Libby's Musings

Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?

2011-11-09T00:50:00.005-06:00

All writers have a different style – some are plotters, some write by the seats of their pants, some work with a combo of the above or their very own construct. It doesn’t matter how the author creates, but what the author creates – and what the writer creates is a story filled with characters we root for and against.

There is a great deal of information available about heroes – alpha or beta, romantic or hard-boiled. Is he tall, athletic and handsome, or do the ladies adore his geekiness?

Our favorite heroines are generally smart, funny, and accomplished. But then again, there are the Stephanie Plums of the world, too! She’s smart, she’s funny, she’s klutzy!

But villains – where do the villains come from? Are they archetypes, constructs from our days of hearing fairy tales and myths? Are they the product of nightmares or do we pick our boss’ least appealing characteristics and make them bigger than life? Do we build him or her from people we read or hear about in the news? In documentaries? Or are they only a product of the writer's fertile imagination?

As far back as man has created, the villain has been a crucial component of the storyteller’s craft. The villain – or villainess, as the case may be – creates a great deal of stress and angst for our lovely hero and heroine. The villain will thwart them at every turn, for a while, and then their brilliance, bravery and moxie will shine as the villain is conquered.

What was our bad guy’s fatal flaw – hubris, stupidity, inexperience? Whatever it is, it brings him down in the end.

And isn’t that what we all want – to see justice done, the villain stopped and our hero or heroine win the day?

Who is your favorite fictional villain and why?

Libby
Libby McKinmer
www.libbymckinmer.com
Romance with an edge
Find me on Facebook, Twitter & Goodreads

Are you a procrastinator?

2011-10-25T23:47:00.002-05:00

Well, I can be. Never with work, of course…well, hardly ever. But sometimes, when the Muse isn’t pounding down my door with ideas for stories, blogs, articles, etc, I do find it easy to be distracted when I’m sitting at my computer. It’s not just a quick game of Mahjong or Free Cell any more. There are many interesting sites on the web – if you’re interested in tennis, skiing, baseball, horses, flying, cooking – you name it, there’s a site you can find with all kinds of info and some have training videos available – fifteen minutes have disappeared in a blink while you learned how to follow through on your golf swing!

And, of course, those sites often have links to their Facebook page, Twitter, YahooGroups discussion groups. Before you know it, a quick little glance at how to make angel food cake has you signed up for online cooking lessons and you’re fifteen posts into a discussion on the merits of butter cream versus cream cheese frosting.

It’s fine to say, just apply willpower and get to work on that review you’ve promised, the blog that’s waiting to be posted, the first three chapters you told your crit partner you’d have to her last week. Then that email alarm sounds and you see someone has said the only real frosting for a cake is their grandmother’s seven-minute frosting. How can you not look at that recipe?

Here are a couple of suggestions on how to work through the procrastination.

1 – I can write whatever I want on the assignment hanging over my head. I can write the love scene I know is coming up in my WIP, even if my characters aren’t there yet, or the beginning of an article on squirrels or the first paragraph of my column. It doesn’t have to be perfect; it doesn’t even have to be something I’ll end up sending out, but it does get me writing.

2 – I can online browse at a specific time, but not before. That can be tough because you can find yourself watching the time.

3 – This one is a bit of an oddity, but it can work. Tell yourself you’re NOT allowed to write until a specific time. By the time the designated hour arrives, say 7:37 pm, you could be chomping at the bit to get those ideas onto your hard drive.

So…what gets your fingers moving when you’re procrastinating?

Libby McKinmer
Romance with an edge
www.libbymckinmer.com
libby@libbymckinmer.com
Also on Facebook, Twitter & Good Reads

What are you reading....

2011-05-25T00:11:00.002-05:00

...on? It’s become the question of the new century. No longer are we reading only hard cover or paperback….now we can read also on our smartphones, computers, laptops, MP3 players, tablets and dedicated ereaders. Each has its benefits and drawbacks.

Some people still prefer the feel of a book in their hands. A friend was telling me the other day she loves the bindings, the smell of the paper and ink and it’s part of the comfortable feeling of reading for her. Others find holding a traditional book can become uncomfortable or even painful after a while. But they don’t want to give up the joy of reading.

The various electronic ways of reading have their benefits and drawbacks as well. A desktop keeps you sitting in your office chair. A laptop is more portable, but still heavy compared to an ereader. A tablet like an iPad or Playbook is very light and easy to hold, but more the size of a hardcover book. An MP3 player, iPod Touch or smartphone is super-portable, but some find the screen small for reading. All these devices have a lot of glare on their screens if you want to sit outside on a nice day to read.

