Snow, snow and more snow....

It seems like it is becoming more and more common for the DC area to escape the snow in December and January.

However, we are now experiencing winter in February. Somehow that just doesn't seem fair.

I am gearing up for Spring and having snow in the middle of February is not what I am used to.

It has given me the opportunity to get some writing done, rearrange some closets and also visit with my grandchildren.

Snow can be a good thing...but why do I always feel stir crazy if it snows for two days? Why do I gnash my teeth if schools are delayed? Why do I look out of the window like a lost child wondering when the ground will be visible and the grass green?

Oh, it's because the snow keeps me cold. The snow ruins my vacation "high". The snow makes my dog forget that we don't walk at 4am in the snow just because he can't hold it until a reasonable hour.

Yeah, the snow is pretty to look at but it also stops me from doing what I do best..sitting on the deck with a glass of wine and a small fire burning while I listen to the crickets and look at the stars.

Does anyone else want the snow to stop and Spring to begin?

Inspirational and Funny

Sometimes when I surf around Facebook, I find things that are inspirational and funny.
The things that are inspirational always prompt me to smile and to put a fire in my soul.

The things that are funny, well they stick a little longer.

One such thing is the small 'postcard' funnies that my son or some other person will send me. My funniest one to date was, "Oh look, its F*** this o'clock again". I still find that funny as ever. Now, either I'm getting old or just slow but it took me about ten minutes to get what it was actually saying and haven't we all said that at some point in our lives.

I know I have. One days where I can't take one more thing or do one more page of edits or send one more promotional email. I look at the clock and say, "F...this! I'm done for the day" and it was so funny that my son sent this to me because in his words, "mom, you look like you had this kind of day".

Wow. When your child thinks you need a laugh than you really have taken things much to seriously.

So, although I enjoy the inspirational moments found online, I find that the funny moments mean a lot more because they truly do, lift my spirit and will you look at the time....

Until next time America...(hey; isn't that a line from a television show)

Conferences, my new best friend

When Chocolate and flowers aren't enough...



February 1-3, 2013. That is one of the best weekends I have had this month. Oh, did you think I was going to say this year? See, every year I travel with another author, Austin S. Camacho to Rosemont, IL to the LOVE IS MURDER conference. Every year I look forward to seeing Hanley Kanar and Luisa Buehler and the rest of the gang that put on the conference. When chocolate and flowers aren't enough...that is the slogan. Pretty cool, don't you think?

Although the conference is always on the Super Bowl weekend, it is always over by noon and I am back at our friend Cyndi's home in Ohio by 5pm, plenty of time to get those Super Bowl snacks ready to watch the commericals. You didn't think I really cared about the game, espeically since Dallas wasn't in it, now did you?

This year was no different. Well in a way it was. I convinced another author, Deliah Lawrence to travel to Rosemont, IL to the conference and she did and she and I and Austin had a wonderful time. We had the time of our lives! We met Lee Goldberg, sat and had lunch with Shane Gericke.

We sat on panels and discussed everything from having the perfect pitch for an agent to writing in the post 50 Shades aftermath. How did you miss all of that? Well if you don't attend conferences, that is how you miss it.

Now next year, we plan to be there again, are we going to see you there? If not, I will sit and have dinner with Heather Graham and Shane Gericke...while you sit at home and get ready for the Super Bowl.

Getting the Adventures Started in the life of Marge McGugan

Rule # 20 – Draw inspiration from anything and everything.

<Scene Summary>

I met B. at the Bay to Ocean Writer’s Conference in late February. We sat next to each other in one of the many fantastic sessions. We got to talking about our work and exchanged blog information. She asked me to guest on her blog and discuss some of my Adventures of an Author writings and how I work.

<Present time>

Inspiration is having a hard time settling in my brain. There’s a lot going on around the house – recent trip to Jersey, great spring weather giving me the fever, 18 year old hound going downhill at a more rapid rate. Focus is not one of my current virtues. A big problem that I share with my hubby is that we are both hopelessly addicted to NCIS -the original, not the Los Angeles version (although some LL Cool drooling is always good). Hmmmm…..

<Bolts to computer and starts typing furiously… faster than in high school typing class on those old Royal typewriters>

I start my own Leroy Jethro Gibbs rules. These are rules for writing right. The blog can focus on a different rule where appropriate. GENIUS!!! Ok, stolen idea but still genius!

<Applies Gibbs-style head slap to self> <not too hard!>

You see, when I started writing about 2 years ago, it was because I needed something other than retirement in my life. I quit my job as a middle school Family and Consumer Sciences. It’s a job I did for almost 20 years and, yes, there was a true burnout element to the job change. I started writing by taking some online writing courses and found out something really surprising about myself – I was always a writer. In my job, I wrote lesson plans and curriculum guides. I’ve also done curriculum work for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. I’ve done the content and layout editing for my church newsletter. So this writing gig is nothing new.

