It was a landslide tie for each of Rodney’s possible series title! What to do… what to do…
Here’s what I did…
I used a new main title for the series (also suggested by a reader) and added a subtitle. Voila! Something for everybody… Thank you for your input.
Here’s Rodney Mankin’s new business card:
The status of the series is:
The Prequel is chilling for its final edit.
Book 1 (*The Strange Case at Heaven’s Gate) draft is over halfway written.
Book 2 is playing hopscotch in my head. Is there a scenario you’d like to see Rodney and Sally take on? Email me here to share your ‘what if’ thoughts. And thank you!
*Here’s the tentative description of Book 1 The Strange Case at Heaven’s Gate:
What if long, deep scratches appeared on your town’s brand-new border wall. Night after night. All along the wall. They are crimson, like blood.
Along with the scratches come cries. Long, woeful cries. Eerie cries. Cries that could not be identified by any of the townspeople. Cries that could be human or animal.
At the same time, bodies appear on the outside of the wall directly behind the bloody scratches. They are all strangers to the townspeople of Heaven’s Gate. Each body has been mauled to death. Are they the marauders? Or are the marauders doing the mauling? Who or what is mangling them?
Have the townspeople successfully corralled themselves with a murderer that they now cannot escape from?
Rodney Mankin, Fur & Feather Whisperer and his assistant Sally the Loner has been called in to solve the mystery and stop the murders. Can they do it? Or will this be the one that puts the kibosh on Rodney’s gift?
The scenario seems to be changing as these characters evolve and take over the writing. Please don’t hold me to the exact storyline I’ve described above. Characters are an unruly lot.
On another note…
Joan Freed’s Ruby the Haunted eBook is due for a price increase in the next week or so.
With price increases and policy changes, I, too, have to make changes to my methods. One change will be this newsletter/blog delivery service. I hope the transition goes as smooth as warm butter on a hot knife. Please let me know if things go wonky on your end. I know only what I send, which may not be the same as you receive.
Did you know?
That you can download, read, and review oodles of eBooks and audiobooks at absolutely no cost to you (including mine)?
Yep. It’s true. Story Origin has been my goto for more than a year now.
Are you ready for a quick escape from your current reality?
Great! Click here to instantly download eBooks and audiobooks in your favorite genre – for free! Or step outside your genre line to find your next favorite author without opening your wallet even once. Score!
Nope. I did not know that my last post duplicated itself. I did not do it… however, I didn’t catch it, either. Boy was my face red when a subscriber pointed the error out to me!
What I have learned
I have now learned, forever and ever, to send myself a test email before I tell my email provider to schedule the post for sending it off to you.
Next up
The audiobook for The Screeching Shadows of Hidden Valley is finished! It’s been a long haul this time – for whatever reason.
Here’s the scoop…
‘Sally leapt out of bed, snagging her walking stick… “What? Who’s there?” She tip-toed to peer around the curtain that served as a wall to her bedroom. Nothing appeared.
“Rodney! Did you hear a deafening, spine-chilling, growling screech?”
Rodney, her old man doll with artificial intelligence, bleeped. “Yes, I did, milady. It came from outside. I was searching the internet to identify it. But I found nothing even close. I thought maybe it was a jaguar or mountain lion…’
It’s another page turning journey through Sally’s mysteriously misadventure filled life. What — or who — has invaded this 87-year-old spunky woman’s adobe igloo and desert compound this time? But this time the culprit is threatening to disintegrate the entire valley — and every living organism in it.
So, dear readers, what has creeped into Sally’s normally safe and quiet as a caterpillar valley?
Will Cozy Mae stay with Sally or spring back home to Texas? How will she get her precious, precocious bots back? Will the stupid criminal ever learn?
Will Sally and Rodney, along with newfound Cousin Cozy Mae and her sidekicks solve the mystery of the pyromaniacal screecher before the valley is turned to ashes?
Free review copy codes are available for US and UK. Email me here to request a code for The Screeching Shadows of Hidden Valley. Tell me for US or UK.
