Worth a thousand words?

You know what they say? Pictures=1k words. (hmm, that's half way to the daily total.)

I've been a lame blogger lately. Working several jobs at once, and a trip out of the country to my opposite time zone, followed by a wicked case of p-new-moan-ya, (emphasis on the moan, thank you very much) has kept me away from the keyboard.

I think I told you all, I sometimes drive my family crazy taking pictures? Trying to get just the right angle. Not only the colors, the shapes...but the feeling of what I'm seeing.

(I have 12 versions of this flower-filled, offering bowl. And those are the ones I kept.)

It's strange. I've noticed that when I can't get to the keyboard often enough, my pictures become much more elaborate. Almost like little stories.

Poignant.

Kooky.

Romantic.
And hopeful.

It's been a long, weird month (or two.) But the stories are there....

No matter how far I go, I can't stay away.

Parking Lot Mystery

Weird week. Lemme tell you what happened.

I arrived early.

Some of you (anyone who’s ridden in my car, for example) may be surprised by that. (Move on, people.)

The building was on a busy street. It was 1970’s construction, red brick, rectangle. Two floors. No windows facing the street. The parking lot was nearly empty. Deserted. Cement cracked. Weeds knee-high toward the edge, where I parked.

The only other car in the lot was a sleek, black Lexus.

The back of my neck began to prickle.

Okay. This is where I have to admit. I grew up on the Southside of Chicago. This is the point in the story where my life experience began to…engage.

I was there to deliver books to a group of women for an ESL class. I lugged two heavy bags of children’s books to the front door of the building. It was hard to see anything through the glass door. Someone had covered the inside with a reflective cling-film. The door was locked. I’d ventured to say, it was more than "locked." It was super, ultra-locked. I could see the metal dead-bolt through the gap in the aluminum door frame. 

I rang the bell.

Nothing.

I knocked.

Nothing.

I turned around and stared at the empty lot and my 12 year old mom-van...

...the Lexus.

Back in the day, kids would say, “You know he didn’t inherit the money.” A Lexus? Hmmm.

I reminded myself I was still a wee bit early. I knocked again.

The door opened suddenly. A man appeared. He was a foot shorter than me. Older maybe? He had a bushy white beard and his teeth had not had the benefit of American dentistry. He was wearing traditional Middle Eastern clothing, including a knit cap on his head.

“What?” the man says to me. 

I picked up my bags of books. Immediately, he held up a hand. “No.”

“I have books for the ladies. The meeting?”

“No. Not here. No. You can’t come in.”

He was brusque. He hardly looked at me; his gaze was fixed about three feet to the left of my head.

I could feel myself getting irritated. I pulled myself up taller, which is useful. I'm six feet tall in shoes. Seriously? I’m bringing books, dude. Who was this guy?

For half a second, I had the urge to crowd him. To push forward. Are you talking to me? Are you using a tone…with me?

Instead, I stepped back. “I’ll wait in the car.”

“Yes. You wait. In car.” He shut the door in my face. I heard the lock snick.

The books were heavier on the way back to the car.

About two minutes after I sat down in the car to think, the building door opened, and the man came out. He got into the Lexus and drove off.

Now, I was alone in the parking lot. The neck prickles were back. I imagined the man picking up the phone to report to his associates the strange, white woman in the parking lot.

This is the point I must pause to remind you, I write fiction.

So what happened?

The ladies drove up. They were sweet and welcoming. I carried the books back to the door and into the building. They didn’t seem as heavy.

What did you think would happen?

   

Nerd Girl

I’ve spent the last few months working on a new kind of mystery writing project. Officially, I started as a researcher for a 10-episode, Netflicks TV show. (The premise is suspense/sci-fi. But if I tell you any more than that, someone will put a hit out on me. J

My unofficial, and more accurate title: Nerd Girl.

During regular meetings with the writers, I would listen to rough story elements and build an enormous list of questions to investigate:

“What do women prisoners in South Korea eat?”

“How many Nancy Drew mysteries are there?”   

“What are the steps for arranging an Indian/Hindi marriage?”

Then, I went hunting.

