I'm really sorry to sign up for the forum and then disappear. I signed up at the end of my Christmas vacation break, not knowing what a hellish start I'd have to 2008. Not only did I work massive OT (I'm salary so it as for no extra pay), but I had to do my state taxes and City of Seattle taxes as I carry an inventory. To everyone who requested to be friends right away and then felt neglected, I'm really sorry.

This social networking is also new to me. I wanted to give it a try with a select group of special people.

OK. I'm good at using that special shovel.

I look forward to meeting you. Please notice I uploaded the photo of my "alter ego". I like to draw the old style prison outfits because they are more fun and work better for cartoons. Take care. Dawn

Hi. Just checking in tonight. I spent a few hours today working on my next novel. I'm going to try to sign on Sunday nights to say "hello". I hope my fellow ningers are having a good week.

I just finished listening on CD to Anne Perry's latest Christmas novel. I like how she takes the secondary characters and takes the opportunity to round them out a bit more in the Christmas books which are not part of her series books. I've met Anne Perry a few times and she is very gracious, not haughty at all.

I'm now listening to "The Hounds of the Baskervilles" on CD and finishing up the short stories of Sherlock Holmes. Never "read" The Hounds novel, just seen lots of movie adaptations, so thought it was about time to do it.

I'm now reading "Charlatan" and "Lenin, Stalin, Hitler and the Age of Social Catastrophe". I guess you could say "Chalatan" is sort of a mystery as it is about how the quack doctor, Brinkley, was brought down. Makes me wonder how much of what we consider enlightened medicine nowadays is just a newer form of quakery.

I'm also reading, "Save The Cat" about screenwriting. A great explanation of the writing process in condensed form. I think it's really worth any author's time to check it out to help you focus on them and story structure.

I'm looking foward to meeting Sharan Newman at the Seattle Mystery Bookshop March 1st. I've read and enjoyed many of her medieval era novels.

Take care.
Dawn

Hi Dawn. Thanks for the kind words about the article. I usually write one for each issue. While you're waiting for the next story please check out my daily blog, The Graveyard Shift.

http://www.leelofland.com/wordpress/

You're welcome, Lee. I will do that. My only experience with real police (besides being pulled over) is a citizen's academy that I attended last year, which was great. Any information that you experts are willing to share is always much appreciated. Have a nice night. I gotta eat dinner and do my taxes. So much harder to do the taxes since I started my business: I'm tempted to quit each year at this time and pack it in. But, then, I don't want the government to discourage me from pursuing my goals, either.

There is a lot of concern right now about where the economy is headed. Does that mean there will be less disposable income to purchase novels or will people forgo more expensive entertainment and read more books? I think the solution is for authors to try to write the very best books they can so that readers are excited about the opportunity to make the purchase.

Hi Dawn,
I hate when someone cuts me off! It could really throw your mood. Just be safe, it's not worth it.

You're a cartoonist, where did you learn how to draw? Or do you not draw you just do the writing? I've been trying to teach myself how to draw dragons and some other fantasy characters. I love it, but I feel like I'm flying blind.

Hi Dawn- great to see you this evening at the MWA-NW meeting! Thanks for dropping me a line!

Happy Easter!
I finally finished my second Cattle Capers(tm) short story for Amazon.com--and have to cut 700 words as they have a 10k word limit. EEks! Forces me to be more precise in my word choices when I got back through the story and cut. Somehow, I managed to do it with the first one.

I always wish I had more time to write and draw. Then, when I have the time, I don't always have the energy--like today. I took a nap then watched 3/4 of "Romancing The Stone," as if I'd never seen it before. It's great when I have time AND energy! I seem to have many more ideas than time to execute them. I think all creative people have the same complaint, unless they are fortunate enough to work full-time at their creative endeavors.

Sure, I could go back and think, "I wish I'd taken advantage of this or than opportunity," but I prefer to look forward because I cannot change the past.

