New Article: The Fairies of Judy A. Raley: CDHM's The Miniature Way, August

See my story on the charming fairies made by Judy A. Raley of Once We Were Faeries, in the free August issue of The Miniature Way

Searching for a Starry Night blog book tour - Nonfiction vs fiction

Talking to L Diane Wolfe today about nonfiction vs fiction at Spunk on a Stick blog

** NOTE: I've updated the Kindle version so it may be unavailable until Weds or Thurs, so please check back.

Searching for a Starry Night blog book tour - Crafts: Make a Miniature Pillow!

Since Searching for a Starry Night focuses on the hunt for a missing miniature painting, today I'm offering a simple how to.

Here's an early Halloween treat - I'm sharing how to make a simple miniature pillow over at Anastacia's blog. The pillow can be used as is for a miniature scene, or use it to decorate a card or other decorative item. See directions at link above.

A few finishing notes: the bed is a wood punch-out kit in half-scale. I cut off the ends that stick out; sand and fill with wood filler.

I used a stretchy lace fabric at bottom sides for a ruffle. Cut out an extra picture from the fabric to decorate the end of the bed. The other pillow is purple velvet with lace glued at the ends.

Blog Tour: Amanda Lee/Gayle Trent, The Quick and the Thread

** Today I'm welcoming guest Gayle Trent, writing as Amanda Lee for her new embroidery mystery series, beginning with The Quick and the Thread: An Embroidery Mystery, coming out in August from NAL/Penguin. The next book, STITCH ME DEADLY, comes out in Feb. 2011.

Gayle, who's a fellow Fatal Foodies blogger, is also known for her previous cake mystery series, Murder Takes the Cake and Dead Pan, (Bell Bridge Books).

MURDER TAKES THE CAKE, which has been revised and updated, is also being re-released in Jan. 2011 by Simon & Schuster.

About THE QUICK AND THE THREAD:

First in a new mystery series that will have readers stitching-and itching for more

When Marcy Singer opens an embroidery specialty shop in quaint Tallulah Falls, Oregon, she throws a soiree and a Stitch-In. Soon, Marcy's sign-up sheet for embroidery classes fills up and everyone in town seems willing to raise a glass-or a needle-to support the newly-opened Seven Year Stitch.

Then Marcy finds the shop's previous tenant dead in the store-room, a message scratched with a tapestry needle on the wall beside him. Now Marcy's shop has become a crime scene, and she's the prime suspect. She'll have to find the killer before someone puts a final stitch in her.

About Gayle/Amanda:

(And readers, be sure to check out her last answer!)

Q: What you did before you began writing fiction?

A: Before I became a full-time writer, I was a secretary in the accounting and legal fields. I also did freelance writing in my spare time.

(books are: names, date released, publisher.)

Q: How did you get started in fiction and why write a novel?

A: I've enjoyed writing fiction since I took creative writing courses in high school. I've always been a little too long-winded to write short stories effectively, so novels have always been my first love (to read as well as write). :)

Q: How hard/easy has it been for you to write a novel? (and how did you find your agent?)

A: I've found the hard part has been writing two novels at once. Last year I wrote two books in four months. (Host: Four?? Gulp!) Actually, I was very blessed in that my current agent - the incomparable Robert Gottlieb - found me.

Q: How long did it take to get an agent and get your book published? What was that process like?

A: I've been on a long and weaving road as far as book publishing is concerned. I started by publishing a book called Photo Finish with a small press located in Florida. That company closed down, and I never received any compensation for my book.

I continued with small presses publishing romantic suspense and romantic comedies. I discovered the fun in writing in first person when I contributed a story to Belle Books' popular Mossy Creek series. My story appears in 'Blessings of Mossy Creek'. I formed my own publishing company and published my own books and the books of other writer for a few years. After closing the publishing company, I signed with my first agent and wrote the first book in the Daphne Martin series, 'Murder Takes the Cake'.

Q: Some nuts and bolts questions: What is the one thing that you try to put in your stories to make them unique?

A: Interesting, multi-dimensional characters.

Q: Your tip: What would you say many starting/beginning novelists miss?

A: I think many are so married to their stories and characters that they're unable to see errors an editor will spot immediately. Let me give you an example. When I was acquiring manuscripts for Grace Abraham Publishing, there was a manuscript that was good but in which there was a scene that needed to be rewritten because it was unrealistic. The writer chose to forgo being published by GA because the scene was "so cute" she refused to revise it.

Q: What keeps you inspired?

A: Deadlines, these days. [grin] Seriously, the constant "what if." I got my inspiration for Killer Sweet Tooth when we had to take my son to the orthodontist at 10 p.m. I wondered aloud, "Wouldn't it be terrible if we got there and found her dead?"

Q: What is your writing day like?

