Kate Collins's Blog, page 292
September 20, 2011
Authors Have Happy Jobs
by Deb Baker/Hannah Reed
Recently, Forbes made a list of the ten happiest jobs. Here they are:
1. Clergy
2. Firefighters
3. Physical therapists
4. Authors !!!
5. Special education teachers
6. Teachers
7. Artists
8. Psychologists
9. Financial services sales agents
10. Operating engineers
That last one, the definition of, had me stumped until I read further – "Playing with giant toys like bulldozers, front-end loaders…"
So guess what? I have one happy career. But Forbes didn't have to tell me that. Every morning I wake up looking forward to the day. Sure, I've had to learn to stay focused and organized, but I'm the boss of me. No one else gets to tell me what to do or when to do it. I see that feature in the other nine happy jobs, too.
And none of them are extremely high-paying jobs (trust me), so money doesn't make us happy. We know that, right?
The thing that really stands out for me is that these people are making meaningful contributions (okay, I'm not sure about the bulldozer operators). I'm not pulling people out of burning buildings or guiding them on their spiritual quests, but what I do feels worthwhile.
Early on, I wanted to write the great American novel. I wanted wealth and fame. These days I'm more realistic and much happier. I don't take myself so seriously. My goal at this stage is to tell funny stories and make my readers laugh. The best email I ever received was from a woman in chemo, who told me my books were the only things that made her laugh. How cool is that?
Anyway, do you agree with the list? Are you on the list? What would you add to it?
Recently, Forbes made a list of the ten happiest jobs. Here they are:
1. Clergy2. Firefighters
3. Physical therapists
4. Authors !!!
5. Special education teachers
6. Teachers
7. Artists
8. Psychologists
9. Financial services sales agents
10. Operating engineers
That last one, the definition of, had me stumped until I read further – "Playing with giant toys like bulldozers, front-end loaders…"
So guess what? I have one happy career. But Forbes didn't have to tell me that. Every morning I wake up looking forward to the day. Sure, I've had to learn to stay focused and organized, but I'm the boss of me. No one else gets to tell me what to do or when to do it. I see that feature in the other nine happy jobs, too.
And none of them are extremely high-paying jobs (trust me), so money doesn't make us happy. We know that, right?
The thing that really stands out for me is that these people are making meaningful contributions (okay, I'm not sure about the bulldozer operators). I'm not pulling people out of burning buildings or guiding them on their spiritual quests, but what I do feels worthwhile.
Early on, I wanted to write the great American novel. I wanted wealth and fame. These days I'm more realistic and much happier. I don't take myself so seriously. My goal at this stage is to tell funny stories and make my readers laugh. The best email I ever received was from a woman in chemo, who told me my books were the only things that made her laugh. How cool is that?
Anyway, do you agree with the list? Are you on the list? What would you add to it?
September 19, 2011
Sorting and Packing Memories. . .and Other Stuff
by Maggie Sefton
I wasn't able to write a word of fiction last week. Why? Because my time was totally consumed by handling the arrangements necessary to move all of my 91-yr old mother's belongings out of her lovely condo apartment in the independent living residence here in Fort Collins, CO. She'd already scaled down considerably when she moved here ten years ago. She'd given away furniture and dispersed items to family Back East in Virginia. So, she only moved the things that were most important to her, her favorite furniture and treasured items she'd collected over the years. In other words----HER FAVORITE STUFF.
So----that's what I was doing last week: arranging to take care of Her Stuff. Some of you may remember the late, great comedian George Carlin in his favous routine on "Stuff." You can probably find it somewhere on YouTube. If so, do yourself a favor and listen to it---you'll laugh out loud.
First, I had to ask for recommendations and then call and interview companies that would do the packing and moving. Then, I had to do the same for a storage company to put most of Her Stuff. I promised my mother that all of her favorite things would go "to family." No problem there. She's leaving everything to me and my two step-sisters, one in Michigan and another in suburban Maryland, outside Washington, DC. Anything we can not use and or find room for can be passed to our children. Again, no shortage there: I have four daughters, Judy has two daughters, and Margie has three daughters and a son.
