Branching Out of Your Norm

Here at Not Your Usual Suspects, we mostly write mysteries and suspense, but I’m sure there are a number of authors who have branched out to other genres…maybe with material along the same lines (including horror or thrillers) or maybe...something else.

Personally, I’ve branched out into young adult (although it’s not yet published). It’s not a permanent move, but it’s definitely a departure from my norm of romantic suspense.

There is another more recent branching out that occurred. It’s been years in the making and really something I didn’t think would see the light of day, but sometimes life leads you down unexpected paths. After all, I never thought the day job would actually co-exist with my writing job, but one gave me the education to make both worlds meet.

Also… the current climate of the nation had something to do with this latest endeavor because this country could really use a couple of minutes to laugh and recharge as we struggle through each new day and the surprises that come with it.

Okay, I’ve stalled long enough, so here’s the latest.

Last Monday was the release of my first non-fiction book. It’s straight from the day job and in that, I mean, it’s been years in the making. It’s called Overheard on the Set and it’s a book of quotes that my husband and I have been compiling for a very long time.

It’s strictly for laughs (and maybe a few shocks).  It’s also rated PG and intended for older audiences. (18+)

So, if you’re looking for a laugh or even a gift for someone who has everything, this might be something to consider.  Keep in mind the quotes are out of context, but that's most of the fun. We have separated them by chapters including 'Props Gone Wild', 'What!' and 'Wardrobe issues' just to name a few. 

Here are some of the quotes in volume 1. (Volume 2 & 3 are in the works.):

“His goal? His goal is to be employed tomorrow.”

“Would you give him the note? I don’t want to be punched.”

“We’ll never see him fully erect.”

“Maybe we go a little angled just to see his thing.”

“I’ll try not to draw blood.”

Here’s the blurb:

Ever wanted to be a fly on the wall during production of a sitcom?

Ever wanted to know just what goes into making television?

Overheard on the Set is a behind the scenes glance at what really happens on set before and during production.

We warn you. Sometimes it isn’t pretty. And sometimes it’s so funny you can’t help but laugh.

Overheard on the Set. You won’t believe your ears.

The 5 star reviews keep coming which makes us very grateful!

Happy Monday!

Links are below if you're interested. 

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo 

Can I quote you on that?

I love quotes. Little nibblets of inspiration. Lessons. Advice. I write them on post-its and stick them to my monitor. I flag and dogear keeper books where a line surprised my heart. I rip chunks out of newspapers and magazines and pin them to my bulletin board.

At times my office resembles a Rose Parade float, it’s so covered in little flaps of paper.

There are so many I love…

Sometimes they remind of who I want to be when I grow up:

Carolyn See: “All writing, all art, maybe all of life—is exactly like dating. Write one charming note to a novelist, an editor, a journalist, a poet, a sculptor, even an agent whose professional work you admire, five days a weeks for the rest of your life.”

Sometimes they remind me of how good days feel:

Gabriel Garcia Marquez: “The writing became so fluid that I sometimes felt as if I were writing for the sheer pleasure of telling a story, which may be the human condition that most resembles levitation.”

Sometimes they remind me how to survive a hard day:

Samuel Beckett: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail better.”

This one echoed for days after a recent trip to the theater:

Shakespeare: Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.

I took a trip recently and visited the Alhambra in Spain. 

It's a breathtaking old castle on the top of a mountain, built by Muslims over thousands of years. The Muslim faith restricts depicting certain artistic images and as a result they create amazing graphic displays of color and shape. 

And calligraphy...oh mama! they have some pretty handwriting.

It seemed to me as if the buildings of the Alhambra worshiped words. Thick tiles made of white marble are carved with swirling inscriptions and mounted along halls, or all the way around a room. 

At first, I didn't recognize I was looking at words, the shapes were so pretty. Now I can't get them out of my head. So much nicer than post-it notes!

If only I knew how to carve stone....

So...do you save quotes?

I’d love to hear some of yours!