Maggie Pill Mysteries

I went to see SOMETHING ROTTEN this week, a very enjoyable show. In it there's a number in which Shakespeare sings about it being "Hard to Be the Bard." That got me thinking about writing and the levels of difficulty involved. It is hard, but it's also fun. It's hard to write the whole thing . I can't tell you how many people I've met who have three (or five or eight) chapters of a novel written but just can't go farther. Writers get that, but they also get past it. It's hard to make it good . Writing well takes a lot of understanding of language, story, syntax, conversation, style, character--all those things your English teacher used to go on about. They matter. It might be true that everyone has a story inside, but not everyone is ready to tell it well enough that others want to read it. It's hard to make it better. Another group I meet a lot are those who have written their masterpiece and can see absolutely nothing wrong with it. Fi...

I sent it for editing on Thursday! Anyone who has every written something for publication knows the feeling: half excitement, half dread. Our fondest dream is that the editor sends it back and says, "It's perfect just the way it is!" but that rarely happens. It's more likely to be, "Can you move Chapter Six to Chapter Eight and then merge Ten with Eleven?" Or worse, "You need to make Character D more outspoken, so look at every single line she speaks and see if you can make them all stronger." Anyway, we're on the road to Book 5, in which the sisters go to a retreat at a winery north of Traverse City, MI, (hence the "eat" and "drink" in the title and get into all kinds of trouble (the "be wary" part). The cover artist said I'd see something in February, so stayed tuned. If all goes well, the release will be in mid-April. I plan to put it up for pre-order soon. And for my audio friends, I'm sorry...

They'll tell you that you have to have a blog. They'll tell you your readers want to know what you're up to. They say blogging leads to sales. They. They. They. I think they might be wrong. I like blogging...sometimes. I like having something to tell my readers, like that a book is almost ready or POOF! Here it is! But I don't think many people read a blog just to know what I did last week. I say this after many years of trying to come up with fun and interesting blog posts. (Tweets, too, but that's another story.) Nobody much paid attention. That's not to say they're bad people or that my posts aren't worthwhile. People have other things to do with their lives...and so do I. So if you come here faithfully every week to see what existential musings I'm experiencing, you might be disappointed. This is my blog, but in the future it's going to be intermittent and book-related. I just don't think anyone cares if I decide to repaint my ki...

I had two events this week, a Career Day presentation at a high school about seventy miles away and a book signing over a hundred miles from home. A winter storm hit Michigan that seems to be endless, stretching from Wednesday through Sunday with blizzardy winds and plenty of snow to blow around. I was about to cancel the school visit when hubby informed me they'd canceled school for the day. Though I'd prepped for the visit with handouts and candy and funny little anecdotes, all I felt was relief. Last night after watching the weather forecast, I canceled the book signing as well, which meant de-reserving a hotel room I might still have to pay for (I hate that.) I was supposed to join three author friends, and we'd made it a party with Santa hats and the silly billing, "Four Women of Death." I love the folks at Horizon Books in Traverse City, so I hate wasting their time and energy. Still, I was relieved once I'd made the calls and arranged to stay home. ...

The fourth Sleuth Sisters is out on audio, and I have to tell you, I laughed out loud at times as I listened to the actresses read. They're so perfectly Barb, Faye, and Retta! I'm always thrilled with how well Actors' Audio in Chicago handles my books, and the creation of audio books through Audible.com is pretty stress-less for the author. You submit the book for audition, choose the narrator(s) you like, and send them the MS. It takes a while, since there's a lot of studio time, editing, and such involved, but at some point you get the files, listen to them to make sure you're happy with the product, and then okay it. A week or so later, bob's your uncle! Here are the particulars, and if you'd like a code for a free version of the book, let me know. We love to get reviews on both the story and the audio presentation. SS#4 on Amazon

When people find out that I write, they often ask for advice. What they want to hear is that I love their idea for a book, that I'm going to IMMEDIATELY tell my agent about it, and I can guarantee they're going to make a ton of money. None of those things is likely. I might or might not love your idea for a book. I'm one person, and what I think really (I mean REALLY) doesn't matter. I no longer have an agent, but even if I did, my recommendation would mean little except she might take a look. Agents judge on what they like and what they can sell (The second is more important, but the first part makes them more invested in the project.) And if you sell a book, your chances of making the money you'd like are pretty small. Most of us are happy with very little. (Experts say most authors make less than $1000/year and most books sell less than 100 copies.) My advice? IF none of the above dampens your enthusiasm for writing, you're a writer.

I can't grow the beard, either. I haven't posted in a while. I'm not going to get into why, because those who know me already know. Today I'm looking at the advantages and disadvantages of becoming a hermit. Advantages: 1. I wouldn't have to see what's going to happen next. 2. I wouldn't have to listen to the inevitable blaming that is sure to arise. 3. I would get lots of writing done. Disadvantages 1. Caves are kind of cold and damp. 2. I would miss football, baseball, and a few really nice people. 3. Wi-fi might be spotty, so it would be hard to reach editors, readers, and fans. I guess this means I'm staying where I am. I'll just make my office into a Maggie-cave...and try to stay off Facebook.