A: Chaotic. I have a lot of distractions throughout the day, so I write whenever and however I can. I've been known to write in the morning before the children get up, at night while everyone else is in bed, while sitting in the car rider line at school....

Q: What was the hardest part of writing that first book?

A; Knowing when and how to end it.

Q: What writer or writer's style inspired you and how/why?

A: I loved Victoria Holt's books when I was in high school. When introduced to Mary Higgins Clark, I found I really enjoyed those, too. I love books that are suspenseful without being too heavy.

Q: So, what's next?

A: I'm currently working on "Killer Sweet Tooth," the next book in the Daphne Martin mystery series, and the third book in the embroidery mystery series.

Q: And to sum up, what is the oddest thing you've done as a writer?

A: I once called the FBI to learn what a frozen corpse would look like and what process it would undergo as it thawed. I was referred to a coroner who, by the way, told me my question was the second strangest she'd ever received. Despite my pleading, she wouldn't disclose THE strangest question.

Gayle, thanks for sharing, (especially that last answer. Now we're wondering too. ha!) Good luck with the tour and the new book!

** Upcoming contests: Check out Gayle's Facebook page (see website) on release day, Aug. 3, for prizes and other stuff!

* See more giveaways on the rest of the tour




BUY:

Searching for a Starry Night blog book tour - Talking about Kindle!

Today on the tour I'm talking about Kindle and getting "Kindle-ized" with Helen at Straight from Hel. Stop by and comment!

(and ignore that other woman's pic in the post if she's still there. haa!)
(Helen, aww, I missed my one chance to be a tall, gorgeous super-model!!)

Seaching for a Starry Night - Talking about writing and wiener dogs!

Today's stop for the Searching for a Starry Night blog tour is at Marian Allen's blog, where I'm talking about writing and stuff.

Oh, and since it's supposed to be a "Food Day" there, she says having a "wiener dog" is close. haaa!

Reminds me of my favorite few lines in the book:

Next to them, Petey lay on his blankets. He snored and turned over on his back, sticking his legs up in the air. Sam tried not to laugh as he rolled to his side. He looked like a Vienna hot dog without the bun. All he needs is relish, she thought.

Searching for a Starry Night blog tour - Crafts and Writing at Killer Hobbies!

Today I'm talking about crafts and writing (what's better?) over at Killer Hobbies with Camille Minichino - stop by and comment!

Searching for a Starry Night blog tour - talking with Morgan about dogs!

The Searching for a Starry Night blog tour continues!

Today and tomorrow (Monday), I'm camped out over at Morgan Mandel's blog, yakking about dogs and other stuff. Stop by, say hi and enter the contest!

Pink Magic for Pink Saturday!

It's another PINK SATURDAY at Beverly's blog, How Sweet the Sound, so I thought I'd share some pretty pink "magic" - pink fairies I spotted flitting about at the Renaissance Faire!

I wonder if they've left any magical fairy dust around?



** Pink Saturday visit: I stopped by Lisa's blog at Pale Pink and Roses who has some lovely peonies - and love the pink covered books! Pretty!



** Be sure to follow my blog tour (or see links on side) to enter the contest and check out my award-winning kid's mystery, Searching for a Starry Night - on Kindle and coming soon in print!

Searching for a Starry Night Blog Tour Starts!

** A new Blog Tour begins today for Searching For A Starry Night - now on Kindle - and coming shortly in a new print version!

Be sure to check the blog stops and comment to win some prizes! Leave an email or blog so I can contact the winners.

** See schedule below and visit today's stop at Acme Authors Link Blog! **



**CONTEST: Anyone commenting on any of the blog stops on the tour can win:

* One person who comments on any of the blog tour stops will win a free Kindle copy of Searching for a Starry Night. (You can download Kindle for PC free here.)


* One person will also win a miniaturized dollhouse collector's edition of the first chapter from the first print edition, made by miniaturist LeeAnn Borgia. And it's readable! (*Prize is mini book only - doll and props NOT included.)

** To celebrate the revised Searching for a Starry Night, one person will win a copy of the new print version as soon as it's available.




Blog Tour Schedule:

Today: Thurs, 7/22: Acme Authors Link - Real vs. Fictional Friends


Mon, 7/26: Morgan Mandel's Double M blog - Dogs and Such


Tues, 7/27: Killer Hobbies with Camille Minichino - Crafts and Writing, what comes first?


Weds, 7/28: Marian Allen's blog - Talking about Writing


Thurs, 7/29: Helen Ginger, Straight from Hel - Getting Kindleized


Fri, 7/30: J.E. Taylor's blog – Writer's Quiz and Other Stuff


Mon, 8/2: Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers - craft how to with Anastasia Pollack – Crafts: Make Easy Miniature Cloth Decorations (A miniature bed pillow!)


Tues, 8/3: L. Diane Wolfe, "Spunk on a Stick" – Making the Switch from Nonfiction to Fiction