Changing Seasons

CHANGING SEASONS:







Next month the season will change from summer to fall and I suspect even if you are the most diehard fan of summer you will be glad to see fall arrive this year. I will admit that my summer has been fun and I accomplished a lot (mostly for other people) but yes there has been progress made this year.


I suppose if I have a question this morning it is "What is your favorite way to spend a "Fall" weekend?


I love when the wind is whipping around outside and the leaves are falling to curl up and read a good mystery. This is the season of mysteries and mystery reading and I don't waste it because fall is a short season in Kansas and I like to take full advantage of the short season.


In the fall I like to bake and baking pumpkin bread makes me feel cozy and when I cross stitch it is Halloween stitching. I suppose if I were in thearpy the doctor would say "Fall is my "Happy Place" and he would be right. The only problem I have with this season is that living in southeast Kansas our leaves do not turn until almost Halloween and while they are beautiful here in Parsons they don't turn early enough for me.


Every fall I watch the movie Arsnic and Old Lace as one of my fall rituals. I love to watch Hocus Pocus and many other on the gentle side Halloween movies.


I am always looking for mysteries to read that are set in the fall and someone recently pointed out to me that when I write a book it is almost always set in the fall. I suppose there is some truth to that and one of the reasons is Kansas has been known to have snow on Halloween and trick or treaters have to bundle up. As a matter of fact we might see snow on Halloween and none on Christmas so I can't pass up all the ideas that come to me on spending a Halloween in Kansas.


Do you have fall traditons that you carry through each year? What are they and will they make a good story? I don't decorate for each holiday like I used to but I always decorate for fall and Halloween and this year I am already thinking about 2011 as in 2011 I have a small group of stitchers who want to come to my house next fall and I think I am going to cross stitch Halloween Ornaments and make a Halloween Tree. I think I will then stitch an ornament every year thereafter to put on the tree. I might even make a basket and put nothing but Halloween mysteries in it and I have a few other ideas for the season.


I think its safe to add that I'm most creative in the fall and love to sit at the computer writing because the words can pour out of my imagination and on to the page during this short season. That is not to say that it's the only season I will be writing it's just that I'm relaxed enough to have fun with my writing during this season.


I hope everyone has a great time thinking about cooler temps and changing leaves today!






Pamela

Books & Movies

Books & Movies:

Today I will ask the following question.

"What mystery series would you like to see made into movies or t.v. series and who would you want to play the leading characters?"

I would like to see Carolyn Hart's *Death On Demand Series" and I would have Reece Witherspoon play Annie. I have not clue about who would play Max as he would have to be a blonde and I am not sure who is out there that would fit for Max in his age group.

I also would love to see Victoria Laurie's Psyhic Eye Books made into a movie and I would probably say Sandra Bullock to play Abbey Cooper. Dutch would be easy to cast as he doesn't have to be a blonde.

Tell us your favorites and I just thought this might be a fun way to have some discussion on favorite mystery series.

Hugs,

Pam

Stitching Stash

Good Morning,

Terri and I don't always blog about books and today is one of those times for me. Instead I want to say that

I now have my cross stitch stash organized. I know what patterns I have and in what themes they are, my kits are organized, my kitted up projects are organzied and my floss, magazines and fabby are organized. This is the first time

in two years that I can honestly say that happened and here is what I am over the top on and what I am lacking.

I am over the top on floral (no more floral patterns)

I have plenty of (Angel Patterns) no more angel patterns.

I have plenty of Christmas Patterns that have to do with the outdoors and houses.

I do have  a lot of Gingerbread Patterns (But I have stitched at least half of those), which is a good thing!

I have several Coffee Patterns and a few Tea Patterns ( I really need to finish some of the ones I've started), and now I can find them.

I have several large Halloween Patterns (which of course makes me happy as it's my favorite holiday.

I have plenty of snowman patterns ( I do not actually need anymore snowman patterns) which is good to know.

I have several Santa Patterns (but I need to purchase two more in the same size that I need for the sampler I am working on) and so now I know which is a good thing.

I have several kits and while I might change out the floss or fabby for the kits it's good to know what I do and don't have in this area.

What I am lacking is small Halloween Patterns, fabby and floss.

I am also over the top on baby patterns, kids patterns, sports patterns, hand towels and stamped items such as baby blankets etc...

I don't have many patterns that are Valentine's Day related which is good because I don't care for that holiday and I only have one or two St. Patrick's Day Pattern (which is fine with me)

I own two HAED Patterns both were gifts.

I find that other than holiday and floral patterns I really don't have much else in my stash but I do have a few things like crate label patterns, bear patterns and a few lighthouse patterns.

I'm thrilled to know all of this because now I truly know I seem to shop for the same themes over and over which of course means I need to maybe branch out a little from my comfort zone. LOLOL have no idea what else interests me but at least I know what I do and don't need.

Okay stitchers tell us what you lack and what you need, when was the last time you organized your cross stitch stash?  What you like to cross stitch and what you like to design if you're a designer?

Believe it or not all of this was very enlightening to me last night. I am very glad I took the time to organizie my stash.

What a beautiful morning!

