Edith Maxwell's Blog, page 153
April 5, 2019
A Wicked Welcome to Connie Berry
By Julie, waiting for spring to arrive in Somerville
It is always such a thrill to know someone from conferences and then get to celebrate their debut. A wicked welcome to Connie Berry, and a huge congratulations on A Dream of Death!
LEARNING THE HARD WAY
by Connie Berry, author of the Kate Hamilton Mystery Series
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In exactly seven days—one week—I will see the realization of a dream I thought might never come true. My debut mystery, A Dream of Death, will find its way to actual readers, who will enter a world I created, the fictional Isle of Glenroth in the Scottish Hebrides.
I hate to tell you how long it took me to wrestle a shapeless blob of a story into publishable form. Way too long. But along the way I learned valuable lessons I’d love to pass on to others. Some lessons must be learned the hard way, by making mistakes and correcting them; but other lessons can be shared, saving time and energy for those who are willing to take them to heart. Here are my top two:
1. Take time to learn the craft of writing.
[image error]When I first sat down at my computer and typed Chapter One, I thought I knew how to write a mystery. How hard could it be? I had a Master’s Degree in English Literature, after all. My writing skills had always been my strong suit. I’d read countless mysteries and understood basic things like planting clues and ending chapters with something to keep the reader turning pages. I dreamed that *somehow* [insert magical thinking here] my work would dazzle. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. My first clue came with a manuscript critique at Sleuthfest with Neil Nyren. “Well,” he said, his eyes glazing over, “this needs some work, doesn’t it?” I’d seen that look before—on the face of a long-suffering middle-school band director. As deflated as I was, that critique jerked me into the real world and sent me to as many classes and books on craft as I could afford. I learned things I needed to know—like weasel words, head-hopping, POV, show-don’t-tell, pacing, story structure, less-is-more, story and character arcs, and so much more. I’m still learning.
2. Develop relationships with other writers.
One wintry Ohio day years ago, I attended a meeting of writers at the main library. That meeting was the local chapter of Sisters in Crime. There I met the wonderful Amanda Flower, whose first book was about to be published. She was so encouraging and down-to-earth that I decided to join the group. That led me to Sisters in Crime National, Guppies, Mystery Writers of America, and eventually conferences such as Malice Domestic, Sleuthfest, and Crime Bake. I’ll never forget the day I stood in the mystery section of our local Barnes & Noble and realized I had actually met most of the authors on the shelf.
As encouraging as friendships are, though, the greatest benefit in developing relationships in the writing community is the opportunity to get real help and constructive criticism from people who know what they’re talking about. If you want someone to tell you how amazing you are, have your mother read your stuff. If you want the truth, ask another writer. The mystery writing community is incredibly generous. I don’t know who said it first, but I love the quote: “No one must fail in order for me to succeed.” Ask someone to read and comment on a chapter or two. Swap manuscripts. Join your local SinC chapter. Attend writers’ workshops. Listen. And, of course, reciprocate. Give back. Help someone else succeed. Celebrate their successes and commiserate when the inevitable rejections come. We’re in this together.
Who in the writing community has helped you become a better writer—and how?
SHORT BIO:
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Like her main character, Connie Berry was raised in Wisconsin by charmingly eccentric antique collectors. Besides reading and writing mysteries, Connie adores cute animals, foreign travel, and all things British. She lives in Ohio with her husband and adorable dog, Millie. She can be found at www.connieberry.com.