Can I stop here and admit that I love research? I love finding things. Great little hotels. People’s phone numbers. Where the ketchup ended up in the fridge…If something needs finding, I’m your girl.

I searched online news sources from all over the world, popped into the local college library for my more exotic research, and set up a dozen interviews with friends, or friends of friends. 

By asking around, I discovered a connection to someone who had actually toured a women’s prison in South Korea! Did you know it is surprisingly complicated to confirm the fact that there are 175 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories? (Don't get those Drew fans started about sequels. Unless you bring your lunch.) Later, I learned some of my women friends actually had arranged marriages. Whaaaat?

Talk about serendipity! I felt like the private detective in a story who has suspiciously convenient sources all over town.

Lots and lots of photos were captioned and saved. Movies related to the setting and characters, turned out to be another great source, so I dug into IMBD and kooky film blogs galore. TV/film people need to see the world; visuals are necessary inspiration. Pintrest was the motherlode.

Meanwhile, I’m pretty sure I got flagged for every government Watch-List there is after searching terms like: prison + Korea, gang names?, and counterfeit + drugs. (FYI, I may call all of you as character witnesses when I claim, “Honestly, your Honor, I’m an innocent writer/researcher!”)

Here’s where you can learn from my mistakes. I made one huge goof when I started. I did my research from my regular google launch page.

(moment of silence.) Yeah.

That was dumb.

Really, really weird emails started showing up in my mailbox. (Some of them were so odd I was tempted to save them, but didn't have the necessary CDC levels of quarantine.)

Then, I discovered google incognito. And learned to clear my history and cookies on a regular basis.

All the bits and pieces I gathered went into a OneNote notebook with links and references. Some of what I found was used, some wasn’t. But I learned a ton, and I admit, nerd-girl had a lot of fun working as a script researcher.

So here’s your chance: put the nerd-girl to work for you. Anybody have any questions I can answer?
  

Julie Wachowski is a writer. And a nerd-for-hire. Find her lurking on facebook and J.Wachowski.com

Meanwhile, Somewhere Else in the World

Just one moment. Before I follow Rita's lead and take us on another mystery trip, I want to pause for this:

Cue angels singing....doughnuts. Spanish doughnuts. Now I remember that machine! Mmmmmm. Thank you, Rita.

OK. Enough of that. We need to get a move on, Mystery Fans.

Time to board the ship of the imagination. 

This is a place I know you've heard of...but I bet it doesn't look anything like what you'd expect.

(Remember how I said I make my family wait while I compose my shots? Yeah. That happened here.)

This is a place that draws mystery readers. It's creepy and sad and fascinating and horrible.

(I shrunk that one so you couldn't read the street sign. No cheat codes, people. Seriously.)

Guesses?

How to Love Networking, or at least have a mature relationship

Today and tomorrow, I’m attending the Chicago North bi-annual writing conference “Spring Fling.” 

Last year, it sounded like a great idea to propose a class and head out to a writing conference. Soak up some new info. Hang with other writers. Drink wine in the Marriot’s retro fern bar.

Riiiight. That was so last year. Now, I’m like, ugh. I have to talk? To people? I mean, stranger-people! And now I’m like, literally, sick. No, really. I mean seriously. What if people talk to me? And I’m so totally awkward. As usual. This may be my worst. Day. Ever!

In case you didn’t pick up on it, the thought of networking at a conference sends me into some kind of weird emo-regression-mode. Back in time! To the worst of high school. Pretty sure I can feel my hair expanding, and is that oxy-benzoyl-peroxide, I smell?

Clearly, I need help.

Lucky for me, I recently had a chance to talk with Gail Sussman-Miller, a career coach, who helps people increase their confidence with her workshop: “How to Love Networking.” Gail says there’s evidence that networking is the number one way to accomplish goals which need you need other people to achieve. Like selling books, for instance.

J: Networking is number one? (eye-roll) Awesome.

Gail: So what are your challenges to networking?

J: Um. All of it? I seem to have this CNN-style mind-ticker scrolling across the bottom of my brain: Should I sit at the end of the row or in the middle? When is too much eye contact is creepy? Is my cold/damp handshake going to give someone hebegebees? 

