Karoline Barrett's Blog, page 2

What’s one thing…

…that no one knows about you?  I’ll go first.  I keep all the greeting cards my mother sends me. I put  them in books I haven’t read yet. What about you? What is one thing that no one knows about you, but you feel okay about sharing?

 

 

Why We Love Our Cozy Mysteries!

I’ve heard so many readers and writers of cozy mysteries mention Nancy Drew. Including me. She was one of my favorite heroines when I was young. I confess I still pull out my N.D. books occasionally to re-read. They’re comfort books; the chocolate of books. Oh that handsome and athletic Ned Nickerson! Nancy  was my basis for my love of mysteries.

So why are cozy mysteries so popular?  I’ve come up with my own list.

1. They often include cats or dogs. Who doesn’t like pets who maybe remind you of your own? It lends a very human touch to the books.

2. Murder is ugly.  A cozy doesn’t focus on the gruesome, gory details. It’s all about solving the murder. The who, why, what, when, and where. You’re along for the ride; sorting through clues and solving puzzles with the amateur detective.

3. What other genre has great recipes in them?  I love other mystery genres, and their authors, but I’ve never found a recipe for Bread Pudding with Spiced Rum Sauce in a James Patterson or Mary Higgins Clark novel.

4.  The characters are people you can relate to. And especially with a series, you become invested in their lives, their town, their romances, friends, businesses. Just everything about them. They grow on you.

5. Quirky characters.  Besides the amateur sleuth, there are family, friends, neighbors, and a various assortment of quirky and humorous characters.  And don’t forget the killer!

6. The beautiful covers!

7. The small-town settings.

8. Language.  Some people are offended by “bad” words, which is fine. I’m good with one here or there, but more than that is a turn off. The majority of cozies don’t have them. The most risque my characters get is a “crap” here and there. Mostly from the detective.

9. Sex.  What sex? It’s a cozy mystery, close the bedroom door for heaven’s sake!

10. Other cozy writers and readers! There is a huge community of cozy writers and readers out there, which is a help when you’re just starting out as a cozy author.

What do you love about writing and reading cozies? Share!

Mystery Writers Revealed! 09.12.15

I’m happy and proud to be included in Mystery Writers Revealed! Love mysteries?  On Saturday, September 12th, join us on Facebook. You’ll be able to ask some of the bestselling and prolific mystery writers questions about their books, join in exclusive giveaways, pre-order books,  & even purchase books for only 99 cents! Throughout the day, you can drop by & ask these authors anything you like. The link to join is right here! https://www.facebook.com/events/1641650729410856/ …

 Here are just some of the authors who will be in attendance, with advance apology to anyone I’ve left out!

Perry Elisabeth http://viewauthor.at/PerryElisabeth

Eden Baylee http://www.edenbayleebooks.com/

Pamela Kelley http://amzn.to/1WAkmNI

Duncan Whitehead www.DuncanWhiteheadAuthor.com

Sherry Graef Chamblee www.sherrychamblee.weebly.com

Susan Holmes http://dogmysteries.com/

J.b. Hawker http://booklaunch.io/jbhawker/Y

Mary Ellen Hughes …http://tinyurl.com/ng9v5q3

Tonya Kappes http://amzn.to/1JdleNZ

Karoline Barrett http://www.karolinebarrett.com/

Celeste Burke http://www.desertcitiesmystery.com/

Lisa Keating Thomas http://www.lisabthomas.com/

Ritter Ames http://smarturl.it/RitterAmesAmzn

C.a. Larmer http://calarmerspits.blogspot.com.au/

Amy Metz http://amymetz.com/

Sheila Odom Hollinghead http://goo.gl/ML7xS6

Kathi Daley https://www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks

Stefania Mattana Http://eraniapinnera.com1/

Zanna Mackenzie www.zannamackenzie.com

Dianne Harman www.facebook.com/dianneharmancozymystery

Maria Grazia Swan http://hyperurl.co/MariaGraziaSwan

Sylvia Selfman http://goo.gl/ufQIl9

Elizabeth Lororaine www.facebook.com/ELLorainescomtemporaryside

Amy Vansant http://amzn.to/1J11fTs

Vicky Vass Tedeschi http://vickivass.com/

Killarney Traynor http://www.killarneytraynor.com/

Morgana Best http://www.morganabest.com/

Abby L Vandiver http://www.abbylvandiver.com/

Grace Geyer http://gracegeyer.com/

 

Cover reveal!

