Jennifer Oberth

2012 New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-30T17:58:00.000-06:00

It's been a month. How have I been doing on my New Year's Resolutions?

Let's see:

On the 'Be bored' front (I'm so busy/stressed I miss the sweet moments in life), I've been struggling. I've been so busy I'm not getting stuff done I want to get done. (As per usual, I guess. Which is where this resolution came from!)

It snowed on the first or second day of this year and I sat in the window and watched the beauty nature had to offer. That counts. I've been slowing down to watch my cats. Since they're not 'new' anymore (I've had them for two wonderful years now), I've been taking them for granted. We have our routines and live our lives and I enjoy them but I've been really enjoying the enjoyment, if that makes sense. (They are so adorable!)

My sister came to town for about 48 hours and had dinner plans and then breakfast plans. I've been at work far more than my usual so getting nothing done on the book front. I planned my morning to work on the novel I'm nearly ready to publish. Her breakfast got canceled. She asked if I wanted to play Monopoly on the iPad. I hesitated for a split second but said yes. I can't remember the last time this girl played a board game with me. (Were we kids?) I sat there for a few moments thinking I ought to be working on my book when this Resolution entered my brain. I swiped my finger across the touchscreen to roll the dice and realized there was nowhere else I'd rather be in the whole world than sitting right there in my pajamas playing Monopoly with my little sister.

Resolution #1 - conquered.

#2 is more like a goal.
Publish Toxic Train, Unpacking the Undertaker, Georgia Meets Virginia, Mr. E in Cabin 187 (Anthology) and the Masked Rider: Origins.

Toxic Train, Georgia and Mr. E are a couple beta readers away from my sending them to the professional editor. They're short stories and will be published in the next few weeks.
I haven't written the Undertaker yet but the ideas are coming.
The Masked Rider is taking its sweet time.
These goals are so attainable, I'm going to have to add to them.

Hmmm, #3 (reading challenges) was going well but I haven't been reading fiction for fun in a couple weeks. I've only completed the one book so far.

#4 (50 dates) is at a standstill. I've not been working on it. My bad. Recommit!

"I want to enjoy 2012 much like I enjoyed 2011 but with more emphasis and less stress."

I said the above quote and realize I haven't really been enjoying 2012. The excitement of a new year has already worn off - which is exactly why I'm revisiting and recapping my Resolutions. I'm not letting myself off the hook - I'm doing these Resolutions and that's it!!

Reading Challenges - Self-Published Reading Challenge

2012-01-26T01:14:00.001-06:00

Self-Published Reading Challenge

Hosted by Workaday Reads

Challenge Guidelines:

This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012.
Anyone can join, you don't need to be a blogger. If you don't have a blog, feel free to sign-up in the comments. You can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc).
Any genre, length or format of book counts, as long as it is self-published by the author.
You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the Self-Published Reading Challenge.
You can move up levels, but no moving down.
Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

Levels:

Sentence - 5 books
Paragraph- 10 books
Page - 25 books
Chapter - 50 books
Short Story - 75 books
Novel - 100 books
Series - 150 books

I'm going for the Sentence Level. One book I'm going to read for sure is Lost River Chronicles by Heidi Nance. (She's my cousin!)

Reading Challenges - Cruisin' Thru The Cozies

2012-01-13T01:13:00.000-06:00

Cruisin' Thru The Cozies

Hosted by Socrates' Book Reviews

Here are the rules...

1. Choose the level you wish to participate:

Level 1 - Snoop - Read at least 6 books
Level 2 - Investigator - Read 7-12 books
Level 3 - Super Sleuth - Read 13 or more books

2. The challenge runs from January 1, 2012 and ends December 31, 2012.

3. You don't have to choose your books in advance. If you do, you can change your list at any time during the year. Books can overlap with other challenges.

4. Books can be in any format - paper, audio, ebooks...it all counts!

5. You don't have to post a review, but I'm sure others would love to know about the books you are reading and may even want to add it to their reading lists.

I'm going for Super Sleuth.

Books & Things Thursday - 'One for the Money'

2012-01-12T00:12:00.011-06:00

I was innocently watching TV last week when a commercial came on. It was for a movie and I instantly thought, "Ooh, that looks good. I want to see that."

To my surprise, it was One for the Money! I knew a movie was being made based off Janet Evanovich's One for the Money but had no idea it was out - or that I might like it. (Well, I'd thought I might like it.)

It's so natural to judge things prematurely and just as natural to squash that judgment and give something a try but I assumed it'd look awful and I wouldn't bother going to the theater.

Let's face facts, people. The movie is never as good as the book.

Also, years ago, my Mom said she'd pictured Sandra Bullock in the leading role and I couldn't picture anyone else filling it.

Until now. Just on the commercial, Katherine Heigl looks perfect for the part. I know her from Love Comes Softly - another movie based on a book - and I liked her.

(Before you ask, no. Drippy romances - even if they're westerns - are not my cup of tea. I'm just a sucker for anything Dale Midkiff is in. Except Pet Cemetery. I'm not watching that. Wow - that's also a movie based on a book.)

Dale Midkiff

Photo from Google Images

Now I'm hoping Mom wants to see One for the Money and we can have movie day!

Wordless Wednesday - Goofy Kitty (Outlaw)

2012-01-11T00:11:00.001-06:00

Reading Challenge - A-Z Challenge

2012-01-10T00:10:00.000-06:00

A-Z Challenge

Hosted by Babies, Books and Signs

This one is pretty self-explanatory. The idea is to read 26 books, each starting with a different letter of the alphabet. I found this challenge at Socrates' Book Reviews and she said, since 'x' is hard to find, that letter just has to be in the title. I'm going to try and find a book that starts with 'x' but if I don't - I'm going to use her out!

Death At Wentwater Court by Carola Dunn (Review)

2012-01-09T12:34:00.001-06:00

The back of the book (I cut out the name of the victim):

"No stranger to sprawling country estates, wealthy Daisy Dalrymple is breaking new ground at this particular manor house, having scandalously traded silver spoon for pen and camera to cover a story for Town and Country magazine. But her planned interviews with the inhabitants of Wentwater Court give way to interrogation when suave {*****} meets a dire fate on the tranquil skating pond. Armed with evidence that his fate was anything but accidental, Daisy joins forces with Scotland Yard to examine an esteemed collection of suspects - and see that the unlikely culprit doesn't slip through their fingers just as the unfortunate {*****} slipped through the ice..."

