Zamora's Ultimate Challenge, Meet MK Scott!

Welcome to the next stop on the Zamora's Ultimate Challenge Blog Tour! Be sure to read to the very end as you don't know what you may miss! (like a chance to win stuff!)

* * * * *

Meet author M.K. SCOTT, who calls herself a "total book fiend" and horse-lover. Oh, make that dog lover, too, given her "writing partner" is a four-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback named Java.

If you didn't know, M.K.'s alter-ego Michele Scott is author of the Wine Lovers Mysteries and the Equestrian Horse Lovers Mysteries with Berkley Prime Crime.

As M.K. she'll be writing for children, beginning with her tween fantasy, ZAMORA'S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE available from QUAKE/Echelon Press.


ZAMORA'S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE...

Is the name of Mason and Carter Clover's favorite video game. But fantasy turns to reality when Zamora's evil face appears on the brothers' TV screen. Now the queen threatens to take over the soul of their kidnapped baby sister, Isabella. Zamora's plan? To use the baby as a human vessel to reach Earth and dominate the world!

The boys enter the video game and are helped by several guides in the magical land of Boysen - a sage, a quirky mermaid and a Pegasus, who flies them to subsequent levels of the game. They also face other enemies as they try to jump to the next level and rescue Isabella. Will they beat Zamora's Ultimate Challenge?


Who is M.K./Michele?

Michele, who has a degree in journalism, has been writing since childhood. She wrote her first book while taking a Writer's Digest Magazine correspondence course and caring for her premature son, who's now 17.

"It only took me 12 years later and almost as many books to get an agent and sell three books," she says.

She's made up for lost time, with books nine and book 10, the latest being ZAMORA'S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE (QUAKE/ECHELON PRESS, Feb 2009).

Her family once again played a role in her decision to delve into another genre. Being on bed rest for her third pregnancy, Michele decided to write a fantasy for her own children. She calls it a book of her heart and a book with a message.

“The morals have to do with familial love and bonds, as well as faith in one's self,” she says. “That is all so important to me because I don't think there is anything more important than your family and your belief in yourself and others. We all have gifts to share, and the book gets that across in a subtle way that I believe kids and parents will enjoy.”


About that Dog...

And Java? Call him confidant and right-hand man, er, dog. Michele spends much of the day writing until it's time to pick up her youngest at school, with the dog usually beside her.

"I write in the kitchen most of the time on a laptop and Java sleeps next to me on the kitchen sofa in the breakfast nook," she says. "Sometimes our other dog does too, and occasionally the cat as well. They all sleep all day long."

It sounds ideal but don't be fooled. With 10+ books under her belt (there are others being considered), Michele's got this writing thing down pat. Not that there aren't some moments...

The worst?

"Revising a book for the 10th time," she says. "At that point I am into another book and want to move on, but know that I have to do whatever it takes to make what I have written the best that I can."

But there are good things, she says, "like creating a story with characters that I feel readers can connect to. The simple act of writing itself is by far the best part."

With the day's writing done and the kids home, Michele is then ready to spend time with her family and her horses. Wow, who says a writer's life isn't to be envied?


Prizes!

Did I say prizes? Yes, I did!

Now were you paying attention?? Three lucky readers will have the chance to win copies of Zamora’s Ultimate Challenge by answering this question: What creature inhabits Boysen and what’s the name of the dragon fighter? First make a comment here on something and then send the answer to Michele at readmichelescott@gmail.com. (copy and paste in your mail browser)

Read More

** Read an except of Zamora’s Ultimate Challenge at Michele’s website.


BUY:
*Amazon.com
* QUAKE/Echelon Press.

Follow the Rest of the Blog Tour

* Tomorrow, March 26, Michele shares the story behind Zamora's Ultimate Challenge at Cynthia's Attic

** Don't forget to stop every day at Michele's blog for a fun contest. San Diego anyone?? (Be sure to check out the cool book trailer!)

* March 27: Michele blogs about the novel project she does with middle school and junior high kids at Marta's Meanderings.

* March 30: Michele blogs about the differences between writing children's fantasy versus adult mystery at Drey's Library

* April 2: Michele talks about balancing multi-genre writing and family at Booking Mama.