The problem
is---these things cannot immediately be picked up by family members. No one lives here in Colorado. So, it would mean a long trip by car and return with rental hauling vehicle. Or----shipping the items. And you all know how the cost of postage has risen. Long distance moving expenses are also high. Thus----the renting of a local storage unit. Fortunately I found a modern facility here in Ft Collins with excellent security, plus video cameras, on-site managers, and even climate controlled heating & cooling. Some of my mother's furniture will have to be stored and she has beautiful Ethan Allen colonial solid maple pieces. I'm going to move out some older desks from two of my upstairs guest bedrooms so I can fit her beautiful maple china closet and also her large cedar chest. And I'm moving a decorative plant stand in my living room to find room for her lovely tall mahogany and glass curio cabinet filled with her favorite glassware and ceramics she'd collected over the years. She has some stunning Carnival glass, which is a favorite of mine. Margie and Judy love the Hummel figures, so everything will go to a loving home. :)
And that brings me to packing & moving. Thank goodness, I had several people recommend a local family business that handles packing and moving within the Ft Collins environs. The furniture not going to my house will be taken to the storage unit as well as all the other necessary items. Believe me, solving the furniture problems is a piece of cake, compared to sorting through and saving/disposing of all the Other Stuff. Desk drawers filled with file folders that had to be gone through, kitchen drawers filled with odds and ends as well as useful items to be sorted. Loads of stuff in kitchen cabinets will be donated and carted over to Goodwill. I've always taken things to that organization because they hire handicapped persons to work in their facilities and all the proceeds go to help the people they serve. A truly worthy cause. And bless that moving company----they will be making several runs over to Goodwill for me, taking boxes of unnecessary/unneeded stuff as well as clothes my mother no longer uses, and other items no longer needed or useful.
I spent most of this past weekend at my mother's apartment sorting and clearing out
. Six hours on Saturday and five hours on Sunday. Six big trash bags on Sat/five bags on Sun. Whew! The moving/packing managers came out today to take a look and estimate how many packers and movers they'd need. We going to schedule Packing/Moving Day for next Monday, Sept 26. We should be ready, but only if I can finish the sorting and clearing job. So, next weekend will be a repeat for me. At least I treated myself with dinner w/friends Saturday night and a movie with friends Sunday night. We saw The Debt. Excellent spy movie. Don't miss it. Next week, I'll let you know how Packing/Moving Day went. :)
I wasn't able to write a word of fiction last week. Why? Because my time was totally consumed by handling the arrangements necessary to move all of my 91-yr old mother's belongings out of her lovely condo apartment in the independent living residence here in Fort Collins, CO. She'd already scaled down considerably when she moved here ten years ago. She'd given away furniture and dispersed items to family Back East in Virginia. So, she only moved the things that were most important to her, her favorite furniture and treasured items she'd collected over the years. In other words----HER FAVORITE STUFF.
So----that's what I was doing last week: arranging to take care of Her Stuff. Some of you may remember the late, great comedian George Carlin in his favous routine on "Stuff." You can probably find it somewhere on YouTube. If so, do yourself a favor and listen to it---you'll laugh out loud.
First, I had to ask for recommendations and then call and interview companies that would do the packing and moving. Then, I had to do the same for a storage company to put most of Her Stuff. I promised my mother that all of her favorite things would go "to family." No problem there. She's leaving everything to me and my two step-sisters, one in Michigan and another in suburban Maryland, outside Washington, DC. Anything we can not use and or find room for can be passed to our children. Again, no shortage there: I have four daughters, Judy has two daughters, and Margie has three daughters and a son.