Gail: Sounds like you might benefit from a shift of perspective and a few practical tips. Try this: 

1. Reframe. Think of networking as “connecting with like-minded people for the greater good.”

J: Well, Spring Fling has lots of great speakers and writers.  Do you think I can get them to connect over wine in the fern bar?

Gail: Maybe. It'll certainly have you all more relaxed! Here’s a thought:

2. Be other-oriented. Everyone is special and if you show an interest in them, or offer to help someone else, you're already connecting! All you have to do is say: “Hello! Is it your first time here?” Focus on others to stay out of your own head.

J: Ah-ha! Regressing to high school mode is pretty much the definition of NOT being other-oriented.  Guess I need to snap out it & think about someone else. I can do that. But I hate that small-talk stuff. Any ideas?

Gail: Most people dislike small talk. Here’s what I recommend:

3. Ask a question that matters. “Why do you write romantic suspense?” or “What's your biggest writing challenge?” or even “What have you read lately that you couldn't put down?” These are questions that can inspire personal, authentic conversations.

J: OK. I can try that. Also perhaps, "Have you tried the fern-bar?"

Game on, NYUS-ers! I’ll report from the scene of the crime about how it’s going. Please feel free to advise me throughout the day! And Gail, if you aren’t busy, maybe you could be my lifeline if I get into trouble? 

Stay tuned!

To find out more about Gail and her work, visit her at www.inspiredchoice.com

The Mystery in a Kiss

I know we’re all about the mystery and suspense here at NYUS. Which is why I’m posting a link to this kissing movie.

Maybe you’ve seen it already?

Lots of views, especially after the NYT did a blurb on it. Some people didn’t like learning it was part of an ad campaign for clothes. I think that shows exactly how effective the film is.

Here’s the premise: Ten strangers. Paired off into five couples. Cameras roll. Now kiss.

The fun of the film isn’t necessarily watching the people kiss. Cameras have a hard time getting close enough to show what’s happening when people really kiss--lips mashing against each other, noses in the way, insides getting tingly. Although the filmmaker does a good job of cutting back and forth between the couples, giving the viewer just enough of a snippet to let our minds fill in the scene: a lip tugged between teeth, a hand touching a cheek. Exactly like writing, it's all in the details.

What I love is the moment before, and the moment after, each set of strangers kiss. The film captures the awkwardness of exchanging an intimacy with an unknown, and that weird moment when they must return to being strangers. I’ve watched a dozen time and find something new each time in the body language or the flashes of dialogue.

Notice how they address the person behind the camera, instead of the person they are about to kiss? They reveal their vulnerability in all these tiny ways and it’s completely endearing-- taking a step back, touching fingers, laughing. “It’s actually pretty scary,” one man says to his partner.

Near the end, after their kiss one man says, “I just want to hug you.” And turning away from the camera, his partner answers so softly it's hard for us to hear, “OK.”

I think the film does a great job of capturing the suspense and mystery of what happens between people—and isn’t that the best kind?

Here’s a link to the NYT article, if you’d like to read about it. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/14/business/media/a-kiss-is-just-a-kiss-unless-its-an-ad-for-a-clothing-company.html?_r=0

Cats & Characters

Seuss & Muffin on alert

I have 2 cats. They are both rescues. One lived under a porch for the first few months of his life. He’s a very nervous guy. Runs when the doorbell rings. Runs if there’s a loud noise. Runs if you make eye contact for more than half a second. (And he hates being photographed, dahling.)

The other cat was actually born on the floor of the kids’ bathroom. He’s grown up with our family. Our house is a safe and happy universe—full of food on demand and large hairless cats, clearly put here to do his bidding.

My cuteness is irresistible!

“But I want to walk on the counters!”

“I want to eat that butter!”

“I’m hungry NOW!”

Sometimes, I think my cats represent a real life psychology experiment: “Effects of early childhood on personality.”

This got me thinking about my characters. I spend a lot of time working out what’s going on with them within the time frame of a particular story, but I realized, I didn’t always take time to understand their childhoods.