The new eInk readers like the Kindle, Nook, Kobo and Sony Reader are light, portable, easy to tuck in a purse or commuter bag. They have dedicated bookstores and it’s quick and straightforward to download a new book. However, they’re not backlit, so low light presents a problem. However, there are lots of clip-on lights to get around that. Some people don’t want to have to buy another device to cart with them and there isn’t one yet under $100, so they’re not for everyone either.

Bottom line – find the device that works best for you and whether it’s traditional or the newest thing, keep on reading!!

Libby McKinmer
Romance with an edge
www.libbymckinmer.com
libby@libbymckinmer.com
On Twitter, Facebook & GoodReads too

When the Weather Closes In...

2011-01-06T23:37:00.002-06:00

It’s the time of year when I hate -- having to face the cold. I’m not one of those snow bunnies who can hardly wait for the snow…except for the extra, guilt-free reading time it gives me! Really, who can feel too bad about curling up inside when the temp dips below freezing and the wind is blowing? It’s the perfect time to try out some new authors. And I’m actively looking for some writers I’d like to spend time with this winter. A friend has recommended David Rosenfelt – I like dog mysteries, so will give him a read.

I’m also looking at some horse mysteries. I love the Carolyn Banks’ dressage-themed horse mysteries and have read Sara Gruen’s Riding Lessons and enjoyed it as well. So I’m picking up more Sara Gruen, along with Horseplay: A Novel by Judy Reene Singer.

I’m going to explore some more cozy mysteries – I’ve been finding I really like them, too…and for some reason the cooking and tea ones are the ones I’m drawn to. So, I’m looking for authors in that genre as well. Joanne Fluke is one writer I’ve enjoyed trying – she writes very visually and you can almost smell the cookies baking. Laura Childs is another must-read and I love how she makes her characters really feel like friends. Can hardly wait for a new title to come out.

My Kindle has titles by authors I’ve always enjoyed reading and I know I can count on for a good story! I know I’ll enjoy a snowy afternoon defeating the bad guys and finding the guilty parties with these titles, and that’s always fun.

But it’s also very rewarding to find a favorite new author…so, go ahead, load up your ereader or your shopping cart with some “sure-to-please” or some “new-to-me” authors. That way, you don’t have to dread the weather forecast.

Libby McKinmer
Romance with an edge
www.libbymckinmer.com
libby@libbymckinmer.com

What are you reading….on?

2010-11-10T14:56:00.001-06:00

What are you reading….on? It’s become the question of the new century. No longer are we reading only hard cover or paperback….now we can read also on our smartphones, computers, laptops, MP3 players, tablets and dedicated readers. Each has its benefits and drawbacks.

Some people still prefer the feel of a book in their hands. A friend was telling me the other day she loves the bindings, the smell of the paper and ink and it’s part of the comfortable feeling of reading for her. Others find holding a traditional book can become uncomfortable or even painful after a while. But they don’t want to give up the joy of reading.

The various electronic ways of reading have their benefits and drawbacks as well. A desktop keeps you sitting in your office chair. A laptop is more portable, but still heavy compared to an ereader. A tablet like an iPad is very light and easy to hold, but more the size of a hardcover book. An MP3 player, iPod or smartphone is super-portable, but some find the screen small for reading. All these devices have a lot of glare on their screens if you want to sit outside on a nice day to read.

The new eInk readers like the Kindle, Nook, Kobo and Sony Reader are light, portable, easy to tuck in a purse or commuter bag. They have dedicated bookstores and it’s quick and straightforward to download a new book. However, they’re not backlit, so low light presents a problem. However, there are lots of clip-on lights to get around that. Some people don’t want to have to buy another device to cart with them and there isn’t one yet under $100, so they’re not for everyone either.

Bottom line – find the device that works best for you and whether it’s traditional or the newest thing, keep on reading!!

Books We Love Sizzling Summer Sweepstakes

2010-05-14T14:01:00.000-05:00

Win a Borders Kobo eReader - Entry instructions on the Books We Love website: To enter the contest simply visit five of the author pages displayed on the web page index and sign the guest book of the author you choose to visit. Then fill out the entry form on the website and click submit.