The problem
is---these things cannot immediately be picked up by family members. No one lives here in Colorado. So, it would mean a long trip by car and return with rental hauling vehicle. Or----shipping the items. And you all know how the cost of postage has risen. Long distance moving expenses are also high. Thus----the renting of a local storage unit. Fortunately I found a modern facility here in Ft Collins with excellent security, plus video cameras, on-site managers, and even climate controlled heating & cooling. Some of my mother's furniture will have to be stored and she has beautiful Ethan Allen colonial solid maple pieces. I'm going to move out some older desks from two of my upstairs guest bedrooms so I can fit her beautiful maple china closet and also her large cedar chest. And I'm moving a decorative plant stand in my living room to find room for her lovely tall mahogany and glass curio cabinet filled with her favorite glassware and ceramics she'd collected over the years. She has some stunning Carnival glass, which is a favorite of mine. Margie and Judy love the Hummel figures, so everything will go to a loving home. :)And that brings me to packing & moving. Thank goodness, I had several people recommend a local family business that handles packing and moving within the Ft Collins environs. The furniture not going to my house will be taken to the storage unit as well as all the other necessary items. Believe me, solving the furniture problems is a piece of cake, compared to sorting through and saving/disposing of all the Other Stuff. Desk drawers filled with file folders that had to be gone through, kitchen drawers filled with odds and ends as well as useful items to be sorted. Loads of stuff in kitchen cabinets will be donated and carted over to Goodwill. I've always taken things to that organization because they hire handicapped persons to work in their facilities and all the proceeds go to help the people they serve. A truly worthy cause. And bless that moving company----they will be making several runs over to Goodwill for me, taking boxes of unnecessary/unneeded stuff as well as clothes my mother no longer uses, and other items no longer needed or useful.
I spent most of this past weekend at my mother's apartment sorting and clearing out
. Six hours on Saturday and five hours on Sunday. Six big trash bags on Sat/five bags on Sun. Whew! The moving/packing managers came out today to take a look and estimate how many packers and movers they'd need. We going to schedule Packing/Moving Day for next Monday, Sept 26. We should be ready, but only if I can finish the sorting and clearing job. So, next weekend will be a repeat for me. At least I treated myself with dinner w/friends Saturday night and a movie with friends Sunday night. We saw The Debt. Excellent spy movie. Don't miss it. Next week, I'll let you know how Packing/Moving Day went. :)
September 18, 2011
Little Dog Lost
By KateCollins
As I drovethrough my neighborhood two days ago, I spotted a tiny white and tan doghobbling along the edge of the road. He (or she) appeared to have injured feetand a bad hip. He was dirty, had a shaggy tail tucked between his legs, and pointedears and cute little pointed face. Sensing that he was injured, I slowed downand followed him up the street. He would stop at each driveway and look at thehouse, then continue on. Sometimes he would start up the driveway, then stopand return to the street.I rolled downmy window and called to him. He turned his head to look at me but kept moving.His eyes looked old and the fur around them was gray. I knew he was lost -- andat once, he had my heart.
I droveahead and pulled into my own driveway, then got out of the car and walked backup the street toward him, calling softly. He stopped and studied me, thenturned and headed in the other direction. So I hurried up the street on theopposite side until I got behind him, then I tried calling again. He gave afrightened bark, then ran back toward my house at the end of the street.
I followedas he scooted up my driveway. When I walked toward him and crouched down, hewhined pathetically and dashed past on his hobbled feet. I called the animalshelter to see if anyone had reported a dog lost, but no luck there. I called aneighbor who knows almost everyone in the subdivision and she said she'd justheard from another neighbor that a shaggy black dog had been found sleeping onher back deck.
I started torealize then that two shaggy dogs in our neighborhood was no coincidence. Thisisn't a place lost dogs gravitate to because it's not easy to find. Had the twodogs been abandoned? Had this lost doggy been caged his whole life, deforminghis feet? He was so mistrustful, that I fear he's been abused. I called theanimal shelter again and was told to corral the dog in my garage and someonewould come pick him up the next day. Can you imagine what that would do to analready frightened dog? It was a moot point anyway because he'd vanishedBut there hewas again in my backyard the next day. My daughter was home, so she took achicken leg out to see if she could coax the dog in. Again, no luck. The dog snarled and ran. She tossedthe leg, he dashed back to pick it up and ran off again.
