T.E. MacArthur's Blog, page 2

Welcome to 1935 – San Francisco

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I am so excited to announce the release of my first MYSTERY.

Lou Tanner, Lady Gumshoe in Heels.

You can get your copy on Amazon now: or you can come by Clockwork Alchemy and get your copy directly from me.

Amazon: A Place of Fog and Murder

 

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Lou Tanner, P.I. – A Tempting Morsal

Just for you – a sampling from the upcoming, debut story in the exciting new anthology:

NEXT STOP ON THE NUMBER 13 (working title)

anticipated early Spring 2019.

 

Introducing Lou Tanner, Private Investigator: Gal Gumshoe, Lady PI, Shamus of the Female Sort.  Enjoy.  And, if you’re intrigued, not only will I keep you up to date on the anthology, I’ll be dropping hints about this year’s full release of Diesel and Steam Detective: featuring the first full novel of Lou Tanner, PI.

 

[image error]My hero: Mrs. Nick Charles (Myrna Loy) & my image of Lillian Lucille (Lou) Collington Tanner.

 

 

 

The Yankee Volcano Streamliner

Near Council Bluffs, Iowa – Westbound #1

His hand clamped down on my mouth.  Son of a bitch.  I knew who it was.  But damn it: he was earlier than I expected and shame on me for that.  This is what I get for amateur assumptions.  Chapter 2: Assume makes an Ass out of U and Me.

I could smell his sweaty skin and cheap cologne.  I guess the Nazis don’t pay mad scientists very well.  I opened my eyes to a .38 muzzle.  Chapter 17: Guns and Their Manufacturers.  That heater was either a Smith & Wesson .38 Special Model 10 or a .38 Colt Short Pistol.  Deadly, either way.

His eyes were desperate – maybe the rest of him was too – enough to pull the trigger?

Extra, extra – read all about it: Someone’s getting hurt and it damn well wasn’t going to be me.

 

Last week

San Francisco, California

The Government Bruno was looking around my office with the same unimpressed expression I used most mornings.  Office?  Yeah, I need to work on the place – not much of a front for my new business.  Desk, two chairs, diploma and license, and a picture of the folks.  That’s all I’ve got going for now.  Not even an assistant outside to make things feel legit.

Or to stop intruders.

“Treasury or State Department?”  I didn’t look too much at him, as if he was another fly in the room.  I stooped to pick up the paper shoved under my door.  August 28th, 1934.  ‘Hitler consolidates power, threatens Europe,’ read the headline.  What else was new?

“Where’s the shamus?” he asked.

I didn’t bother saying anything – just thumbed his attention over to the words on my window: Lou Tanner, Private Investigations.  Then I turned the thumb to me.

He glared at me with disbelieving eyes, out from under that government issued fedora and over the upturned collar of that government issued fogger.  Government issued tie and suit too.  Smirk issued in the halls of Washington DC.  The badge he flashed me, before bothering to introduce himself, confirmed it.  I love being right.

“Mason.  Treasury.  You’re the private dick they sent me to?”  I guess he thought his language might offend me or shock me somehow.  “Figures,” he mumbled.

I nodded again as I took off a little chapeaux I snagged on Madison Avenue – not typical gumshoe attire.  I knew I was overdressed for the job.

“Lou Tanner?” he asked.

Removing gloves can be a great stalling tactic when you want to look someone over.  Yup – there’s the tell-tale bulge of a government issued Roscoe under his arm.  Chapter 5: Know your enemies, even if they’re your friends.

“You don’t talk much for a PI.  Hell, you don’t talk much for a woman …”

“You talk too much for a G-man without an appointment.”  I shifted my hip and sat partially on my desk, then folded my arms across my chest.

******

Want more: keep an eye on this blog.

 

 

Where have you been ?The Volcano Lady is missing!

Relax … I’m right (or write) here.  But yes, it has been a very long time since I’ve sent out a post.  Mea Culpa.  Ambo te ignosce me.