PRIZES: (1) Every week until July 31 we will draw one winner to receive their choice of an ebook from any one of our Books We love authors. (2) On May 31, June 30 and July 31st we will draw three winners who will each receive an autographed copy of one of the print books displayed on the page. (4) GRAND PRIZE: Borders KOBO EREADERS on July 31st one lucky winner will receive a Kobo and their choice of any five Books We Love ebooks.

Enter Now: http://www.bookswelove.net

Spring Cleaning for the Writer

2010-03-22T00:00:00.001-05:00

It’s the time of year everyone gets the itch to get outside, clean up all the sticks and leaves in the yard, look at what’s popping up in the garden, sneak in that first sit on the deck or in the yard with the warm spring sunshine on your back. You might even be moved to clean some windows, wash the car or sort through what’s accumulated in the garage over the winter. It’s spring, at least on the calendar and it’s the time of year that burst of energy called spring fever hits!

For writers, this is a good time of year to spring clean as well. Take a look at the project ideas stockpiled in a file cabinet or on a hard drive or flash drive. Pull out those index cards with character outlines. Pore through the notebook with plot sketches, timelines, lists of red herrings or clues. There might even be a storyboard started a couple of years ago to check out.

This is a great time to sift through those – I could find a gem that gets my mind working on my next story, or find a great twist for my current manuscript. I might discover the perfect villain for the story I have simmering away at the back of my mind. Or I might even discover a series in what someone else might call clutter, but we all know is research and planning!

Take some time to let the sun shine on some of my ideas, plots, characters and outlines and discover what great material I’ve had hibernating over the winter.
I’ll let you know what I discover during my writer’s spring cleaning.

Libby
Libby McKinmer
Romance with an edge
www.libbymckinmer.com
libby@libbymckinmer.com
Also on Twitter, Facebook & GoodReads

AQP Daily Deals -- Almost Over

2010-03-17T00:00:00.001-05:00

Love the Daily Deals at my publisher, but they're ending soon -- now's the time to shop at www.amberquill.com !!

FINAL DAYS - FINAL DAYS - FINAL DAYS - FINAL DAYS

What is an Amber Daily Deal? Simply put, every day through the end of March 2010, a different e-book from each of our three imprints (Amber Quill Press, Amber Heat, and Amber Allure) will be offered at a 75% discount! Yes, you read that correctly--a 75% discount! Now you can stock up on even more books--up to 21 different titles each and every week--at substantial savings!

How can you find the various Daily Deals on our website? Just look in the right-hand column of your screen for the book marked "Today's Daily Deal," click on the cover, and you'll be taken to a special page where you can purchase the discounted book(s). It's that simple!

So look for a new Daily Deal every day until the end of March 2010, and don't forget, there's a different Daily Deal for each of our three imprints.

* * * * *

Please note: E-books downloaded at the Daily Deal discount do not earn points in AQP's Rewards program.

Time to Write

2010-03-15T23:30:00.001-05:00

In these days of ever increasing demands on time as the warmer spring weather arrives, where do I find time to write? By the time I check email, answer the ones that need answering and check the day’s headlines, follow my favorite blogs and get some calls returned….it’s time to do some promo. Need to post on Twitter and Facebook, GoodReads and Linked In, and don’t go looking at other’s pages, if I can resist.

In between are household responsibilities and friends, volunteer work and bill-paying. And don’t forget the day job – in my case, editing. You may have a longer commute than I do – from kitchen to office – but I often work outside of “regular” 9 to 5 hours, finding myself at the computer late at night.
Right now, with the warmer weather luring us out of our homes, we must include get-togethers with friends, shopping and travel and build them into our schedules.

Don’t even think about the down time of getting a cold!!

So, when does my writing Muse strike in the midst of the hectic life? Mine has been prodding at me a lot lately…and at times I can’t always indulge the urge. For me, the best time to write is at night. Everyone else is settled down and it’s “my” time. Add to the fact I’m a night owl and it makes sense. The wee, small hours are often very creative – but sure makes morning come early!

Libby
Libby McKinmer
Romance with an edge
www.libbymckinmer.com
libby@libbymckinmer.com
Also on Twitter, Facebook & GoodReads

Wow -- Look What My Publisher is Doing!

2009-10-27T15:09:00.001-05:00

Amber Quill Press understands that in these days of economic instability, many consumers are attempting to make every penny count, especially when it comes to their entertainment needs. Therefore, with this in mind, AQP is pleased to provide a new feature at our website...