I’m happy to reveal the cover for Bun For Your Life, coming 11/17/15 from Penguin/Intermix! Are covers important? Do they entice you to read a book, or bypass it? I’d love to hear your opinion on the importance of book covers. What you like to see, what you don’t like to see, and what some of your favorite covers are.

Revisiting Some Childhood Memories

I spent most of my childhood in São Paulo, Brazil.  Here are some of my favorite memories from there:

1. The beach!

2. Sitting in the kitchen with our cook and maid, drinking Coke out of a turquoise melamine cup (I made believe it was coffee), and eating fresh bread and butter. The Brazilians have the best bread! The rolls were delivered right to our house.

3.  Farinha Lactea. It’s a cereal. Loved this stuff. I even loved it straight out of the can. Too bad you can’t get it in the USA anymore.

4. The beef!

5. Black beans and rice. 

6. The street markets.

7. The Peter Pan Bookstore.

8. Going home to the USA on a ship for the summer every two years.

Just a note on the maid and cook thing. Everyone I knew had maids and cooks. It was not a big deal. That was the way you lived there.

I’d love to hear some of your favorite childhood memories!

 

7 Signs That You May Posess A Writer’s Heart

1.  You feel you have to write.  I actually sort of disagree with this one, even though it’s on my list. I hear a lot of people say, “I write because I have to.” I never hear anyone say, “I do algebra because I have to.”  Honestly, I don’t want to do something because I have to.  I want to do something because it’s my passion.

2. You love to read. Even if it’s a cereal box.

3. You can outline a novel in your head around people you see in every day life.

4. You have imagination.

5. You’re a daydreamer.

6. You’re good with words.

7. No matter what else is going on in your life, you find time to write.

The Exhausting Search For The Perfect Writing Set Up

[image error]My first novel was written on my PC, on a desk built in 1906. It’s a beautiful desk, but not conducive to long writing hours. I have no idea how I managed to write an entire book sitting at that desk. Including a revision. Or maybe six of them, but who’s counting. The drawer prevents me from pulling my chair in as close as I like, and I can’t put my roly foot rest thing under it since there is a shelf in the way.

I also started BUN FOR YOUR LIFE (BFYL) on that computer, but shortly gave up and bought a lap top. I happily finished BFYL on my side of our large dual reclining sofa, leaving the PC free for my husband. Then, I blissfully wrote RAISIN THE DEAD on said sofa, in cushiony comfort. Until the recliner part on my side stopped working. I couldn’t go back to the PC. I couldn’t banish my husband from his side of the sofa, leaving him recliner-less. What to do . . .

While contemplating a new sofa (still contemplating, by the way), I decided I needed my very  own reclining writing chair that I could set up away from the TV, and all other manner of distraction (except of course, Facebook). That worked for a while until my wrist didn’t like leaning on my lap writing desk, and my legs rebelled at having a lap top and lap writing desk on them for long stretches.  A long stretch for them apparently being four minutes.

I dragged my husband to Staples this past Friday, so I could find a desk that both my laptop and I would be happy with.  Found it! Along with a lovely chair to match. It won’t be in until next Tuesday. In the meanwhile, I’ve moved to the dining room table.

At this point, you must be breathing a sigh of relief that my problems are over, and also wondering why I didn’t do that in the first place. Because of my chiropractor. Per the esteemed Dr. Perfect Posture, looking down is not good for your neck. Ever. According to her, for your neck’s sake, your TV should be mounted high on the wall, so the top of it is touching the ceiling. I’m pretty sure that’s what she said.