For someone who can’t shut up in real life, you would think I’d blog early and often.  Alas, life has gotten in the way: some of it good – much of it not.  It is difficult to deal with a world full of animosity and politics, daily horrors in the news, and troubles with family and work, yet still create.  I know I’m told over and over that it’s the creativity that will dispel the ennui.  While that may be true, reality tends to muck about with that concept.

So … what do you do?  You can a) just get over it and move along (I’m way too high strung to do that – my off switch doesn’t respond to sudden prodding,) b) curl up in a ball while giving up (tempting,) or c) pull out every trick you have and batter your way through it like a Viking seeking Mead.

I confess:  for the last 9-months, I’ve been marginally following plan b.  It’s the easy route.  Give up.  Walk away.  Surrender.  Lower your artistic standards, put your hands over your ears, and repeat La La La La I Can’t Hear You La La La.

The truth is, art … in all its forms … is an act of courage, determination, effort, and often resistance.  Has anyone noticed that the arts seem to be fading or disappearing?  Have you been offered insultingly trivial payment or no payment at all for your creations?  Been told to go get a “real job” because you’ll never be able to do X, Y, or Z for a living?  It is the current social unrelenting message and it takes a Herculean effort to continue.  Toss in a coming death in the family, parents forced to move and to accept assisted living, work that is soul numbing, daily news reels, and a crushing economic reality … and yeah baby, it’s more than cold outside.

Of recent … and encouraged by both the inspiring success of fellow authors and the good will of loving friends … I’ve decided plan b is for the birds.  I deal with depression (yeah, I’m so alone in that, right??) and anxiety, so plan a is out!  That leaves me and my soul with the one true option: plan c.  Fight like hell.  Apparently, Mead may or may not be involved.

With me?  Dealing with the same?  Let’s give society a big kick in the ass and tell it to get the hell out of the way.

 Organize like your life depends on it – and it does!  I’ve started reading how to books, listening to more audio-books of the genres I adore or want to try.  I’ve started using the Writemind Planner (http://www.perryelisabethdesign.com) to keep my notes together … it’s a small investment, but so far, very worth it.
Giving yourself permission to suck – to blow chunks – to fail spectacularly, and to start over.  If what I’m writing doesn’t rock my world, it gets shelved or reworked.  *Note: don’t throw away old versions or shelved projects, you’ll be amazed when those become handy.*  Perfection, as much as we ever get of it, comes with editing, not with the first draft.  Write crap.  Wince when you see it on paper.  Just get it down on paper, fix it later.
Clean and Beautify your art space.  Nothing will give you writer’s block more than having a messy space.  Clutter, I understand, but messy – it will kill your artistic energy faster than a negative Amazon review.
Set Schedules and Boundaries.  Keep to it.  So, you don’t write the 1k words you planned to – did you sit down and give it an honest go?  Did you edit instead of drafting?  Did you reorganize your theme and plot?  Did you outline?  Cool!  All of those actions count as use of your scheduled time and closed doors.  Make a ritual out of starting and finishing for the day.  Join NaNoWriMo in November.  Be solidly determined yet flexible (just in case you decide you need to make practical changes.)

Meanwhile, I haven’t been entirely idle: I am working on three … yes, three … projects which started around February.

To Venture My Blood: Elizabethan England with technology it shouldn’t have.  Spies.  Saboteurs.  Assassins.  And a woman with a mind like Sherlock Holmes.

Viva Las Muertas: Yes, bad Spanish – but when you’re a mystery writer hanging out at a Rockabilly convention, you just go with literary license – until there’s a real murder and you may be the only person with all the facts.  Cozy mystery meets Rock-n-Roll.

Disoriented on the Murder Express: Nazis, Super-locomotives, Secrets, and a female Private Investigator who reads far too many Chandler novels.  The Big Sleep meets technology head on.  For an upcoming anthology.

Whew … just writing all that makes me feel energized.  Expect to hear from me again, soon.  I still promise not to spam you, but this over-extended void in communication won’t do.

Ciao Darlings!

The First DOOMSDAY Review!