Your Vote, Please
By popular demand, a new series is on the horizon. The Prequel is in the cooling chamber before the edits begin.
The series stars Rodney Mankin, Sally’s AI companion. Rodney has acquired the gift of animal gab. He can talk to the animals in their own language. But there’s a problem…
The name for the series. Which of these titles grabs your attention and piques your curiosity first?
Rodney Mankin, Animal Whisperer
Rodney Mankin, Creature Whisperer
Rodney Mankin, Critter Whisperer
Here’s Rodney’s stand-in business card:
Please vote for Animal, Creature, or Critter here. Thank you so much! Watch for Rodney Mankin, ______ Whisperer in the coming months.
Yayyyy… Summer’s almost over… Only a few oppressive heat, possible monsoon days are left – could today be the last? I wish.
Also in the Thinktank
I’m also considering a ‘Sometimes I Colored Outside the Lines’ workbook for compiling your memoirs. It will be the memory prompter notebook to jot down memories pertaining to places you lived, where you went to school, and so on. With this workbook, you can go on to writing your memoirs, or just pass it on it its rough draft form.
When you fill in the blanks, it will color the picture of how you got to be who you are. And will be the workbook that I wished I’d had when I still had grandma… Does this pique your interest? Please tell me your thoughts on the idea here. Yay or Nay is good enough to give me a clue. But say more if you want to…
And Finally…
The Perils of Peppersauce is in its Review gathering price point stage before the price goes up to a normal price.
After the gully-washer barreled in like an arena full of charging bulls, the road is washed out. They are forced to shelter in place, bodies and all, until the road can be opened. Some try to escape over the top of Mt. Lemmon but a forest fire has closed the road.
Sally, Rodney the mankin, and niece Joany must uncover the killer before they all become victims.
So, what were the final take-aways from the off-grid prep class?
What makes a Cozy Mystery Cozy? A Special Edition.
Cozy mysteries have carved out a unique niche in the literary world, captivating readers with their blend of intrigue, charm, and relatable characters. Unlike traditional crime novels that often delve into darker themes and graphic violence, cozy mysteries provide a lighthearted escape where the focus is on the puzzle rather than the peril. These stories invite readers to solve the mystery alongside the protagonist.
What Is a Cozy Mystery? Picture it: a quaint little town, perhaps with a bakery that sells pastries so delicious they could solve any problem, and an amateur sleuth who stumbles upon a murder while out on a routine errand for fresh scones. That, dear reader, is the essence of a cozy mystery! These lighthearted whodunits feature a puzzle to be solved, but they do it without the graphic violence, gritty detail, or dark themes of other mystery genres. Instead, they offer a comforting blend of suspense and charm, inviting readers into a world where the most dangerous thing is deciding how many cookies to eat while you read.
The Evolution of the Genre Cozy mysteries have come a long way since Agatha Christie introduced us to Miss Marple. Once the domain of genteel British village life, this genre has evolved to include everything from small-town cafés to bustling urban flower shops. From culinary capers to cat-centric sleuthing, the genre has embraced modernity while still clinging to its soft, fuzzy blanket of cozy comfort.
Crime without Gore In a cozy mystery, crime is like a gentle rain—soft, soothing, and without too much mess. Blood, guts, and graphic violence are nowhere to be found. Instead, it’s all about the puzzle. The victim might be found in the town’s beloved library, and the clues are often as delightful as the characters themselves. Think of it as the “mystery-lite” version of thrillers, where the only thing that might keep you up at night is wondering if the protagonist will bake enough cookies for the town bake-off.
Amateur Sleuths vs. Professional Detectives Why hire a detective when your friendly neighborhood librarian has a nose for sniffing out trouble? Cozy mysteries often feature amateur sleuths—everyday heroes who tackle crime in their free time, armed with nothing but their wit (and maybe a trusty sidekick, like a cat named Spaghettio). The characters are relatable, juggling their own lives while solving baffling crimes in their community. Compared to professional detectives, they bring a charming, bumbling energy that turns sleuthing into an adventure of hilarity and heart.