Ever sincethen, I've been watching for him. I can't seem to forget how sad and frightenedhe looked. I also worry because we have coyotes around. Could I have done moreto help him? I don't know. I've never had a dog. What would you have done?
September 17, 2011
Why My Sister is My Forever Friend
by Leann
My sister, the REAL Candace Carson, is five years younger than me. We have always been close--I was the mom she and I never really had. I did a lot of nurturing since she first came into my life. She got married at my house and even though my husband, my kids and I were the only guests, I made sure she had cake and champagne and canapes. Oh, and the rent-a-minister from the wedding chapel down the freeway.
We have always talked often, visited often (even though she lives 2500 miles away) and helped each other through the tough times everyone experiences in life. Those are reasons enough to be forever friends. Now there is another.
Since I became ill with Lyme and a couple other confounding invisible fatigue causing illnesses, my husband the packrat has had his way. Nothing has been thrown out or donated in years. I used to keep on top of things, sneaking off to the Goodwill to donate or I would just reorganize and collect the old shoes and clothes and books in various places. But between writing mysteries and fighting fatigue, those tasks have remained undone. Until this past week.
We have made two trips to the Goodwill with my car completely full. We have packed up ten boxes of items that will be stored in a unit in South Carolina for our eventual move there. We now have enough bags and boxes to fill the car again and go off to the Goodwill donation center. Her biggest help was with books that are just too heavy for me to carry. My packrat husband, who has saved every rusty screw and broken bolt for decades, somehow doesn't understand that I can never, ever throw away a book. Yet throwing them away, rather than giving them away, would have been his solution. Now they will go to new homes thanks to her strength. And she IS strong. Just lugged those boxes to my car without a problem. I never could have done any of this without her help and I will be forever grateful. I am so lucky to have her in my life.
How about you? Is there someone you love who will do whatever you ask, whenever you need it done? We all need a rescuer every now and then. :-)
My sister, the REAL Candace Carson, is five years younger than me. We have always been close--I was the mom she and I never really had. I did a lot of nurturing since she first came into my life. She got married at my house and even though my husband, my kids and I were the only guests, I made sure she had cake and champagne and canapes. Oh, and the rent-a-minister from the wedding chapel down the freeway.
We have always talked often, visited often (even though she lives 2500 miles away) and helped each other through the tough times everyone experiences in life. Those are reasons enough to be forever friends. Now there is another.
Since I became ill with Lyme and a couple other confounding invisible fatigue causing illnesses, my husband the packrat has had his way. Nothing has been thrown out or donated in years. I used to keep on top of things, sneaking off to the Goodwill to donate or I would just reorganize and collect the old shoes and clothes and books in various places. But between writing mysteries and fighting fatigue, those tasks have remained undone. Until this past week.
We have made two trips to the Goodwill with my car completely full. We have packed up ten boxes of items that will be stored in a unit in South Carolina for our eventual move there. We now have enough bags and boxes to fill the car again and go off to the Goodwill donation center. Her biggest help was with books that are just too heavy for me to carry. My packrat husband, who has saved every rusty screw and broken bolt for decades, somehow doesn't understand that I can never, ever throw away a book. Yet throwing them away, rather than giving them away, would have been his solution. Now they will go to new homes thanks to her strength. And she IS strong. Just lugged those boxes to my car without a problem. I never could have done any of this without her help and I will be forever grateful. I am so lucky to have her in my life.
How about you? Is there someone you love who will do whatever you ask, whenever you need it done? We all need a rescuer every now and then. :-)
No time for a hobby
by Lorna Barrett / Lorraine Bartlett / L.L. Bartlett
I often think I'd like to be doing something else. Almost ANYTHING else than working 24/7. The thing is, I like my work--all aspects of it. I like writing, I like promoting, I like the nit-picky stuff like ordering bookmarks. I think I would have a tough time if I hired an assistant (which I can't afford anyway, but a girl can dream) because I'd be hovering all the time . . . thinking I could do whatever I'd assigned him/her (like putting stamps on postcards) much better, more efficiently, and put them on straight at exactly 1/8th of an inch away from both edges of the corner.