So here sits a budding children’s book writer at her trusty Cyclops (computer) pounding the keys like a jazz pianist in love with his instrument. And it’s fun!! I can be other people through my characters when I write (Rule #30 – all behavior has a purpose). I can get into a child’s mind when I search for a 3-year old’s way of talking about dogs and the way to behave around them. I can pretend to be a Philadelphia rabbit chef at a soul food restaurant who is moving to Canada to be with family. At this point, many of you would recommend the name of a good psychiatrist to me right about now. It’s cool – writers can unleash their inner crazy (Rule # 25). WHOOO HOOOO! I am no longer bound by Maryland State Assessment instructional criteria!!! I’m free! (ok, sort of… the language does have rules I need to follow).

<Insert solitary hand clap and whoopee index finger twirl>

I can write about my travels… what will I see? How can I make the places I go into children’s books? How can I follow my passions (Rule #1) and make the stories readable for little kids?

<Insert deep worry music here>

It’s all a learning process. Just like life. And it’s all a fantastic journey. Check it out at Adventures of an Author, brought to you by Blogspot.com.

<You knew there had to be a commercial somewhere>

And as for this crazy format???  I used Rule #24 – Practice all types of writing. So much for the screenplay….

<Smiling while typing> <wrap scene><pour another glass of wine and celebrate>

Love Is Murder

Love is Murder is over and what a great time I had!

I learned so much from David Morrell and Hank Phillippi Ryan; who I might add loved my shoes. Hank, not David. Oh, you thought Hank was a guy. No, she a very beautiful woman with the prettiest salt and pepper shoulder length hair. She is an investigative reporter for Channel 7 in Boston and she is also a lover of shoes. Oh, but I am totally off topic.

Love is Murder is run by some very dedicated volunteers. Yes I said volunteers. These women and men dedicate themselves for the rest of us. The meals,the cocktail hour and the mass book signing and even the one act play is all done by the little worker bees scurrying behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Hanley is the cutest woman ever! She made sure that everyone was having a nice time and she also came to the rescue when the computers went down and no one could register into their room so no one had a place to 'freshen' up before the panel discussions began. She offered her room up to a few of us and we were able to face 'our' public with a renewed spirit.

The staff was excellent and the service was impeccable! The food was incredible and the volunteers of LIM did a fantastic job. Who knew that scrambled eggs with roasted tomato and asparagus made a good breakfast?

I met some great people and made great friends I can't wait until next year. Yes, it's definite. I will be there every year from now on.

LOVE IS MURDER--or is it?

This week I will travel to the Love is Murder conference in Chicago. This conference is held every year and I have known about it for at least a couple of years. It is held on Feb. 2-5 this year and yes the super bowl is being played, but there are televisions there.
This year I finally decided, you know; I'm going and boy am I glad that I decided that. As soon as my registration was paid for I received a phone call from one of the organizers, Hanley (and yes,her name is as unique as mine)and she was so bubbly. Imagine my shock when she asked me to be on a panel and possibly a moderator. Now here is the sad part. Hanley said, "you know we are not that well attended by the African American writers". What? Are you serious? I know there are THOUSANDS of us out here and yet this conference, has literally a handful, yes her words, of African American authors attending.
Well, I will do my best to change that. I know there are some great mystery writers, romance writers and thriller writers that are African American; why aren't you attending. Is it because you think because you can't, or do you limit yourself to genre specific events. Let me tell you, she will always see my face from now on. During the first week in February, you can believe I will be in Chicago, rubbing elbows with publicists, NY best selling authors and the best that the publishing industry has to offer. How many of you will be there next year?

Upcoming conferences-Are you going?

Today I will talk to you about conferences you should attend; even if you don't write in that particular genre. Why would you want to attend a conference that doesn't pertain to your particular writing style?
Simple answer: The more you get to know about other writing styles, the more you can incorporate them into your writing style.
Love is Murder is a conference held in Chicago every year and it is geared towards the mystery writers. I have never gone, but in February of 2012, I will attend. I am so excited to be a part of that it is well worth the cost.
Thrillerfest will be held in New York in July of 2012 and although I went this year, I am doubly excited to attend again next year. This conference is geared towards mystery and thriller writers. Although I am neither of the two; I will proudly network with all of the authors there.
After all, networking as an author is THE main reason to go to such conferences. You not only get to learn about other authors but you also get to 'hang' out with NY best selling authors. Where else would you get to be in the same room as R.L. Stine and Karen Slaughter?
I hope to see you at one of the many upcoming conferences in the new year. If you see me, come up and say hello; after all; I love to talk about writing.
Happy Writing!