A DREAM OF DEATH (Crooked Lane Books):
[image error]Autumn has come and gone on Scotland’s Isle of Glenroth, and the islanders gather for the Tartan Ball, the annual end-of-tourist-season gala. Spirits are high. A recently published novel about island history has brought hordes of tourists to the small Hebridean resort community. On the guest list is American antiques dealer Kate Hamilton, Kate returns reluctantly to the island where her husband died, determined to repair her relationship with his sister, proprietor of the island’s luxe country house hotel, famous for its connection with Bonnie Prince Charlie. The next morning a body is found, murdered in a reenactment of an infamous crime described in the novel. The Scottish police discount the historical connection, but when a much-loved local handyman is arrested, Kate teams up with a vacationing detective inspector from England to unmask a killer determined to rewrite island history—and Kate’s future
BUY LINKS:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2GKIYmL
Barnes and Noble: https://bit.ly/2WUJeFn
Indiebound: https://bit.ly/2BzjPb1
April 4, 2019
Cover Reveal — Sell Low, Sweet Harriet
One of the most exciting days in the whole publishing process is the day I first see my book cover! Lou Malcangi and the team at the Kensington art department did an amazing job with the cover for Sell Low, Sweet Harriet the eighth book in the Sarah Winston Garage Sale mysteries! Look for a giveaway at the end of the post.
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Here is the back cover copy:
ONE WOMAN’S TRASH . . .
Sarah Winston’s garage sale business has a new client: the daughter of a couple who recently died in a tragic accident while away on a trip to Africa. Their house is full of exotic items from around the world that need to be sold off. When Sarah learns that the deceased were retired CIA agents, the job becomes more intriguing—but when an intruder breaks in and a hidden camera is found, it also becomes more dangerous. And Sarah has enough on her plate right now since she’s investigating a murder on the side at the nearby Air Force base, where her status as a former military spouse gives her a special kind of access.
. . . IS ANOTHER WOMAN’S TROUBLE
With so much work piling up, Sarah decides to hire some help. But her assistant, Harriet—a former FBI hostage negotiator—has a rare talent for salesmanship. Which is good, because Sarah may have to haggle for her life with Harriet’s assistance . . .
So many items on the cover of this one play into the story! Sell Low, Sweet Harriet comes out on December 31, 2019. Here’s a link to the Kensington page for the book: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/39094
[image error]And in other exciting news I just got the Advance Reader Copies of Let’s Fake a Deal which comes out on July 30, 2019! I’m going to give away a copy to someone who leaves a comment.
Readers: If you could own one thing from the cover of Sell Low, Sweet Harriet what would you pick?
April 3, 2019
Wicked Wednesday: How do your characters have fun?
We are all writing mysteries, so there is a bit of an ominous note in our novels. But nevertheless, our characters have fun. Wickeds, how do your characters have fun in your different series?
Liz: I love this question Julie! We don’t think about having fun enough, in my opinion. In my Cat Cafe series, Maddie James is a closet singer – she’s got a talent for sure, and it manifests itself in her constant quest for the right musician boyfriend. When she starts dating Lucas, the dog groomer/musician, she gets an opportunity to show off her talents for the first time at one of his shows and she has a blast. She’s probably going to need to start having regular singing gigs to balance out the murders in town 
April 2, 2019
See You In Milwaukee
by Julie, just back from Left Coast Crime, and a huge fan of Vancouver
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If you live in the Midwest Barb, Sherry, and I are going to be at the Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Weekend April 26th through the 28th! The weekend is packed full of events with tons of opportunities to meet and talk to authors including the three of us. You can find the full schedule here: http://barbaravey.com/bvw19/
Three events require advanced tickets. One is a fabulous lunch where you could sit with one of us and hear Keynote speaker actress and author Meg Tilly! As hosts, we will be decorating our tables and will have gifts for our guests. We’re all working on that now!
The pizza party is Saturday night at 5:30pm. It’s a relaxed atmosphere to visit with other readers and authors while enjoying soda and all the pizza you can eat.
The last event of the weekend is breakfast where you can sit with one of us. We’re also decorating our tables for breakfast! It includes a full buffet with beverages and a chance to win a last minute door prize and maybe go home with a few more books.
Here’s a link to purchase lunch, pizza, and breakfast tickets:
https://barbaravey.ticketleap.com/barbara-vey-reader-appreciation-weekend-2019/dates/Apr-26-2019_at_0630PM
When you attend the lunch you get:
Tote bag filled with books and goodies$5 coupon to be used at the book signingLunch with an authorGift from your authorDoor prize ticketMemory BookletOpportunity to purchase raffle tickets for charityBook signing EventMeet & Greet with the Authors
There are also lots of opportunities to talk with us at events like author bingo and the Friday night author Question and Answer session.
