The First Time Is Always the Hardest

[Carolyn Rogers]

M. Tarquini sent me. I was supposed to say that. She said to. So now I have. There.

Glad to be here. I'm going to write just a little post to start out--as I told Mindy, I'm more inclined to stick my toes in cautiously than make a big splash. Less chance of making a fool of myself, right? I was published years ago, with Silver Dagger Mysteries. I wrote a nice traditional mystery that I thought would be the first of a series with SDM. it was a great experience, learned alot from my editor, had good reviews, went to cons and sat on panels and just really enjoyed myself. However, anyone familiar with this publisher knows that what started out as a really good thing has unfortunately taken a different turn. Toss major life changes into the mix--the illness and then subsequent death of my husband at only 40--and writing ended up taking a back seat for quite awhile. The last two years since he died have been devoted to my kids, and remaking my life. Happily, that is all working out beautifully. The kids are great, I'm healthier and happier than I've been in years--and now it is time to return to writing.

But to WHAT exactly? I really struggled with this. I'd lost touch with just about everyone I knew in the mystery world. Just about. I hung onto the fringes, but... Wasn't sure what I wanted. I dabbled in other areas a bit, attended a few cons in other genres...but...nothing felt right. I missed mystery. I missed the people, I missed the stories, I missed the entire world of it.

So...I went to Left Coast Crime, saw next to no one I knew, but that was okay. (My picture on here is from Seattle). I felt the buzz again, brought home alot of excitement, and then...stalled again. This time it was over WHAT to write. A traditional mystery again, or was I ready to take the plunge into an area I've long been interested in, but actually feared a bit? Historical mystery. Gulp. LOL. I've gone back and forth on THAT question for awhile. I'll write more about that later here, but that is where I've decided to dig in.

History mystery, bringing to life a part of the past that I've long been entranced with. Can I do it? I have no idea. I'm rather terrified, but excited too. I told Mindy by writing it down here, that I was setting it in stone. No more wishy-washy, no more fear keeping me from diving into something that I've been gathering research on for years.

So much for a short first post. This is a nice place. Think I will like using it. Thanks for the welcome!

Carolyn

EDIT: Oh my goodness, my picture disappeared from my page! Hmm. Hopefully it hasn't gotten lost and will come back soon.

[Carolyn Rogers]

I knew your name was familiar! And Lonnie, too!!! It's been a hard tough few years, but I am slowly making my way back to the mystery world. I'm glad to be here. This came along at a great time. How you doing?? Guppies still swimming about?

[Sandra Parshall]

Carolyn! How absolutely wonderful to find you again! I've wondered so many times how you've been and what you've been doing -- and so have Cristina and your other Guppy friends. Now that I've found you again, I'm going to keep track of you. :-)

[Carolyn Rogers]

Aha, there you are--was about to send out the posse... And thanks on the kids--I suppose I should keep them, huh?

[M.G. Tarquini]

You can do this. I've seen you're writing. You can definitely do this.

And your kids are gorgeous. Have I mentioned that recently?

[Carolyn Rogers]

Is it gone AGAIN?

I for one say it is the cook!

[Carolyn Rogers]

Daniel, I will remember this! Fear is good. Fear and excitement sparks passion. I just want to get it right. I've been nosing around on history mystery sites and I know that getting the facts right is imperative. But first I should write the darn thing, right? Right. I know that. Gotta do it. Work my butt off. Could use that.

[Daniel Hatadi]

Fear and excitement means passion and that is sure to translate into a great book. And if you have all the research behind you, then all you have to do is get the story out (oh, and work your butt off too).

Thanks for sharing all this, Carolyn.