Ellis Vidler's Blog, page 16
May 7, 2012
When does Stubborn Turn into Stupid?
At Amazon - soon to be in print
My friend Polly Iyer, author of four terrific suspense (with romantic elements :-) novels, is my guest today.
Some of you may have heard me say this
before—I’ve been vocal enough in my frustration—but those “brilliant” techies
who designed Word 2010 can only be described as sadists. I’ve just finished
formatting three books for CreateSpace. I had help from my
My friend Polly Iyer, author of four terrific suspense (with romantic elements :-) novels, is my guest today.
Some of you may have heard me say this
before—I’ve been vocal enough in my frustration—but those “brilliant” techies
who designed Word 2010 can only be described as sadists. I’ve just finished
formatting three books for CreateSpace. I had help from my
May 5, 2012
The Bee Saga Continues
The bees seemed
to have stopped moving into the new hive and are balling up on the dome again.
Jeff, the beekeeper, came by today and looked in on the new hive. The process
began three weeks ago with the arrival of the new hive and queen and the
closing off of the old hive. (See blogs for April 14 and 20.) In a few days, any
new bees are likely begin hatching and may not be accepted by bees
to have stopped moving into the new hive and are balling up on the dome again.
Jeff, the beekeeper, came by today and looked in on the new hive. The process
began three weeks ago with the arrival of the new hive and queen and the
closing off of the old hive. (See blogs for April 14 and 20.) In a few days, any
new bees are likely begin hatching and may not be accepted by bees
A Kingdom by the Sea
Keukenhof Gardens
'Twas many and many a year ago, in a kingdom
by the sea . . . but in my case the kingdom was The Netherlands. Back when
I was writing industrial training manuals, my company had a project in Spain, but the engineering was being done in Holland. So I worked in Haarlem for the entire
month of May—you know, May? When the tulips are blooming?
We
worked hard during the week
'Twas many and many a year ago, in a kingdom
by the sea . . . but in my case the kingdom was The Netherlands. Back when
I was writing industrial training manuals, my company had a project in Spain, but the engineering was being done in Holland. So I worked in Haarlem for the entire
month of May—you know, May? When the tulips are blooming?
We
worked hard during the week
April 30, 2012
Research Can Be Hazardous to Your Health – Or Can It?
At Amazon
Marja McGraw, author of the wonderful Bogey series and other mysteries, is my guest today.
I’d like to say that I’m
one of those people who knows things.
Haven’t you ever met someone who seems to know everything? Well, I’m not one of
those people. I know a few facts about many subjects. Consequently, I have to
research for my books.
I wrote Old Murders Never Die, which is about a
Marja McGraw, author of the wonderful Bogey series and other mysteries, is my guest today.
I’d like to say that I’m
one of those people who knows things.
Haven’t you ever met someone who seems to know everything? Well, I’m not one of
those people. I know a few facts about many subjects. Consequently, I have to
research for my books.
I wrote Old Murders Never Die, which is about a
April 27, 2012
A Romantic Hero …
At Amazon
Caroline Bourne, author of Shadow Marsh, a historical romance set in Louisiana, is my guest.
Back in the early 90s
I read a historical romance novel at the request of the writer. On the very first page of the novel, the
hero sat in a saloon belching and passing gas.
It wouldn’t have mattered how good the story was; I was immediately
turned off of the novel by this uncouth pig.
Caroline Bourne, author of Shadow Marsh, a historical romance set in Louisiana, is my guest.
Back in the early 90s
I read a historical romance novel at the request of the writer. On the very first page of the novel, the
hero sat in a saloon belching and passing gas.
It wouldn’t have mattered how good the story was; I was immediately
turned off of the novel by this uncouth pig.
April 23, 2012
Writing My First Children’s Mystery Novel
At Amazon
Jean Henry Mead, author of the Logan & Cafferty mysteries for adults, is my guest this week.
I
considered writing an autobiographical children's book for years before
actually sitting down to write one. Medallion Books released it as Mystery ofSpider Mountain as well as the second novel, Ghost of Crimson Dawn, in my
Hamilton Kids' mystery series.
I’m
a former news reporter with
Jean Henry Mead, author of the Logan & Cafferty mysteries for adults, is my guest this week.
I
considered writing an autobiographical children's book for years before
actually sitting down to write one. Medallion Books released it as Mystery ofSpider Mountain as well as the second novel, Ghost of Crimson Dawn, in my
Hamilton Kids' mystery series.
I’m
a former news reporter with
April 20, 2012
The Great Bee Migration Continues
The new queen in her cage
Sunday afternoon
The new hive
and queen were installed on Saturday. By
Sunday afternoon there was a great mass of bees outside the old hive in the
house wall, unable to get back in. That night they formed a huge ball and clung
to the dome all night. We checked and took one picture with a flash. The
beekeeper came, checked on the queen, who was alive and well,
Sunday afternoon
The new hive
and queen were installed on Saturday. By
Sunday afternoon there was a great mass of bees outside the old hive in the
house wall, unable to get back in. That night they formed a huge ball and clung
to the dome all night. We checked and took one picture with a flash. The
beekeeper came, checked on the queen, who was alive and well,
April 17, 2012
Interview with a Ghost
At Amazon
Marilyn Levinson, author of the Twin Lakes mysteries, is my guest today.Rosie the Reporter Interviews Cameron Leeds, the Ghost in GIVING UP THE GHOSTRosie the Reporter: Cam, it must have felt strange--waking up in your cottage and discovering you’re a ghost.Cam: Strange doesn’t cover it. I came to in the den and knew something was wrong when I saw clear through my hand. That’s when
Marilyn Levinson, author of the Twin Lakes mysteries, is my guest today.Rosie the Reporter Interviews Cameron Leeds, the Ghost in GIVING UP THE GHOSTRosie the Reporter: Cam, it must have felt strange--waking up in your cottage and discovering you’re a ghost.Cam: Strange doesn’t cover it. I came to in the den and knew something was wrong when I saw clear through my hand. That’s when
April 14, 2012
A Sad Little Tale of Hope
Mirek's Beautiful Bee (Miroslav Fišmeister)
It's begun. The great bee removal. We have bees in one wall of our house, which no experienced beekeeper will touch. Believe me, we've talked to many. We've called the Clemson (University) Extension Center, pest control services, and online bee removal sites. No one is interested enough to actually participate. Until yesterday.A friend of a friend
It's begun. The great bee removal. We have bees in one wall of our house, which no experienced beekeeper will touch. Believe me, we've talked to many. We've called the Clemson (University) Extension Center, pest control services, and online bee removal sites. No one is interested enough to actually participate. Until yesterday.A friend of a friend
April 9, 2012
The Importance of Finding Your Writing Group
Bridle Path Press
Writing is such a solitary process that it might seem counter-productive to stress joining a writing group. It's easy to buy into the myth of the lone writer in his garret, staring at that blank page. There's also no question that being a writer means spending time alone with your thoughts and is an essential part of the creative process. Writers need time to do research or
Writing is such a solitary process that it might seem counter-productive to stress joining a writing group. It's easy to buy into the myth of the lone writer in his garret, staring at that blank page. There's also no question that being a writer means spending time alone with your thoughts and is an essential part of the creative process. Writers need time to do research or