AMBER DAILY DEALS

What is a Daily Deal? Simply put, every day, a different e-book from each of our three imprints (Amber Quill Press, Amber Heat, and Amber Allure) will be offered at a 75% discount! Yes, you read that correctly--a 75% discount! Now you can stock up on even more books--up to 21 different titles each and every week--at substantial savings!

How can you find the various Daily Deals on our website? Just look in the right-hand column of your screen for the book marked "Today's Daily Deal," click on the cover, and you'll be taken to a page where you can purchase the discounted book(s). It's that simple!

So look for a new Daily Deal every day, and don't forget, there's a different Daily Deal for each of our three imprints.

* * * * *

Please note: E-books downloaded at the Daily Deal discount do not earn points in our Rewards program.

Overlapping

2009-09-29T23:26:00.001-05:00

How many of us read both mysteries and thrillers with equal enjoyment? What’s the difference? Well, according to International Thriller Writers, a thriller is characterized by "the sudden rush of emotions, the excitement, sense of suspense, apprehension, and exhilaration that drive the narrative, sometimes subtly with peaks and lulls, sometimes at a constant, breakneck pace."

From www.who-dunnit.com a mystery, in books, is defined as “mysterious, unresolved and unexplainable circumstances with which the hero or heroine comes in contact. This can be anything from the occult realms, strange disappearances, unexplainable sudden affluence or sudden monetary loss, psychological distortions, property destroyed or desecrated without known reason, suicide when no suicide seemed feasible, and of course, murder.”

Those may, at first, seem very disparate, but any of the circumstances in a mystery can result in a thriller’s “sudden rush of emotions” and, while some cozy mysteries may not proceed at a “constant, breakneck pace,” most mysteries have a sense of apprehension and suspense. Without it, why would we worry about who dunnit?
Who are your favourite mystery and thriller writers – and who would you consider a crossover author?

It's Official

2009-08-19T12:08:00.003-05:00

Okay, it’s official – we need a nanny! I always thought it would be great to have someone to take care of us, but I tell you, it could actually be more a necessity than a luxury these days. We grew up believing that by now we’d have four-day work weeks, people would retire earlier and what-the-hay, there might even be flying cars!!

Well, reality strikes. We work six to seven days a week. Often my husband and I are both at our desks in the evening (we’ve converted one side of the family room to a joint office) and hard at work. At least we’re together – LOL! It’s really quite cozy on a winter evening with the gas fireplace going and some music playing.
But just imagine -- how nice would it be to have someone call out, “Dinner is ready!” and you head to the table to enjoy a balanced meal, including a salad and dessert, with real linen napkins and a glass of wine?

Each morning when you go to your sock drawer, there would be all your socks, matched and waiting for you to simply pick a pair and slip them on. No looking for that missing blue sock so you have a pair that matches. No stacks of laundry waiting to be washed, folded – or, as is the generally case with me, taken out of the basket and put into the drawers. Can you imagine a coffee table with no dust, a floor freshly washed, windows so clean they sparkle?

It’s important to have dreams, right?

Ramping Up the Conflict

2009-07-04T15:58:00.001-05:00

There is an essential need to up the ante in a mystery – if there’s a murder, is there the threat of a second or a third? Could the investigator be at risk? Someone near and dear to him or her? If there isn’t the threat of a murder, could it be that the villain will “get away” with his or her plan? What effect will that have on the hero, the investigator or innocent bystanders.

The author must increase the conflict and tension to have a satisfying denouement that the reader can believe in and be happy about. We can have conflict between characters if the investigator and the villain come face-to-face. Or the villain and another victim. Or the investigator and authorities, if the detective isn’t law enforcement.

Writers can also increase the tension with setting and atmosphere. A dark, deserted urban setting is much more intimidating than a peaceful country trail on a sunny day with dozens of hikers around. A dwelling with no power versus a homey bed & breakfast with a grandmotherly owner. A storm (whether wind, rain or snow) versus the perfect sunny day with puffy clouds.

I find it a “fun” part of the process to increase the tension and conflict – maybe because there are so many options.

Clean Up Time for Writers

2009-06-10T13:09:00.001-05:00

It’s the time of year everyone gets the itch to get outside, clean up all the sticks and leaves in the yard, look at what’s popping up in the garden, sneak in that first sit on the deck or in the yard with the warm spring sunshine on your back. You might even be moved to clean some windows, wash the car or sort through what’s accumulated in the garage over the winter. It’s spring, at least on the calendar and it’s the time of year that burst of energy called spring fever hits!

