Merry Christmas

Yes, I have a tree decorated to match my book. After thirty or so trees, I do start running out of themes and color schemes. I like to decorate trees as much as I like to write. But since Christmas comes but once a year, isn't it lucky I have more than one passion. Also great has been the comments I've been getting from people who have read my book. Usually they laugh, repeat a line from the book, and tell me how true it is. It seems we all have the same wicked thoughts we're too polite to speak aloud.

Who is Elizabeth?

I wrote JustMe: thinking that Elizabeth was like my daughter Melanie--not the same but of like mind. The mom in the book was based on me. Readers who know me say Elizabeth's not so sweet, but hopefully humorous asides sound more like me. But believe me, I'm far from my twenties and Elizabeth's energy and urgent dreams. Melanie has assured me that she could (sometimes) see herself in Elizabeth but it was through the author's (mine) filter. That would make Elizabeth Melanie with an overlay of Pam. Yikes! According to Melanie the mom in the book is nicer than me. For me she is like looking in a rear view mirror. The image is recognizable but not quite right. How do people write autobiograghies? At least fiction is truthful about being a set of lies.



The Orginal Shoes

This was the first idea for the cover. The original shoes were red so the color had to be changed. Then I found the pink shoes. Happy coincidence! The writing process is full of such coincidences. Just as a character needs defining you notice someone at the mall with a distinctive walk or hair style. Stray comments overheard, half remembered stories, and even jokes can fuel a scene. The trick is to keep open to possibilities. Perhaps that's the trick to life too.

Food for thought

Food can be an important part of a book--or not. Some book groups like to cater their meetings with foods from the month's selection. Forget that with JustMe:! Canned cream of mushroom soup casseroles (green bean casserole may be a must for Thanksgiving, but not as a staple), stale mall cookies (they are good microwaved--for about a minute) and bacteria laden egg salad -- now food poisoning is just not fun. So I suggest cookies with pink and green frosting when serving up JustMe:.It's what I'm bringing to my book signing. You could add Elizabeth's favorite drink of cranberry and vodka to the party. It matches the cookies well.

Book Signing Dec. 10th At Kennett Resale Book Shoppe

*My first Book Signing is Sat., Dec. 10, 11 am-3 pm at the Kennett Resale Book Shoppe, 113 South Union, Kennett Square, PA.

I dressed up my book and flyer with a coordinated Christmas tree. Again is there anything better than a custom color scheme? A well known fact --I love Christmas trees. I'll be putting pictures of my other ( 30 or so) trees on Facebook. About the Kennett Resale Book Shoppe--it's a used book store manned by volunteers. The store's profits go to the Kennett Square Area Senior Center. For the past four years I've been a volunteer. My title is "Queen of SciFi, Horror, and Fantasy" as those are the areas I'm responsible. My family may find me a horror at times, and I've been known to live in a fantasy world, but I'm most interested in Science Fiction. (I have and will wear Star Trek uniforms.) My book signing is a perfect excuse to visit this gem of a used book store. It's large collection is well organized and reasonably priced. Parking is free on Saturdays. And everyone is always glad to help customers--we love fellow readers!

Why a green cover?

Green goes well with pink. Lime green is a hot color now. --Good reasons, sure but the real reason is that I love the color green. For me lime green is neutral. What doesn't go with a bright green purse? Or hat? Or shoes? Perhaps I'm becoming obessive about shades of green of a yellow hue.