I love the characters in this book.

I had trouble getting into the story - I liked it, love the 1920's language, the British setting and thoroughly enjoyed Daisy. I think my problem was the narration. I didn't get sucked inside the world at Wentwater Court, I was more a voyeur, a shadow squirreled away behind the curtain, rather than right there in the thick of things. Maybe that was Daisy herself. She had no loyalties as she was a stranger in the house, there was nothing to latch onto. She included everyone on the long list of suspects.

Daisy Dalrymple is smart, hard-working and determined - the perfect ingredients for a cozy mystery.

The middle didn't drag though everyone was a suspect until the end, no evidence dismissing even one person in full. I kind of like when we can determine so and so couldn't have done it, because it gives me a sense of urgency. As the reader, I think, 'Oh, boy. I'd better hurry up and figure this out before the author just tells me.' The lack of cutting suspects out still worked here, though, so I didn't really mind it.

The end was unexpected, untraditional and sweet. Even Daisy thinks it "gloriously inevitable in its simplicity" and I agree.

Anyone in search of a solid, British cozy with characters right out of the roaring 20's (from stodgy earls to lovable flappers) grab this book, sink your teeth in and enjoy.

This completes my first novel of the year and starts two Reading Challenges:
A-Z Challenge
Cruisin' Thru the Cozies

*****

My Mom also completed the first novel for her Reading Challenges with Death of a Thousand Cuts and posted a review.

Reading Challenge - 2012 E-Book Challenge & Happy Birthday, Sis!

2012-01-05T01:05:00.001-06:00

First of all, Happy Birthday, Sis!!!

Second - I'm joining another Reading Challenge:

2012 E-Book Challenge

Hosted by Workaday Reads

Challenge Guidelines:

This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012.
Anyone can join, you don't need to be a blogger. If you don't have a blog, feel free to sign-up in the comments. You can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc).
Any genre or length of book counts, as long as it is in ebook format.
You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the E-Book Reading Challenge.
You can move up levels, but no moving down.
Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.

Levels:

Floppy disk - 5 ebooks
CD - 10 ebooks
DVD - 25 ebooks
Memory stick - 50 ebooks
Hard drive - 75 ebooks
Server - 100 ebooks
Human brain - 150 ebooks

I'm going to try for the CD Level because I've got my Nook and I know how to use it!

Wordless Wednesday - Goofy Kitty (Copper)

2012-01-04T00:04:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.091-06:00

2011

2011 was great. Simply fantastic. Wonderful. My sister's wedding in May probably tops the list - what an awesome weekend that was!

The Royal Wedding was cool because I got up at like 4AM, made a cup of tea and texted and chatted with my aunt in California and sister in Georgia while learning all sorts of things about the Royal Family in England.

I got published! Married To Murder came out in January and the follow up Ella Westin Mystery, Honeymoon Homicide came out in August. (I've written and edited Toxic Train, the third installment. I just have to send it to my editor and then I'll be publishing that.)

I fell in love with Sherlock Holmes all over again thanks to Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat and Robert Downey, Jr. Jude Law and Guy Ritchie. I reread the entire collection by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

I wrote and edited the first of a new mystery series, The Georgia H. Mysteries. That'll be coming out soon.

I've traveled.

I attended the Writer's Police Academy in North Carolina. Boy, that was a blast!

My Mom got published, too! Who Murdered The Ghost? came out in August.

I won NaNoWriMo again. (Whoo-hoo!)

I have simply adored my kitties.

I did a Blog Tour.

I won four things in the last three months. The clock in the picture above at a dinner dance in October, a $100 gift cert at Amazon from Emyln Chand's Farsighted Book Blog Tour, a signed copy of Ask Graham via the BBC America Blog and personalized music from Car Johnson.

I've also met a lot of cool people and made wonderful blogger friends.

It has been a great year!

2012

I am so excited to see what 2012 has in store.

My personal goals - and resolutions - are as follows:

1.) Be bored.
I'm always so dang busy that I lose the days and miss those sweet moments in life that come from doing nothing. I want to lament my boredom. I want to wander around the house or neighborhood, looking for something to do. I want to sip tea while staring out my window at the 100 inches of snow we're supposed to get. (We've got maybe a quarter of an inch so far, I'm guessing the 100 inches will come in one humong-o storm.)

2.) Publish Toxic Train, Unpacking the Undertaker, Georgia Meets Virginia, Mr. E in Cabin 187 (Anthology) and the Masked Rider: Origins.

3.) I want to complete all the Reading Challenges I signed up/will be signing up for.

4.) I want to find love in 50 dates. (Seriously, I've been lax in the dating department while everyone around me is getting happily married. Priorities!!)

That's it, really. I want to enjoy 2012 much like I enjoyed 2011 but with more emphasis and less stress.

And what about you guys?

How was your 2011?

What do you want to get out of 2012?

What resolutions and goals have you set for yourselves?

Tell me!!

Reading Challenge - Men In Uniform

2011-12-29T19:36:00.000-06:00

2012 Men In Uniform

Hosted by The Book Vixen

Details:

Runs January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012 (books read prior to 1/1/12 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
The goal is to read as many novels that feature men in uniform as you’d like. It can be a policeman, firefighter, paramedic, doctor, veterinarian, Army, Navy, Marine Corp., etc. – As long as the leading man wears some sort of uniform, it counts. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. Nothing is set in stone; you can change levels at any time during the challenge.
Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
Go to The Book Vixen and grab the reading challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you could track your progress on Goodreads or LibraryThing.

Levels:
Sergeant – Read 1–5 men in uniform novels
Lieutenant – Read 6–10 men in uniform novels
Captain – Read 11–15 men in uniform novels
Chief – Read 16+ men in uniform novels

I'm going for Sergeant since I read cozies where there are no men in uniform. I'm going to get creative, though. Instead of finding a police procedural, I'm going to dig around the cozy mystery books and find an amateur sleuth (or surrounding character) who works in uniform.