For writers, this is a good time of year to spring clean as well. Take a look at the project ideas you’ve been stockpiling in a file cabinet or on your hard drive. Pull out those index cards with character outlines. Do you have a notebook with plot sketches, timelines, lists of red herrings or clues? What about that storyboard you started a couple of years ago?

This is a great time to sift through those – you could find a gem that gets your mind working on your next mystery, or find a great twist for the current manuscript. You could discover the perfect villain for the story you’re outlining. Or you could even discover a series in what someone else might call clutter, but we all know is research and planning!

Take some time to let the sun shine on some of your ideas, plots, characters and outlines and discover what great material you’ve had hibernating over the winter.
Let me know – what did you discover during your writer’s spring cleaning?

Welcome Spring Scavenger Hunt

2009-03-03T22:31:00.002-06:00

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS! In celebration of the grand opening of the new Books We Love Reader's Group at yahoo, BWL_Readers@yahoogroups.com, we're asking you to get acquainted with some of our authors by participating in a fun scavenger hunt. We promise it isn't hard. You just have to follow the provided links listed on the loop the morning of March 20th and answer some really easy questions. The answers are all there...you just have to find and collect them all to be entered into a drawing for one of eighteen books. Some will even be personally autographed. You'll have two days, with the contest ending Saturday at midnight. All entries must be received by Ginger Simpson at mizging@gmail.com by noon on Sunday, 3/22. Winners will be announced shortly after.

Whether you come to play or not, we hope you will join us in celebrating the beginning of what we hope will be a stimulating and pleasant group experience. If you aren't familiar with us, please visit http://www.bookswelove.net and get an idea of who we are and what we're about. I'm sure you may have already played in a contest or two there. Jude Pittman has assembled a wonderful group of talent, but without readers, we don't have much purpose. Come join us, won't you. Remember, Saturday, March 20th.

Join us in welcoming Spring!

Soon

2009-02-02T13:34:00.000-06:00

Soon….

I know it’s just there waiting
Hidden deep beneath the snow.
But the roses of the summer
Will soon begin to grow.
Their fragrance will fill the air
Their colors a gorgeous show.
I can hardly wait to see them start
A blush of green…and spring’s a go.

So winter winds may howl and whine
Though I want to see them fade.
I look to see the sprouts of spring
Leap up and start the parade.
The color, the warmth, the sunshine soft
The fresh green of every blade
To make me smile, to make me laugh
Spring – the season I’d never trade.

Winter People

2009-01-27T11:04:00.000-06:00

Despite the cold, there are people for whom this is the best time of the year. I'm not one of them, but those who are winter people, must be loving 2009 so far. The below average temperatures and lots of precipitation have meant there's lots of snow for schlussing down steep hills, driving snow machines along forest trails and feeling that first nibble on a line in an ice fishing shack.

I can't begrudge them their fun, despite the fact I'd rather be inside than outside when it's as cold as it's been! They've waited eight or nine months to get to their favorite time of the year, so it's only fair they enjoy it.

I'm looking forward to warmer weather -- time to ride the horses again, watch the veggies and herbs grow, paddle in the swimming pool.

But for those who love winter....enjoy! I'll watch you through the window, then sit by the fireplace with a nice cuppa and wait for spring.

Cool Beans

2009-01-26T22:52:00.000-06:00

Jean Henry Mead invited me to be interviewed on her terrific blog, Mysterious People, and the interview is now up at www.mysteriouspeople.blogspot.com so drop by and check it out when you have a moment. It was fun to answer her questions -- they made me stop and think, that's for sure!

2009

2008-12-31T20:37:00.003-06:00

At this time of year, I think it's perfectly normal to look both back and forward, thinking of the things we've accomplished, the goals yet to be met, the blessings that have come into our lives as well as the blessings we hope for.

Some search for professional success, others for good health or happy relationships, or perhaps you're looking to find the path to your dream.

I wish for you in 2009 all the joy, peace, love and success that will bring you great satisfaction and the energy to offer a hand to the next person in line.

Happy, happy New Year to one and all!

It's Time to Celebrate

2008-12-23T23:13:00.002-06:00

It's the time of year we get to spend many hours with family and friends, enjoying the camaraderie of intimate evenings for two, dinner with those we hold near and dear and gala events with plenty of guests. It's one of the best seasons for those who love to socialize!

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or Solstice, I wish you great joy and happiness in the time you spend with those you love.

And because we celebrate Christmas, I'll take this moment to say Merry Christmas!