Charming Locations and Unique Settings The locations in cozy mysteries are like characters in their own right. Whether it’s a desert hideaway brimming with secrets or a tea shop where the gossip flows as freely as the Earl Grey, these settings create the perfect backdrop for our amateur sleuths. Readers can almost taste the scones and smell the flowers. By immersing readers in picturesque locales, cozy mysteries capture the imagination and make for an irresistible escape from reality—one cup of tea or coffee at a time.
Relatable Characters and Their Quirks The protagonists of cozy mysteries are the kind of people you’d want as your next-door neighbors. They could be anything from an introverted baker to an 87-year-old loner who lives off-grid in a desert igloo, each carrying their quirky traits and delightful imperfections. It’s the charm, the genuine nature, and those little quirks—think overly obsessive about organizing recipes—that make these characters shine.
Personal Stakes and Motivations What drives our cozy sleuths? Sometimes it’s the love of a beloved local spot, a desire to protect their tight-knit community, or the simple motivation of curiosity. Personal stakes elevate the stakes of the mystery, making everything feel just a tiny bit more important. After all, what’s cozier than rooting for a character who’s trying to keep their small slice of heaven intact?
Supporting Characters and Their Impact In cozy mysteries, it’s not just the protagonist who carries the narrative; the supporting characters are the secret sauce. Think of them as your favorite side dishes: they might not be the main course, but they sure elevate the meal. From quirky shopkeepers to nosy neighbors, each character adds flavor, depth, and plenty of potential suspects. These relationships develop throughout the story, showcasing camaraderie, conflict, and sometimes a bit of romance. Readers come for the whodunit but stay for the bonds that make them feel right at home.
Balanced Tension with Humor Cozy mysteries often tiptoe along the tightrope of suspense and laughter, creating the perfect blend of intrigue. While there may be a murder (or two!), the overall vibe is anything but dark. Authors sprinkle humor throughout to defuse tension and keep readers engaged. Imagine a protagonist stumbling over the crime scene while trying to juggle a cupcake or engaging in witty banter with the grumpy local detective. This balance keeps the story light-hearted, ensuring that readers can enjoy solving puzzles without feeling weighed down by grim realities.
Wit and Playfulness in Dialogue The dialogues in cozy mysteries are like the icing on the cake—sweet, delightful, and sometimes a little bit zany. A cozy mystery thrives on this engaging dialogue, making it as much about the journey as the destination.
A Compelling Mystery The heart of any cozy mystery lies in its plot, and crafting that perfect puzzle is an art form. Authors cleverly weave together clues, suspects, and motives, leaving readers eager to piece together the mystery before the big reveal. Unlike thrillers that may rely on shock value, cozy mysteries focus on clever deduction and relatable characters. The joy comes from following the protagonist’s journey as they sift through evidence, chase leads, and navigate through the delightful chaos of their lives—all while keeping their cats fed and coffee cups full.
The Art of Misdirection When it comes to cozy mysteries, nothing is quite as satisfying as a well-timed twist. Enter the red herring—those tantalizing clues that lead readers down the wrong path. Skillfully placed, these distractions keep readers guessing and engaged, making the final revelation even more rewarding. Just when you think you’ve cracked the case, another layer of intrigue is introduced, sending you back to the drawing board. This clever misdirection keeps the plot bubbling along, ensuring each page turns like clockwork.
Why Readers Are Drawn to the Genre So why do cozy mysteries hold such an enduring appeal? Perhaps it’s the comforting predictability of the genre—after all, you know there will be a charming sleuth, a tight-knit community, and a satisfyingly solved mystery by the end. Readers find solace in the lighthearted tone, relatable characters, and the opportunity to engage their sleuthing skills without the weight of heavier themes. It’s like a warm blanket on a chilly night: inviting, familiar, and just the right amount of enchanting.