Anal? Me? You bet!
But then there's a part of me that would like to do something for relaxation, too. I used to do a bit of knitting. I used to do a LOT of counted cross stitch, but carpal tunnel put an end to both of those things. I've thought about taking classes in tole painting and rubberstamping . . . but that would mean I'd have to make time in the day for other stuff and it just ain't gonna happen. At least not any time soon.
I bought a bunch of movies last summer thinking it would be great to watch them. They're still sitting in the boxes unopened. Who has time for a movie? (Okay, if it was Star Trek, I'd probably MAKE time. In fact, I did. Many times. )
But otherwise, there just isn't enough time in the day.
How do you make time for the things you'd like to do?
I often think I'd like to be doing something else. Almost ANYTHING else than working 24/7. The thing is, I like my work--all aspects of it. I like writing, I like promoting, I like the nit-picky stuff like ordering bookmarks. I think I would have a tough time if I hired an assistant (which I can't afford anyway, but a girl can dream) because I'd be hovering all the time . . . thinking I could do whatever I'd assigned him/her (like putting stamps on postcards) much better, more efficiently, and put them on straight at exactly 1/8th of an inch away from both edges of the corner. Anal? Me? You bet!
But then there's a part of me that would like to do something for relaxation, too. I used to do a bit of knitting. I used to do a LOT of counted cross stitch, but carpal tunnel put an end to both of those things. I've thought about taking classes in tole painting and rubberstamping . . . but that would mean I'd have to make time in the day for other stuff and it just ain't gonna happen. At least not any time soon.I bought a bunch of movies last summer thinking it would be great to watch them. They're still sitting in the boxes unopened. Who has time for a movie? (Okay, if it was Star Trek, I'd probably MAKE time. In fact, I did. Many times. )
But otherwise, there just isn't enough time in the day.
How do you make time for the things you'd like to do?
September 16, 2011
Taking Notes
By Heather Webber / Heather Blake
Is there any truer slice of humanity than at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles? I'm thinking it definitely has to be up there in humanity viewing. Top three at least.
In the half hour I was there, the things I witnessed (guy trying to pass off a fake social security card), saw (most people actually smile for their license picture), smelled (you don't want to know), and learned (license plates really are made at the local prison) had the writer in me taking note and the everyday me in people-watching heaven.
I kinda can't wait to go back again. There's a book plot there, I just know it.
What are your favorite place to view slices of humanity?
Is there any truer slice of humanity than at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles? I'm thinking it definitely has to be up there in humanity viewing. Top three at least.
In the half hour I was there, the things I witnessed (guy trying to pass off a fake social security card), saw (most people actually smile for their license picture), smelled (you don't want to know), and learned (license plates really are made at the local prison) had the writer in me taking note and the everyday me in people-watching heaven.
I kinda can't wait to go back again. There's a book plot there, I just know it.
What are your favorite place to view slices of humanity?
September 15, 2011
Dru's Cozy Report: September Reading List
Welcome to Dru's Cozy Report. This month we have three new series for your reading pleasure.
Ahh, the romance of ballroom dancing and the dying isn't easy. That is what faces Stacy when she finds her ex-fiancé's dead body on her ballroom floor, the victim of foul play. The detective assigned to the case names Stacy as their prime suspect and believing they won't look for the real killer, Stacy sets out to find a murderer before her two-steps becomes a jailhouse march. This was a well-written, evenly-paced story that had elements I love in a mystery; a page-turner with plenty of action, a whodunit that stumped me as I thought I knew who the killer was, great conversations, a hint of romance and a wonderful cast of characters. This is a great beginning and I look forward to the second book in this pleasantly appealing series.Quickstep to Murder by Ella Barrick is the first book in the new "Ballroom Dance" mystery series. Publisher: Obsidian, September 2011
When Stacy Graysin catches her fiancé and dance partner, Rafe, doing the horizontal mambo with a samba queen, she immediately nixes their engagement. But the two still co-own a professional ballroom dance studio. Now Rafe wants to boost the studio's bottom line by offering—shudder!—hip-hop and tap classes, but Stacy would rather shave off her blond locks than dance to that tune. Finding Rafe's lifeless body in their studio really makes Stacy's head spin, and when police name her as the chief suspect, she decides to investigate so she won't be waltzing into a prison cell. At least, Stacy thinks, she now owns the studio outright. But Rafe recently changed his will and his estranged half brother has come forward, ready to sell the studio to the highest bidder...who may be the murderer.
