Terry Odell's Blog, page 302

Getting the Setting

Last day to enter my contest! Click the tab for details.Right now, we're experiencing the change seasons, something that was so subtle in Orlando, that I always said there were two seasons there: Summer and February 3rd. But as I type this, I'm looking out the window at the aspen trees. They've been going from green to gold over the last week, standing out in stark contrast to the dark green

Editing? Get Out of the Box

What I'm reading: Ashton's Secret, by Liana LaverentzFirst things first – I've blogged about authors supporting each other before, and today I've got two examples.Without any solicitations on my part, this blog was discovered by Patricia Marie Warren, who has a blog called "Typing One Handed." She's featuring Terry's place as her blog of the week. I hope you'll drop by – this isn't an interview,

Why Cops are Partial to "No Comment"

Kathy Bennett has been a Los Angeles Police Officer for over twenty years, with most of her career spent working the streets of L.A. Most people see police officers as a badge and uniform. Today, Kathy gives us insight into how, even off-duty, police officers have to limit their public exposure.(Note: Kathy is not only out of town, but had a virus attack her computer. She's promised to check in

Don't Ask Me For Blueprints

What I'm reading: Captive of Sin, by Anna CampbellNo surprise to anyone reading this blog regularly that I'm not much of a plotter. In fact, I'm giving my "Plotting for Non-Plotters" workshop at the Emerald City Conference in a couple of weeks. Recent events made it clear I could never be an architect.Now that the upstairs of our house is finished (although we still need some furniture), we're

Quick Update

Quick update - A Summer's Eve is now available at the Kindle Store. Hope you'll check it out. Randy and Sarah are back in a previously unpublished epilogue to Hidden Fire. Cutbacks in the Pine Hills Police force have increased Randy's workload, and he's looking forward to getting some time off to spend with his wife. However, despite all of Randy's detective skills, Sarah still manages to

Friday Field Trip - Germany

My daughter spent her senior year of high school as an exchange student in Germany. She lived in a tiny village, Belrieth. The nearest 'recognizable' city was Meiningen, noted for its theater. It was an enlightening experience for both my daughter and her host family, as she was there just three years after the wall came down. Several years later, we had the opportunity to travel to Germany with

Those Pesky Overused Words

L'Shannah Tovah to those who are observing the New Year. It's 5771.We all have crutch words--those words that seem to crop up in a manuscript, edging out other, more useful or appropriate words. Some of them seem to be the equivalent of the spoken "um" merely vamping until thoughts coagulate. I have a list, but even after I cull my known offenders, others seem to be sucked into the manuscript--

Rolling With The Punches

What I'm reading: What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie BrownEvery so often, you're at a gathering and you mention you're a writer. "Oh, I've always wanted to write a book. One of these days, when I'm not so busy, I'll write one." Well, first, if you wait until you have time, you probably won't ever write the book. Writers write because for them, it's like breathing. Something they have to do.But

The Magic Boomerang

Today, author Margaret Tanner visits Terry's Place. Thanks to the magic of cyber-space, she's dropping in from Down Under.You be the judge. Do lucky charms work?I always scoffed at magic or lucky charms. If I couldn't see it, I didn't believe in it. Well, that is not until I visited my Dad's sister, a sprightly old dear in her nineties. It was the 30th anniversary of my father's death.After a

Passing the Test

What I'm reading: Hangman, by Faye KellermanIt's Labor Day, a holiday for those of us in the US, and I'm taking the day off from 'serious' blogging. Our plans include a drive into the Springs for an outdoor Arlo Guthrie concert with our kids. Back in the day when our daughters were dating, any serious prospects were subjected to listening to his version of The Garden Song. We have the "Precious