LUCY BURDETTE: I mentioned this earlier in the week, but as it gets closer, I'm getting more excited! Rhys, Hank, and Julia are going to be our guests at the Key West Friends of the Library speaker series on Monday 1/18 at 6 pm.
As moderator, it will be my job to steer the conversation and help keep things moving. So I'd love to hear from you: What are you most curious about in the writing life, and with these authors in particular? Imagine the best panel/interview you ever heard... What made it so memorable?
And if you haven't signed up yet, here's the link...the events are free, though donations are gladly accepted.
And on another note, thanks so much for all the nice birthday wishes Thursday. I loved spending the day with you! Here was the famous caramel cake:
And ps, Celia Fowler is the lucky winner of Amy Pershing's A Side of Murder...
Yum . . . that cake looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe . . . .
ReplyDeleteThe night of mystery sounds like great fun . . . I’m looking forward to it. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to see a couple of these interviews on Zoom [maybe the only good thing to come out of the past year?] and have particularly enjoyed the back-and-forth between the writers.
If I could ask a question, I’d want to know what makes a writer decide to change careers and write books? Is it something that’s always been in the back of their minds or was there a particular event that caused them to consider switching to writing as a career?
that's a good one Joan, I will put it on my list
DeleteOooh!
DeleteOh, Lucy, that cake has me drooling. I looked at the recipe, and I have all the ingredients, so I think I might be making it soon. The only problem is that it just me here for a couple of weeks. I guess I could freeze half of it.
ReplyDeleteI am signed up for the Night of Mystery, and I'm excited about spending time with all the Reds who will be there. I know it will be a great audience, too, with many from the blog sure to tune in.
Something I'd like to know is do any of you listen to music while you write, and if you do, what kind? This question comes from reading about some authors who have playlists for their books when they've finished writing them, music that they listened to. Or, it can be music that you listen to for inspiration before writing the book, or it can be music you listen to during breaks from writing the book but is still "part of the creative process." Author Iain Reid is responsible for that quote, as the music he listens to during his breaks while writing is "part of the routine." Spotify even has playlists that are either from an author or inspired by a book. I'm thinking more YA authors have playlists than others, but I have read about authors of adult fiction having them, too. Maybe, if the Reds at the event don't have a playlist, you could think of a song that you think goes with a book of yours, or goes with a character of yours.
For myself, when writing something, like a review, I like silence, and when I'm reading I prefer silence, too. I love music, but I find it hard not to get caught up in a song if I play music when I either write or read.
Good one Kathy! I don't listen to any music while working--I guess I'm easily distractible! And please don't eat that whole cake yourself--I would hate to be responsible for your blood sugar and cholesterol LOL
DeleteWhen I was writing books, it had to be instrumental music, piano, in particular. I don't know how anyone writes with singing going on! I guess it's like kids who insist they have to have rock music playing in order to study or do homework.
DeleteThe reason I read for 2-3 hours at night, in bed, is because I cannot stand any distractions. It has come with old age, along with a host of other peculiarities
DeleteNot old age, I never could have a conversation with the TV blasting nor read or write if there is singing in the background. I read to jazz or classical.
DeleteLike the others, I am signed up for this Zoom event. It will be great to see the Reds and several of the readers online.
ReplyDeleteI am a regular watcher of First Chapter Fun by Hank (and her co-partner in crime Hannah).
To tease the audience about the upcoming book, they post a short video in which the author provides 5 fun facts about the book.
I am going to tweak that a bit, and request that Rhys, Hank and Julia provide 5 FUN FACTS ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT FEW PEOPLE WOULD KNOW!
Got it Grace, thanks!
DeleteOoooo, great tweak, GRACE!
DeleteOh, delicious, and the cake, too. I am signed up and eager!
ReplyDeleteAfter Keziah/Sylvie/Joy's visit, Hank listed her names. I want to hear that story. Anything personal about where an author grew up, what she loved to do as a child, what she loved to read, if she feels comfortable sharing it with us. Thanks. See you Monday.
thanks for that Judy, on the list!
DeleteAwwwwww...xxxx
DeleteI will see you there!
ReplyDeleteWhat does each author typically do for her birthday? What would be her perfect birthday celebration? (Celebrating my Hugh's birthday today and the dough for blueberry turnovers is already chilling!)