Men In Uniform

1/1 books

Wordless Wednesday - Kitty Caves

2011-12-13T21:22:00.000-06:00

Last Day of the 'Married To Murder' Blog tour - Finding Your Gibbee Blog

2011-12-11T22:16:00.000-06:00

Today marks the last day of the Married To Murder Blog Tour and I'm delighted to end it with the review on Finding Your Gibbee's Blog.

Day 14 of the 'Married To Murder' Blog Tour - Silver's Reviews

2011-12-10T12:41:00.000-06:00

I'm guest-posting today at Elizabeth's Silver Reviews Blog for the 14th day of the Married To Murder Blog Tour.

I talk about how CHARACTERS inspire me to write.

Check it out!

Day 13 of the 'Married To Murder' Blog Tour - Musings & Marvels

2011-12-09T14:14:00.000-06:00

Day 13 of the Married To Murder Blog Tour - Sabrina Ricci at Musings & Marvels reviewed Married To Murder.

Check it out!

Day 12 of the 'Married To Murder' Blog Tour - Ellie Oberth Dead Herring Blog - The Ella Westin Poem

2011-12-08T09:43:00.000-06:00

Day 12 of the Married To Murder Blog Tour.

Today I'm at my Mom's Blog (Ellie Oberth), Dead Herring.

I've written the Ella Westin Poem - go read it!!

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop Winners!!

2011-12-07T19:12:00.000-06:00

Yes, you read that right. I said winners. I loved the excitment in the Blog Hop and comments so I made an executive decision and pulled two winners out of the hat.

And those winners are *drumroll*

Yvonne & Laurie.

Congratulations, girls! I hope you enjoy reading Married To Murder as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Day 11 on the 'Married To Murder' Blog Tour - Emily Mayhem Divine Chaos

2011-12-07T10:22:00.000-06:00

Hi all,

It's the 11th day of the Blog Tour - whew!

The lovely Emily Mayhem, of the Divine Chaos Blog, wrote up a great review of Married To Murder.

Check it out!

And thank you, Emily!

Day 10 of the 'Married To Murder' Blog Tour - Ella Westin Interview with John Hansen

2011-12-06T10:36:00.000-06:00

Somehow, I wrangled Ella Westin into an interview. She is the main character of Married To Murder and wasn't very happy about the arrangement but you can read all about it on John Hansen's Blog, The Incessant Droning of a Bored Writer.

I, myself, find it hilarious!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't forget - today is the last day to enter the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop. Enter for your chance to win a copy of Married To Murder!

Day 9 of the 'Married To Murder' Blog Tour - Kris Wampler's Blog

2011-12-05T13:47:00.000-06:00

Hi everybody,

Today, I'm at Kris Wampler's Blog. He's the author of Love Train. (The reviews look great on Amazon!)

I talk about what it's like to be a self-published author.

Check it out!

Day 8 of the 'Married To Murder' Blog Tour - Interview wtih Lyndi Alexander

2011-12-04T08:44:00.000-06:00

Today I can be found here:

Clan Elves of The Bitter Root/Lyndi Alexander - Interview

It was a lot of fun!

And don't forget about:

Click to enter the Blog Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop for your chance to win a copy of Married To Murder (or Honeymoon Homicide or Toxic Train).

Day 7 'Married To Murder' Blog Tour - Mommy's Reading Too

2011-12-03T14:46:00.000-06:00

Wow - it's been so busy lately! And lucky around here!!

Today is the 7th day of the Married To Murder Blog Tour and I can be found at Mommy's Reading Too by Jennifer Alexander. She did a wonderful review of Married To Murder! I also wrote a guest post about how characters inspire me to write.

I've had so much fun with everyone on this Blog Tour - and there's still more to come:

Day 6 CyndiaRios-Myers' Blog - Interview
Day 5 Feliza Casano's Blog - Guest Post
Day 4 Cecilia Robert’s Written Word/Cecilia - Review + Guest Post
Day 3 Divine Chaos/EmilyMayhem - Guest Post
Day 2 Fiction Brigade/Sabrina Ricci - Guest Post
Day 1 Fiction With A Purpose/Brenda Youngerman - Interview + Review

Don't forget to enter the Blog Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop for your chance to win a copy of Married To Murder (or Honeymoon Homicide or Toxic Train).

Not only did I win this contest on Car Johnson's hilarious Blog, but I won an Amazon gift card from Emyln Chand 'Farsighted' Blog Tour. Check out the post about the book - it sounds really good.

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop - Enter To Win!

2011-12-01T21:16:00.003-06:00

Check out the Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop.

The winner will receive Married To Murder (e-book). If you've bought Married To Murder - you're awesome and will instead, receive Honeymoon Homicide. If you've bought both, you're super awesome and will receive Toxic Train when it comes out.

To enter the giveaway just leave a comment with a way for me to contact you via e-mail for notification if you are the winner. (A link to your Blog with e-mail in your profile is fine.) If you do not leave a way for me to contact you, you are disqualified and another winner will be selected.

Extra entries:

1.) Become a follower of my Blog
2.) Like my Facebook Book Page
3.) Become a Twitter follower

If you already did any of the above, leave that info in the comment and you'll receive the extra entry/entries.

The contest starts December 2 and ends on December 6, 2011, 11:59 PM CST.

Winner to be announced on December 7, 2011.

Good luck to you all and happy reading!!

Want to find more book lover's giveaways? Check below for a complete list of participants (including my Mom).

Books & Things Thursday - Feliza Casano 'Social Media Networking for Writers'

2011-12-01T00:49:00.000-06:00

Today's Guest Post is by Feliza Casano and she's going to tell us about using social media as a benefit to writers.

Welcome Feliza!!

Photo by Nick Kneer

Social Media Networking for Writers

There are lots of ways to promote your work when you get published. In our current market, staying connected to your readers can be incredibly important!

Here, we’ll discuss social networking, which can really change your writing platform and your audience in a number of ways.

Facebook Pages

One way to really kick-start your readership, especially if you’re published in small or online presses, is to create a Facebook Page.

Using the Facebook Pages application is a great way for any writers to put themselves out in the public light. You can use the application to share content and news updates, especially when you are getting published in online sources.