Visit Ella at www.ellabarrick.com
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book
Mind Over Murder by Allison Kingsley is the first book in the new "Raven's Nest Bookstore" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, September 2011
For some time, all Clara Quinn wanted was to get away from Finn's Harbor—and her inherited ability to see into the future and read people's thoughts, a trait her family calls the Quinn Sense. But Clara couldn't stay away for long, and soon she's helping her cousin, Stephanie Quinn Dowd, in her bookstore, the Raven's Nest. The bookstore has made an enemy of the town crier, Ana Jordon, who's outraged by the store's occult collection and how it's poisoning the town's youth. Meanwhile, the store's number one employee, Molly, has made no secret of her anger over Ana's antics. So when Ana is found dead, killed by the bust of Edgar Allen Poe—sculpted by Molly—the evidence is stacked against her. Clara knows Molly and the store are in trouble. Now she must rely on her gift to make sense of this senseless murder.
This is another great debut! Having ignored her psychic ability for so long, Clara is put to the test when her cousin's employee becomes the prime suspect in a recent murder. Sensing that she is innocent, Clara agrees to help Stephanie close the book on this killer. What a great read! This was a well-crafted tale that I could not put down, not even for a minute. The running conversation between the two cousins entertained me as they devise scenarios to catch a killer with surprising results. With a likeable cast, a small-town feel and a good mystery plot, I hope the doors stays open for this delightfully charming debut series.
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book
Jo is thrown into a murder investigation when first she finds a dead body in her shop and then when the police detective seeks her help. When her friend is later arrested for the murder, Jo continues to gather clues and in the process learns more about herself. The brilliant use of buttons as a mystery plot worked well because I could not tear my eyes away from this book. The easy tone and fresh dialogue kept the pages flowing. It was fun meeting Jo and exploring her relationships with her friends. The storyline kept me guessing with so many twists and turns that I didn't see the killer until it was too late. This is a great start to a terrific series and I can't wait to read what is un-buttoned next.Button Holed by Kylie Logan is the first book in the new "Button Box" mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, September 2011
Working out of her button shop in a Chicago brownstone, Josie Giancola has quietly become one of the country's leading experts on buttons—antique buttons, jeweled buttons, artistic buttons. Her reputation draws a Hollywood starlet to the Button Box to shop for one-of-a-kind buttons to adorn her made-to-order wedding gown. But after the Button Box is ransacked and the actress is murdered, Josie's cozy world is thrown into chaos. Homicide detective Nevin Riley is looking to her for clues, starting with the murder weapon—an antique buttonhook. But a killer has other ideas, like keeping Josie's lips buttoned up...permanently.
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book
September 13, 2011
Online Book Reviews and How You Can Help Your Favorite Authors Without Actually Having to Write a Review
by Deb Baker/Hannah Reed
Reviews. We love 'em. Or we hate 'em. And as the Cozy Chicks become more well-known, the weirdos come out of the woodwork and believe me, they've mastered the nasty review. Sometimes it's obvious that the reviewer hasn't even read the book, sometimes it's just plain mean spirited. Maybe they have an agenda. Who knows? To top it off they usually hide behind Anonymous or use a pseudonym like Fairy Lover's Mom.
One thing I do know is that the Cozy Chicks don't fake good reviews for each other (as some readers think), and we're lucky if our family members even read our books, never mind asking them to take that extra step.