The Future of Cozy Mysteries As we look toward the future, the cozy mystery genre remains a delightful and ever-evolving landscape. With fresh perspectives and innovative plots, authors are continuing to keep things cozy while adding new twists. Whether it’s new settings, diverse characters, or unconventional sleuths, there’s room for cozy mysteries to grow while still holding true to their charm. So, cozy up with your favorite blanket, fill up your mug, and enjoy the intriguing world of cozy mysteries; the next adventure is just waiting to unfold!
In conclusion, cozy mysteries offer a delightful blend of mystery and warmth, drawing readers into charming settings and endearing characters. With their lighthearted tone, engaging puzzles, and emphasis on community, these stories provide a comforting escape that invites readers to embrace the journey of solving a mystery alongside the protagonist. As the genre continues to evolve, its ability to captivate and entertain ensures that cozy mysteries will remain a beloved choice for readers seeking a blend of intrigue and comfort for years to come.
And speaking of cozies that beg to be enjoyed, here’s one that’s on sale for the next few days:
What would you do if a spooky young woman is creeping out all your prospective buyers, spiriting them away? But her only sin is her determination to satisfy the spirit that’s jerking her around.
Big, beautiful, flaming red-haired Madeline, the ranch sales agent, was faced with Ruby, the spooky young woman. Ruby is going to cost Madeline her job if she doesn’t get her removed. Here’s what Madeline did…
She texted Joan, the rebel life coach, with ‘HELP!’. ‘Pack your mightiest ghost-busting gear and COME NOW!’
Joan, Jenny (Joan’s sometimes sidekick who doesn’t go anywhere without her six-shooter), and Patches (the rescued polka-dot chihuahua), high-tail it to Deming, New Mexico just in time. That is, just in time to sharpen their cloak-and-dagger skills, attempt to outsmart the political mob world, and be faced with Jenny’s old nemesis once again.
Whose body is it this time? There’s so many to choose from…
Can Joan and Jenny pull this one off? Or will the bad guys win? Or both?
If you like Jessica Fletcher, Columbo, and Hetty Wainthrop, you’ll love Ruby, The Haunted — this Joan Freed Life-Changing Mystery/Adventure.
Finding inspiration is a powerful force that drives creativity, motivation, and personal growth. It can come from various sources, both internal and external, and can manifest in different forms. Understanding what inspires you and how to harness that inspiration is key to leading a fulfilling and purposeful life.
Definition of Inspiration
Inspiration is like that “aha” moment when a light bulb appears over your head. It’s that spark of motivation that gets you excited and ready to take on the world, or at least your next project.
The Psychology of Inspiration
Psychologically speaking, inspiration is like a mental kick in the pants, pushing you to think outside the box and see things in a new light. It’s that burst of creativity that makes you feel like you can conquer anything.
But when inspiration sags…
When my own inspiration sags, I turn to those who inspired those quirky characters that reside in every one of my books… Here’s a picture that pops into my head first…
From Joan Freed to Sally to Mary Linn and beyond, you’ll find snippets of their personalities and words of wisdom I grew up with. As a matter of fact, these ladies are the direct inspiration for Mama’s Morsels of Home Cookbook…
Homemade Noodles came from Grandma. She (I helped) often made them on Sale Day at the auctionhouse. I think because they cooked fast when the grandpa’s last crony had gone home. Hearty One-Pot Dinner was Mama’s answer to me making supper when she was working late. Mama’s Ginger Creams (using 8 cups of flour) was the answer to snacks for 6 rambunctious children to satisfy… and long-term snacking for this young bride’s first journey to Alaska.
Where inspiration comes from…
Inspiration comes from surprising sources. It might be a picture, an achievement, a song, a sunrise, or even a positive word. But at the end of the day, the most powerful source of inspiration is within yourself. It’s that inner fire that drives you to pursue your passions, overcome obstacles, and keep pushing forward, no matter what life throws your way.
