Yvette Keller's Blog, page 9
March 9, 2021
Book Review: The Dream Factory Series (so far)
Reading The Cafe of Hopes and Dreams, absolutely made my weekend! After a rough week, book 2 of The Dream Factory series was my mini-vacation back to the magical midwestern world of Gold Coast, Illinois.
The Dream Factory SeriesThe Dream Factory, book 1, introduces Alice, a young caretaker hitting the burnout wall hard. Escaping from her demanding and abusive mother, Alice finds out that a mysterious benefactor has left her a costume shop in the modern-day version of a one-horse-town.
...
March 7, 2021
Forty-Two Places: A Bit of Personal History, Part I
More and more frequently these days I’m asked, ‘Why Douglas Adams? Why is he the author you’re so focused on?‘
One aspect of my holistic answer to ‘why Adams‘ is that Adams himself attributed much of his writerly motivation to an event that occurred 59 years ago today.
Jem Roberts writes:
The story of Adams and Halford must surely be one of the most celebrated examples of teaching inspiration on record. [Adams was in Halford’s] English Composition class, and one Thursday morning, 7th...
March 2, 2021
Forty-Two Places: A Blog Primer
This edit, I’m cutting a lot from my book, Forty-Two Places.
Overwriting is a habit that I embrace fully, enthusiastically, and exuberantly! I don’t mind typing out twelve words when eventually I’ll need just one. Who knows which of singular, initial, primary, first, or one will feel and sound just right?
You’ll start to see those edited sections here over the next few months. As I become more confident about the direction I’m taking the book, I’ll be throwing the fun and funny memoir-li...
Douglas Adams, Me, & Cricket
I finished editing Part 2 of my book chapter about visiting Lord’s Cricket Ground. Now I can share the little stories I can’t tell, won’t tell, or tell in such a wholly different way that there’s no overlap with my guidebook, Forty-Two Places.
My GPS was confused after I exited the St. John’s Wood tube station. It doesn’t like the underground, so for a few blocks, I went the wrong way. I didn’t mind. I had no time constraints, which is the best way to knockabout the universe.
By th...
February 26, 2021
Lag, Lagging, Lagged
One of the things I learned on my 42-day trip, to 42 places in Douglas Adams novels, for my 42nd birthday, is that travel makes everyone lagged (ship, jet, or otherwise). Even giant silver robots.
Directly after getting where you’re going (often a trial in-and-of-itself), reason, thought, and good sense are at a low ebb. This lag, the extra time it takes to make-new-thinky-gaps… … …makes it seem like a good idea to take long walks and stay awake instead of going horizontal for forty-eig...
February 19, 2021
6th Annual 42nd Birthday!
Last year my birthday celebration was one of the last gatherings of 2020. This year it is a Zoom Party for me (text or call if you want to join the fun).
I’m so fortunate to have an incredible community supporting me and wishing me happiness on my birthday!
Treats on the Cutting Board (so I can share)
Treats for TeaI got pretty treats to eat with my tea, a themed set of “stay warm” accessories for my Forty-Two Places Tour of the UK in 2022 (That husband, he’s thinking ahead!), some ...
February 12, 2021
Audiobook Milestone!
February is historically charmed as far as audiobook releases go. Thanks to the recent release of the second audiobook in the Red Slipper Series, A Problem of Ghosts, I’ve hit my 1500 audiobook sales milestone!
Loving Round Numbers!I am still looking for listeners to answer my call and review the Viola Roberts Box Set Books 4-6 because Audible still says “No Reviews Available.”
Cover, The Body in the BathtubIf you’ve already listened, please write a review, and if you hav...
February 8, 2021
A Water Experiment
TRIGGER ALERT: Woo-Woo Health Post
Here’s a sensory experiment for those of you who have a microwave. It is also a mindfullness experiment and a writing experiment.
Get a full pitcher of room temperature water ready. Have your journal, or laptop, or phone with a voice memo recording function handy.
Pour yourself 4-6 ounces of room temperature water, and drink it. Slowly, a few sips, or all at once, whatever is your usual M.O. but pay close attention.
How did it feel on your tongue...
February 1, 2021
Check Out my Guest Appearance on the Podcast Detours Ahead
Happy birthday month and first guest podcast interview to me!
I’m excited (and nervous) to listen back and see what-the-heck I said. All I remember was how FUN it was, so a super big thank you to Elizabeth for a wonderful chat!
There’s at least one major flub in there that hardcore fans of the Viola Roberts Cozy Mystery Series are sure to catch.
Click the image to listen and let me know if you hear the mistake and if you have any tips for me!
Detours Ahead Cover Art
January 26, 2021
Ten Hours and Fifty-Six Minutes
Do you want ten hours and fifty-six minutes of free entertainment?
Back when Shéa Macleod and I were working on rolling out the Viola Roberts Cozy Mysteries, I got some surprising feedback from a hard core audiobook listener:
“I won’t buy your books because they’re too short. I don’t buy audiobooks unless they are at least 8 hours.”
This had never occurred to me! But for those with a long commute, a lot of chores to do, or who just love to work with a story in their ears, it made ...
