M.J. Compton's Blog, page 3

Neighbor of My Youth

As previously mentioned, I grew up in a rural neighborhood. This could be a challenge when selling Girl Scout cookies, which we did door-to-door back then. In March. In Upstate NY, where it snows a lot. My cousin and I, the same age, next-door-neighbors, would sell together. She’d sell one house, I’d take the next. … Continue reading Neighbor of My Youth

Memory: Trick or Treat for UNICEF

When I was living in my first apartment, going to the laundromat was a new experience. There was always a very young girl there, seven or eight years old at the most, who begged for quarters for the machines. (Yes, back then, the washers and dryers took quarters. ) She had short, mousy brown hair, … Continue reading Memory: Trick or Treat for UNICEF

Analyzing a Book Series

The final installment of one of my favorite series of books is coming out next week. I’m looking forward to the story so much that I am re-reading the entire series to get myself immersed in the characters again. I’ve preordered the Kindle version, not something I usually do. The heroine is a real-estate agent … Continue reading Analyzing a Book Series

The Penny Candy Store

I grew up in a rural community. Mostly there were apple orchards and dairy farms. We lived about a mile from a hamlet which was really nothing more than a cemetery, a church, a Grange Hall, and a cluster of houses. And LaFlam’s.  We rode our bikes to LaFlam’s every chance we could. Mr. LaFlam … Continue reading The Penny Candy Store

Tale of a Movie Critic

For many years, the city in which I live hosted a film festival. Actually, it hosts several,  but the most established one was created and run by a friend of my husband. Several larger cities tried to “buy” it from the founder, but he wouldn’t give it up. The festival featured old movies. It drew … Continue reading Tale of a Movie Critic

A Tale of Two Earrings

I lost one of a favorite pair of earrings last summer. I searched everywhere for it. Every placed I’d been that day at Day Job. My car. Every place I’d stepped or sat at home.  I tossed the widowed earring into a container on my bureau. Periodically I would see it and think I should … Continue reading A Tale of Two Earrings

Movie: The Flower of My Secret

My husband said, “It’s about a romance author.” So we watched it. This 1995 Spanish film is about the falling-apart life of a famous, best-selling romance author. The opening is freely based on a short story by Dorothy Parker. Miles Davis composed the soundtrack. The main character, Leo, wants to expand her repertoire. Her publisher … Continue reading Movie: The Flower of My Secret

Books about Writers

I am preparing to make a major change in my life. I’ve been thinking about it for over a year.  I’ve been imagining what my new life will look like. In my reading, I came across two books that prompted further research on the topic of What Does a Full-time Author’s Life Look Like? The … Continue reading Books about Writers

Capitol Theatre Restoration

My husband and I are “friends” of a 1928 movie house in a nearby city. TV Stevie has attended their annual film festival since its inception. I started attending with him several years ago. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 festival was postponed for a year. A year off, right? Nope. Using a $2.5 million … Continue reading Capitol Theatre Restoration

Analyzing Other Authors

Last month, or maybe the month before, I started re-reading JD Robb’s In Death series and making notes. I also purchased all the books I didn’t have, so I now have an up-to-date library of the series. It’s important because I do go back and re-read books I love. For those unfamiliar with the series, the … Continue reading Analyzing Other Authors