It’s also a great way to build a community with your friends and fans. Another great aspect is that many, many publishers have Facebook Pages, which you can share and promote to your friends and fans.

I’d recommend Facebook pages to all writers, especially those who are established and publishing. You can find me as a Facebook Page, too, where I post updates about writing and local events.

Twitter and Tweeting

Twitter is an obvious way to network with other writers. Here, you want to create an account for you as a writer so you can meet and Tweet with other writers!

Let your family, friends, and fans know about your Twitter account and start following others as well. Once you have a number of followers, make sure you post links to your work that has been published by others or your own blog, depending on what you do.

Figure out what Tweeters are influential in your sphere – possibly with websites like Klout, which measures how much influence specific people are on Twitter and Facebook in terms of content sharing – and make sure you follow them.

Once you’re following them, remember that Twitter is a conversation tool, not an online diary. Read tweets from people you follow, click on their links, and make sure you Tweet them back. It’s a great way to start conversing – and conversations make networks.

YouTube – what?

There are several ways to gain an audience – so you can try starting with YouTube.

Apart from blogging, many writers use YouTube videos to gain attention for their brand (which we talked about in previous slides.) Use a YouTube channel to create Vlogs, or video blogs, to talk about whatever topics interest you. It doesn’t hurt if those topics are related to what you write about, either!

One great example is Kaleb Nation, the author of the Bran Hambric series and the creator of such sensations as the blog TwilightGuy. Nation uses his video blog to keep in touch with a small legion of fans – and, if you check out his site, he’s been mentioned in publications like the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, The Huffington Post, and more.

Nation is one example of a guy who knows his way around social media – and you should learn your way around it too!

Conclusion

Social media isn’t for all writers, but it can benefit many. If you’re interested in reaching the young adult or middle grade market, you definitely need to hit social media! Authors including Rick Riordan (of Percy Jackson and the Olympians fame) use a variety of social media to promote and gain new readership.

Of course, you don’t have to be a YA/MG writer to utilize social media. Figure out what works best for you and use social networking to your greatest advantage.

Photo by Nick Kneer

Feliza Casano majors in Communication with a concentration in journalism at the University of Toledo. She has worked as a beat writer, copy editor and public relations writer in the news industry, published a novel through her publishing company Glass Tower Press, and blogs about writing and regional news. She plans to pursue a job in the publishing industry as an editor or copywriter.

Blog Tour Day 4 & I Won A Contest!

2011-11-30T11:54:00.000-06:00

4th Day of the Married To Murder Blog Tour - isn't it exciting?
Today I can be found at Cecilia Robert's Written Word Blog.

She also wrote a great review of Married To Murder. Well, I happen to think it's great. I love it, in fact!

I won a 'stupidest business idea' contest on the Car Johnson Blog!

Whew - a big day.

'Married To Murder' Blog Tour Day 3: Divine Chaos Writer's Creative Set Up

2011-11-29T07:25:00.000-06:00

Day Three of the Married To Murder Blog Tour - at Emily Mayhem's Blog Divine Chaos.

My creative writer's set up - including dream set up! Come check it out & let me know what you think...

What's your ideal office set up to write or get work done?

'Married To Murder' Blog Tour - Day 2 - Fiction Brigade

2011-11-28T13:18:00.004-06:00

It's the second day of the Married To Murder Blog Tour!

Today's stop is at the Fiction Brigade c/o Sabrina Ricci

Topic/Title: You Never Know What’ll Come Out Of NaNoWriMo
Hint:

Come check it out!

Blog Tour, Birthdays & Anniversaries - Oh My!

2011-11-27T11:10:00.001-06:00

My first Married To Murder Blog Tour stop is at Fiction With A Purpose, Brenda Youngerman's Blog. She interviewed me and posted a review of Married To Murder.

It's so exciting!

It's also my grandma's birthday today. Happy Birthday, Grandma! I love you!!

And it's the 6 month anniversary of my sister's wedding. They've been married for 6 months now - it's incredible!!

(I don't mean it's incredible in a if-they-were-a-celebrity-couple-that-would-be-ancient, just a she's-my-sister-and-we-used-to-jam-Barbie's-in-the-Batmobile-and-play-with-Leggo's-and-now-she-has-a-husband kind of way.)

Congratulations, guys! Here's to another 80 years!!

UPDATE: Oh, and I'm a NaNoWriMo winner again this year!

'Married To Murder' Blog Tour - Jennifer Oberth

2011-11-25T16:35:00.024-06:00

Married To Murder Blog Tour Schedule:

November 26, 2011, Saturday - 4PM PST/6PM CST/7PM ET

The Incessant Droning of a Bored Writer/John Hansen - Twitterview

This is a LIVE interview via Twitter. It's my first one and frankly, I'm a little nervous! I have to answer interview questions live in 140 characters or less. I wonder how I'll do...

Come check it out. Search for #incessant to follow the interview and ask questions at the end! (It should last about a half an hour.)

Wish me luck! *Fingers crossed*

November 27, 2011, Sunday

Fiction With A Purpose/Brenda Youngerman - Interview + Review

November 28, 2011, Monday

Fiction Brigade/Sabrina Ricci - Guest Post

Topic/Title: You Never Know What’ll Come Out Of NaNoWriMo

November 29, 2011, Tuesday

Divine Chaos/EmilyMayhem - Guest Post
Topic/Title: Creative Writing SetUp Questions

November 30, 2011, Wednesday

Cecilia Robert’s Written Word/Cecilia - Review + Guest Post

December 1, 2011, Thursday

Feliza Casano's Blog/Feliza Casano - Guest Post

December 2, 2011, Friday

CyndiaRios-Myers' Blog/Cyndia Rios-Myers - Interview

December 3, 2011, Saturday

Mommy’s Reading Too/Jennifer Alexander - Review +Guest Post

December 4, 2011, Sunday

Clan Elves of The Bitter Root/Lyndi Alexander - Interview

December 5, 2011, Monday

Kris Wampler's Blog/Kris Wampler - Interview

Kris Wampler is the author of Love Train. The reviews are good - check it out!