I hope to make this year not a "wish I'd done this or that" year.

Take care.

Thank you for the add. God Bless

Hey Dawn, that's the book I bought!! I've been working on the first two dragons in the book. I'll scan the couple I finished and post them on my page. I also picked up Peffer's other book, drawing fantasy characters. That one is really hard. Thanks so much for taking the time out to get me the book info. I hope your weekend was good. Did you Friday or Monday off?

I'm procrastinating tonight. The part of my taxes I dislike is balancing the book sales vs. inventory. Made more difficult by my publisher changing the pricing based on qty purchases, promo copies, freebies, etc... I've learned not to procrastinate on the bookkeeping. I'd better get back to work....

I get discouraged this time of the year when doing my taxes. I wonder: Is all the effort worth it? Does anyone else get discouraged about their writing? Then, I have my moments when I have inspiration and can hardly wait to create the story or draw a particular picture. But promotion is so time consuming, taking away from creative time. The old "make your living by the sweat of your brow" curse, I guess. I know some persons who have the golden touch. I'll cheer up once I get my taxes filed and start focusing more on my creative endeavors.

Please rejoice with me! I finally got my fed taxes done. Now I can focus on the creative aspects of my business life! I feel like I have my life back! I really dislike this time of the year: colors my mood grey! I will probably sound a lot cheerier the rest of the year!

Glad you like the place, Dawn. It's my first social network too!

Hi Dawn. Thanks for the kind words. Hey, where is Maple Valley? We used to live just north of Seattle, in Bothell.

Hi Dawn, seems you're not the only one freaked out by my little picture there! lol! it's a weavel from the show Torchwood.

You gave excellent advice and I am going to a writer's conference this weekend, so i'll be getting away from NY and hopefully get a little peace of mind.

i'm glad you got your taxes done and got some rest. how's everything else going? I hope you have a good weekend!

Hi. I'll soon be posting some of my cartoons for my virtual friends to view. Been a tough year: I'm working about an extra work day every work week in OT. I'm salary, so I don't get paid extra and am diluting my hourly wage. I'm trying not to get frustrated as negative emotions sap your strength. It's important to me to live up to my responsibilities, but sometimes I wonder if I am allowing myself to be taken advantage of.

I got some free and unexpected advertising from an anthropomorphic newsletter called, Infurnation, for my "Winkie & Nibbles" comic strip that I post at my company website, www.Pun-and-Oink.com. (My company is Pun & Oink (r) Graphics). Problem is, due to taxes and all the OT, I haven't updated it since February. Great timing for free promotion! Gotta get that done tonight. My goal is to get a book of cartoons together to sell, maybe a comic book of "Winkie & Nibbles". In other words, somehow I MUST work less OT.

By the way, I got a 93-year-old grannie. I spent last Thursday night after work running over to ER; turns out she is OK. But shows you just cannot predict your future even that same day. I was planning on working on my Cattle Capers (tm) short story that night; I did do some edits in the ER. I've got to cut about 450 words. I tend to write long short stories. At least readers will get their money's worth. But I did not turn on my computer when I finally got home after all that trauma.

Take care, everyone! Talk to you in another week.
Dawn

Thanks for the comment, Dawn! ;o)

Hi, Dawn

I don't go to comics conventions any more, not since I stopped being a full-time professional in the field.

Melissa and I attended the Boston Comic and Pop Culture Spectacular this past February as guests...it was the first comics convention we've been to in well over a decade.

It was pretty unsatisfactory experience all the way around. I doubt we'll be attending any more of them, even with more graphic novel projects in the offing.

I planned to accompany my friend Jim Mooney to the San Diego Con in 2006 but I broke my ankle.

Now I'm curious. Whose website?
The subject matter of THE SEX CLUB involves teen sex, access to birth control, statutory rape, and abortion. But the only minor complaints I've heard are about the characterization of the antagonist as a fundamentalist Christian.