* April 3: A tween's view of "Zamora's Ultimate Challenge" at Beth Fish Reads.

* April 4: Stop at Teen-Seen and maybe win some prizes!

No, writers don't lead a life of leisure. But their "helpers" do! Hope you enjoyed this stop of the tour!

Bowls and Books, Soup and Authors

Tomorrow is the 9th annual Bowls & Books event, a soup-tasting contest featuring delicious soups from 16 local Kenosha, WI restaurants. New this year is a "Meet and Greet" with local authors, including myself.

Bowls & Books will be held Wednesday, March 25 at the historic Rhode Center for the Arts, a renovated 1920s-era theater at 514-56th St., Kenosha, WI, 262-657-7529.

I'll be there with copies of Searching For A Starry Night, A Miniature Art Mystery, from 5-7 p.m., so please stop by and say hello if you're in the area!

Tickets are $12 lunch and $15 evening. The evening session includes wine, hors d'oeuvres, and music. The event is a fundraiser for continued renovations at the theater.

Miniature Projects & Dollhouse Printies

I can't really ever say that I have nothing to do. Not with dozens of project ideas and several in progress. But... I get bored and tend to hop between projects. I like to do something for a while and then move on to something else.

Well, I found several things online that'll keep me busy. Check out these links for some great miniature ideas and printies sure to keep you busy, too!

Watering Jug/Pitcher:
* Marlies of Marlies Minis has a pattern for pitchers you make from paper. You can coordinate in all kinds of colors and sizes! Very cool!

Apothecary Printies:
* Jean Day makes incredibly darling little outfits and other miniatures. She also shares some neat printies on her blog, like miniature books or these interesting pages from an 1800-era apothecary book. Can't get more authentic than that!

Make a Chest:
* Debbie at Debbie's Tiny Treasures has some neat ideas. Her Harry Potter apothecary project is so cool! Here's a free tutorial for a small trunk she made from mount board (picture framing matboard). Continue here: Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Part 5; Part 6.

Potion Labels:
* Kat the Hat Lady shares some interesting witch-wizard potion labels to shrink. While you're there, be sure to check out her amazing miniature witch hats!

Printies and Posters:
* Grace at TreeFeathers (check out her incredible miniature books!) also has a great printies page. My favorite? The vintage monster movie posters. Check out her blog too.

Potion Labels:
* Whittaker's Miniatures recently started blogging and has the neatest, er, spookiest ideas! Check out these great labels they're selling at Etsy. Next on my shopping list for sure!!

Have fun!

1000 Must Read Books - or Not

I see there's been a lot of talk going around about the 1000 Books You Must Read Before You Die published in January at the Guardian.

The books are divided into categories, Love, Comedy, Family, etc. And the lists are long. Yes, with more books I admit to having never looked at.

Book lists, of course, are subjective, with a "to each their own" feeling. None of us will agree on what books are "musts."

As my interests lie mostly with mystery, I found the crime section interesting. A lot of Raymond Chandler and other "classic" authors, though they're not my cup of tea, er, whisky. A few authors weren't familiar to me. Others I haven't gotten to yet. I did see books I've read in the other categories, but I'll stick to the Crime list for now. A few I read:

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (and read many others)
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (didn't finish it, loved the movie I saw on Mystery!)
A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle (I probably read every Sherlock book)
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (Never really thought of this as "crime" though what they did was)
An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser (this is one I have read several times)
Dolores Claiborne - Stephen King
Misery - Stephen King (interesting King choices)

What's missing:
No new, cozy mysteries. A genre of its own? But still enjoyable, at least to me.

** What are some of your favorite mystery or crime books? Are they listed - or not?

Five Simple Steps to Finish Writing Your Stories

Okay I admit it - I'm a procrastinator. I get tons of ideas and don't finish many of them.

How to avoid this? How to finish a project?

I realize that besides procrastination, sometimes it's boredom that keeps me from finishing a story. Wow. If I'm bored, what will readers think?

No, it's not that the story is boring. I just lose interest in writing it.