If you're an avid reader, you know that every book is subjective. We like different things. My cup of tea might not be yours. Therefore, I refuse to write a bad review. I don't want to hurt any author's chance of success. I know what they've put into it.
Still, with the influx of independent publications, I depend on reviews to guide my choices. If I don't know the author, I read all the reviews – good and bad – and make a judgment call.
Recently a bad review actually helped Murder Passes the Buck. Here's what was posted at Amazon: "Total waste of 99 cents. The Gertie Johnson character is obnoxious." A woman reading this particular review loved the fact that Gertie was obnoxious, has purchased and read all 4 in the series because of that review, and we've had some fun emails back and forth.
But I bet that's a rare case.
So…
Call to Action
The next time you love a book, help the author out by going online. You don't even have to write a review. With the following two quick and easy steps, you can drive a book up the ladder to success. Here's an example of what works for Amazon, but the same applies to Barnes & Noble, etc. So head over there and find the author's title that you loved, loved, loved, and:
1. Directly under the title, click the "Like" button. See? Totally painless. You've done your good deed for the day. You can stop here or move on to step two, which has even more power.
2. Right next to the "Like button", click on the "customer review link". That takes you to a new page. See the "Most Helpful Favorable Review vs the Most Helpful Critical Review"? What you want to do is remove any truly nasty review from that most helpful position. To do that, read through the reviews. The ones you like best, mark as helpful. The awful one(s), those designed to damage (and you'll know that when you see them) mark as unhelpful.
That's it. Easy right.
We are all part of a wonderfully supportive reading community. Let's form a line of defense against those nasty people with destruction in mind!
Reviews. We love 'em. Or we hate 'em. And as the Cozy Chicks become more well-known, the weirdos come out of the woodwork and believe me, they've mastered the nasty review. Sometimes it's obvious that the reviewer hasn't even read the book, sometimes it's just plain mean spirited. Maybe they have an agenda. Who knows? To top it off they usually hide behind Anonymous or use a pseudonym like Fairy Lover's Mom. One thing I do know is that the Cozy Chicks don't fake good reviews for each other (as some readers think), and we're lucky if our family members even read our books, never mind asking them to take that extra step.
If you're an avid reader, you know that every book is subjective. We like different things. My cup of tea might not be yours. Therefore, I refuse to write a bad review. I don't want to hurt any author's chance of success. I know what they've put into it.
Still, with the influx of independent publications, I depend on reviews to guide my choices. If I don't know the author, I read all the reviews – good and bad – and make a judgment call.
Recently a bad review actually helped Murder Passes the Buck. Here's what was posted at Amazon: "Total waste of 99 cents. The Gertie Johnson character is obnoxious." A woman reading this particular review loved the fact that Gertie was obnoxious, has purchased and read all 4 in the series because of that review, and we've had some fun emails back and forth.
But I bet that's a rare case.
So…
Call to Action
The next time you love a book, help the author out by going online. You don't even have to write a review. With the following two quick and easy steps, you can drive a book up the ladder to success. Here's an example of what works for Amazon, but the same applies to Barnes & Noble, etc. So head over there and find the author's title that you loved, loved, loved, and:
1. Directly under the title, click the "Like" button. See? Totally painless. You've done your good deed for the day. You can stop here or move on to step two, which has even more power.
2. Right next to the "Like button", click on the "customer review link". That takes you to a new page. See the "Most Helpful Favorable Review vs the Most Helpful Critical Review"? What you want to do is remove any truly nasty review from that most helpful position. To do that, read through the reviews. The ones you like best, mark as helpful. The awful one(s), those designed to damage (and you'll know that when you see them) mark as unhelpful.
That's it. Easy right.
We are all part of a wonderfully supportive reading community. Let's form a line of defense against those nasty people with destruction in mind!
