Andi Marquette's Blog: Andi Land, page 18

People and places

Hi, all –

I’ve been thinking more about characters, and how to inject authentic regionalisms into yours. That is, how to make a character sound and act like he or she is a product of a specific place and culture.

To that end, I read journalist/writer/speaker/all around awesome woman Caitlin Kelly’s blog today, and it seemed to resonate with what I’ve been mulling. Her latest blog is about defining “New York-ism.” That is, what defines someone as a New Yorker? And then she lists several things t...

Excerpt, Day of the Dead

Hi, all–

Well, the day is fast approaching when the fourth installment of my New Mexico mystery series will join us. Looks like next month. In the meantime, I’ve made an excerpt available for you and yours.

OMG TOTALLY CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE EXCERPT.

Happy Saturday!

Left Coast!

Hey, all –

Whew. The first Left Coast Lesfic conference came and went, and wowzers, what a blast! Before I get into the overview, I just want to profusely thank Sapphire Books for putting this event together; all the authors and readers who participated; and the host hotel and staff: Casitas Laquita.

People. We held workshops and panels right out by the pool. How much more awesome could that be? Everybody was relaxed, having fun, and engaged. Because of the mellow atmosphere, it felt like a wri...

Writing builds character.

Hi, peeps!

If you’re headed to the Left Coast Lesfic Conference, I’ll see you there!

I’m slated to do a workshop on character. That is, developing them. Making them groovy for sexy-time reading. Making readers WANT to follow your characters and find out where they go, whether they grow, or even if they fall.

So I’ve spent some time thinking about how to create and convey character, how to capture it, and how to hold on to it and make it arc logically and effectively. And we’ll talk about that in...

Left Coast Lesbian (Fiction) Conference & other stuff

Hi, all –

If you’re in the Palm Springs, California area and you’re interested in lesbian fiction and writing/reading, you might want to check this event out.

The Facebook page link is HERE.

There are panel discussions and presentations on lesbian-centric fiction, writing, editing, and publishing. Plus, lots of entertainment and fabulousness (full disclosure — I’m one of the keynote speakers). Thriller author Amanda Kyle Williams is a special guest speaker. And how about the opening reception?

Rainbow Awards

Hey, all–

Just a quick update. From the Boots Up, my F/F novella, has made the Rainbow Awards finalist list for contemporary lesbian fiction. I’m pretty darn pleased about that.

For the finalists’ list in every category, CLICK THIS LINK RIGHT HERE.

Congrats to everyone!

And in case you’re interested, you can get a copy of From the Boots Up

RIGHT HERE.

Happy Wednesday!

When writing is like a construction site

Hi, all –

So, yeah. Been keeping busy with some stuff. My latest mystery will be out in a month or so. Give or take (let’s hope it’s the give). And I’m working on a few different projects at the moment. One is really causing me angst. I like the characters, I like the overall plot arc, I like the setting and the romance (yes, it’s another romance), but like any project that sits a while, it needs work.

I wrote this novel back in…um…2009-ish or thereabouts and then it kind of sat around for a wh...

Day of the Dead

Ain’t just a commemorative holiday in Mexico/parts of the Southwest!

cover by Mina Yamashita

Synopsis:

When a man is shot to death in his house near Albuquerque’s Old Town, homicide detective Chris Gutierrez is called to the scene with fellow detective Dale Harper to investigate. They soon discover that the murder victim may have been involved in human trafficking over the Mexican border, and that he may have attracted enemies in an underground network with its own code of honor. Did someone in...

Post-New Mexico

Howdy, peeps –

Whew. Well, the event was a success, I’d say! In spite of the crappy weather, it held off raining so we could have our BBQ and reading. For those not in the know, NM was subject to the same storms that hammered Colorado, and parts of northern NM and SE NM were hard hit. Roads washed out, some evacuations. We were spared in the Albuquerque region at least for part of the afternoon each day, and by Sunday, it was pretty much clearing out. Regardless, Colorado is in a bad way. If y...

Newz n’ viewz

Hi, peeps–

Newsie bits for you and yours:

1) Yes, I’m still pimping the author gathering in NM a week from Saturday. Here are deets. Make a donation to me for one of my books on site, and that donation goes to Watermelon Mountain Ranch, New Mexico’s largest no-kill animal shelter. Please bring cash if you’d like to donate (and get a book in return ).

2) I am rather pissed about what’s going on with the writer/artist team for Batwoman at DC Comics. I blogged that at Women and Words.

EDITED TO ADD...