“Use active voice instead of passive” was one of the suggestions heard around the critique table yesterday. As for the critique itself? Well, there was nothing passive about it. It was active with lots of readings and suggestions laced with a copious amount of laughter.
Words are important! Words have changed the course of history and the fate of many. Jane read a thoughtful article she had written on the judicious use of words. They can make a day bright or gloomy. Words are like money. We should be careful how we use them.
Helen read two inspirational pieces designed to lift our spirits and stir our thoughts. I believe that Helen has a high success rate on the articles she sends to Christian publications.
Nancy shared with us the status of her book, Grace Impact. Writing a book is only the starting point and to me, it is the easiest part of the whole process. Taking an idea from its inception to its launch is rather like birthing a baby. It isn’t always easy. But it’s always worth the labor.
And, I? Well, my feet would barely stay under the table because Barbara’s and my three Darcy and Flora cozies, The Cemetery Club, Grave Shift, and Best Left Buried are ready to see the light of day. If you will go to Pen-L.com and click on “Coming Soon”, you will see those three beautiful covers pop up. And, the really exciting part–there is a little button on the left in a green box that says, “Pre-order now”. You may do that at a 10% discount until November 1 when the books go to full price. Now, that’s enough to cause a sedate gray-haired granny to dance a jig!
Fall is the perfect time to publish cozies, don’t you think? There’s a hint of mystery in the air, sometimes fog descends on the countryside, leaves are turning color and dropping off, the earth is getting ready for the season to build fires, drink hot chocolate, and get all snug in our houses. Yes! A good time to settle in with a cozy mystery for company. And, to launch the books, I am giving a talk at the senior luncheon at Crosschurch today. It is altogether satisfying!
Autumn is also a time for birds re-thinking their living arrangements. In the country, crows fly over cornfields, or keep an eye on the changing season from the top of a tall tree. In Ireland, crows abound. I caught one Irish crow thoughtfully contemplating a bus load of tourists and captured him in my camera to take home with me. I wonder what he was thinking?
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