So, a few simple tips I learned while writing to keep myself moving forward:

1. If a story isn't working, move on to another. That boredom means I need to let it sit for a while and go back to it later. Usually works.

2. Write a short description. Get to know the characters. A character sheet helps you fill in those little blank spaces. It helps if you know who is in your story and not just the what, where and why.

3. Do an outline. I need an outline so I know where I'm going. Doesn't mean it's set in stone. I do change things along the way or add things as new ideas emerge or I think of something that fits better. At least I have a road map to work from.

4. Make a list. I'm a list maker. There's something satisfying about checking things off. When you feel you aren't getting anywhere, you can check something off or look at what you've done. Makes you realize you have accomplished something.

5. Stew on it. Let the story idea simmer. I usually need to "stew" on an idea a while. If the story isn't fully formed in my head, then I lose interest in it or am not sure where to go with it.

Simple, right?

** What are your simple suggestions to keep your story (or book) going? How do you stay motivated?

St. Patrick's Day Miniature by Nancy Cronin

Happy St. Patrick's Day!



Doll artist Nancy Cronin has the "Luck O' the Irish" I think with her original sculpted Leprechaun. He looks kind of tired, doesn't he? Maybe he's worn out from hiding all that gold. Think we can find it somewhere? (Wouldn't that be nice!)

New Miniature Plant Terrarium

I made a unique new planter terrarium with a red "spider" plant, black and orange tulips, a black barbed plant and several "magic" or poisonous mushrooms under a removable plastic dome.

It is 2 1/4" in diameter and just under 1 3/4" high. The plants are set in "dirt" and planted on a handmade Paperclay base.

It's perfect for witches, Harry Potter, a wizard scene or a unique greenhouse! I'm making some others with white spider plants and different flowers, too. And I'm trying a half-scale size.




This planter is now for sale on eBay. Or type in item number in search: 250390451330

Read an E-Book Week, Some E-book Ideas

Can't just have you wonder what to read for READ AN E-BOOK WEEK, right?

Most of these books from QUAKE are in traditional print, but they're also available in e-book, at Fictionwise and on the Kindle.

Here're a few suggestions for some good (make that GREAT!) e-books to read.


Fantasy:

I love the cover of SURVIVING SERENDIPITY by Jacquelyn Sylvan

Kidnapped, taken to another galaxy, June's duty as princess and sole surviving royal is to use her newly discovered magical abilities to save the planet from impending doom.







Horror:

Coming this summer, FANG FACE from humor author Norm Cowie is definitely on my to-read list.

Erin's life is changing, like her. She's turning into an Undead. It could be worse... her complexion clears…finally…she can fly - cool! - and a liquid diet can't hurt. She can even freak out her little sister.

Everyone says she's beautiful, but they start calling her names, like Fang Face. Life is great... or isn't it?




Mystery:

In SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT, Sam and Lita, along with a mischievous Dachshund named Petey, face a dog-hating gardener, a crabby housekeeper and an ancient curse as they search for a missing miniature replica of Van Gogh's "Starry Night."









Romance:

In MR. MYSTERIOUS by Alyssa Montgomery, a night of hanging with friends might just turn out to be an amazing night that Cara and Allyson will never forget!

You Call That, Uh, Art?

Since my book Searching for A Starry Night, A Miniature Art Mystery involves art, it seems fitting to mention a new exhibit just opened in Paris.

Now, Searching For A Starry Night centers on real art, namely a miniature replica of Vincent Van Gogh's famous painting, "Starry Night."

This new exhibit called "Voids, A Retrospective," supposedly focuses on - nothing. Lots of nothing.

Imagine paying your admission fee, walking into an exhibit, and you find an empty room. Literally. In this case, the exhibit has not one, but nine empty rooms.

Stemming from what's called the "void" movement, these exhibits, music, etc. focus on emptiness. Art critics, of course, wax poetic, one calling it "radical."

In real life, we'd call it stupid.

Okay, I'm no art critic. Nor am I going to pretend to be an intellectual. But I'm not dumb, either. Call it common sense.

