it's the story itself or the fact that I had this sort of story in me that's bothering me the most right now.

I'll have to think about whether or not I'll be publishing this one. Maybe I'll run it past my usual advance readers and see what they say about it.

My Mind is Warped This Evening

I have a second blog that you can find on the internet fairly easily.

Tonight's topic on that blog was the Top Ten things I find Creepy/Scary. This was mental preparation for tackling the first of this year's haunting tales.

There is a list of runner up things that didn't make the list.

I will choose something from the top ten list tonight and write about it- it will NOT be politicians because there's way too much press about these caricatures running for office as it is.

It will not be public toilets because, once again there is way to much fuss about who uses what bathroom in a public place.

It will not be a senior citizen behind the wheel of a Buick, because that rated low at 9- but when my Dad was alive it was a nerve-wracking experience now dulled by the passage of time yet never forgotten.

Mirrors or eggs...possibilities exist with those two choices.

People who are TOO perky...that drive-through girl comes to mind. I don't think she's entirely human. In fact, I'm willing to bet she's from another planet because even her human disguise seems a little hinky to me. And, no, I don't want fries with that!!

Okay...that leaves four things on the list, including the #1 thing I find creepy/scary.

I'm off to write a story now...how many of you find that scary?

The Beautiful Moon

Kelly and I were traveling east on Route 20 as the HUGE pale orange full moon was rising this evening. Every now and then we catch this amazing phenomenon when the moon looks like it's right next to the earth. We managed to get a little higher, but the only camera we had on us tonight was my lousy cellphone camera (Galaxy Alpha, a few years old already). She did manage to get a few shots, but they do not do justice to this gorgeous moon tonight.

We've been home about an hour now and the moon is rising behind the top of the mountain we live on. I caught a glimpse of it through the trees when I was bringing a box out to my car. I'm sure she and I will be out in about forty minutes shooting some more amazing moon shots.

Autumn is quickly approaching as this harbinger of the autumnal equinox beams down benevolently from the blue-black velvet sky.

La bella luna!

Haunting Tales

Before I started writing novels, which is still relatively new for me (2012 was when I wrote my first novel), I was primarily known among family, friends and acquaintances for my annual holiday stories, first Christmas which I began writing around 1997-98, and then my annual Halloween story or stories which I began writing in 2013.

The heat and humidity of summer have given way to the warm days and cool nights of September as autumn approaches. Now is the time of year when my thoughts turn toward the annual haunting tale or tales, whichever the case may be. Sometimes there is one, sometimes two.

I've written a few ghost stories, but some of my other haunting tales feature the angel of death, a fallen angel and a demon who take on the personas of Vegas magicians, the grim reaper, Death himself, a deranged person, a truly evil family, a strange girl and the odd fellow who resides within the walls of her home, witches, vampires...

I'm not sure what this year's story will be. There is a young girl who is just realizing that some of the people she sees are ghosts- I was toying around with that story last night a little.

A friend suggested that since I collect antique and vintage clothing buttons that I write a story about a haunted button. So now that idea is kicking around in the stadium of my imagination. We'll see what happens.

I don't write horror- I wrote supernatural suspense, usually. The world is a scary enough place!

Giveaway Ends in 6 Days!

The giveaway for six signed first edition copies of Black King Takes White Queen ends in 6 days! Have you entered this giveaway yet?

Connect with Local Authors

Since the new little indie bookstore opened here in town I have attended a couple of author events/book readings/book signings a month. This weekend has been rather unprecedented because I managed to attend all three author events held over three days. And I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed all three events and the authors were all down to earth, friendly people who were happy to answer questions and sign their books and mingle with the attendees.

The Bookclub Bookstore and more offers an intimate setting for authors to meet and greet readers. The space is not overwhelming like auditoriums can be. There are no tables barricading the author from the audience. There is often interaction between the author and the attendees during the book readings and you can learn some interesting things about where the authors ideas come from, how they set about writing, what their inspiration may be, what their writing habits are, and sometimes humorous personal insights into their private lives. After the reading/discussion/Q&A attendees are able to walk up and meet the author one on one, whether they've purchased a book or not. I have not been to an author event yet where the author kept their distance from the attendees. They were all happy to meet people and talk about their books and answer questions.

Local authors may be self-published not from lack of talent, but due to the glut of material submitted to major publishers and the backlog of these publishing houses looking at the material and the length of time it takes for them to get back to the author- it can take years. There are wonderful writers who may not have written something the publishing house is looking for. It may be because the author does not write formulaic and genre specific material, so is hard to classify. It doesn't mean the author's writing isn't up to snuff- it often is. More and more authors are self-publishing and self-promoting these days as it gets their books out there more quickly into the readers hands. We don't write to get rich, that's for sure! We write to entertain the reader because that is what we are compelled to do.

So, when you see a Local Author Appearance event, try to attend if the book may appeal to you. There is usually information about the book on a website or social media site. You may never have the opportunity to rub elbows with Stephen King or James Patterson, but you might get to shake the hand of someone whose writing will take you on an incredible journey away from the ordinary.

Get off your phone, get off the couch and connect with a local author...you won't regret it.