With many thanks to Sharon E. Cathcart, the author of Eye of the Beholder, Bayou Fire, and Beloved Infidel.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2018397068

 

Blogging from A to Z: V is for Volcano Lady — Sharon E. Cathcart

You may recall from a previous post that I’m a big fan of independent authors. Today, I’m honored to have steampunk indie author T.E. MacArthur, author of the Volcano Lady series, as my guest. Enjoy this delightful interview! Tell us a little bit about yourself. I’m a cat person. Yup! That’s me. My cat disagrees […]

via Blogging from A to Z: V is for Volcano Lady — Sharon E. Cathcart

New releases from the Treehouse — Welcome to the Treehouse!

A number of the Treehouse Writers have new books available this summer. T.E. MacArthur released The DOOMSDAY RELIC, featuring Professor Lettie Gantry. This brand new adventure starring the Volcano Lady is in serial format. Kirsten Weiss has another installment of her cozy mystery series A Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum Mystery available. Get your copy of […]

via New releases from the Treehouse — Welcome to the Treehouse!

At Last! It’s Here!

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Adventure is out there! Forget the Truth – Go for the Fiction!

I am thrilled to announce
the OFFICIAL RELEASE of
The DOOMSDAY RELIC

– featuring Professor Lettie Gantry.

A brand new adventure in serial format – your own, very own, penny dreadful. Excitement on every page! …

Volcanoes – Action – Mystery – Romance – and Ancient Secrets.

Available right now on Amazon and Kindle.

Coming soon to Smashwords.

Get a signed copy at this Memorial Day weekend’s

Clockwork Alchemy Steampunk Convention
(www.ClockworkAlchemy.com)

 

We’re changing ….

But then, who isn’t?

Nope – I’m in the process of changing up my blog look and approach.  BUT!  Don’t worry, all the content, links, and photos are still available right here.  The blog address isn’t changing.  Just the look.

Due to time constraints, I get to work on this piecemeal, so please excuse the slow moving flow (in geological parlance.)  I’m getting there.

And as always, suggestions are welcome.  Tell me what you’d like to see more of.  Tell me your ideas.

Thank you!

A Little Off Topic …

And yet, close to most author’s hearts – yes, we do have them, even those who kill off your favorite characters.

What is the biggest thing to get in the way of writing?  Life.  That’s what.  For the last couple of months, that’s my literal story and I’m sticking to it.  The truth is, I haven’t written very much since the big arrival of my latest Volcano Lady book.  I haven’t really blogged, outlined, scribbled, promoted … nada.  You may be tempted to say “no duh,” since finishing and releasing a book is stressful; I sure am.  But there’s more to it than that.  And, the good news is that in going through my life stress, I’m looking at redefining myself as an author, a creative-type, and a worker. This blog hits on the topic of paycheck earning and how not taking the obvious road can clear other paths for creativity.  (see how I did that?)

Like many authors today, books don’t pay the bills.  They fulfill dreams and give us enormous pleasure, but when the rent is due, we dip into our employer filled wells instead of royalties.  If this is not you – you are able to make a living as a writer – I salute you.  For myself, this seemed like a loose / loose situation.  So I made one of those decisions you always see hyped in new age magazines or by PBS Insta-shrinks.  And with much humility, I must admit that their advice to let go of money in favor of benefits is right.

I have been working as a contractor through the worst of this economic “downturn” (I laugh at that simplistic reference as I watched my paychecks and savings diminish.)  As a contractor, I was in competition for a small number of contracts, paying less than market, and often reducing one to the status of “inconvenient but necessary, easily ignored servant.”  Not every employer treats their contractors as members of the gang.  We’re “resources” focused on saving someone money.  If that is not enough to send you fleeing from the staffing recruiters (don’t get me started on that over-sold bill of goods,) the notion that you are always on the hunt for a new job is enough to make one nutty. Isn’t looking for a job one of those high stress activities, like getting a divorce or a death in the family, that is routinely credited with heart attacks or strokes?  If you’re a contractor, this cycle never ends, even after you accept an assignment.  And you can forget being creative.