Going to Milwaukee is a bit of a trek for us, but we’re really looking forward to meeting some readers. If you know of anyone who lives in the area, let them know about it, and make sure they say hello. Tickets are on sale for another week.
We made this video to introduce ourselves to folks. You all know us, but you may enjoy it.
March 31, 2019
The Way We Were
I’m going to be moving out of my oversized (four bedroom, two parlors and a stable) Victorian in the next few months, after fifteen years here. That means I’m going through the better part of a century of accumulated stuff. You might call this post Downsizing Part 2, not that I’ve come to terms with how much I’m going to have to let go and gained a new perspective. The process has made me realize how much the world has changed both since the house was built ca. 1870 and how much daily life has changed for many people (based on the accumulated possessions of four generations of my family). I’ve also learned some things about family members that I never knew, save through what they acquired and kept and passed down, ultimately to me.
To start with the house, or, what it means to be a Victorian home:
–There’s a servant’s room in the attic. It’s unheated, although it did at least have electric light.
–There are not one but two cisterns that collected rain water from the gutters (there was no town water when the house was built). One was in the basement under the kitchen sink, and there’s a pedestal for a long-gone pump. The other is in the master bedroom, hidden behind a wall. My best guess is that it provided water for the adjacent toilet (the kind with a high tank mounted on the wall—BTW, the tank is still in the corner of the attic, though not connected to anything). Someone once suggested to me that since there’s a water spigot attached to the cistern, it might have been used in case of fire, with the attachment of a hose to that spigot. I’ve never seen such an arrangement, but it seems possible.
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–There’s a fuse panel in the basement. It has room for six screw-in glass fuses—for the whole house. One of the spaces is labeled “Toaster”. So a toaster in that era required its own fuse? The town was first electrified in the 1890s, so the panel may date from around 1900.
–One space in the basement had been walled off behind a wooden partition—with a door that locked on the outside. Inside there were shelves along the walls. A cold cellar? Since for a time the house took in boarders, were the owners then afraid they’d steal the vegetables or preserves?
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–There’s an unheated room between the back of the kitchen and the stable (which suffered a mid-size fire in (I believe) 1946, and hadn’t housed a horse for some time before that). Under the floor of that room between I found a treasure trove of trash, including a bald umbrella, a wooden toothbrush, a whole slew of empty medicine bottles and a souvenir Civil War cannonball the size of a softball (I say souvenir because this town and its vicinity never witnessed a battle in that war, though the builder of the house was a Civil War veteran). And five broken china chamberpots (probably discarded when they built a bathroom!).
So there were ample clues about how the people lived in this house when it was new, and they tell a story, both about them and about the town, well over a century ago.
The Family Heirlooms:
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–China. Lots of china. One full dining service, plus 69 teacups (with matching dessert plates), and fourteen teapots of varying kinds. Assorted silver (the oldest were sets of teaspoons). Six demitasse cups. A couple of old Wedgewood decorative jars (one slightly broken). And my grandmother added a lot more pieces to the collection, more often decorative than functional. Luckily the house came equipped with not one but two full-size china closets.
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–Lamps. My mother’s grandmother seems to have been obsessed with lamps. She didn’t buy many, but she converted a whole host of vases (mostly antique) into electric lamps, which I still use.
–Furniture. Mostly acquired in the 20th century, so not particularly historic. (Makes me wonder where the family’s Victorian furniture went!)
–Tablecloths and table linens. I have half a steamer trunk full. Linen cloths, usually with monogrammed napkins. A full-size lace cloth, that would cover a table with eight place settings. Luncheon cloths with smaller matching napkins. Cocktail napkins. The amount of ironing must have been hellacious (oh, let the servant do it).
