Elizabeth Engstrom's Blog, page 18

Letter to a Young Man in Jail – Part 2

Dear Micah: 

I talk with your mom regularly, and she's doing pretty well. She's worried about you as we all are. But if you choose, this whole thing will just be a small blip in the large continuum of your life. When you consider that you'll probably live a good, happy, healthy eighty years, a month or two devoted to reflecting on your past and designing your future is probably good use of your time while you're in there.

But, Micah, I want to talk to you about women. You've been attractive to gir

Has Summer Destroyed my Work Ethic?

I'm out of practice. Out of sync.

And I think it's because I don't have a deadline.

Normally, I get up, get coffee, and get to work. I stop briefly for breakfast with the husband and dog, and then I'm back at it until I've either finished my page count or am ready to shoot myself because the words won't flow. Fiction, nonfiction, school papers… I get up and go to work.  My deadlines are met, my papers are in on time, and I get books written.

Not any more. This summer I seem to have begun to hone th

I'm on a Roll

Two of the Deadliest, the new anthology edited by Elizabeth George just came out, with my story, "Playing Powerball". Two of the Deadliest refers to two of the deadliest sins, Greed and Lust.  The volume consists of eighteen stories of lust and greed, written by today's top mystery writers.

I got my contributor's copy in the mail yesterday and have only had a chance to read the first story, and man oh man, Nancy Picard knows how to deliver.  I can't wait to sit down and devour the whole thing.

Pre-Ordering When Darkness Loves Us

You can now see more information as well as pre-order your copy of When Darkness Loves Us from the Publisher here.

My New Old Novel(s)

Apex Books just announced the new cover for the re-release of my very first published book. I'm very pleased with it, and I'm very pleased with Apex Books. You can see more information here, but for now, here's the new cover:

When Darkness Loves Us cover art

Don't forget that the book launch will be at Orycon in Portland, OR, this November.

Living by Intention

We've all heard that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions," but I've come to realize that just like nothing in my office gets done without a deadline, many worthwhile things are never accomplished because there was never a stated intention.

For example: what is the intention of your marriage (or relationship)?  It's worth thinking about, discussing with your partner, and writing out on paper.

I'm just beginning to investigate sustainable systems, and they all seem to begin with a stated

How to Work With Your Guardian Angel

I found this at Starbridge Trust and thought it worthy to pass along:

 1. Remember that angels have a life too. Make appointments when you want to talk to them for special reasons, unless you and your angel hang out together all the time anyway. Keep appointments. Apologize if you forgot your appointment. Angels are always forgiving. They really are. 2. Don't take angels or what they do for us for granted. They have discretion as to what they do and do not do for us. While they would never delibe

Letter to a Young Man in Jail

Dear Micah:

I'm really sorry to hear that you've gotten yourself in trouble like this. But you know, every day we have the opportunity to make a thousand tiny decisions, and together, those decisions form our future. You've made some bad decisions in the past year, and I know you know what decisions I am talking about.

One definition of maturity is the ability to look forward and project yourself into the future. I hope this jail time gives you the opportunity to reflect on past mistakes and make

What makes a good life?

With death always comes reflection, whether it is the death of a loved one or a favorite celebrity. Today I'm wondering: What makes a good life?

It isn't money, that's for certain, and it isn't cool stuff. It isn't good reviews or a successful career, either, or any of that stuff. I'm coming to believe that life is made up of days well lived, and days are made up of moments.

Every moment, I have a decision–at least one.  Do I want to be happy or unhappy? Do I want to lead with my heart or with my

Biking Safety and Cell Phones

Let me begin by saying that I am guilty of talking on the cell phone while driving.

No more.

In all the thousands of miles I’ve put on my bicycles over the years, the only real close calls I’ve had have been due to my own stupidity. I’ve ridden against traffic, surprising drivers with my unexpected presence; I’ve ridden at night without lights; I’ve dodged in and out of traffic at  my own great peril. But I’ve learned not to do those things. I’ve aged and mellowed, and now am quite a safe bicyclis