So one day, when I was feeling kind of stumped, (procrastinating? Nooooo, not me!) I decided to imagine the main character's childhoods in detail. Who held them as a baby? What food did they eat? Turns out, the image I found most useful was picturing them around the age of 6 or 7, the age when you first start to have strong memories. I personally think that’s when your sense of the world gets firmed up.

Muffin supervising productivity. 

Wow.

I got some really interesting details out of that bit of procrastination. And it helped get me over the hump. (Off the stump?)

Anyone else ever tried imagining a character’s childhood? What's your go-to childhood image--a toy? A food? What age do you see when you think of childhood?

Questing for Nuggets

Writing books is a bit like searching for the Holy Grail.

Time to go Quest. Nice hat.

You start off on your quest, not knowing where to go or what to do. You fumble, get lost, run into monsters, not to mention unholy amounts of distractions, until one day, you find yourself tiptoeing past the bones of other questors, holding your breath as the vultures circle overhead…and on the far side of the valley of bones, you finally! put your hands on the magic cup. 

(cue harp. chorus sings.) Ahhhhh! There it is!

Right at that moment, a blinding vision appears. The Vision says: “Great! I'll take that! Now do it again,” and vanishes with your prize.

Seriously?

Times like this, it helps if a questor has a few solid nuggets of advice on hand. I generally hoard nuggets in my saddlebags to nibble, or throw at vultures, as necessary. 

Today, in the interest of keeping us all out of the bone yard, I’m sharing.

One valuable nugget I came upon recently is “TheLittle Book of Talent” by Daniel Coyle. The book lists “52 Tips for Improving Your Skills.” Skills can be physical or mental. These tips apply to all kinds of talent. Coyle has broken the book into 3 sections: Getting Started, Improving Skills and Sustaining Progress. Here are a few of my favorites:

“Tip #5 Be Willing To Be Stupid”

“When it comes to developing talent, remember, mistakes aren't really mistakes—they are the guideposts to getting better.”

I love this tip! Mostly because it took me sooooo long to learn it. A knight wandering the forest runs into trouble—but somehow that test, prepares the knight for what comes next, right? Don't spend 100 years in the forest, like I did. Embrace your Stupid-ness!

“Tip #30 Take a Nap.”

“Napping is common in talent hotbeds….(it’s) good for the learning brain.”

See! Total validation for that weird habit I have of nodding off at 3 pm. Also, Knights are always falling asleep under trees and having adventures upon waking. I’m really seeking adventure when I nap.

“Tip #52 Think like a gardener. Work like a carpenter.”

“Talent grows slowly. You wouldn't criticize a seedling because it’s not yet a tall an oak tree…Think patiently, without judgment. Work patiently, strategically.”

Knights setting off on a quest always seem to have this mindset, don’t they? "I swear, on my honor, it will get done!" That's the attitude. 

So later today, when I climb back on my rusty--I mean trusty--steed and journey into the forest, I'll ….

hmmm. Saddlebags feeling a bit light. Uh oh. Is that...is that a vulture circling overhead?

Anyone else got a nugget to share?

Hidden Talents

I've always had a bit of a split personalty. Oddly, growing up I was evenly divided between the schools of art and science (not an uncommon phenomenon but a shame that we are forced to choose between them at such a young age). How I ended up as a writer, I don't know :)

So, knowing my NYUS peeps are equally amazing outside of writing, I thought I'd showcase a few of our hidden talents :)

The amazing J Wachowski studied film in college. She says she drives her family crazy waiting to finish framing something just right…

 The lovely Elise Warner dabbles in with paints--I love the freshness and vibrancy of this picture!

 The very talented Cathy Perkins creates something I've always admired--fused glass!

This is a before with layers of glass and burn out fiber...

 This shows the fused piece although not the full 3D glory or iridescence

 And another piece--(my favorite!) displayed on her hubby's homemade table!

Clare London is a woman of many talents from making Barbie doll clothes to glass painting, but here is an example of one of the scrapbooks she's made for a fellow author's birthday. What a great idea!

 

Okay, okay! Here's some of my stuff--Toni Anderson. I don't have much on the walls or at home, I tend to give everything away :) I did this pastel for my hubby years ago :) You're going to figure out we're fishy people, if you didn't already know.

