Don't Forget to Look at the Big Picture

Where Fleur prints her manuscript and promises to plant more trees (also, foster kittens).

It’s been mild enough to go for a good hike here on the mountainside of Colorado, though my walking partner has picked up a case of the lazies. Any time we approach a steep hill, George refuses to go. And in case you didn’t know: poodles are stubborn…

No matter, because I find time to hike on my own. I’m trying to catch the sun rays as much as possible, especially since I make my living sitting behind a computer.

Sometimes, you just need to get outside. Like, every day.

It doesn’t hurt that Garden of the Gods is practically my neighbor’s backyard…

Aside from hiking, I’ve been revising my MG mystery. Again. But first, I made sure to print out the whole manuscript, lay out all the chapters on the floor, and walk inside my story. Being analog is a good thing sometimes. I spotted a few plot problems and realized I need to add a couple of chapters towards the end from one of my character’s perspective.

Of course, this analog method doesn’t work quite as well when you have a dog. George did tell me he doesn’t care for chapter seventeen, so he took care of the problem.

Printing out and stapling chapters, and then laying them out like this gives me the best bird’s eye view.

Are some chapter too long, too short? If there are multiple perspectives (I have this in my current project), does every character get an even amount of screentime?

I also find there’s a sense of satisfaction in seeing your pages in print. It’s almost like I was writing a book, huh?

If you are also revising, I highly recommend you print out your story. You might be missing something, like me…

What I’m Writing

I’m still revising that MG mystery like I said, but I think I’ll work on a short story in between. I miss having that sense of completion I get from those…

I have three stories forthcoming in anthologies next year already. And one story is out now in ebook, in a book with stories from Colorado’s Sister in Crime members; I’m so excited about that one… I created a new PI character I hope to use in more stories. I like her a lot.

The print version should be out well in time for Left Coast Crime in Denver in 2025. Maybe I’ll see you there?

What I’m Watching

I’m really enjoying Murder in a Small Town, even if it does have a slight Hallmark-y feel to it. But that suits these dark winter days anyway. It also feels slightly Canadian, which I always like. Check it out if you’re in the mood for a cozy mystery on the telly.

What I’m Reading

I’ve been in a little reading funk lately, but some midnight bottle feedings with foster kittens had me up and reading Maria Kelson’s Not the Killing Kind. It’s the perfect mystery with strong characters and a vivid Northern California setting. Give it a read.

On the kid side of the aisle, I started My So-Called Family by Gia Gordon. So far, also excellent.

Note! if you are a middle-grade reader or writer, I recommend signing up for the amazing Adrianna Cuevas’ newsletter. She recommends MG books every Friday and really has her finger on the pulse of MG.

Where I’m Going

The ol’ calendar is starting to fill up nicely for the first half of 2025. I aim to make it the year I go see all my writer friends, so watch out, y’all. I just registered for Malice Domestic (a cozy mystery fan/writer’s conference) in Bethesda in April 2025. I’ve been dying to attend this convention for years now, so I’m excited.

I hope to see you on the road! (To keep you posted on where I’m going, I try to keep my website up to date, right here.)

For the rest of 2024, I’m focusing on writing, but I’ll be emerging from the writing cave fort Pikes Peak Writers’ Winter Bash. If you’re in the Colorado Springs area, come say howdy and take care of your holiday book shopping list while you’re at it. The signing is at a brewery, which makes it extra fun.

Your Weekly Floof

These dark days had me putting up the holiday decorations early, and Floof likes it. I think… She looks pretty.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t share some cute pictures of these 3-week-old foster kittens that are my houseguests until I have fattened them up to two pounds. This batch of kittens is spicy and sweet.