Hugs,

Pam

Let's Make Salad

Let's Make Salad:

What kind of summer pasta salads do you like? I like bacon ranch salad and then I have my favorite other salads as well and like a good book there is always something fun to eat this time of year. I even make tuna salad and add diced apples,cinnamon and carrots to it. Nice healthy salad on lettice leaf. That with a glass of iced tea just seems to hit the spot on when the heat spikes.

I am always looking for ways not to use the oven this time of year. Do you have a favorite place to eat that has your favorite summer salad? Do you ever take your salad to the deck or patio outside to eat while you're reading a good book?

Tell us about the best salad you ever had and what made it sooo good?

Today is all about the salads in your life it might be fun to even compare it with writing a book or book reviews.

Guest Bloggers

Want To Be A Guest Blogger ?

Okay this blog will be short and to the point. For September, October and November if you have a book coming out, if readers would like to guest blog and even if you have blogged with us before. We would like you to contact me and I am taking guest bloggers for the next three months.

I have had a busy summer but starting this week things will be slowing down and I can now start to schedule in our late summer and fall bloggers.

Please contact me via blog post and if you do not have my email addy I will send it to you via your email addy.

Hugs,

Pam

Guest Blogger - Dorothy Howell

A MYSTERY WRITER’S ROAD MAP

            The road to a completed novel is a long one.  There can be lots of stops and starts, many side trips, dozens of road blocks.  But, like any journey, the trip will be quicker if you know your destination – and drive straight to it. 

            Mapping out your route to a completed manuscript is vital.  Knowing where you’re going – and how to get there – will save you time, money, and mental energy. 

            Here are three ways to help you do that:

Develop your character

            What sort of mystery are you writing?  Hard-boiled?  Cozy?  Private detective?  Police procedural?  Amateur sleuth?

            The type of story you choose to write will dictate the life your protagonist will lead.  What strengths and weaknesses will your main character have?  Decide who his/her friends will be, what sort of characters will make up his/her support system.  Who are his enemies?  His frienemies?  Where will the story take place?  How will all of these factors affect plotting and pacing?

            Write down all the facts about your main character’s life, everything from birth to present day.  Find out what makes him/her tick.  Keep at it until you see him or her as a person, not a character. 

Plan the crime

            Before you write one word of your manuscript, decide who gets killed, why, and by whom.  Come up with a list of suspects and the reasons they could have committed the murder.  Figure out what clues are needed that will allow your protagonist to solve the crime.   This will give the middle of your story exciting hairpin turns and daring switchback thrills – plus save you a great deal of back-tracking.

Write an outline

            Writers are either outliners, or non-outliners.  Both groups have good reasons for their writing methods and are equally successful. 

            As I see it, outlining is essential when writing a mystery.  Clues and red herrings must fall into place at precise spots in the manuscript that will allow the protagonist to solve the murder.  Remember, the reader is trying to figure out whodunit also.  Don’t disappoint by not giving them that opportunity. 

            As with any road trip, it’s not the destination that’s most important, it’s the journey.  Readers want to take that trip through your novel and savor every twist and turn.  You, as the author, should feel the same way. 

Enjoy the ride!

Happy reading!

Dorothy

Review - Laugh 'Til He Died

Title: LAUGHED 'TIL HE DIED

Author: CAROLYN HART

Hardcover

Publisher: William Morrow

Pub Date: May 2010

ISBN: 0 0030 18017 726

Death On Demand Mystery Series

Jean Hughes is having a really bad day and so she seeks Max Darling's help in solving her problem. The problem is that the man she was in love with is mean and cruel. Booth Wagner loves to play cruel practical jokes and it seems Jean is at the mercy of his latest joke. He met Jean supposidly fell in love with her and moved her to Boward's Rock Island. She thought they would be married he even got her on the board The Haven a place for children of all ages to have good meals, play games help volunteer and so many other worthy events.

But Booth is a married man and he has no intention of marrying Jean, Booth's wife Neva was having an affair with the golf pro, Booth is Tim's step-father as neva's first husband died and Booth also has an exwife and daughter from a previous marriage.

It soon becomes apparent that everyone hated Booth and with good cause even his long time friend Larry the insurance agent. Max uncovers Booth's latest scheme on Jean and he thinks he has a way to make everything right for Jean.

But Booth has blackmailed Jean into giving up being the Director of The Haven. Jean has a dying sister and if she doesn't resign then Jean and Giselle will have to leave the cottage as Booth owns the cottage. Giselle wants to die at the cottage and Jean has to grant this one last wish.

The night she is to resign there is a big outdoor party and Booth goes on stage to make the announcement but not before he is shot and killed. This makes Jean the prime suspect of Booth's murder.

The clock is ticking as the day before Booth dies a young computer geek is found dead from an accident. Max doesn't think it is an accident and before long he has a long list of suspects and his hands full trying to keep Jean Hughes out of jail.

Annie helps along with her group such as Ingrid, Henny, Laurel and a couple more of Annie's favorite crime solvers. Are parents to blame? Nobody is safe on the island and even the Haven cook quits after the Haven keeps getting broken into there is a witch afoot and Annie wants to know who the wicked witch is that is terrying teens and murdering anyone who knows the real reason Booth Wagner had to die.

LAUGH 'TIL HE DIED by Carolyn Hart is a layered mystery with all the charm that low country living can bring. Although the plot is a little thin it is a charming summer mystery.

I give this mystery ********

Pamela James