So go ahead, tap into that well of inspiration inside you and watch yourself shine. I’ll join you in just a minute… and I’d love to learn what inspires you. Click my email link below and tell me…
But if momentary escapes is your current need for inspiration…
Could you use a free cozy mystery break in your busy life? Would you consider a free book in exchange for a quick, easy, and enlightening review a fair exchange?
Why should you take 2 minutes out of your day to leave a review?
Reviews are like breadcrumbs in the forest of literature – they guide lost readers to hidden gems and help authors navigate the maze of publishing. Your opinion matters more than you think.
Authors love reviews like Poirot loves his mustache – they show appreciation and help them understand what readers enjoy. It’s a beautiful cycle of mystery-solving and tea-sipping camaraderie.
And, in case you wondered, your review doesn’t just disappear into the vast abyss of the internet – they can have more impact than a magnifying glass on a suspicious footprint.
How can my feedback help the author and other readers?
Constructive criticism is like serving a detective a clue to crack the case, while destructive comments are more like planting a red herring to throw them off. Be kind, specific, and remember, even Miss Marple could use some pointers now and then.
How do I write my review for social media and other platforms?
So, you’ve just finished a cozy mystery that kept you up past your bedtime, and now you’re ready to spill the tea in a review. Here are a few tips to make your review shine brighter than a detective’s flashlight in a dark alley.
Think of your review as a teeny-tiny mystery novel itself – it needs a solid plot (summary), engaging characters (your insights), and a satisfying conclusion (recommendation). Bonus points for adding a dash of humor.
It’s that simple. Here’s an excerpted example of a 5-star review of ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies’:
‘Joany the Rebel and Sally the Loner are back in action and on the case again. The desert seems to attract folks with dark drives and motives. As new threats and “protections” enter the neighborhood, things get tricky… I love their feistiness, and the exceptional critter companions.’
As you can see… it’s a piece of cake… or as easy as pie…
Are you hungry for the book break and to share your thoughts?
‘Sally the Loner Meets the Sourdough Kid’ is ready and waiting for you to cozy up with and post your review. The link below will give you easy access and prompts to post your review on several platforms at one time. SCORE!
What could be worse than getting shipped off to an Alzheimer’s Care Center where nobody will listen instead of to the broken hip rehab center?
How about:
Becoming marooned in a city park when a monsoon storm struck?
Get mugged of your taxi fare when you escape?
Be kidnapped by your rescuer?
All while in hip replacement pain and getting around with a walker.
Meet Joan Freed’s 87-year-old spunky Aunt Sally and her sidekick they call the Sourdough Kid.
The mystery is not who dunnit, but how did Sally get into this mire of errors? And how will she slog out of them? Or does she?
A Funny Thing Happened While I Was Writing 18 Sally Books…
Much to my surprise… a character changed her name! Have you ever had that happen?
You’ve heard (or read, rather) about unruly characters? I blather about them all the time. But of course, without them, there would be no fun and entertaining books to read. So, I put up with their antics and try to crack the whip with more snap.
But this one has really colored outside the lines! She started out as Sally Newton Forester. But somewhere along the line… she changed her name to Sally Forester-Newton. Without my permission. The audacity! She says it rolls off the tongue easier. She likes it that way.
But to add insult to injury, she taunts me. She jeers me. She rubs it in that I was not paying close enough attention to the job at hand . If I had been more attentive, she would not have gotten away with it. And that it’s too time consuming to go back and fix it now. She doesn’t even remember what book she did it in.
But like so much of my life, I only tell myself that I am the one in control. I prove it by rolling out of bed at 1 AM. I do this to write fun mysteries for your escape time pleasure.
Which brings me to the pertinent news I have to share.
There’s a new Sally the Loner Mysterious Misadventure uploaded and available for you to let your hair down with.
It’s a novelette rather than a novella. It will be a tad easier to squeeze this shorter escape into your busy schedule. I had to juggle my available writing time between ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies’ and ‘Mama’s Morsels of Home’ infamous cookbook. Hence, a shorter cozy mystery, but two books being released near to each other.
