Yesterday’s cozy critique was a special time of sharing thoughts with friends. The only fly in the ointment was that Cozy Critter Jane was absent. Feel better soon, Jane. We missed you!
This morning as I sit down in front of the computer with my cup of hot, strong Folger’s coffee, a profound truth comes zinging into my mysterious mind. Our cozy critiques have many of the elements of a cozy mystery! Really! I’m not kidding.
A cozy mystery takes place in a small town. That description certainly fits our town. The amateur sleuth or sleuths are likable characters. Well, hey! What’s there not to like about us who gather around the cherry wood table? In a cozy, there is little or no profanity. I guarantee you that there is none of that among us critters. In fact, one of the things we discussed yesterday was the evident absence of mothers of the last generation who believed in cleaning up their children’s mouths with a good taste of soap. And, in Barbara’s and my Darcy and Flora mysteries, these two amateur, completely likable, gently nosy sleuths solve a lot of things around a kitchen table with coffee cups in hand. We critters solve the mysteries of good writing by doing the same thing! What a revelation.
Yesterday, Helen and Nancy’s inspirational articles had a special meaning for me. They encouraged me and shed new light on old thoughts. They had written to bless those unknown people who will one day pick up their book or magazine but their writings also blessed me!
Peg had read the blog where I mentioned enjoying Joanne Fluke’s cozies. She told me about another cozy mystery author that she likes, Joanna Carl. I will need to check out some of her books.
In my opinion, there is no better way to spend a couple of hours of a winter day than sitting with friends around my dining table, drinking coffee and hot chocolate, munching on shortbread cookies, and sharing our thoughts and feelings. May I add, that scene would fit right into the current cozy mystery I’m writing. We critters have come to know, like, and trust each other. We also value each opinion. What we talk about around the hundred year old table stays right there. Lots of people have sat around that table through the years. It has heard many stories, absorbed a few tears as well as laughter. It is the meeting place of ideas and encouragement. It is the perfect place for suggestions, directions, friendship, and inspiration–the perfect place for a cozy critique.
Oh I agree.
And you are the bestest, hostess there is. . . . . It’s a good thing that sentence isn’t up for critique.!