September 12, 2011
Celebrating Writers and Writing
This past weekend I spent at a writers' conference in Denver, Colorado. Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' annual conference, Colorado Gold. RMFW is my "home" writers' group, the group where I apprenticed in the craft of fiction-writing. I first joined in 1988, and I credit the workshops, seminars, conferences, and critique groups with providing the opportunities I needed to become published in 1995 with my historical western, ABILENE GAMBLE. Another great group sprang from RMFW in the early 1990's, Pikes Peak Writers in Colorado Springs, which also hosts a yearly writers' conference each April. I attended both writers' conferences every year---as well as others---in my journey to becoming a published novelist.
It was great to see old friends again last weekend---and make new ones. I hadn't been able to attend either RMFW's conference or the Pike's Peak April conference for a few years because I was attending mystery conferences held in other cities in the U.S. at the same time. I had missed the excitement of watching other writers progress in their journeys. Several writers that were just starting out when I became published are now celebrating the release of their first novels. I had missed meeting new writers, some attending for the first time, who needed encouragement. I've always believed in "giving back" by encouraging new writers as other experienced and successful authors encouraged me years ago. Completing the Circle, I call it.
Writers' conferences offer workshop sessions in all aspects of the writing craft, plus sessions on other writing-business topics. They are necessary for those of us who are storytellers and are determined to persevere in our quest to become published novelists. The information is essential, I think. So is the networking we experience with other writers. Sharing our joys, sorrows, trials and triumphs with other writers helps sustain us in this difficult and demanding business we've chosen.
Writing is a solitary occupation. No one can understand you like another writer. Family members love us, but they can't really understand our drive to write down the stories that these "people" inside our head keep telling us. We'll do without sleep, entertainment, recreation, whatever to capture those stories. We can't help it. We've just GOT to write those stories.
What about you? Is there some occupation or activity that has capitivated you enough that you've actually gone to workshops and seminars to learn about it?
So Let It Be Written: When My Mystery Got Real
By Kate CollinsTwelve books ago, I had just finished writing MUM'S THE WORDand was seeking a plot for the second book in the Flower Shop Mystery series. Ihad a title, SLAY IT WITH FLOWERS, and a general idea, but needed a big plottwist to make it all happen. In comes my hairdresser and her colleagues, who, while I washaving my hair cut, complained about the men using their parking lot or that ofthe Auto Zone across the street to get to the business next door. The sign outfront of this business said: KING'S SPA, with the word MASSAGES, and a telephonenumber underneath. There was no other advertising, and the building, an old whitewooden house, had butcher paper covering the windows. Suspicious, you say? Oh,it gets better.
The hairdressers' lament had prompted one of their clientsto go next door to make an appointment. She was told by an unfriendly Chinesereceptionist that women were not welcome. At a massage parlor? Really? Then there were the masseuses, a group of Chinese women intight silk dresses, who would come to the salon to buy hair products. They didn'tspeak. They would point to a product and toss money onto the counter from athick wad they carried in their, well, you know.Being a crusader for justice through my character AbbyKnight, I suggested ways to stop the men from using the salon's parking lot.Snap their photos and license plates and hang them in the big front windows.Call the Chief of Police. Write letters to the Mayor. I even volunteered to stand across the streetwith a camera.And then a lightbulb went off. I had my plot twist! CouldAbby NOT get involved if such a thing were happening in her hometown? My mantrabecame: What Would Abby Do?
A month after SLAY IT WITH FLOWERS was released, (six months after my hairdresser had complained) the police raidedthe King's Spa, (which I called EMPEROR'S SPA in my book) rounding up a groupthat was part of a Chinese prostitution ring working out of Chicago. Naturally, I had to boast that my story hadhelped bring light to the situation (whether it really did is something I'llalways wonder).Fast forward to now. In the newspaper, I read of anotherso-called massage parlor in a neighboring city that was similarly raided withthe same results. Thinking back to my experience, I wondered how long it took people to realize what was actuallygoing on and notify the authorities. What would you have done if you'd discovered such asituation in your hometown? Pretend it didn't exist or try to do somethingabout it? In other words, are you an Abby Knight?