Last month, I went through interview after interview, always coming in second.  They liked me, really, and I have great skills, really, but there was this one candidate with more/we already know/we have no idea what we want so we’re not hiring yet.  One interview, for a fairly lower level position, had me meeting 4 SVPs over a 4.5 hour period.  It was grueling and I still didn’t get the job.  They already had someone else in mind.

Then came The Job: meh pay, full time, tough commute, industry I know nothing about.  I put off and put off because I wanted the cash flow.  I wanted more money.  But here is how things really compared – if, and I mean IF, I got a contract, it was short term with okay pay.  No real benefits.  This place was lousy but livable pay with amazing benefits.  As long as I kept my eye on the dollar sign, I was going to be stuck in the contract-job search – contract cycle.  And I could kiss off anything resembling a paid vacation.

So, I took the full time job with the meh pay and great benefits.  You know what: it was the best decision.  The long commute and pay thing – I’ll learn to deal.  It isn’t that bad – it won’t kill me – I can still be a responsible adult.  Real medical insurance, paid time off, flex hours, and 401K.  Good stuff, Maynard.  But wait, like a Ginsu knife, there’s more!  No more constant job search, great co-workers who laugh a lot, a team spirit that permeates the whole place, more exercise built into the commute, paid holidays, satisfaction, and yes, a lowering of my blood pressure.  My inner “we’re gunna die in a van parked by the river – homeless and forgotten!” voices have shut up.  Hey, this place even has free Peets coffee.  How do you put a price on that?

Has my writer’s block vanished … not quite yet.  I’ve only been on the job for a week and it requires a ton of learning, but already I’m hearing myself laugh, noticing I’m sleeping deeper, and generally allowing the toxic stress to float away.  I’ve had some good ideas pop into my head for Book Five, so yes, I’m seeing light at the end of the tunnel – and this time, it isn’t the 4:10 to Yuma.

I promise to get back to writing topics.  In the meantime, I hope this anecdote gives you something to either work with or to ignore. Whichever serves you best.  Sometimes the obvious answer (hold out for the money) isn’t the best answer (give up the stress and get back to writing.)

Ciao kids!

Volcano Lady #4 is here!

It is with great pleasure and joy I get to announce that the Volcano Lady #4: The Lidenbrock Manifesto is available for order.

You can get your copy one of three ways – hardcopy from Amazon, ebook copy from Kindle (Amazon VL#4 Link)

or …

You can come visit me at Clockwork Alchemy, Memorial Day Weekend, at the DoubleTree Inn by Hilton San Jose, CA.  I will be in the author’s alley all weekend long.  I promise a great convention rate on this and the whole set of Volcano Lady books – Plus an autograph if you would like one.

Author Notes:  Whew!  That was fun.  I have to tell you that this book really struggled to get out.  As is so common for any person creating something new, I found this project wanted to be written at its own speed and in its own way.  Yet, as a writer, I can’t just let the words and characters dictate to me – there must be structure, flow, consistency, and a satisfying conclusion to the journey.  I suspect it is a wrestling match for every author and artist.  Ultimately, I fought the good fight for you and for me, and I won.

I will confess that when I got home to find two huge boxes of books BLOCKING my door, I had no time or energy for being angry (really UPS?  How again did you expect me to get in?)  I was too elated to care: my babies had arrived!  And yes, I will also confess that I still get a little weepy when I hold that first, fully ready-to-go edition in my hands.  So, I shall leave it to you, dear friend, to picture a tired 9-to-5er arriving home and climbing over two waist-high boxes in a pencil skirt (pulled up as far as I dared) and kitten heel pumps.  OK – it was funny.  And, once I got the door open, I could pull them inside, out of the way.  I ripped the first box open and … and quietly let a tear escape in honor of the privilege of being a published author.

Yes, it is all quite silly, but really … if you write, you know what I mean.  And if not, I know you will find a good equivalent in your life.  So hurrah! for the sentimental.

I hope you will enjoy this latest volume of the Volcano Lady.  Thank you so much.