Hi, Dawn,

I'm actually going to Antigua on the 13th of June and returning on the 6th of July. I know, I'm lucky. I sure want to hear how your trip with your grandmother went. Egypt! Sounds really wonderful. And we have to get together to do the race track thing, too. Talk to you soon.

Pat

Hi Dawn. I'm so pleased that you're enjoying the book. Please stay in touch!

Hey, Dawn,

Thanks for the contact. I hope you enjoy my books. They've got lots and lots of dogs, and even some training tips!

LCK

Hey girlie,
OMG your puppy is SO cute!!!
What's the name of the book you were talking about?
Yeah, I finally got around to posting some of my drawings, sorry it took so long. I've been working on animals and started some fantasy figures.
How are things going with you?

Dawn, I think you might enjoy my "Antiguan Memories" story on Amazon Shorts. Just go there and type in "Antiguan Memories." It's about a disillusioned Anglican priest, a mute Antiguan boy, and the spirit of a murdered slave girl. Each is seeking release and redemption from their current circumstances.
Although it is set in 1934, shortly after the Edwardian era, and its on the Caribbean island. Also, I'll write you off Crimespace to see about getting together.

Best as always,

Pat

Take care

Ha ha! It's only been there for about a year or so ... but you have to thank Sandra Ruttan for all the hard work on it. ;)

It is a delicate balance. Part of my guilt (about the time I spend writing instead of taking care of Mom) is based in other people's perceptions that writing isn't real work. So I do it first thing everyday before I get sidetracked with other commitments. Hang in there with your writing. It is important!
Lj

Thanks, Dawn. There's a Yorkie in my 3rd novel. He just plays a minor role, though. The dog stars of my books appear in alphabetical order: Airedale, beagle, corgi, Dalmatian, English setter, fox terrier.

My next book will feature a greyhound.

LCK

North Carolina, especially the Piedmont, is great for year-round living, though I do miss family and friends throughout New York, New Jersey, and New England. I just got back from a two-week workshop tour of Southern California and I love being in the foothills. Met many fine people and eager-to-learn mystery writers. One day at homee and I'm about to set out for Nashville, TN, and the Killer Nashville Conference.
Chris

Dawn:
Sorry I'm slow in responding--my workshops have kept me traveling a great deal--more than 9500 miles so far this year. I love it!
Did you ever hear authors suggest that folks NOT buy one of their books? I'm about to do the unheard of: If you expect my two titles to be totally different from each other, let me say that the advice in DON'T SABOTAGE YOUR SUBMISSION is almost identical to that in DON'T MURDER YOUR MYSTERY. If you write mystery, I recommend the latter, because the later title, DON'T SABOTAGE... is for all genres. One hundred of the examples in both books are also identical -- and I don't want writers to be disappointed on discovering the similarities after buying both.
Thank you so much for your comments. Chris

Hi Dawn, thanks but no, I can't draw worth a lick -- I created the avatar at faceyourmanga dot com.

Thanks for the well-wishes. I need all I can get. This one has gotten even tough old me down.

Hi, Dawn. I really had a rough time, but I seem to be on the way back now. Thanks for checking on me. I hope you're feeling better soon.

Well, aren't you sweet! Thanks.

Hey Dawn,
Sorry, things have just been crazy with work and school. How was your vacation? holiday? Doing anything fun for the new year? Hope everything is going great!

Thanks Dawn. Happy New Year!

Thanks so much for your good wishes. I hope your 2009 is wonderful as well. I'm 90 pages into my third Detective Jackson story and excited to see the second installment (Secrets to Die For) published next year.

Thanks for stopping in. It's a little harder to be optimistic these days but I keep trying.

Glad you enjoyed the video Dawn, and thanks for your congratulations. I appreciate it.

