Heather Weidner's Blog, page 113

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

I've been challenged to complete 31 Days of Random Acts of Christmas Kindness in December. It's a pay-it-forward deal instead of counting down to the Advent Season.

I can pay tolls or tabs while I'm in line. I can hold doors and leave snacks or treats. Any other ideas?

I'm going to work on my list, and I'll keep you updated on my progress.

Let the holiday season begin!

New Pictures

The Virginia is for Mysteries' website has been updated, and we have added lots of pictures from our events and signings. Please stop by for a visit!

www.virginiaisformysteries.com

Nov. 21 Lethal Ladies' Lunch Break - Fountain Bookstore

Join the Lethal Ladies at Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA from 12:30 - 2:30 on Friday, November 21. Signed mysteries make great holiday gifts.

Come out and see Sisters in Crime members Mary Miley, Donna Andrews, Mary Burton, Lyndee Walker, Vivian Lawry, and me. We'll have signed copies of Virginia is for Mysteries.

http://www.fountainbookstore.com/event/lethal-ladies-lunch-break

November 15 - It's I Love to Write Day!

It's I Love to Write Day! I hope you're celebrating.

Suffolk Mystery Authors' Festival

Virginia is for Mysteries authors hosted three panels at the Suffolk Mystery Festival last weekend. I had the pleasure of presenting "The History of the Mystery" with Maggie King and Teresa Inge.

It was fun to meet all of the cozy mystery readers and writers at the Suffolk Cultural Arts Center.

Things I Miss from the 70s and 80s...

I am a child of the late seventies and eighties. There are things like leg warmers, blue eye shadow, and shoulder pads that just needed to be retired with those decades. But there are some things that I miss...

I really liked Love's Baby Soft perfume. I wore this for years. (I was so excited to find a throw-back version on Amazon. I ordered it. I'll let you know if it's as good as the original.)

Blue M&Ms are fun, but I still miss the tan-colored ones.

Pop Rocks were fun. They're still around. Grab a pack of the cherry ones if you see them.

I miss "Must See TV." Everybody watched the same shows and talked about them the next day.

I liked getting my nightly news from Walter Cronkite. And I loved watching "Captain Kangaroo."

I loved Saturday Morning Cartoons. Scooby Doo, Josie and the Pussycats, Speedbuggy, H.R. Puffenstuff, and the Kroft SuperShows were the best.

I grew up in a beach town, and it used to be so cool to pull up to a stoplight, and everyone was listening to the same song on the radio. That never happens any more.

I miss that life seemed simpler then. We were busy, but we weren't as over-scheduled and harried as we are today. I hope you enjoy your weekend and can find some wind-down time.

 

 

Happy Veterans' Day!

Many thanks to all who have served to preserve our freedoms. You and your families have endured and sacrificed much, so that we can enjoy what we hold dear. Our nation owes you an incredible debt.

Thanks to my veterans: Stan Weidner, Bill Cain, William Simpson, Landon Simpson, William Simpson, Jr., Lewis Welch, Sr.,  Irving G. Dewberry, Sr., Jack Dewberry, Harry Edwards, and Elwood Katzaman.

What Words Are Off-limits in Your Writing?

How good are you at self-editing? I'm a great editor for others, but I don't see mistakes in my work. That's why my critique group is invaluable. Each member has his/her own specialties. When my stories or manuscripts make it through this group, I know they are ready for the next steps.

I've learned from this group that I have some crutch words. I've created a list, and when I'm editing, I go back and look for ways to remove these.

Here are my biggest offenders...

JustOnlyThatThisWasWereSaid

I also tend to overuse names and colors.

Now that I've stared my list of things to look for, my writing is tighter before it gets to the critiquers.

Happy writing.

November 10 - It's Sesame Street Day

Come and play...It's Sesame Street Day. "Sesame Street" is 45 this year. My favorite is still Grover!

What's Your Super Power?

I love Batman. I always wanted to be Bat Girl like Yvonne Craig. My new fun TV watch is Fox's "Gotham." I really enjoy seeing the stories and characters from Detective Jim Gordon's perspective. And I think Robin Lord Taylor is brilliant as Penguin.

It's fun to live in their world for a while where the characters have super powers or can access cool tools that the rest of us don't have.

It made me think about my own utility belt of gifts and skills. What's my super power? It's a toss up. I can write, and I'm super-organized. I can order any mess. And I can type about 80 wpm.

Now, I just need a cool name, cape, and a pair of sparkly boots to go with my new super hero persona.