Inconceivable!

About once a day I check in on Facebook and see what my various contacts are up to. I'm not one to post a lot, not sharing what I had for dinner or where I'm headed. But every once in a while, something will catch my eye that triggers a response.  Yesterday was one of those days.

A friend posted a blurb and a photo from "The Princess Bride" a great movie that immediate brings to mind such lines as "He's only mostly dead!" and "Hallo, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die!"



 

But the line that always sticks is from the character Vizzini. 






Inconceivable!

Yesterday it was my turn to use it.

I was holding a copy the soon to be released "Devious" in my hands.  Now I can't say it's the same for every author, but there is something surreal when you're standing there, holding a novel that you created.  These are characters from my imagination. It was me who brought them forward, who put them into jeopardy and figured a way to get them out. It was me who told the story, with all the little twists and turns that will hopefully hold your interest and make you anxious to see what comes next.  To stand there with that finished product in my hands is confirmation of a dream, of a long time goal. So in some respects, to have that happen is indeed inconceivable.

Which just encourages me to keep at it. There's another story percolating in the gray matter, just waiting for its turn to be let loose on the page.  I just need a little time and patience to coax it to life. And if for some reason, I slow down, I'll just pick up this copy from its place of honor on the shelf for a little reassurance.

If you'd like to check it out, here's a link.  "Devious" will be released on December 7th.  To miss it would be...inconceivable!

http://www.amazon.com/Devious-Jamie-Richmond-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B017Y9XMHC/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Gotta Have Music

During a meeting with the writer's workshop recently, someone mentioned the only way they can write is in a quiet room. No distractions, nothing to break their concentration. They assumed that everyone was the same way. Several around the table nodded in agreement. All eyes came to me. I could only shake my head and laugh.

"No way," I said with a grin. "There must be music. I can't work in silence. It drives me crazy." 

I went on to explain that certain music can set the mood and have an impact on what I'm writing. If I'm working on narration, setting the stage with a lot of background information, it's very possible that I'll have some instrumental music in the background. If there's dialogue at play, particularly if it's between a man and a woman and there is some sexual tension, I may dial up something like Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall or some old Motown classics, with the sultry undertones that help carry the message.  If it's fast paced, like a chase scene, a shootout or the final confrontation, it can be rock and roll. We're talking anything from Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen to ZZ Top, Stevie Ray Vaughan and more. Thank goodness for Pandora, where you can spin the dial with a click of the mouse and set the mood accordingly.

But variety is a part of life. Lately I've been doing a lot of editing, rereading manuscripts, getting them ready for publication.  I've landed a new contract with Inkspell Publishing for the Jamie Richmond mysteries.  In December,  "Devious" the first book in the series will be released.  I'm ready for my favorite redhead to return to the scene.   Meanwhile, in editing mode, I've been listening to a lot of the Gipsy Kings and great guitar work of Jesse Cook. 

So if you're looking for a change of pace check these guys out.

You can preorder "Devious" on Amazon now.
http://www.amazon.com/Devious-Jamie-Richmond-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B017Y9XMHC/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1

By the way, I don't normally watch the numerous talent shows on the air. But when looking for a clip recently that could be used as an example for the business class I teach, I stumbled upon this one.  It gave me chills and I haven't been able to get it out of my system yet.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNfevm-_Q_0