Best regards

Brian

Great! One of the pieces of information that attracted me to your profile was Maple Valley. We lived in North Bend, WA for 20 years. I worked at Boeing and often traveled from site to site, and when in the south-end, often drove through Maple Valley. Fond memories. Uncle Si's Secret is set in a fictional place near Snoqualmie and North Bend. Don't know if you're familiar with the area.

Anyway, looking forward to participating in Crime Space. Thanks for the comment. Madeline (M.M. Gornell)

Dawn, had to laugh at the comment by the toddler. Yes, Virginia, there is a sun in Seattle! In the Central Valley of CA, we're having fog. I can barely see the house across the street. I have candles lit to warm my writing space and make it homey as I look through various sites. This is my Sunday morning ritual: tea, newspaper, social interfacing.

Was it black fog? Maybe it was the monster from LOST. (I saw the episode a few hours ago and I'm still replaying it in my mind.)

Dear Dawn, I saw the bad news about Buster. I'm so sorry. I've lost beloved dogs and know how you must feel. Remember that to Buster you were the most wonderful person in the world.

Dawn, you were one of my favorite surprises at the PSWA conference. I'm glad I sat next to you and loved your panel on humor. There was so much more I wanted to hear about.

Thanks for letting me join up!

No problem. Be sure to look for the website Project Gutenberg, and I think there's also a thing connected to Wikipedia that has public domain material.

Hi Dawn, I want to introduce you to my debut novel "A Circle of souls" which is a murder, mystery, psychological thriller and a tale of justice and hope. Do visit www.acircleofsouls.com to read more about the book. Make sure you sign up to win an autographed copy of the book. You can also read more reviews by clicking on the More Reviews button at the website. Thanks for your time in advance.

Best regards

Preetham Grandhi

Early Endorsements for “A Circle of Souls”

Linda Fairstein, NYT Bestselling Author: "A fascinating debut - this novel takes the reader to the darkest places in the human soul, from a writer with the authenticity to lead us there. A stunning thriller and an important read."

Judge Judy Sheindlin, star of the Judge Judy Show: "The seminal work of this fine author kept me glued to my chair until the adventure was over and the mystery solved. A great read!"

Book Synopsis:

The sleepy town of Newbury, Connecticut, is shocked when a little girl is found brutally murdered. The town s top detective, perplexed by a complete lack of leads, calls in FBI agent Leia Bines, an expert in cases involving children.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Gram, a psychiatrist at Newbury s hospital, searches desperately for the cause of seven-year-old Naya Hastings devastating nightmares. Afraid that she might hurt herself in the midst of a torturous episode, Naya s parents have turned to the bright young doctor as their only hope.

The situations confronting Leia and Peter converge when Naya begins drawing chilling images of murder after being bombarded by the disturbing images in her dreams. Amazingly, her sketches are the only clues to the crime that has panicked Newbury residents. Against her better judgment, Leia explores the clues in Naya s crude drawings, only to set off an alarming chain of events.
In this stunning psychological thriller, innocence gives way to evil, and trust lies forgotten in a web of deceit, fear, and murder.

I'm so sorry about Buster! Sending you big hugs! I haven't been on this site in a long time and just saw the news. I'm a big animal lover and know just how precious Buster is to you. I hope you're doing OK!!

Dawn, Sunny here. Johnny Russell on this site just made friends with me, he's a PSWA member as well.
Check out my blog. I took a cruise with Denny Griffin and Jack Miller and we did an author's panel. Photos are up. Now we're putting together a mystery cruise.

Hi Dawn, great to hear from you! Hope I'm going to see you sometime this year, like at PSWA maybe? Sorry about rough family issues, and working many hours I'm sure didn't help. I think a lot of authors are on Crimespace. Unfortunately I haven't spent much time here, just checking Facebook, SinC and PSWA listserves is about all I can keep up with on a daily basis.

Yes, my wishes to you too for a wonderful 2010. New years is one of my favorite points in time...I get start over, thank goodness! Looking forward to seeing you and catching up.