December 6, 2011, Tuesday

The Incessant Droning of a Bored Writer/John Hansen - Character Interview

December 7, 2011, Wednesday

Divine Chaos/Emily Mayhem - Review

December 8, 2011, Thursday

Dead Herring/Ellie Oberth (my Mom!!) - Guest Post

Have you read Who Murdered the Ghost? It's a great short mystery at 99 cents.

December 9, 2011, Friday

Musings and Marvels/Sabrina Ricci’s blog - Review

December 10, 2011, Saturday

Silver’s Reviews/Silver - Guest Post

December 11, 2011, Sunday

Finding Your Gibbee/Jean -Review

And thank you, John Hansen of The Incessant Droning of a Bored Writer for helping to organize the Blog Tour!

Wordless Wednesday - Forensics University 2007

2011-11-23T00:13:00.008-06:00

Books & Things Thursday - Maria Zannini Interrogation, Uh, Interview

2011-11-17T00:17:00.020-06:00

Maria Zannini is wanted for questioning in the case of the Disappearing Fiction Writer.

Her husband, Greg was the first witness we brought in for questioning.

Q. How often do you see your wife? Is it true she doesn’t write when you’re at home?

A. I see her a couple of times a month. And yes, when I’m home she spends most of her time with me unless she has a deadline to meet. If you don’t hear from her in her usual social circles, she’s either working—or putting me to work.

Q What is it we keep hearing about her nonfiction work? Why has this cropped up all of a sudden?

A. It’s not really all of a sudden. I’ve been nagging her for YEARS to write nonfiction rather than fiction. She’s really good at it too. Years ago she wrote for a national magazine about rheas and emu. We got letters from all over the world wanting her to tell them more.

I was never happy she got interested in fiction. That’s like the most thankless job in the world.

Q. Maria writes an awful lot of steamy romance novels. Does that ever bother you?

A. Have you read her stuff? That woman can curl my toes from fifteen feet away.

We then brought in two witnesses who are known confidantes of Maria Zannini. Her dogs: Tank and Iko.

Q. Tank, you've got the dog's eye view on things - have you noticed any unusual Google searches on Maria's computer?

A. Do I know you? You smell like a cop, a cop with no cookies. Bug off.

All right. We’ll try Iko. He looks friendlier.

Q.You, Iko. I hear Maria locks you in a cage when she goes out. Does she do this to keep you from snooping on her computer?

A. Not the computer—the furniture. But I haven’t been in prison in months. I’m reformed. No more furniture chewing for me. I’ve seen the light.

Q. What has she written recently that gives you 'paws' for concern?"

My only concern is that she works too much. Sometimes I have to get between her and the computer so she can take a break and love on me. (I’m very lovable.)

Oh, oh. Here comes Tank again. Man, that’s a big dog.

Tank: Didn’t I tell you to shove off?

Iko: She was asking about mommy.

Tank: And what did mom tell you about strangers?

Iko: :hangs head: Oh…yeah. Move it, buddy. We’re not allowed to talk to strangers.

I can see I'm barking up the wrong tree here, let's move on to the outside of the house. Nothing here but trees and chickens.

Q. Hey, you! Chicken! Can you confirm or deny if poultry disappearances have anything to do with Maria’s next book?

A. Bwaak! We’re getting picked off one by one—but only the roosters. One day me and Carl were strutting around, acting, cocky, checking out the ladies (if you know what I mean). The next minute—whoosh. Carl was gone. I looked everywhere for him, but all I found was a bloody trail.

I don’t know nuthin’ about no book. But if I’m in it, I hope she spells my name right.

Q. And what is your name?

A. Dinner.

Ah-ha! This Tweet has led me to Maria herself. Bring her in, boys. I see you’ve had to hog-tie her. We knew she wouldn’t come peacefully.

Q. So, Maria...What's this we hear about future projects and non-fiction work? Aren't your paranormal romances doing great? The reviews are spectacular. Are you giving it all up for something new?

A. Your hands are empty. Do you need a shovel?

If you don’t mind I’ll ask the questions. People want to know what you’re working on.

A. I haven’t turned my back on romance. I suspect there will be two and possibly three romance novels in the works in 2012. But I really want to concentrate on one of my favorite topics next year.

It’s an entire series of books on frugal living, from budgets, to shopping, to pet care. The only topic I won’t cover is kids. They scare the bejeebers out of me.

Happy now? Good. Now grab a shovel. I’ve got some bodies to bury.

Bio: When she's not hunting scorpions and chasing after zombie chickens, Maria’s often at her keyboard telling stories or blogging about her current homestead projects—where it's anyone's guess what body part she'll lop off next.

Her latest books are The Devil To Pay and Chain of Souls, Books 1 & 2 of the Second Chances series.

Follow her at:

Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
Twitter

Wordless Wednesday - Travel Signs

2011-11-16T00:58:00.005-06:00

Books & Things Thursday - NaNoWriMo

2011-11-10T13:26:00.000-06:00

Hi everybody,

Between work and NaNoWriMo, I've been falling behind in my online duties and haven't been e-mailing, blogging, facebooking, tweeting or any of the other 'ing'ing there is to do around here. And missing visiting YOUR blogs and commenting!

I'm doing great with NaNoWriMo'ing, though. Even though I didn't write one word on Tuesday or Wednesday, I'm still ahead of the game with well over 20,000 words.

At 1,667 words a day (to reach 50,000 words by Nov. 30), I'd only have to be at 16,667 by the end of today and, as I said, I'm well over that.

And I'm about to hit the books for another three hours. As well as do the dishes, take out the trash, deal with the kitty-cleaning and so on and so forth.

Cool updates:

Next Thursday, I have an Interrogation, uh, I mean, of course, an Interview with author Maria Zannini. (It's a fun post, be sure to check it out!)

On Thursday, December 1, I've got guest blogger Feliza Casano. She'll be telling us about the benefit to authors of social media.

Fun stuff coming up! Keep checking back.

I've got more to tell you about the Writer's Police Academy but haven't the time to do justice to the posts so you'll have to wait a bit on that. I'm still posting pics related to the WPA on Wordless Wednesdays.