 Here are two seascapes I did last summer (after a few years gap). They aren't really finished yet but rather 'works-in-progress'.

And one more passion I have is gluing stuff to mirrors :) I should have been a hippy!

 

 So--thanks for my amazingly talented NYUS writers for sharing another part of their lives with us! What do you think? Should we give up the day jobs?

MOVING ON TO 2013

The authors of Not Your Usual Suspects share their holiday season with you! We wish all our readers, friends, family and colleagues - and people who are allof these *g* - the very best wishes for the season, and a sled-ful of luck, love, peace and success in 2013. We hope to share it all with you.

Today we look forward to 2013....

What's the best thing we're carrying forward from 2012?  Have you enjoyed good health, or specific issues addressed? Have there been new babies / marriages / loves / bestsellers (*g*)? Are you finishing the year with a brave new attitude / business successes / new shoes / new friends / dropping old (bad) friends etc?!


Share your hopes for 2013 and your pleasures from 2012 with us here!


Clare London
website | blog | facebook | twitter

2012 has seen many changes for me, but one thing I've learned  is that, unfortunately, I CAN'T have it all. Something has to give, and it's usually me :). But that's also encouraged me to look at my priorities, and decide what's really good. I may not write as much in 2013 but it'll be on chosen projects, to allow myself time to relax. Oh, and of course I'll be losing 4 stone and winning the lottery HAHA.

Marcelle Dube
website

The best thing I’m carrying forward from 2012 is that I can actually survive my empty nest!


Julie Wachowski
website

For the last few years, instead of a “resolution” I give myself a motto. Last year it was: “say yes.” This year’s motto is “what matters?”


Jean Harrington
website

My favorite saying for New Year's is that resolutions are made to be broken. If I can pick one best thing from Clare's "bucket list," it's "bestseller." Happy 2013 to all my Carina friends. Cheers, and bright memories, Jean.


Toni Anderson
Blog | Website | Facebook | Twitter

2012 was a great year for me in many ways professionally. I hope I can build on that writing wise. I'm hoping to drop the 'mice issues' in 2013, and by god I'd love me a pair of sexy boots (I'm thinking UGG, not heels :-) )


Anne-Marie Becker
website | facebook | twitter

Moving on - I like the sound of that. I'm excited to carry forward the momentum in my Mindhunters series. Carina Press recently offerred me a contract for book 3 - DEADLY BONDS, and it will be released this summer, so I'll have plenty to keep me busy. Also, I'll be attending the Romantic Times conference for the first time ever this May, and I'm really looking forward to it.


Wynter Daniels
website

In 2012 I dipped my toes into the self-publishing pool and added eight books to my body of work. Self-publishing gave me more freedom than I have with the four publishing houses my other books are with. Although I will continue to submit certain work to those publishers, I hope to continue putting out books myself that fall outside the traditional boxes. This new business model has proved not only creatively freeing, but also financially sound for me. Cheers to a healthy and prosperous 2013 for all!


Elise Warner
website

Good health, good friends and good family and to continue writing, and seeing my work published.


Julie Moffett
website

 Looking forward to 2013! Lots of good things happened to me in 2012 and I'm hoping for an even better 2013!

Entries collected and posted by Clare - any pictures that haven't been provided by the authors have been chosen by me, and any queries about them can be directed here.

THE NIGHT BEFORE XMAS - with the NYUS authors

The authors of Not Your Usual Suspects share their holiday season with you! We wish all our readers, friends, family and colleagues - and people who are all of these *g* - the very best wishes for the season, and a sled-ful of luck, love, peace and success in 2013. We hope to share it all with you.  

Today we think about "The Night before Xmas...." 