[image error]Tiffany picture frame, with a picture of my great-grandmother Mabel Barton Floyd
–A handsome silver desk set bought by my mother’s father at Tiffany’s as a gift for his mother in the 1920s. It includes a desk pad, a pen tray, a letter knife, and a picture frame, all matching.
And there’s much, much more, though no books from the earlier years. Very few photographs—my early family wasn’t very much into photography, save for a few formal portraits. Only one small oil painting, of a New England schooner. A handsome commemorative sword given to my great-great-grandfather by the local chapter of the Grand Army of the Republic, for which he did such things as organize a regatta on the Charles River.
Many of these things have no practical value to me or my sister now, apart from admiring their craftsmanship and enjoying our sentimental attachments. We never knew any of the people who owned them in the past. Since these people rarely wrote letters (or no one thought they were worth keeping), we know them mainly by the things they purchased and loved and kept. So we begin the arduous process of deciding which pieces mean the most to us, mainly through family stories, and whether we should keep them. We bring our family with us in small pieces. But it’s not easy to say goodbye—they’re still family, if only in memory.
What about you? Are there a few pieces that you treasure because they came from your past or your family’s? And how do you choose?
March 29, 2019
Guest-Alyssa Maxwell
Jessie: Chained to the desk feeling envious of all those at Left Coast Crime!
I’ve gotten to know Alyssa over the lst couple of years as a member of the Sleuths in Time group on Facebook where she does much of the heavy lifting. Alyssa writes books that are such fun to read and I am delighted she could join us here today! She has offered an Advance Readers Copy of Murder at Crossways to a commenter who resides in the US!
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Hi Wickeds! Thanks for having me here today!
As long as I have your ear, I have a confession to make, and I’m hoping you and your readers can keep a secret, because I wouldn’t want this to get out. But here it is: I never fully grew up. Yup, it’s the truth. Specifically, I never outgrew playing “pretend.” Or daydreaming, for that matter. And I suspect this is what led me to be a writer, because I can live in my daydreams and not be criticized for it because . . .
Hey, I’m working!
Who didn’t hear, “Stop that daydreaming,” when they were young, especially in school? I did it all the time, except – and this is true – during writing time. Then, suddenly, I was the most focused kid in the class. But can we talk about the guilt that went along with fazing out (phasing out?) during, say, math? Because if we were caught daydreaming, we were led to believe we were doing something wrong, something BAD, something that didn’t accomplish anything when our attention should have been focused on boring old numbers – there, I said it! Numbers bored me. Words thrilled me!
And let me tell you, it didn’t matter how much attention I paid to my math lessons, I was NEVER going to become a mathematician. But I DID become a writer, and I’ve learned that daydreaming CAN be productive, if you channel it for the right (write?) purpose. So it’s a very good thing for me and other writers that we continued (albeit secretly) to allow those scenes to unfold in our minds while outwardly pretending to pay attention to, well, whatever it was we were supposed to be paying attention to.
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So what’s my favorite game of pretend? Why, “olden days,” of course. For as long as I can remember, the past has fascinated me – all of it. The clothes, the modes of transportation, the manners, and even the challenges (except the lack of modern plumbing, of course). I’m all too happy to turn off the present and retreat into my imaginary worlds of Gilded Age Newport or post WWI England. So, whether it’s collecting antiques that put me in the mindset of life a hundred or more years ago, attending our local Renaissance fair in costume, or sitting down to write every day and being immersed in the past, I’m delighted to do it—guilt free!
Readers: Did you discover a talent or a predisposition in your youth, and did you follow through with it as an adult? If not, do you wish you had?
BIO:
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Alyssa Maxwell knew from an early age that she wanted to be a fiction author. Growing up in New England and traveling to Great Britain fueled a passion for history, while a love of puzzles drew her to the mystery genre. She is the author of The Gilded Newport Mysteries and A Lady and Lady’s Maid Mysteries. She and her husband reside in Florida. You can visit Alyssa at http://www.alyssamaxwell.com
March 28, 2019
Guest-Krista Davis
Jessie: In New Hampshire where the forecast is above freezing all week!