I've got a Blog Tour coming up, too! I can't wait for that. I don't have the details yet but it should start later this month. (If you're interested in hosting me and being a part of the Blog Tour, let me know and I can add you, too.) John Hansen is organizing it for me and he is great! Check out his blog, The Incessant Droning of a Bored Writer. It's fun and cool.

Okay, the NaNo Gods are cracking the whip so I gotta go! (Wish me luck!!!!)

Wordless Wednesday - WPA Jail Searches

2011-11-09T00:02:00.005-06:00

Sgt. Catherine Netter

Wordless Wednesday - Chilling with my NaNoWriMo Winner Cert from last year

2011-11-02T03:15:00.000-05:00

Monday Misc. Happy Halloween Meme!!

2011-10-31T00:25:00.030-05:00

Susan McBride, over at the Stiletto Gang Blog started this fun meme. I answered the questions below and would love to read yours. Comment or leave a link to your Blog and I'll check them out!

(1) What's your favorite Halloween costume ever?

The Stegosaurus, my favorite dinosaur. When I was...I think seven, my Mom made me this wonderful Stegosaurus costume, head to toe. You know how it is when you're seven and Mom's know everything and can do anything? Well, this costume was so ambitious that she needed help from HER mom. (Grandma being the supermom, of course because when you're seven and your mom goes to her mom it's amazing.)

I won best costume in that dinosaur suit. Favorite. Costume. Ever.

(2) What's your favorite Halloween candy (or other treat)?

Chocolate. Just plain ol' chocolate.

(3) Name the scariest book you've ever read?

Oh my gosh. Nothing comes to mind. I read mysteries not horror so I avoid the being scared...

(4) Who's the best movie vampire ever:

(a) Bela Lugosi

(b) George Hamilton

(d) Robert Pattinson

I must really be out of touch with movies because I didn't know Tom Cruise was a vampire. (Was he, really?)

I'm going to pick option e. and say Geraint Wyn Davies of Forever Knight because he was the first vampire I saw on TV, at least that I can remember. And this was before vampires were cool.

(5) Who'd win in a fist fight? Sookie or Bella?

I don't know who these people are.

(6) Are you superstitious? How?

Friday the 13th's and black cats crossing my paths have always brought me luck. I also broke a mirror a few weeks ago and my luck has changed to good (fingers crossed for another 7 years of good!) so I guess I'm superstitious enough. I cannot for the life of me look in the mirror at night because of a scary show I watched a few years ago. I don't even remember what happened but to this day, I can't look at night. So, yeah, a little superstitious.

(7) Frankenberry, Count Chocula, or Boo Berry?

As a kid, Count Chocula. He's chocolate.

(8) Will you dress up this year? If so, as what?

Naw, not this year.

Boo! Now it's YOUR turn!

Baker Street Saturday - Lessons From Sherlock Holmes

2011-10-29T02:21:00.000-05:00

There's a great article by Maria Konnikova entitled Lessons From Sherlock Holmes: Don't Tangle Two Lines of Thought. It's wonderful for mystery readers (and authors to understand how readers think) yet so simple and natural. It states we should not include too many facts in our chain of logical thinking because, while related, they don't all lead to the correct conclusion.

The trick, for a mystery reader of course, is to determine which facts are relevant and which ones are red herrings.

Maybe that's why we love Sherlock Holmes as much as we do, for over a hundred years. We try to pick out the useful facts, dismiss the unimportant ones and solve the case before Holmes. (This happened to me only once, I'm proud and annoyed to say.)

Perhaps this is the real reason original Holmes smoked so much; not addiction to tobacco but something to do while he sits for hours and just thinks.

I, for one, prefer tea. Or hot chocolate if the sweet tooth is acting up.

How about you? Do you over-think, over-include and evaluate too many things at once? Or do you put the book down every so often and really think things through?

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Halloween

2011-10-26T01:57:00.005-05:00

In Case You Missed It - Co-Guest Blogged at Lee Lofland's, The Graveyard Shift

2011-10-25T12:20:00.000-05:00

Just in case you missed it - my Mom (Ellie Oberth) and I co-guest blogged at Lee Lofland's Blog, The Graveyard Shift.

We summed up the Writer's Police Academy - a cool, unique, atypical, not-to-be-missed convention for writer's - as best we could.

From arson to an instructor field-stripping his gun in the hallway, this convention wasn't ABOUT topics. We didn't take notes about how hot a fire gets (well, some of us did) but we FELT how hot it gets.

(No, I didn't get to pour any gasoline but I did get to shoot a Glock.)

Check it out - and come along next year!

Monday Misc - 'Chain of Souls' by Maria Zannini

2011-10-24T03:18:00.026-05:00

Maria Zannini's second book, in the Second Chances Series, Chain of Souls is available! ($2.99)

I haven't read this series yet (I'm more of a cozy mystery fan) but I checked out a sample of her writing and was impressed.

If paranormal romances are your thing - check her out! (If you go to Smashwords, you can view 20% for free.)

You can buy Chain of Souls at:

Smashwords (This is a great site because it doesn't matter what eReader you have, you can buy the book and download it. Kindle, Nook, Sony eReader and so on. You don't even need an eReader, you can read it from your computer screen!)
Amazon
Barnes and Noble (There is a review you can check out.)

Maria's description:

"Banished from Heaven for refusing to harvest an unwilling soul, Liam Chase drinks to forget until the night he is visited by the Angel of Death. For the price of a few humans souls, she promises to get him reinstated into Heaven. A monstrous crime. If he refuses, the life he forfeits will belong to the woman he loves."

If you're on Goodreads, you can add this book to your To Read/Read list here.

Maria's first book (in this series) is The Devil to Pay, also available at Smashwords (there are 2 reviews you can check out), Amazon (there are 7 reviews you can check out) & Barnes and Noble (there is one review you can check out).

Maria's description:

"Careful what you ask for. Shannon McKee is in ruin and she sees no way out of her living hell. Swearing an oath on a bottle of tequila, she offers her soul to whoever can get her out of overwhelming debt. Heaven and Hell have accepted the offer and each has sent a Harvester to collect their fee. Payment is due upon receipt, and no matter who gets her soul, Shannon's not getting out of this alive."