Happy birthday to Hugh! The blueberry turnovers sound divine!
DeleteHappy Birthday, Hugh! Are the blueberry turnovers a birthday request from him or a regular baked item you make?
DeleteHappy birthday to your good Hugh!
DeleteHappy Birthday to Hugh!
DeleteGrace, I make them for his birthday every year, and the last few years on Christmas morning, too. Otherwise - never!
DeleteLooking forward to this! I'd love to know what they think is the greatest joy of the writing life and (not to be a downer or anything) what is the toughest part of that life. Are they sometimes even the same thing (for instance, figuring out who actually dunnit)?
ReplyDeletethat's a good one Amy. Hmmm, is it autobiographical?
DeleteOh, I'd love to join this event, but the time (in my zone) might be challenging; nonetheless, it's on my calendar.
ReplyDeleteI am endlessly curious about how writers invent the plot of a mystery book. How do Hank, Rhys and Julia figure out the machinations and details to make it all hang together? Do they work alone? Bounce ideas of friends or family? Wake up with the plot fully formed? Do tell!
Another good question! Amanda, if you miss the event live, it will be posted on the Friends website to watch later.
DeleteI'm already registered to this Night of Mystery but it is a good thing that you reminded us because , in my mind, the 18th was tonight.
ReplyDeleteI have no specific questions, I'll be happy to hear answers to those you'll bring to the event.
See you tomorrow Danielle!
DeleteI'm looking forward to meeting the Reds. No specific questions. See you there :)
ReplyDeletesee you tomorrow!
DeleteHas the pandemic sneaked into your writing? Yesterday I wrote a scene during which the character pulled out "an N-95" as nonchalantly as pulling out a tissue.
ReplyDeleteI have this same question on the list. And I know this will make for an interesting discussion!
DeleteSo many other good questions--it might be tough to fit all those in, already. So I'll just sit back and enjoy the answers. Looking forward to "seeing" you all tomorrow night.
ReplyDeleteI just looked at the recipe. Definitely a special occasion cake! A pound of brown sugar. Whoa.
DeleteLOL Karen, now you see why I didn't want Kathy making this only for herself!
DeleteI hope Julie and I can be there for this spectacular event! We were going to quite a few last year, but not so much since Jan 1. Such a tense time in everyone's life.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this has already been asked, but I'll give it a try. How did each of you decide to write what you write? Cozy, police procedural, series, whatever. And have you tried anything different?
See you all there!
thanks Ann, see you tomorrow for a good distraction!
DeleteThese are all such terrific questions! And I am so completely excited to “see “you all tomorrow... what a dear and loving family we have here.
ReplyDeleteYes exactly Hank. The Jungle Red gang is the best!
DeleteHappy Sunday! I am about to have a Live chat this morning with our writing teacher and writing group online.
ReplyDeleteDiana
Happy birthday Lucy. That cake looks fabulous. I wonder how the frosting would be on a chocolate cake? :-). Hoping to see you all on Monday night.
ReplyDeleteI think caramel and chocolate could be divine Triss!
DeleteLooking forward to seeing this interview tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteLove the recipe, Lucy! I thought it would be more complicated than it is, so I may give it a try, as I LOVE caramel. (Also, again, I have got to remember to eat breakfast before reading Jungle Reds...)
ReplyDeleteSo many good questions here already -- I have nothing to add except that I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWhat sorts of "personal" things find their ways into your books? Do your characters say things or have expressions you hear from friends or family all the time? Love or hate certain foods? Drive similar cars? I won't be able to "attend" tomorrow night but I hope I can catch a "rerun" soon!
ReplyDeletePat, great question. I always wonder about things like cars, expressions, favorite foods and even relationships.
DeleteThis sounds like a blast, ladies! And what a great bunch of questions!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Celia Fowler winning the Side of Murder by Amy Pershing.
ReplyDeleteDiana
Signed up! See you soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you, ladies, for a wonderful lecture/discussion tonight. I'm new to the site, having found it through First Chapter Fun and Facebook generally. I'm working on/playing with book two of my unsold series about a university student in the '80s in Indiana who winds up helping a town policeman. I did some easy research with my diaries and a university catalog I saved. I'll enjoy browsing the site and finding more reading ideas. Love and thanks, Margaret Laing, Chicago
ReplyDelete