I met Krista Davis for the first time several years ago at my very first Malice Domestic. We were both waiting in the lobby for a group of authors scheduled to have dinner with our shared publisher. I was in awe of her. No only was she one of the authors whose careers I admired, she was gracious, friendly and very kind to a neewbie like me. It is my very great privilege to welcome her to the Wickeds today!
Congratulations Sandy Gidden and Faith Creech! You are the winners of Krista’s ARCs! Jessie will email you to arrange to send your prizes.
How Can You Help Your Favorite Authors?
I get this question a lot. To be honest, before I was published, I had no idea what went on in the background. I just knew that I liked to read. I was one of those people who would read a great mystery and return to the store to buy the entire series. What’s more fun than binge reading? Right?
But that can get pricy. Most authors aren’t reeling in John Grisham type income and we love to read, so we can relate to that. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to give authors a boost. Even better, some of these things can be done online, from the comfort of your favorite cushy chair. And some only require the click of a button!
Don’t ever feel guilty for borrowing our books from a library. After all, the library bought the book, and that counts as a sale. If your library doesn’t carry your favorite author’s books, ask if they can buy one. Most libraries are very pleased to order books that their patrons request. And hopefully, someone else will notice the book and read it, too. In addition, if you’re an audio addict, a lot of libraries carry audio editions. It’s an inexpensive way for you to enjoy audio books and libraries are happy to carry them.Are you on Goodreads? Here’s something that doesn’t cost a cent and can be done from your sofa! Add a book to your want-to-read list. I love this because it lets other readers know about a book. People who belong to Goodreads want to hear what’s out there. How many times have you looked around for something new that other people are itching to read? Or did you miss a release by a favorite author? It’s such an easy way to spread the word about a book. And by adding a book to your want-to-read list, you’re doing the author a big favor. You don’t have to write a review or rate the book. You’re just telling people that you want to read it. So easy!While we’re talking about Goodreads, here’s another easy thing you can do from your sofa—enter a giveaway. No kidding. All you have to do is enter a Goodreads Giveaway. Your Goodreads friends will be notified, which is actually a favor to them because they’ll find out about the giveaway and the upcoming book. Best of all, you might win the book!Write a review. I think a lot of people are intimidated by writing a review. It doesn’t have to be long or super sophisticated. It can be even be one or two sentences. Admittedly, it does take a little bit more effort on your part, but it can be very helpful to the author. Did you know that the Amazon algorithm treats a book differently when it has fifty or more reviews? It will start popping up as a suggested read to other people who are interested in similar books. Wow! That’s like free advertising. Most people know about Amazon, but you can also post reviews at Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and a host of other places!
What do you like to do to help spread the word about your favorite books?
Readers: Krista will give away an advance reader copy of The Diva Sweetens the Pie to two people who leave comments today. US mailing addresses only, please.
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Krista Davis writes three mystery series. The Diva Sweetens the Pie is the 12thbook in the Domestic Diva mystery series about a group of friends in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Krista also writes the Pen & Ink Mysteries, featuring Florrie Fox, who manages a bookstore by day and draws coloring books at night.
If dogs and cats are your thing, you might enjoy Krista’s Paws & Claws Mysteries with Trixie the Jack Russell with a nose for trouble (or more precisely—dead people) and Twinkletoes, the long-haired calico cat. The animals don’t speak in Krista’s books, but they do know how to follow the scent of murder.
http://www.facebook.com/KristaDavisAuthor
instagram.com/kristadavisauthor/
March 27, 2019
Guest-Krista Davis
Jessie: In New Hampshire where the forecast is above freezing all week!
I met Krista Davis for the first time several years ago at my very first Malice Domestic. We were both waiting in the lobby for a group of authors scheduled to have dinner with our shared publisher. I was in awe of her. No only was she one of the authors whose careers I admired, she was gracious, friendly and very kind to a neewbie like me. It is my very great privilege to welcome her to the Wickeds today!
How Can You Help Your Favorite Authors?