Libby

A Time to Give Thanks

2008-11-25T21:50:00.004-06:00

It's a time of year to consider the bounty we enjoy in industrialized nations. When we have to lease rental space to contain the overflow of stuff we have, it is an embarrassment of riches. And we're all guilty of letting accumulation outweigh thankfulness sometimes.

Many, many people are very generous--giving to those less fortunate, offering a hand up to those who want to change their lives, organizing fund raisers in their communities, giving hope to those who've been so challenged they've forgotten what it is to look to the future with anticipation.

This year there are more financial challenges for so many with the global economy being fragile. But this is a time to be generous with our gifts -- a kind word, a genuine smile, letting someone ahead of you in line, paying for a coffee for the guy behind you at the drive-thru, dropping off a bag of dog or cat food at the local shelter...all cost nothing but time or a very few dollars.

No, we can't change the inequities in the world with the snap of a finger, much as we might wish to. But we can choose to help someone close to home -- and maybe someday our embarrassment of riches will be in blessings.

Reading an EBook

2008-11-19T14:06:00.005-06:00

A few years ago, there wasn't much choice available if you wanted to read a non-traditional book. I had one of the original Rocket eBooks and I loved it. But, alas, parts became hard to buy. Since I edit also, I opted for an iPaq Pocket PC so I could read for pleasure, or work on a manuscript and sync back to my computer. Eventually, it's battery wouldn't recharge, and you know how hard it is to find batteries for technology more than a couple of years old!

I can read on my laptop, although it is a little less transportable than either of my first two readers. Now there are Kindles (available at this point only in the US right now) and the Sony eBook Reader (already with a new version), the eBook Reader from Bookwise and coming soon a new reader from Plastic Logic. I can also download and read on a Palm device, mobile phone of some kinds (like iPhone), and I'm not sure about the new netbooks.

There are plenty of options to the traditional book, although many still like it. I find, especially with a hard cover, that my hands will ache after holding a book for a while, and reading in bed with the light on is a worry for me since my SO has to get up quite early each weekday, so a backlit reader device is a good bonus for me.

Time to look around for a replacement!

Remembrance Day

2008-11-11T00:01:00.000-06:00

November 11th is a day to stop and remember that we live in a free country because others were willing -- and are still willing -- to protect and preserve our way of life. Thousands of men left families, friends and loved ones behind. Many didn't return; some returned injured in ways from which they never recovered. We thank them for their service in Europe, Korea, the Pacific and North Africa.

Today, young men and women stand on the wall that protects us from terrorists who would do us harm. We thank them for their service around the world.

There are also those who stand as peacekeepers, giving democracy and freedom a chance to grow. We thank them.

Take a moment today to say thank you to someone who keeps our country safe and free...today and yesterday.

A Short Excerpt

2008-11-05T13:21:00.003-06:00

People have asked about my upcoming Race to Win, so I wanted to give you a short excerpt. Meg has been working in Florida and got a call her grandfather had been hospitalized with a heart attack. This is what happens, after she visits him in hospital, when she gets to his Thoroughbred operation.

Meg’s head was pounding by the time she turned into the driveway to Forrestholme, her grandfather’s three hundred acre “homestead.” A state of the art broodmare operation, Forrestholme had a foaling barn, two separate mare barns, a stallion barn, artificial insemination lab, hundreds of acres of pasture, an indoor riding arena, a training track and a custom designed, four-bedroom stone home. He had worked hard to attain his dream, and now, like a cold shadow over it all, there was something seriously wrong.

Meg rounded the final bend in the driveway and stood on the truck’s brakes. With a scattering of loose gravel, the pickup skidded sideways and Meg had to do some quick steering to keep from sliding into one of the huge maples that lined the drive. Less than a foot from her front bumper loomed a twelve-foot high wrought iron gate. It was closed and locked. From its top, two video cameras panned the driveway area, and at the bottom to the left of the gate, an intercom stood silently, its unseen operator waiting to grant whomever approached entrance or exile.

She stared, frozen in stunned shock, for a moment or two. That fence had not been there when she had left for Florida in between Christmas and New Year’s. But it was very definitely there now. Putting the pickup in reverse, she straightened it out and angled up to the intercom. As she rolled down her window and leaned out to figure out how to call its control center, the intercom coughed to life as a nasal voice challenged her.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s Meg,” she said slowly. “Meg Forrest. I live here.”

There was a momentary pause before the disembodied voice responded coolly, “I’ll open the gates. Drive through slowly and straight up to the house. Don’t get out of your truck and don’t deviate from the road to the house.”