It's kind of like that red or black dot, or a splash on a blank canvas being given great psychological meaning. You can read anything into that kind of "art." Look at a van Dyck, a Van Gogh, or a Monet, however, and no double-talk is needed. The beautiful images and brushstrokes of the masters speak volumes.

Now compare that kind of art to this new exhibit. Sure, creativity is good. Contemporary thinking is different, etc. But I think the only thing being emptied are people's wallets.

Or maybe the emperor really doesn't need any clothes. Maybe there is something to it... Tell you what. Give me $10 (or whatever admission the show charges) and I'll show you an empty room, er, a "Void" exhibit that will top any of the others.

** What do you think?

Surprise Miniature Gifts

Katie at Katie's Clay Corner sent a great miniature surprise! Besides this fantastic painting she did (one of several artworks she showed on her blog previously), she also sent some other neat things she made.

I love this yummy looking tart!

Katie got the idea to make tarts from another blog, and it looks so great, I think I'll try making some too!




She also made this pretty set of Christmas bags. (Much nicer and fancier than the ones I made before.) She sent the pretty colored bottles, too. Thanks, Katie!

Doxie Day w/ Searching For A Starry Night

I went to the dogs Sunday - and was glad I did! (Pictured left: shy Willie preferred the bag to the ground!)

I joined members of the Suburban Chicagoland Dachshund Lovers group for a St. Patrick's "Pawty" in Grayslake, Ill.

I read a portion of Searching For A Starry Night, A Miniature Art Mystery and enjoyed meeting all the Dachshunds. (Petey would be jealous!)

Talk about characters! Dogs beat people any time! Here are a few of them:




Sam (whom I dubbed the Ham) is a charming 12-year-old whom his owner adopted at 10. Every time you turned around, this sweet dog was either loafing in his owner's giant tote, or begging.

Dayden (left) was pretty in pink!



Baron (below) looked pretty sporting (and quite the Leprechaun!) in his green bowtie.

Miniaturist of the Month: Louise Goldsborough

What could be more Spring-like than flowers - and fairies?

British miniaturist Louise Goldsborough of Angelique Miniatures. makes miniature dolls that make you take a second look. She is also still a collector who's been collecting miniatures since childhood.

"I had my first dollshouse for my third birthday," she says. "My dad made it and I still have it and all the original furniture and occupants."

Her dollhouses are still among her favorite collectibles, and - not surprisingly - so are Fairies.

"I have four dollshouses (including my childhood one), plus quite a large collection of fairy ornaments," she says. "I also have a smaller collection of the larger 16 to 22 inch fashion dolls."

(Pictured: New Fairy Life)



A professional dancer when she was young, Louise began to dress dolls as a hobby, but soon she was hooked! "I swapped my hobby with my profession in March 1988 and never looked back," she says.

(Pictured: Magic Shoes)


She's been making dolls for more than 20 years and has been designing them professionally for seven years.



What keeps her interested? "It's definitely the dressing...the prettier the better," she says. "That's why I love doing the fairy stuff!"

Her work is really a labor of love - and it shows, which is what keeps customers coming back time and again.

(Pictured: Sweet Music)

"It is love," she says. "I feel it is important to reflect this valuable quality in my work as the item that I am making for each individual customer needs to bring them the maximum amount of pleasure. After all, they have chosen me to make their special miniature so I want to get things just so for every customer."

Louise now is getting ready to open a shop at Etsy.

After that, well, she probably has the fairies' blessing!

Read an E-Book Week March 8-14

Today is the start of READ AN E-BOOK WEEK, a celebration of reading GREEN.

Why e-books, you ask?

* They're green. It takes 12 trees to produce a ton of paper - and only 5% is recycled, according to environmental notes on the Read an E-Book Week website.

* They take up less space. The Kindle and Sony E-book Reader let you store hundreds of books. Think of the savings in money on textbooks (and less strain on students' backs!)

* Less eye-strain? While not everyone likes to read electronically, you can adjust the text size and font. A bonus for older readers.

* Cost. E-books are cheaper.

Will they replace print books? I doubt it. Books are still something that no one wants to see disappear. But e-books are a good option.