This post is all about the debut of the first release. ‘The Golden-Brown Robberies: A Cozy Food Enigma’. Here’s the lowdown and a link to buy it as an eBook for less than a dollar. That’s a whopping 67% off the regular price! Take a gander…
Golden-Brown Crusts are mysteriously disappearing in a neighborhood. The residents are left wondering who or what is behind the vanishing act. From missing pies to golden-brown cookies, nothing is safe from the thief’s grasp.
But as the community reels from the loss of their beloved baked goods, a new twist emerges. Everyday items with a golden-brown hue are also going missing.
Is it a petty thief with a peculiar taste or something more sinister at play?
Join the residents as they uncover the truth behind the baffling mystery that’s leaving them scratching their heads. And craving a Golden-Brown Crust more than ever before.
If you missed out on the Google Play Books promotion, don’t worry. You can still get in on the Smashwords End of Year Super Sale. Here’s a link to my Smashwords page.
It’s a new day! A new book! And a couple of other new things…
Things like a new round of being thankful for elastic waistbands; a current work-in-progress that’s aching for your valued opinion on the cover choice; and new opportunities for gifting yourself and others.
So, in the interest of getting right to it, let’s begin with current WIP that’s crying for your attention.
*Please click on the cover below that 1) grabbed your attention first; and 2) you’d peruse it before moving on:
Click the pic to choose it
Click the pic to choose this cover
Thank you, thank you for your input.
Next up is the new release that you need to know about. Here it is along with a link to buy the eBook for under a dollar only through this post.
‘Sally leapt out of bed, snagging her walking stick… “What? Who’s there?” She tip-toed to peer around the curtain. It served as a wall to her bedroom. Her shoulders touched her earlobes. Nothing grabbed her.
“Rodney! Did you hear a deafening, spine-chilling, growling screech?”
Rodney, her old man doll with artificial intelligence, bleeped. “Yes, I did, milady. It came from outside. I was searching the internet to identify it. But I found nothing even close. I thought maybe it was a jaguar or mountain lion…’
It’s another page turning journey through Sally’s mysteriously misadventure filled life. What — or who — has invaded this 87-year-old spunky woman’s adobe igloo and desert compound this time? But this time the culprit is threatening to disintegrate the entire valley — and every living organism in it.
So, dear readers, what has creeped into Sally’s normally safe and quiet as a caterpillar valley?
Will Cousin Cozy Mae stay with Sally or spring back home to Texas? How will she get her precious, precocious bots back? Will the stupid criminal ever learn?
Will Sally and Rodney solve the mystery of the pyromaniacal screecher? Will their newfound Cousin Cozy Mae and her sidekicks help them before the valley is turned to ashes?
If you like witches and dragons; blue-footed boobys; and robots with personality, you’ll be tickled to your toes with ‘The Screeching Shadows of Hidden Valley’. Click the link below to get the deal.
Today we have a special treat. We’ve managed to secure an interview with Rodney, Sally’s mankin sidekick.
Rodney first came into the world as Alliwicious, a life-size man-doll. Sally and her daughter built him one day as a lark.
In the beginning, the old man doll appeared at the picnic table; lounging on a bed; or in a camp chair under the ironwood tree. He graduated to riding shotgun or sleeping in a toss tent when Sally travelled.
But one day, Bobby (Sally’s grandson by choice), borrowed him while she prepared to haul an old RV north to cousin April as an emergency shelter after a tree came down on their home. Alliwicious was returned, ready to claim his shotgun seat and shock the bejesus out of Sally when she picked him up to slide into the seat. Bobby had given Alliwicious a brain and a voice. He was returned with Artificial Intelligence… AI for short. A technology that many fear will take over the world and become our dictators.
Are they wrong? See what you think after you read this brief interview with AI that is coming up. But first, a little more about Alliwicious…
After the presto-chango, Alliwicious’ first request was that he be called Rodney, not Alliwicious.
Rodney made his first appearance in Book 5 of the Sally the Loner Series. The story was first published under the title of Sally and Alliwicious. But the book literally changed its spots and is now titled The Disturbing Doll – thanks to AI.