Let me know if you read it.

Let Maria know, too. Her blog is here.

And if you do read it, please take the time to review on Smashwords, Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes and Noble and so on.

The archenemy of a writer is obscurity.

Fellow readers/buyers benefit from reviews, too.

Grab a cup of tea or hot chocolate and enjoy!

The Graveyard Shift - Lee Lofland's Blog

2011-10-23T14:55:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow, I'm co-guest blogging on Lee Lofland's Blog, The Graveyard Shift, with my Mom, Ellie Oberth.

We'll be summing up the ultra-cool Writer's Police Academy that took place last month in North Carolina.

Don't miss it!

Books & Things Thursday - Golden Donut Contest Entry

2011-10-20T15:39:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone,

Check out my Mom's (Ellie Oberth) entry to the Golden Donut Contest. It won a spot in the top ten finalists and I'm very proud.

It's a 200 word mystery - including the title - based on the picture the Writer's Police Academy provided (see below).

BURIED SECRETS

I say it's perfect for this Halloweenish time of year - tell her what you think!!

Wordless Wednesday - Anatomy of a Fire

2011-10-19T03:43:00.007-05:00

I uploaded a video of the fire to YouTube - it's really cool.

Monday Misc. - Car Trouble in West Virginia

2011-10-17T00:46:00.149-05:00

Mom and I left Chicago on our way to North Carolina to attend the Writer's Police Academy (WPA). We had to get there by Thursday, 4:45 PM N.C. time to catch the bus to go to the jail tour we'd won.

Wednesday evening, my car made this knocking, weird, hard-to-describe kind of sound. We stopped at a gas station in Hurricane, West Virginia and I asked the attendant if she knew what it could be. Another attendant followed us outside and they listened and looked under the hood and neither knew what on earth was causing this horrid sound.

The guy suggested we go to the Napa Auto Parts store in the morning because they're pretty knowledgeable about cars. He gave directions and we found a god-awful motel and I somehow got to sleep worrying about cars and germs. (Monk NEVER would have survived this trip.)

I woke up in that dirty motel room (seriously, I'm only doing a Motel 6 or Super 8 from now on) Thursday morning, had a difficult time getting dressed (don't ask) and eating breakfast. I lost my piece of toast. How does one lose a piece of bread? I had it in my hand one minute and couldn't find it the next. I figured if I couldn't keep track of a slice of bread then I don't deserve to eat. Natural selection. Mom had other ideas, as moms do, and she ordered me to find it which I did. I peanut-buttered it up and hung out of the car door while I ate it, careful to keep the sides in between the plastic baggie. I am such a germaphobe.

We drove to Napa Auto Parts and I got the guy to come out and take a listen to my car.

"Sounds like it might be a ball bearing."

He sent us to Cooper's Garage warning us that they're busy and might not be able to fix the car quickly.

Ugh!

We need to get to West Virginia by 4:45. BEFORE 4:45 so we can check into the hotel and dump our bags.

The guy said he'd come out to listen to my car then fiddled with the computer. Then he exited via the garage. Mom was already seated on the couch in the waiting area. She jumped up expectantly. I stared at the man through the window. He was walking away...

Mom and I went to my car and we stared at one another, listening to our hair grow.

One thing about the South - they are slow. They work slow. They talk slow. They truly enjoy each passing moment life has to offer.

I'm not like that. Chicago born and bred - it means get to work and finish the job in record time, every time.

(I do not know how my sister and her husband do it. They moved to Georgia a while back and they had a hard time adjusting to the different pace of life. Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying one way is better than the other - I'm just talking about the differences. The funny thing is, it took their co-workers and neighbors an adjustment period to get used to them, too!)

So we stood there, waiting. There was no noise. No traffic. No sirens. No trucks barreling by. No people on cell phones. No honking. No shouting. It was just quiet. The only thing before us were the gorgeous, fog-soaked, multi-colored trees on hills in the distance, framed by the beautiful morning sky.

I looked at my mother.

"Don't forget we're in the South," she said, reading my mind.

Ugh!

"If it takes this long just to look at it, think how long it'll take to fix it."

That's my mother.

I gave her my best glare.

The guy finally limped over. It wasn't just a Southern amble, something was wrong with him. The poor man pulled a groin, his mother is in the hospital and his best mechanic just had a burst appendix.

He listened to my car for 2.7 seconds. "It's your air conditioning unit. Probably a bad bearing."

He said it was too dangerous to drive, it might be a big problem, they probably don't have my parts and they're busy.

Wonderful on all counts. Whenever the car guys say it's too dangerous to drive or they can't let me leave like it is, the more suspicious I get. (I'm telling you, Chicago born and bred.)

"Do you have a timeframe and a price frame? We have to be somewhere five hours away in seven hours."

"Ohhh, you'll probably miss that. You might want to rent a car."

Rent a car? I OWN a car.

He took my car away and I called my sister, told her we were broken down in West Virginia and could she be prepared to send an e-mail to Lee Lofland if we can't make the jail tour so he can pull two other names so they can go. No use in wasting the opportunity for someone else.

She said of course and wanted to know exactly where we were, the name of the car place and what was wrong.

I suddenly felt a little safer, still stuck in the middle of nowhere.

In layman's terms, the mechanic said it was the air conditioner, Mom asked if we could just not use it and he said that wasn't an option because the belt going around it would freeze up.

I asked, "Can we bypass it somehow?"

He stared at me and scratched his head. "I thought about that. You'd need a pulley to replace the air conditioner unit so the belt could go around that. The part you need is in Columbus."

"Ohio!"

I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere with no way of getting out. The whole point of not flying or taking the train was to enjoy the freedom my car provides.

Now we're going to miss the jail tour and possibly the whole convention depending on when he gets the part from Ohio and if they're open on Sunday.

I felt SO bad for Mom. See, my Dad is not the easiest driver on cars and we were always breaking down. My entire childhood consisted of getting into the car and never knowing if it would start when he turned the key. Here I am driving Mom around (talking her out of the plane and train idea) and the first chance I get, we break down.

I felt awful.