While not everyone likes to read on a computer or other device, I think young readers who grew up with computers think of it as "normal." They're used to reading online and using computers in school. Many writers are used to reading on the computer, also. I know I don't mind reading stories on my computer and think an e-book reader itself would be neat.

Hopefully e-book readers will come down even more in price as popularity increases so that they will appeal to more people and pocketbooks.

** Do you Kindle? Read Searching For A Starry Night on Kindle.



** E-book: Read THE WITCH TREE at Fictionwise - only $1!

All Jimmy Grayson wanted was a place where he could sit on his porch and listen to ball games. What he found was a veritable hell on earth, ruled by a plague so vicious it threatened his very existence. Soon Jimmy is tormented by his own obsession to destroy those that torture him. Where will it all end? [Fast & Freaky Fiction Writing Contest Winner]

READ AN E-BOOK WEEK: Free Writing for Kids Ebook

To kick-off READ AN E-BOOK WEEK, here is a free ebook full of writing advice from various authors, including myself, compiled for the Children's Writing Blogfest. Enjoy! (Click link to go to site; have to sign in to save from here.)


Writing for Children Blog Fest eBook

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Business Uncategorizable-Unca

Agatha Nominated Short Mysteries

If you enjoy reading short mysteries, then you're in luck! Five of the stories nominated for the 2009 Agatha Awards, can be found online for your reading pleasure.

The awards, named for Agatha Christie, are awarded at the annual Malice Domestic Conference, being held May 1-3 in Arlington, VA.

Here are links to the nominated mysteries:

"The Night Things Changed" by Dana Cameron, Wolfsbane & Mistletoe
(Penguin Group)

"Killing Time" by Jane Cleland, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine - November 2008

"Dangerous Crossing" by Carla Coupe, Chesapeake Crimes 3 (Wildside Press)

"Skull and Cross-Examinations" by Toni L.P. Kelner, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine - February 2008

"A Nice Old Guy" by Nancy Pickard, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine - August 2008

Writing Tip 18 - Grabenstein: Outline

Today's writing tip from Agatha-nominated author Chris Grabenstein involves a valuable research method that every writer has done, or maybe should do.

Writing Tip 18: Outline

"My favorite tip comes from Lawrence Block's TELL LIES FOR FUN AND PROFIT, a collection of his essays for Writer's Digest," says Chris Grabenstein, author of WHACK A MOLE and the young adult novel, THE CROSSROADS, a 2009 Agatha Award nominee. "He suggests that you find a book you really like, maybe one like you want to write. Then outline it.

"Don't just read the book (okay, maybe once for fun) - go through it with a yellow legal pad at your side and chart out what the writer is doing in each chapter.

"I remember doing this with a Tess Gerritsen book when I wanted to try to write a thriller. Tess is a master at getting a lot of stuff going at once. And then I discovered the flow that was helping propel her story forward.

"I guess it's the old expression: read like a writer. Analyze the technique, strip the piece down to its blueprint. Once you know the skeleton, you can dress it up with your own fascinating characters and sizzling prose."

** In THE CROSSROADS, Zack, his dad, and new stepmother have just moved back to his father's hometown in Connecticut, not knowing that their new house has a dark history. Fifty years ago, a crazed killer caused an accident at the nearby crossroads that took forty innocent lives. He died when his car hit a tree in a fiery crash, and his malevolent spirit has inhabited the tree ever since. During a huge storm, lightning hits the tree, releasing the spirit, who decides his evil spree isn't over, and Zack is directly in his sights!

** Your Turn: Who is your favorite author that you've studied or learned from when you began writing?

New Review - Searching For A Starry Night

Just in, a new review from my friend Tracy at Minis On the Edge, which gives a different perspective, showing the value of reading to your kids as a fun family activity!

Tracy says reading Searching For A Starry Night, A Miniature Art Mystery, to her two daughters was something they enjoyed doing together.

She says, "each character was well developed and several of the nights I read the story to my girls, they did not fall asleep until I left the room because it was a story that captures and holds your attention (no matter your age)."

I'm glad they all enjoyed it. Thanks, Tracy!

** BUY: Searching For A Starry Night

What are you reading - and why?