What are your favourite rituals or routines to get ready for Xmas? Midnight Mass, putting up stockings, drinking a gallon of sherry, watching Jaws...whatever! Is it a lull before the storm for you - or the last panic? Share the news with us :)


Clare London
website | blog | facebook | twitter

Christmas Eve is the time to creep around in the afternoon doing my shift at Santa's Grotto - i.e. wrapping the presents behind closed doors :) - then in the evening, we toast the season with a glass of Kir Royale, hang the traditional stockings on our bedroom door(s), and try to get enough rest to face the long and over-exciting day ahead. What I love most is enjoying the mixed bunch of decorations on our tree - they come from all around the country, and the world, they're from differnt times of our lives, from friends and family, some made by the children, some from charity stalls, some from upmarket stores. It's the story each has to tell that's precious. This year, one of my best friends in the US sent me a decoration for the tree - she couldn't have chosen a lovelier gift! and it has pride of place.

Also this is the first year all the family are in the Adult bracket - Son#2 passed 18 this month - but we're still like giggly kids :). Last year, we all bravely stayed up to go to Midnight Mass among a rare sprinkling of snow (or it may just have been thick rain *g*), only to find it had been rescheduled to an earlier 9pm, because the church didn't think people could or would stay awake! Oh well - home again to more Kir Royale :)


Marcelle Dube
website

I love Christmas Eve. In my family, it’s the lull between the craziness of getting ready for Christmas and Christmas day itself. Christmas Eve is when my daughters and I cuddle up on the couch (usually under a warm blanket and accompanied by hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps) and watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas – my all-time favourite Christmas movie. But it has to be the animated version, the one with Boris Karloff singing “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.



Julie Wachowski
website

Our whole family (20+) gathers to share an enormous pot luck dinner, and then watch the kids open presents. Grown-ups pick names and are allowed to buy one gift with an iron-clad spending limit. The stories created to account for savage violations of the dollar limit are the best part of the night. (“It was double 50% off with a coupon at the after-midnight sale!”)


Jean Harrington
website

In the 19th century, my great grandparents immigrated to the US from Germany, bringing many Old World customs along with them. At Christms time, my mother recalled that her grandparents would set up a real fir tree in the front parlor, and the children in the family would festoon it with paper garlands and strings of cranberry and popcorn. Her grandfather would attached candles to the branches, taking care that each one had flame clearance above it. On Christmas Eve, the whole family would gather around the tree while grandpa carefully lit each candle. They would enjoy the glowing spectacle for ten or fifteen minute, and then he would carefully extinguish the lights. Oh, a very important part of the festivities was the bucket of water standing at the ready. Just in case.
pic courtesy of carolsgardenblogspot.com


Toni Anderson
Blog | Website | Facebook | Twitter

Moving to Canada and leaving all our family behind meant we had to reinvent our Christmas rituals. Nowadays we head across to visit friends and have a sledding day. This can be good or bad depending on the windchill :-D I think the coldest we ever did it was about -40C and that was over PDQ :-) . When we get home we have mince pies and sherry and read 'The Night Before Christmas' in front of the fire.
Love it.


Anne-Marie Becker
website | facebook | twitter

We set out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. We also read "Twas the Night Before Christmas." After the little ones have visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, hubby (ahem, Mr. Claus) and I sneak off to have a glass of wine and watch "Die Hard," Trading Places," "A Christmas Story," "The Ref," or "Elf" (traditional Christmas movies, for sure) while we do the last-minute wrapping and assembling.



Elise Warner
website

Placing my red Snoopy candle holder on the piano surrounded by Christmas cards and notes from family and friends. An elf dangles his feet from the edge of the piano and a globe with drifting snow adds to the season's festivities.
pic courtesy of Favim.com


Julie Moffett
website

When I was a child and with my children, we always open one present on Christmas Eve. It's so exciting. Then we have candlelight service at church and after we are home, we put out carrots for the reindeer and frosted Christmas cookies for Santa. No matter how hard we stayed up (or my kids try), they always fell asleep before Santa came. Sometimes before the present opening, we might watch a Christmas movie like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Frosty the Snowman.


Shelley Munro
blog | website | facebook | twitter

Christmas isn’t Christmas to me until I hear the song Snoopy’s Christmas sung by The Royal Guardsmen. This is my all-time favorite song. While searching YouTube I found this video.

Entries collected and posted by Clare - any pictures that haven't been provided by the authors have been chosen by me, and any queries about them can be directed here.