A Happy Evening

Kelly and I went downtown after dinner to try to catch author Dan Hayden, The Game Warden, who was discussing and then signing his book. We arrived an hour late but enjoyed a good thirty-five minutes or more listening to him talk about his adventures as a game warden in Connecticut. He even showed us the printed out version of his not yet published second book that he has "read through 26 times already" and is still being tweaked. (I know that feeling!)

He happily signed the book Kelly had previously purchased last Sunday to start reading before this event.

Anyway- on Tuesday, September 6th local artists participated in Art Drop Day by placing works of art all around town at local businesses and possibly other outside locations...just leaving it there with a little paper saying, "You found it, it's yours," and an email address to let the artist know that the artwork had been found so they could keep track of it.

On Tuesday I had to work from 8AM-5PM. There's a little pirate in me because I've always enjoyed a good treasure hunt, so I was disappointed I was stuck at work all day while others who worked second shift or don't work at all, or just part time were free to canvas downtown for the art pieces. Being diabetic, I had to go home to eat dinner and take my medication after work. By the time we were finished with dinner it was after six o'clock. Not many businesses remain open downtown after 6PM. So I figured Art Drop Day was over and done with.

On Wednesday I flipped my half day schedule to accommodate a doctor's appointment. Then I ran downtown to pick up some books at the bookstore. As she was ringing up my purchases I remembered that one of the art works was at the book store, so I asked her if it had been claimed. She said, "No, it's still here." Because it was no longer Art Drop Day she wasn't sure if the artist wanted it back, or would let whoever asked for it have it, so I went home without it.

Since notifications and hints were posted on social media, I was able to contact the man who had left the art there to be found through a group I belong to. I let him know the picture was still at the bookstore.

He was kind enough to let me go claim the picture. My first opportunity to do that was this evening during Dan's author event. While he was signing Kelly's book Jessica brought me the picture. Therefore, we both exited the bookstore with smiles on our faces, each carrying a prize.

Now that piece of art sits in my writing room where I have a number of things that inspire me and soothe my eyes when I need to look away from the computer screen.

So, thank you Danny Nason for making this a happy evening for a writer who once dabbled in pen & ink drawing years ago and lists photography as a hobby. You made my week!

Sharp Eyes

Tonight after dinner I went out to remove a dead branch from the back lawn that had fallen at some point after John had dethatched the lawn this afternoon.

I carried the oak branch with dead leaves down the path and into the woods where we have a little brush pile where small animals shelter. I tossed the branch onto the pile then walked back up the path. Having RA I don't do well walking on uneven surfaces, so I'm always looking at the ground to make sure I'm not going to fall into a divot or rut, or trip over a mound. At the head of the path to the woods I found a medium size cotter pin. I picked it up, brought it in and showed it to John, asking him if it was off his riding mower with bagger.

He grimaced, said, "Yup, and if you found one piece that means there're probably one or two more." So off he goes outside. I told him I'd found it at the head of the path. When I looked out the kitchen window he was no where in sight, so I went back out and walked to the head of the path and looked around- and there was a big washer half buried in the dusty dirt. I plucked that out and headed back toward the house.

Kelly was shouting that "Dad's out front!" so I veered toward the driveway. I saw him down near the road searching the lawn so called, "Is this washer part of whatever it is you lost?"

Yes, it was.

And then he gave me the news that there was another piece, a short "pin" he called it. I said, "Well, if these two pieces were within a square foot of each other at the head of the path, wouldn't it be logical that the third piece would have fallen out there too?" He didn't seem convinced, saying it might have stayed in and jiggled out elsewhere.

Logical me says, "Well, maybe the best place to start looking is where I found the other two pieces." He reluctantly followed me to the head of the path, and then started wandering around left and right. I said, "Tell me again what I'm looking for?" He holds his fingers about an inch and a half apart and says, "It's just a little thing." Great. A little thing the cotter pin secures in place. I'm thinking it's maybe a little rod-shaped thing? He's not a very descriptive guy.

He's still wandering around where the swimming pool used to be. I'm focused on the head of the path. I see nothing, so I start down the path because he drives the riding mower down the path and mows where we used to have a garden. I'm looking for a slender rod like thing about an inch and a half in length. What I find is a short, stubby, silver-colored, heavy little thing that looks like a squashed mushroom. It's just lying there on the grass on the path. So I pick up this odd object and hold it up and call, "What's this?"

He says, "That's it," comes and takes it and heads off to the house.

Hello? Did I hear a thank you for finding three small parts in a big back yard on a seldom used path that would cost him a good sum of money to replace?

Nope.

Men!

18 Days- Countdown

There are still eighteen days to enter the giveaway for 6 signed first edition copies of Black King Takes White Queen which was released in July of this year.

Black Knight, White Rook will be written in November of this year as the sequel (when I announced that I received groans from readers who wanted an immediate sequel!)

I also said not enough people have read the first book yet!

Meanwhile, I'm working on another book about witches in modern day Maine with roots dating back to the mid-1600's. It started out as a Halloween short story for my daughter (The Cat's Tale), grew up a little when she did (Cooper's Moon) and is now maturing/evolving into a complete novel (Rookdale).

But that's all besides the point- the point is, the giveaway for Black King Takes White Queen ends September 18th. We are on the cusp of September 1st tonight....6 people will win a copy of this urban fantasy with white arts practitioners and black arts practitioners facing a truly evil black witch who could potentially destroy them all, and perhaps the world as well, in rural New England.

Good Luck!!!