For fun, I thought I'd ask other authors and readers to share what they are reading. What drew you to a certain book and why? Was it the genre? The cover art? The author? The cover blurb? Share your thoughts on what grabs your attention as a reader.

I tend to gravitate towards books in two genres, mystery and horror. Cover art does draw me, but it's not a final deciding factor. I'll pick a book if I've read the author before, or if the back cover sounds good and the first page grabs me.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?), I've gotten into the bad habit of reading several books at once. Do you?

I'm now reading:

Fruit of the Poisoned Tree, mystery, Joyce and Jim Lavene










Mayhem in Miniature, mystery, Margaret Grace/Camille Minichino












Devil in the White City, Erik Larson

**Your Turn: Share your books and thoughts.

Kitty's Fashionable Miniatures

My friend Kitty has outdone herself again.

Her new project is a Ladies store, full of all kinds of wonderful accessories. You know, that "girlie" stuff we all love, especially in miniature.

I love the new shoes she's painted. Then there are boxes, and pretty containers, and... a visual feast! (As someone asked, the shoes are metal/pewter that you paint and are in one-inch scale, measuring less than an inch.)

Many of the items are from Lisa's Little Things. You can see more pix at Kitty's blog.

Mystery & Mini Inspiration: Agatha Christie's House

Both miniaturists and mystery writers will find inspiration over the pond with the opening on Feb. 28 of Agatha Christie's summer home, Greenway House, in Devon, Southwest England.

The house opens after a two-year restoration.

Now owned by the National Trust, the charming and "no-fuss Georgian," is where Christie spent her summers from 1938 to 1976. She didn't write here, though, and supposedly just concentrated on writing letters, relaxing, collecting, and entertaining. Some guests were supposedly entertained with readings from her books. The house is the setting in several of Christie's novels and the scene of a couple of her fictional murders. The house is restored to the 1950s and is much as the writer enjoyed it.

* Learn more, get visit details and watch a video here.

Cookbook Challenges in Miniature

This great miniature tart from Stephanie Kilgast of Petit Plat at the The Mini Food Blog is a great example of miniatures imitating life. She made a yummy looking strawberry tart copied from a cookbook picture. (Stephanie also makes the neatest miniature food jewelry).

I had done something similar last summer as part of a challenge with the Miniature Collectors Club with Yahoo Groups. Here, everyone had to duplicate a cookbook picture.



For fun, I thought I'd share those photos again. I duplicated the cover from the Southern Heritage Celebrations Cookbook I found at a yard sale.




Really gets you thinking about warm weather, picnics, summer... ah.

* You can still see the other miniature cookbook challenge entries at Webshots.

New FAB Blog Award!

Katie from Katie's Clay Corner just awarded me with a pretty FAB new award. Thanks, Katie!

So, the rules are:
I list five addictions and pass this on to five other blogs whose owners then do the same.

I'm addicted to: (in no particular order, well, depending on the day!) chocolate, minis, writing, chocolate, color yellow. (Earth shattering huh? ha!)

Hard to pick just five fab blogs - they're all great! So, hoping I don't repeat what others have done, I pick:

* My friend Kitty at Kitty's Minis who always has fantastic mini ideas!

* Tracy at Minis on the Edge who inspires me with her fantastic clay houses!

* Artist Christina Rodriguez who delights with her wonderful, charming illustrations!

* Author Mary Cunningham at Cynthia's Attic, for her fun books, inspiration and is always helpful!

* Author Katie Hines for coming by, commenting, and her insights!

That's it. Now it's their turn. :>) I also thank you, dear reader, for stopping by, reading, and commenting. This award goes to you, too! Better than the Academy Awards, huh? Take that Kate Winslet. ha!

Writing and Talking to Yourself. I do. Do you?

I realized that most of the time I probably look crazy. Why? I talk to myself. A lot.

Hey, you know you get the best answers that way, right? (Or at least the ones you want!)

But talking to myself is not a sign of mental instability. It's more an occupational hazard.

You see, when I'm talking to myself, it's not really me. (Uh-oh) It's really my characters speaking through, and to me.