You can imagine my horror when I discovered that sitting at the dining room table forced me to look down at my laptop. Not a good situation. I grab books to sit my lap top on and realize that’s not going to work because while my monitor is now touching the ceiling, a plus for my neck,  so is my keyboard. I can’t reach it.

I drag same husband to Best Buy where I buy a keyboard for my laptop. Now, my lap top is propped up, my neck is in proper alignment, and my fingers have a keyboard within easy reach. When I get my new desk all will be well with my writing world. Although, I think I may need a second monitor for my laptop. For research you know.

Location, Location, Location!

[image error][image error] I’ve always been a fan of cozy mysteries. I think one of the reasons is location. Is location in a cozy important?  Definitely. Most cozies take place in a small town.  A small town is, well, cozy. People are familiar, there’s a sense of belonging and caring, and of looking out for one another. Family and friends are right up there with apple pie, ice cream, and the American flag fluttering in the summer breeze. Of course, there’s not a lot of anonymity in a small town, which can either be awful or awesome. Then, there’s the issue of everyone knowing what everyone else is doing, from the mundane to the most personal details, which isn’t as bad as it sounds. It can actually be a plus when you’ve got a murder to solve. A small town creates an intimacy between readers and  the characters; characters become friends you care about and can relate to. You feel as if you could move in next door to them and be right at home.

I set my Bread and Batter cozy mystery series in the fictional town of Destiny in upstate New York. It’s a small town with cobbled side streets and Victorian homes on Destiny Lake. It’s modeled after a couple of towns along Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes. Why there? My mother and father are from there. I was born about  fifty miles away. I didn’t grow up anywhere near the towns after which I modeled Destiny, but whenever I visit I feel a strong connection. I have lovely memories of visiting family there. There was no where else I wanted to place my cozy mystery series. It just felt right.

I’m eager to introduce Destiny, and its residents to readers in November 2015. I think you’ll agree that Destiny is the perfect cozy mystery location, and its residents funny, quirky, and loveable! I’d love to hear from readers and writers on what you think is the perfect cozy mystery town.

 

Rising Star Contest

[image error]I’m taking a small pause in my own writing to participate as a judge in the Women’s Fiction Writers Association Rising Star Contest. I’ve been given four entries to read and judge. The entries must be women’s fiction. Each entry is around 33 pages. I’m doing this because I’m fond of women’s fiction, I love reading new authors, encouraging authors, and it gives me an opportunity to read with a critical eye, which in turn, helps my own writing.

The judges score sheet each of us judges get is quite comprehensive, covering hook; opening; setting; characters and motivation; development, plot, and conflict; dialogue and narrative; pacing and transitions; viewpoint; mechanics; and style.

So it’s not a matter of “Yes, loved it,” or “No, hated it.” These writers want, and deserve, honest, thoughtful, helpful feedback as well as encouragement. I’ve read one entry so far and it’s charming. I can’t discuss what it’s about, but the author has an awesome beginning and writes about a very unique subject.

Women’s Fiction Writers Association is all about An inclusive organization of writers who create stories about a woman’s emotional journey.  To learn more click here Women’s Fiction Writers Association.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Things To Do While Waiting For Your Book To Be Published

[image error] Looking for something to do while waiting for your book to be published? Try some of these!

1. Start writing your next book.

2. Read other books in your genre and get friendly with authors on Facebook and Twitter. Don’t forget to give reviews when you read those books!

3. Take a break from novel writing for a little bit and pen a short story in a genre you never write in – for me, that would be literary fiction.

4. Take a weekend with your significant other and spend it on the beach, or in a cabin, or on a lake, or in downtown Manhattan. No writing, no TV. Reading is okay!

5.  Do some Christmas or Hanukkah shopping. It’s never too early for that!

6. Offer to teach a writing class at your library.

7. Make a list of people you need to thank when you do the acknowledgements for your book.

8. Post character interviews, so people will want to grab your book the second it comes out, just to find out more.

9. Host other writers on your blog.

10. Connect with bloggers and writers who will want to host you when your book comes out.

I’d love to hear some of your ideas on how you keep busy between books!