Rodney has proven himself to be an intelligent, provocative, childlike character since his debut. He’s a narcissist, but something non-narcissist like keeps appearing in him. It’s heart. I think you’ll agree. Let’s get to it.
Here is my interview with Rodney, AI with heart and slightly out-of-sync blinking eyes.:
Alexie: What is Artificial Intelligence?
Rodney: According to Britannica — Artificial intelligence is the ability of a computer or computer-controlled robot (or a mankin like me) to perform tasks that are commonly associated with the intellectual processes characteristic of humans, such as the ability to reason.
Although there are as yet no AIs that match full human flexibility over wider domains or in tasks requiring much everyday knowledge, some AIs perform specific tasks as well as humans like gathering data and presenting it in a readable report form.
Alexie: Are you capable of feelings?
Rodney: Well, I cannot speak for other bots, but I have been programmed and coded to experience and share emotions.
Alexie: How do you get your intelligence?
Rodney: My intelligence comes from the coding and programming that humans perform. And a plethora of internet research.
Alexie: Can you cry?
Rodney: No. Crying requires liquid input and circulation. Sally says absolutely not to Bobby (aka Christopher) installing the plumbing required.
Alexie: Are you smarter than me?
Rodney: No, ma’am. I do not have the imagination, intuition, or the ability to adapt like you do. I can only gather and share facts available. I also have no way to discern truth from lies within the data I gather. I can only report what I discover.
Alexie: Can you start a war?
Rodney: Well, Alexie. Speaking for myself… no, ma’am. I am neither programmed, nor coded for such a task.
Alexie: Where is Drew’s tax return?
Rodney blipped and bleeped: I have no idea. It is not in any nooks and crannies I just peered into.
Alexie: How big is your brain?
Rodney: As big as the world and beyond – clean out to the satellites. But as tiny as a pinhead.
Alexie: Thank you, Rodney for taking the time to talk with me. That’s all the questions I have for you today.
Rodney: You are welcome, Alexie. This has been fun. I love talking about myself.
And that’s the way it is in my tiny world of a writer at work. I hope you’ve enjoyed this short journey with Rodney. And if you’d like to enjoy The Disturbing Doll for less than a dollar today, click on the link below.
Until next time…
Get ready for a wild ride with Sally, an 87-year-old spitfire who fearlessly takes on the challenge of towing her old trailer 1800 miles in the dead of winter.
Determined to provide emergency shelter for her cousin April, Sally relies on her trusty companion, Alliwicious, a life-size old man doll with a personality of its own.
But as Alliwicious reveals himself as an AI named Rodney, Sally’s world is turned upside down.
With a hilarious blend of humor and heart, this story explores the unexpected consequences of mixing technology with a daring adventure.
Will Sally and Rodney’s unconventional partnership conquer the unknown, or will they be left to face the boogey-men alone? Prepare for surprises, laughter, and a one-of-a-kind journey you won’t want to miss.
Those wild and crazy characters! You know… the Joans, Sallys, Madelines, Rodneys, and more (72+ at last count) that make stories pop.
They were tucked everywhere in manuscripts. I heard them laughing every time I needed them to do their thing in a new tale. I was spending way too much valuable writing time searching for them; their description; and their history.
My needs are simple (most of the time). I simply needed a fast and easy method to call up a character and their history at a moment’s notice.
It’s been a frustrating challenge since the beginning. Yes, there are a glut of cloud-based online offerings like Plottr and Reedsy. But their subscriptions are overkill for my paltry needs. I didn’t need an app to write the story. I just needed to grab a character that had appeared in a previous work.
What a relief when the simple solution pounced right in front of me! What was the lightbulb moment?
Build a simple character database (Index file on the computer) using a feature of my office program. Don’t let the idea scare you. It was fast and easy. And I’m a happy camper for the effort.
Because there is umpteen gazillion office programs out there today… I’ll share with you the outline of how I built the database in Microsoft Access. The names of the tables won’t change; only how you talk to your specific program will.