I get this question a lot. To be honest, before I was published, I had no idea what went on in the background. I just knew that I liked to read. I was one of those people who would read a great mystery and return to the store to buy the entire series. What’s more fun than binge reading? Right?
But that can get pricy. Most authors aren’t reeling in John Grisham type income and we love to read, so we can relate to that. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to give authors a boost. Even better, some of these things can be done online, from the comfort of your favorite cushy chair. And some only require the click of a button!
Don’t ever feel guilty for borrowing our books from a library. After all, the library bought the book, and that counts as a sale. If your library doesn’t carry your favorite author’s books, ask if they can buy one. Most libraries are very pleased to order books that their patrons request. And hopefully, someone else will notice the book and read it, too. In addition, if you’re an audio addict, a lot of libraries carry audio editions. It’s an inexpensive way for you to enjoy audio books and libraries are happy to carry them.Are you on Goodreads? Here’s something that doesn’t cost a cent and can be done from your sofa! Add a book to your want-to-read list. I love this because it lets other readers know about a book. People who belong to Goodreads want to hear what’s out there. How many times have you looked around for something new that other people are itching to read? Or did you miss a release by a favorite author? It’s such an easy way to spread the word about a book. And by adding a book to your want-to-read list, you’re doing the author a big favor. You don’t have to write a review or rate the book. You’re just telling people that you want to read it. So easy!While we’re talking about Goodreads, here’s another easy thing you can do from your sofa—enter a giveaway. No kidding. All you have to do is enter a Goodreads Giveaway. Your Goodreads friends will be notified, which is actually a favor to them because they’ll find out about the giveaway and the upcoming book. Best of all, you might win the book!Write a review. I think a lot of people are intimidated by writing a review. It doesn’t have to be long or super sophisticated. It can be even be one or two sentences. Admittedly, it does take a little bit more effort on your part, but it can be very helpful to the author. Did you know that the Amazon algorithm treats a book differently when it has fifty or more reviews? It will start popping up as a suggested read to other people who are interested in similar books. Wow! That’s like free advertising. Most people know about Amazon, but you can also post reviews at Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and a host of other places!
What do you like to do to help spread the word about your favorite books?
Readers: Krista will give away an advance reader copy of The Diva Sweetens the Pie to two people who leave comments today. US mailing addresses only, please.
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Krista Davis writes three mystery series. The Diva Sweetens the Pie is the 12thbook in the Domestic Diva mystery series about a group of friends in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Krista also writes the Pen & Ink Mysteries, featuring Florrie Fox, who manages a bookstore by day and draws coloring books at night.
If dogs and cats are your thing, you might enjoy Krista’s Paws & Claws Mysteries with Trixie the Jack Russell with a nose for trouble (or more precisely—dead people) and Twinkletoes, the long-haired calico cat. The animals don’t speak in Krista’s books, but they do know how to follow the scent of murder.
http://www.facebook.com/KristaDavisAuthor
instagram.com/kristadavisauthor/
Wicked Wednesday-Personal Heroines
Jessie: Waiting and watching for signs of spring.
As we wrap up Women’s History Month I wanted to ask which women who have touched your personal life do you admire? Who are your everyday heroines?
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Julie: I am lucky to have so many fabulous women I admire and know. But let me tell you all about Kristen van Ginhoven, founder of WAM Theatre. Kristen is a remarkable theater director. Years ago, she was moved by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s Half the Sky, which called for investment in the lives of women and children. As a theater artist she tried to figure out how she could do that, and practice her art. So she founded WAM. For every production they do, they donate a portion of the proceeds to support organizations that support women and girls. So far they’ve donated more than $40,000. Now, running a theater company is not for the faint of heart, and adding this to the mix couldn’t have been easy. But she’s done the work, beautifully. Very proud to call Kristen a friend.