No, I'm not talking possession or multiple personalities, though I do hear a lot of voices in my head. The voices I hear don't tell me crazy things, though. (Thank goodness I don't write about serial killers).

As I'm writing, my characters tell me what they think. They tell me if what I'm putting on paper sounds like them - or should be attributed to someone else.

Writing is more than just putting words down on paper. It evokes the senses.

If you're in tune with your writing, you should see the action in your head. You should see it unfold in your imagination. You should see a character doing things that only he or she would do.

You should hear the lilt of a character's voice, or the gruffness of a crabby old neighbor, or hear the fear in your character's voice. You should hear the way that character speaks.

You should smell their surroundings, or the musky scent of their sweat, or the slightly cloying smell of an older lady's favorite perfume. You should smell the sweetness of fresh-baked cookies. Your mouth should water as you see those still warm cookies get taken out of the oven.

All it takes is a few words, the right words, for you - and your reader - to experience all those things and get into the story.

All it takes is sitting down and letting your characters talk to you. And don't be afraid to have a conversation with them. Hearing your characters speak, and getting to know them, is what makes them come alive and seem real.

If you can't hear them or know who they are, will they be real enough for anyone else to want to read about them - or really care? If not, you need to start letting them talk - and start talking back.

** Your Turn: How do you get to know your characters?

Miniature Tudor Dollhouse Beds

I've been planning these beds for a while as part of a long-overdue swap that I owe.

The beds were punched out from an old Greenleaf dollhouse furniture kit.

Bonnie Glazier, who's made several fantastic miniature dollhouse dolls for me - (see my Van Gogh on her page? She also made some half-inch scale dolls and mermaids for me) - wanted some beds for her Harry Potter-inspired castle.

Granted, these are not real dark and dreary, but rather elegant. I wanted to use the burgundy velvet and the shiny red fabric to give it some pizzazz.




I glued straight sticks to the sides for posts, then added some scalloped wood trim around the top to make the canopy. I covered the top with a gold mesh. The curtains were pleated, then glued around the sides. The bottom skirt matches the curtains. The top diamond patterns are cut from a tapestry bookmark. Gold ribbon was glued around bedspread edges and used as ties around the curtains. They're kind of hard to photograph, but I'm pretty happy with how they came out. I hope she likes them.

Writing Tip 17: Limit sentences, Says Debbie Macomber

Today's writing tip comes from a dyslexic mother of four who once thought she'd never get published! Her first book, published by Silhouette in 1982, became the first romance reviewed by Publisher's Weekly.

Writing Tip 17: Limit Sentences, says Debbie Macomber

Best-selling author Debbie Macomber offers a simple tip on style that authors can sometimes overlook.

Macomber says, "never allow a sentence to go longer than 23 words. Find a way to break it up." She calls this "simple, easy, and in some ways, profound."

Debbie Macomber, the author of BACK ON BLOSSOM STREET, SUSANNAH'S GARDEN, A GOOD YARN, THE SHOP ON BLOSSOM STREET, BETWEEN FRIENDS and the Cedar Cove series, is a leading author, with books regularly hitting #1 on bestseller lists and translated into 23 languages.

-- Debbie Macomber is author of several series and stand-alone books, including the popular Cedar Cover Series. In 8 Sandpiper Way, (Sept. 08), a wife find a strange earring in her husband's pocket, and begins to wonder…

Emily Flemming can think of only two explanations-an affair or sticky fingers-but neither sounds like the husband she knows and loves. Still, Pastor Dave did regularly visit the elderly woman whose jewelry has been turning up missing, and he does refuse to tell Emily where he's been when he comes home so late. He may be a good man, but he sure looks guilty-even to his wife.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Troy Davis's long-ago love has moved to town, and there's news aplenty from newcomers and old-timers alike in Cedar Cove.

Love Me, LOVE My Characters 4: Cynthia's Attic Meets Starry Night

Sam takes a break from her sleuthing in SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT, A MINIATURE ART MYSTERY, to talk to her new pal, Gus, from Mary Cunningham's CYNTHIA'S ATTIC series about what's going on in her life.