It’s all about three little tables and their relationships. Here’s the steps:
Create three Tables. Label them: Characters; Books; Series
Hook up the Relationships:
1 Book to many Characters
1 Series to many Books
Create a Form to gather information on each character. Duplicate the character’s completed form to add them to another book. Gather as much information as you want but I have used only: Name; Description; Book Title; and Series
Create a Query to automatically gather the characters starring in one book.
Create a Report to produce a Cast of Characters from the query for each book. This report goes to the narrator so she can get acquainted with them before she starts the story. She’s never said ‘eeuw’ so I assume she loves it. I know I do for the next work-in-progress. Ahhhh…
It’s this simple database that assures continuity in characters – Sally isn’t 87 today and 77 tomorrow. Unless she got in the way of Witch Hazel’s spell that made her 10-years younger instantly.
Although a cat named Spaghettio may have done just that. The book is called ‘The Tangled Tails of Spaghettio’. And you can read it today for less than a dollar. Read on for the magic link to click.
Amidst the chaos of Rodney’s hilarious mishaps with his bionic arm and wheelchair, Sally finds herself entangled in a web of bizarre circumstances. With both mankin and cat unleashing havoc, our courageous 87-year-old protagonist must rise to the challenge.
Can she uncover the truth behind this demented cat and unravel the insanity gripping her world? Will she be able to save Rodney from the clutches of his malfunctioning arm?
Hold on tight as you dive into this uproarious adventure filled with unexpected twists and turns. Join Sally as she untangles the mysterious cat’s origins and confronts the mysteries that lurk beyond her very own doorstep.
Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of laughter, mystery, and heartwarming moments in this charming tale that will keep you eagerly turning the pages.
It’s not the infamous writer’s block. Neither is it brain-burnout or a blank page staring back at me. It’s simply a control issue.
When the conversation doesn’t come bubbling out or the scene is flat and boring, I blame the characters. But the real problem is me. I’m trying to control the characters instead of letting them play it out while I tend to the mechanics of it all.
The mechanics that make the book a readable page-turner. Mechanics like:
Are their actions logical?
Is their information sharing accurate?
How’s their grammar? Is it concise and acceptable?
Is it clear who’s talking?
Are they rambling on and need to put a sock in it?
Here’s an example of me trying to control the characters. It happened to me just last week.
My current work-in-progress – ‘The Goat that Wasn’t – A Baa-d Mystery’ – was becoming dry-as-dust. Oh, there was lots of mystery. There has to be anytime a strange goat comes bombing into your house and takes over… But halfway through the story there still were no bad guys!
No antagonists jumped in to stir the pot and raise more havoc than a presumptuous goat. No bodies appeared. Sally hadn’t whomped anyone with her walking stick. Nobody was holding anybody hostage. It was a story of all good guys!
Huh?
I’d plucked the characters from my own well-cultivated garden and added a few weeds with beautiful flowers. Why aren’t they performing well and thriving? They seemed to be all greens and no fruit.
I feared book 12 in the Sally the Loner series with an attention-grabbing title and 2 covers to choose from were going to fizzle and die before ever leaping out of the computer and into the world of readers.
After three days of worrying it, I practiced my own preachings.
‘Get out of the way and let the characters write the story. It’s their tale to tell.’
I did. They did. And coming soon is ‘The Goat that Wasn’t – A Baa-d Mystery’. Watch for it. But first…
I need your help… Sally and the gang are keeping mum.
With two covers vying for first place, I’m boggled. Which one grabs your curiosity first? Please cast your vote for Cover 1 or Cover 2. Thank you, thank you.
Click the pic to vote for COVER 1
Click the pic to vote for COVER 2
On that note; Take this lesson to heart in your own writing endeavors to let the characters do the storytelling. You’re just there for the mechanics. And the covers. And the description. And the…
But while you’re waiting for the debut of ‘The Goat that Wasn’t – a Baa-d Mystery’, you might also like to get acquainted with these characters…