Liz: I have to give a shout out to my day job boss here – Riham El-Lakany, the chief marketing and communications officer at Freddie Mac Single-Family. In addition to being one of the best women I know, she’s also one of the most inspiring. She started her career as a single mom, and often brought her young son to work with her in those early days. She’s risen up through the ranks in financial services over the past 20 years, and she’s done it with grace and good humor and genuinely cares about people. She’s also passionate about advancing women in every possible way. She challenges me every day, but always in a supportive way. In addition to being the best boss I’ve ever had, I’m also proud to call her a friend.
Sherry: I have always had wonderful women in my life from hero teachers who believed in me to girlfriends who’ve stood beside me. I have to give a shout out to the women who serve on the board of Sisters in Crime. This is a working board who are making difficult and complicated decisions every week for the good of our members. They volunteer countless behind the scenes hours and provide support and advice to me. If you ever meet any of them, please thank them.
Edith: I’ve known many strong women who have provided role models, and want to echo Sherry’s kudos to the board of Sisters in Crime. But I’d like to give a special shoutout to my bestie, Jennifer Yanco, who has been my closest friend for forty-two years. Twenty years ago she co-founded White People Challenging Racism with Linda King, an African-American colleague. They designed an interactive course to help the pale-skinned start to overcome their (our) white privilege and move from talk to anti-racist action. Jennifer has worked tirelessly, while still holding down a day job, to refine and promote this work and I admire her deeply for it.
Barb: Like the other Wickeds I have benefited from the generosity, mentorship, and support from many women throughout my corporate and writing careers. Today I’d like to give a shoutout to my former business partner, boss and longtime friend, Carol Vallone. Carol and I are complete opposites which is what made our enduring partnership work at three different companies. Carol led the way by believing anything was possible and inspiring the company to reach for the heights. We never could have achieved what we did without her leadership and I am forever grateful. Today, Carol is using her amazing energy as the They are very lucky to have her.
Jessie: What an inspiring list! I want to mention my sister, Larissa. She is someone who knows her own mind and is not afraid to have difficult conversations whenever that is the best course of action. She gets back up whenever life throws her curveballs and she manages to think the best of almost everyone she meets. She serves as a gracious model of civility in a world where one is so desperately needed. I have been very grateful to watch her grow into the amazing woman she is and am looking forward to what I will learn from her in the future.
Readers, which women in your life are your heroines?
March 26, 2019
Full Circle
By Liz, enjoying the first glimpse of spring and warm weather!
I’ve been living a triple life lately. There’s the day job, the writing job, and the new business job. And then there’s, well, life, but that’s a whole other story.
In any case, I was thinking about the trajectory of my writing life as I’m working on my new book, and working through getting Spirit Writers up and running. And I realized how cool it is when things come full circle.
My business is all about helping people come back to their creative selves using all manner of spiritual tools and practices. You know, the woo-woo stuff: crystals, essential oils, meditation, oracle cards, etc. My new book, which I can’t wait to share with you (I hoped I’d have an official name by now, but soon!) allows me to dive deep into a lot of these tools in my fictional world.
Ok, I’ve been dying to do this so here it is: A sneak preview of the book. My main character is Violet Moon, and she’s a witch. But she doesn’t know she’s a witch until, through a series of unfortunate events, she’s reunited with her mother, who she hasn’t seen since she was a child.
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Violet owns a crystal shop and one of her superpowers is pairing people with the crystals they need, even when they don’t know exactly what their core problem is. Crystals have been a huge part of my life for many years, and I use them for tons of things – including my own creative journey. And now I get to teach people about them, both in my business AND in my new book. And I love the whole witchy vibe so it’s perfect!
I’m still figuring out how to weave essential oils into the book, but this is another tool I’m so excited to be able to share with people. I’ve been dabbling in oils for years, but last year I started to use them in earnest and really learn about all the awesome things they can do.
I feel like it’s fate that these two things are happening at once – I’m so excited for both of them and I can’t wait until I can tell you more about the book!
In the meantime, come on over to the Spirit Writers Facebook page and join the conversation. And tell me below – do you use any woo woo tools? Love witchy things? Share so I know there are kindred spirits out there!