She could only stare at the intercom.

With a clank and a thud, the double wrought iron gates began to swing open in front of her. Meg put the truck in gear and started through the opening. As soon as she cleared them, the gates swung back into place. Something was definitely weird. Meg looked around as she started slowly towards the house. The tall fence extended in both directions as far as she could see, curving off around the house and down past the barns out of her sight to the pasture areas. She checked the broodmare barn automatically. Noting the lights still on, she started to turn down the lane leading to the barn when she remembered her directions to go straight to the house.
It’s still my farm to go where I want. And I think I’ll just check out the ladies on my way to the house. With that rebellious thought, she quickly twisted the truck’s wheel to the left and headed to the broodmare barn.

After easing to a stop in front of the main entrance to the mare’s barn, Meg turned off the truck and was about to step out when she happened to glance to her right, up the grade toward the house. Racing at full speed, eyes pinned to the truck, were two of the largest Dobermans Meg had ever seen.

By the time she’d registered their existence, they were at the side of the truck. Silently, they sat beside the driver’s door and fixed her with cold stares. No barking, no jumping, and definitely no tail wagging was going on here. More than a little rattled, Meg shoved the key back into the ignition, started up the truck, and turned for the house. She glanced in her rearview mirror and, sure enough, the two Dobes were trotting up the driveway behind her.

What the hell is going on here?

By the time she got to the house, Meg was furious. The last time she’d looked, Forrestholme had been their property. She was sure her grandfather would have mentioned it to her if he had sold it, so she was mystified by what was going on here. When she put the truck in park at the house, Meg was in no mood for the Dobermans. She leaned on the truck horn until someone ran out from behind the house. She kept on sounding the horn until the man hurried to the window of her truck.

“What’re ya doin’, lady?” The man had the look of an ex tackle on a professional football team. “Are ya tryin’ to get the dogs all ticked off?”

“Am I supposed to be worried about your dogs?” Meg’s tone sliced at the man’s arrogance. “I suggest you get those dogs back in their cages or kennels or wherever they live, and I suggest you do it now.”

Accustomed to obeying orders, the guard gave a quick whistle and a couple of hand signals. The dogs obediently trotted off behind the house with their handler following. As soon as they were out of sight, Meg wearily shoved open the truck door and climbed down onto the interlocking stone driveway. She pushed her hair back and straightened her shoulders. Time to beard the lion in his den.

Posting on Make Mine Mystery

2008-10-30T12:42:00.003-05:00

Today, I blogged on Make Mine Mystery at www.blogspot.com/makeminemystery about the settings in mysteries. Please, drop by, check it out and comment.

2008-10-28T16:10:00.004-05:00

Over on the Make Mine Mystery blog at www.blogspot.com, there's a post about having lots of books around and it got me to thinking about my books and their place in our life. Books are everywhere -- family room, living room, bedroom, office, bathroom -- often the dining room as well. I have them on shelves, in book cases, on tables, on vanities and nightstands, even a couple in a lovely woven basket, some in drawers and on desks! There are magazines, books, catalogues -- if it's in print, it's reading material. I've read a cereal box while eating breakfast!

I come by it honestly -- both my parents read a lot -- my Dad read to me before I was born. And to this day, Mom and I tell each other about good books we think the other would like to read.

I like fiction, but have a sizeable collection of non-fiction, too; mostly related to the crafts of writing and editing.

I have books I'll re-read, authors I wait for their next release and books I'm willing to share with others. I have a box already packed to take to my sister's cottage next time we go because the whole family reads, and a cottage is a great, guilt-free reading zone!

I'm getting a lot of books from the library these days, but I live in a small town and our indie bookstore closed. To me, a very sad day. But I order books online and usually have a few books in my shopping cart or on my wish list at the online bookstores!

And ebooks make it super-easy to get all the reading I can long for! My publisher, Amber Quill Press, regularly runs discounts on their books -- a nice perk in this economic climate to get something on sale!

To be honest, about the only thing I don't care to read are instruction manuals!!

It's cool and chilly with overcast skies -- perfect reading-by-the-fireplace weather.

Sharing the Mystery

2008-10-27T17:57:00.002-05:00

I've started blogging with Make Mine Mystery, and I'm thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful group of fellow authors. They inspire me to write better stories (and hopefully more often) and I really enjoy reading their blogs. They have great stories, tips, memories, etc and it's fun to spend some time there.