"Hey, Gus, you know, you and me are a lot alike. You say you're a tomboy? I'd rather go fishing than put on a dress anyway. Well, okay, I'm going to do that once. Me and Lita, my bff, are going to dress up for our friend, Helena Sanchez's wedding to pet shop owner, Mr. G. But just that once! Hey, tell me; how come you're called Gus?”

"Hate my given name, Augusta Lee, so everyone better call me Gus or risk getting a kick in the shins!"

"Okay, okay, sheesh, don't get all riled. I hear ya. Only one that calls me Samantha is my mom, and that's when she's mad! My friend, Lita, was telling me you and your bff, Cynthia, have a magic trunk? Awesome! But I don't know...I, um, am kind of skeptical, I guess. I mean you actually go places in it, like a flying carpet? That sounds kind of cool."

Gus nodded. "All the adventures we've had through the magic trunk have given me a little more self-confidence in being able to solve problems and work on my insecurities. They've also given me a greater sense of family loyalty and an even closer friendship with Cynthia."

Sam thought about it a minute. "When you put it that way, guess I can't doubt you. I'd do anything for my friend, Lita, too. Hey, you have to track down an ancient curse, too? Wow. Lita really got spooked when Petey - that's our friend's Dachshund - dug up an old family curse, too. Another thing we have in common!"

Sam snapped her gum and turned to her new friend. "Hey, I wonder...is there a way you could let Lita take a trip down South with you? You know, in your trunk? She sure misses her brother in Mississippi. Never mind. You're right. What if something went wrong? Maybe she'd end up in some jungle or never come back. You've tried it, but you've still had some scary moments, right?"

"Scary? Wow. We never expected to meet a Cajun guide named Mud Bug in a Louisiana bayou!" Gus said. "New Orleans was pretty wild back in 1914. Then there's the pirates...Don't think I want to go back there again!"

"P-Pirates? Oh, wow, I'd love..." Sam paused and brushed back her auburn hair, which was just a shade lighter than Gus's copper-color. "Oh, I guess you don't mean funny Captain Jack kind of pirates. Hmm. I see what you mean. Maybe time- traveling is pretty scary." Sam smiled. "Okay, let's forget that. What else do you like to do?"

"Now I take piano lessons, but can't seem to learn to read music. So frustrating!"

"You should talk to Lita," Sam said. "She took piano lessons. Maybe she can help. She's pretty talented. Not me."

"I love to swim," Gus said. "I'd rather be outside all summer."

"Me, too. Wouldn't it be fun if you and Cynthia came and visited here in Wisconsin this summer? We'd have a lot of fun!"

"We'd love to do that," Gus said. "You could come by and visit us, too. Do you like to eat?"

"Do I?" Sam asked. "That's my second-favorite thing to do!"

Gus gave a big smile. "Maybe we could get a hot fudge sundae sometime at the drugstore soda fountain. Cynthia won't eat sugar. Says it'll rot her perfect, white teeth. Ha!"

Sam laughed with her. "Your friend sounds just like Lita! She'll pig out on that fake banana candy, but she won't eat chocolate! I think we'd have a lot of fun. I hope we can spend more time together. I'd love to see how your magic trunk works!"

"Cynthia and I'd love to spend more time with you, too. Who knows what adventure we'll be facing next?"

BUY:

-- In THE CURSE OF THE BAYOU, book three of the CYNTHIA'S ATTIC series, adventurous, twelve-year-old best friends Cynthia and Gus find themselves in 1914 New Orleans. There, they search for answers in the disappearance of Cynthia's great-grandfather, Beau Connor, who was on his way down the Mississippi River to sell a flatboat full of produce.

A warning to stay away from the orneriest pirate this side of the Muddy, his gang of misfits and their thieving parrot, falls flat as the duo instead fall straight into his evil clutches! A mysterious treasure and heart-stopping adventure lead to a final confrontation that'll leave you cheering for the girls as they fight to save Great Granddaddy Beau.



--In Searching For A Starry Night, A Miniature Art Mystery, bff’s Sam and Lita, and a mischievous Dachshund named Petey, face a cranky housekeeper, a dog-hating gardener, and an ancient family curse as they search for a missing miniature replica of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.”