Thursday, June 25, 2015

Faith, Hope and Love can work wonders ...

but ruby slippers never hurt, either.

Just got back from a trip to the land of Oz. Specifically, from Kansas and a visit to the Wizard of Oz museum in Wamego, KS. Go ahead. Look it up. Or I'll help:

http://ozmuseum.com/

This is an amazing collection of memorabilia that is a Must See for any Oz fan. Not just movie stuff, but interesting things about Frank Baum, the books (all of them, all 40 or so), those who wrote the "other" books (not the original 13 by Baum) -- in short, lots of interesting stuff.

And let's not forget the Oz Winery, just down the street. Also a good spot to stop. I scored some Flying Monkeys Wine and Can't Find My Way Home White (sampled and they were good).

So go ahead, click your heels and take a trip down the yellow brick road. You won't regret it!

J L
(jayellwilson.com)


Wednesday, June 17, 2015

The END!!!

Last Saturday was a red-letter day because I finished a story I've been working on for a couple of months... the first time I've actually finished something in I'm embarrassed to say how long.

I've done drafts of novels... two in fact, but those haven't gotten beyond the draft phase. And I had a short story I was working on that stalled out. Basically I fell out of love with the characters and if I don't love them how can I expect anyone else to?

But this time I finished the story, revised it a couple of times, and turned it in. This will be part of an anthology a group of us is putting together for the next RT Booklovers convention in Las Vegas, May 2016 and it will also be offered up for sale.

Things are moving now so I'm real excited. I might even get one of the novels I drafted finished.

Cheers,
Janet Miller

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Pairing Golf with Writing by Rolynn Anderson

First you have to know that I am the golfer, not my husband.  He hates golf as much as I love it.  What this means: twice a week (or so), I go off golfing on my own.  When I'm home, I play with my women friends, but when we travel and I haul my clubs along, I play as a 'single,' rounding out a foursome with three men I've never met before.  Two wonderful aspects of playing as a 'single:' I can play anytime I want to...and I get to play with very interesting people.

Yesterday I played with two men from Houston and one from Atlanta.  One of the fellows from Texas sells massage business franchises across the country.  Recently he's added a lucrative bundle of franchises for glue-on eyelashes, a ballooning industry.  What?  I am not making this up!  In fact, the man had to drop out of playing a couple of holes while he was wrapping up the sale of an eyelashing franchise.

I gather some plot and character ideas from my golf partners, but I also grab readers.  They are entranced by the idea I write suspense novels.  They always ask for my card, quiz me about my writing process, and promise they'll buy my books (or their wives/girlfriends will).  Some of my new golf buddies want to tell me stories I might use in an upcoming novel.  They are tickled when I tell them about the next suspense novel I'll be polishing, which centers on golf and is entitled BAD LIES.  Check out my works on my website: http://www.rolynnanderson.com

Until I get that story out to you, you'll have to be content with my funeral planner series: FADEOUT, SWOON and FAINT (releasing this summer).  The setting is a golf course community in Arroyo Grande, California.

Here's the gist of the series:

When their research upends terrible secrets about the dead, a boutique funeral planner and a hard-charging journalist confront danger and clash over how to protect the living.


FADEOUT

SWOON
http://amzn.com/B00A1P6P3U

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

A nostalgic feeling

Conference season is almost upon us. This time of year always reminds me of when I was first starting out in publishing, and I'd go to conferences HOPING to snag that perfect interview with an agent or editor that would change my life forever.

Heh.

Don't get me wrong: I love remembering those old days. I had so much fun at conferences, and had so much fun being an aspiring author. My first books released in 2007 and after 25 books out, I still enjoy the rush of having a new release. This is the first year I don't have any books out (looking for a publisher for an 8-book series), and I'm enjoying the feeling of free time, promo time, and writing time.

So to all of you who are embarking on the conference go-round -- have fun. It really can be a blast and it can be so energizing and fun. And who knows? I may surprise you and show up at one now and again -- maybe not this year, but next year, I think RT may get a visit from me. And maybe one other ... only time will tell!

J L Wilson
(Writer at Play)