I'm also blogging at Blood Red Pen, which is a terrific spot for authors who'd like to get to know some editors, how editors think, the rules they have to follow (yep, editors have to toe the grammar line), tips and guidelines.

I hope, of course, you continue to drop in here to see what's new in my world, and I thank you for your interest in my Musings.

Autumn Evenings

2008-10-16T14:45:00.003-05:00

I love autumn evenings...it's dark earlier, so it's an excuse to have the fireplace on, to snuggle up with a book or tv, sip lemon tea with honey and milk, and indulge myself just a little. As a bonus, maybe I can hear rain on the roof.

I just finished reading a couple of mysteries by favorite writers and am reading some chick lit these days. And one of these evenings, with the fireplace near my laptop and desk, I'm going to have a chance to work on Race to Win. I can hardly wait to see where the characters lead me next. Since I'm a seat-of-the-pants writer, I do get to be surprised, too!

However, I'm not a seat-of-the-pants editor (self-editing or otherwise), so I know I'll soon be going over what I've written with a fine-toothed comb, but part of the joy of writing is that chance to dive into the lives and stories of your characters with abandon, letting them play, figure out the clues to find the bad guy and fall in love. It can be chaotic, like life, but unlike life, I can go back in and smooth out the rough edges!

So, please, make a cup of your favorite coffee, tea or hot chocolate, grab something off your TBR stack and indulge in an autumn evening of relaxation and reading.

Fall's Here

2008-09-22T13:32:00.002-05:00

For some reason, it's harder for me to keep seat in chair to work in the autumn! It's my favorite time of year with the drop in temperature and humidity, with the changing colors, the days that invigorate me with the sun's brightness.

In the winter, easy to stay indoors -- too easy!! I've never been a cold weather person, so the idea of bundling up and heading out for a walk isn't really appealing. Sure, I'll go to the barn to clean and to feed and water my horses, but I don't even remember the last time I rode in the winter.

I do like spring as the cold weather fades and I enjoy getting outside -- watching for the forsythia to bloom, for the spring bulbs' sprouts to appear and I really enjoy the days getting longer.

Summer is great -- but too much heat and humidity leaves me feeling limp and without ambition. However, I do like to swim, which really helps beat the heat and humidity.

But autumn is the best -- so, please, get out and enjoy when you can!

A New Day

2008-09-15T13:28:00.004-05:00

I've been doing some research on Race to Win, my upcoming novel, and it's started to germinate! The research was a result of an accident and spending time with an expert in the field -- my vet. One of my horses was badly injured in a freak accident and I've spent more time with my vet in the last month than I have in the last couple of years!

But my horse is steadily improving and I've found some answers to some holes in the plot line of Race to Win. It's the story of a young woman who must discover who is attempting to sabotage her grandfather's Thoroughbred stable by killing the horses for their insurance values.

As a horse lover, it's very hard to write, and that may have been what's stalling me a bit. I want the emotion to be right and honest. But it's hard to do!!

As I get going, I'll post some excerpts on my blog and you can see how it's progressing. I'm hoping for a spring release from Amber Quill Press, and I'll keep you posted. Now it's that matter of hitting my self-imposed deadlines, so I meet the publisher deadline...I like to get it in early because I've been an editor for almost as many years as I've been a writer, so know the crunch of deadlines, that's for sure.

Until next time, keep reading!

Libby

Welcome to Libby's Musings

2008-08-17T22:35:00.005-05:00

So, have you been watching the Olympics? I've had a chance to catch some of my favorite sports, and learn more about ones I don't see much.

I was amazed that badminton players can hit the shuttle at 200 mph! The endurance of the distance runners is remarkable. And can you imagine training for the triathalon--swimming, biking and running? Although, apparently one of the sponsor's of the Australian Snowsill who won gold in women's triathathalon is a chocolate company. Now there's a sweet reward for training! Michael Phelps was absolutely beyond incredible in the pool. And more water sports -- the beautiful dives are incredible, and then with the synchronized diving, two athletes moving as one! Wow!

I'm looking forward to Tuesday morning's Dressage Freestyle Final--watching those horses and riders perform to music is just amazing, and knowing a bit about the sport makes me appreciate it even more.

I hope you take a few minutes to cheer on your country's athletes, watch your favorite sport and maybe one you've never watched before to see learn a bit more about something new.

Talk to you later!
Libby

Test Post

2008-02-26T20:39:00.002-06:00

This is just to test the colors and formatting. Enjoy your new blog, Libby!