My sister kept calling to check up on us (so sweet) and she put her assistant on the phone because she knows cars. She even consulted her husband. She suggested the mechanic get a shorter belt and bypass the air conditioning unit altogether. I mentioned this to the mechanic who said that was exactly what he was trying next - but he didn't have the shorter belt. He ordered it.

While I opened my mouth to ask how long that would take, he looked at a young kid about to open the door. "And there it is," he said to me. "We'll know in thirty minutes."

My sister's assistant called me back and gave me a quote on parts and labor so I wouldn't get cheated.

I hope I'm not being unfair to Cooper's Garage - I'm simply giving my insight at the time this was going on. In no way did they talk down to me, not explain what the problem was or judge this city girl for being on the cell phone the whole time, not looking at the peaceful scenery and enjoying the day.

I'd called my Dad, too. He was in dance class but took a break to calm me down and make me laugh.

The mechanic limped over to us. "It's okay."

"What is?"

"Your car is ready for you."

I think our jaws dropped.

"It's safe to drive?" I asked - as if they'd let me leave if it wasn't.

"Yup. But you have no air conditioning."

"Psssstttt. That's fine by me."

Mom sighed. "She never uses it anyway."

Now came the time to pay. I scanned my notes from my sister's assistant and prepared myself. You see, I've been cheated by car mechanics in the past. Royally robbed. I'm talking, went into debt to pay the bills that turned out to be unnecessary. That guy was later shut down by the State of California and some people got some of their money back but I wasn't one of them. I'd moved back to Illinois and didn't even hear about it until it was too late.

I'd memorized the dollar amounts the job should be. Originally, I thought it would be around $500 but that was replacing everything. Then it was around $200 for the unit to bypass the belt but now, it was just replacing the belt and labor. So it should be between $120-150 and that's a city price. I said it like a mantra over and over in my head.

Between $120-150.

Between $120-150.

"It'll be $65.62."

I was so stunned I lost the credit card fight with my mother who insisted on paying.

No one was ripping me off. No one intended to rip me off.

Cooper's Garage fixed my car and made it safe for my Mom and me to drive. They treated us with respect and compassion - while overworked, understaffed and in emotional and physical pain. I hope they realize how much of a difference they made in our lives. Not just fixing the car AND allowing us to get to our destination on time but their kindness and work ethic won't soon be forgotten. (The old memory of being cheated is fading just a bit.)

Mom kept me calm.

Dad kept me laughing.

My sister kept us feeling safe and protected.

My sister's assistant and her husband kept us knowledgeable.

And the gas station attendants in Hurricane and the Napa Auto Parts guy led us to the right person for the job.

Everyone, stranger and family, helped and supported us in our time of need.

And we made it in time to check into the Embassy Suites Hotel, drop off our bags, check in with the WPA and get in the van for the jail tour (which you can read about here).

We got to see Lee Lofland organizing everything, the great people at the WPA tables and the effervescent and wonderful driver/volunteer, Bunny.

All in all, it was an uplifting experience. A nice reminder that there's more good in the world than bad. Even for this Chicago chick, born and bred.

Books & Things Thursday - NaNoWriMo

2011-10-13T04:08:00.000-05:00

NaNoWriMo is almost upon us once again!

If you're unfamiliar with National Novel Writing Month, I'll tell you in as few words as possible:

You write 50,000 words of a new novel in 30 days (in November).

Simple.

Simple yet hard work.

And I LOVE it!

I've done NaNoWriMo since 2007 and won every year.

(My 2007 novel is in the hands on my editor as we speak. I expect to be getting it back sometime next week. I'm thinking of a release date in January but if I get it polished sooner, we'll see.)

If you're a writer (professional or by hobby), check out the forums. There's nothing quite like the wonderful writers in the forums.

Need help with a tricky plot problem? Ask away and you will get multiple suggestions on how to fix it.

Want to know how much arsenic to use to not quite kill your character?

Ask away!

Want a writing buddy to keep you going when the going gets tough?

They've got those, too!

Seriously, this is the best support system I've found online for writers.

I'm JennyJenn over there.

Check it out!

Wordless Wednesday - What's That Knocking Noise?

2011-10-12T00:22:00.011-05:00

On a trip to North Carolina, we got stopped in West Virginia.

So not fun. So, so, so NOT fun...

Misc. Monday - Repos Have Never Been This Much Fun!

2011-10-10T02:00:00.005-05:00

So I'm watching TV on a Saturday morning and I leave the room. (I have the attention span of an olive.) I came back and it's one of those reality shows where this tough, muscled-guy is repo'ing a truck from a farm.

The skinniest woman you've ever seen comes out on her cell phone, demanding to know what's going on and then bellows for her parents.

Two of the skinniest people come out...and the muscled-guy says he's repossessing the car unless they can answer three of five trivia questions correctly, in which case he'll pay the car off then and there.

I was like, 'what?!'

So were they.

It's a car repossessing game show...
Oh. My. Gosh. The concept of this show, Repo Games, is hilarious.

I ended up watching the whole thing and found myself rooting for the three people about to lose their cars.

But what the heck? They didn't pay their bills, why am I rooting for them?

You've just got to see this one to believe it.

(From the Spike TV website: "From the producers of Jersey Shore and Spike TV comes Repo Games, a whole new kind of game show. Repo Games follows a crew of real-life repo men, Josh Lewis and Tom DeTone, as they give debtors one last chance to keep their cars -- but only if they’re willing to play for it. The debtors are asked five questions, and if they get three answers correct, their cars will be paid off on the spot. If the debtors fail, their cars get a new home at the impound lot.")

Books & Things Thursday - WPA Jail Tour

2011-10-06T13:03:00.002-05:00

This is the first in a series of posts about the WPA or, Writer's Police Academy.

It. Was. Awesome.

This was not a typical writer's convention and it was obvious that a lot of hard work went into making it come alive but it all paid off.

A big thanks to Lee Lofland - I'm not sure what his official title was but he was the point person, organizer, see-that-things-run-smoothly guy who kept appearing out of nowhere to set something right or take a picture and wham!, he was on to the next superhero feat.

The instructors were amazing, too. They were actual professionals in the all-emcompassing field of criminology.

And I'd like to give a shoutout to the drivers - especially Bunny who I miss!

Onto the first event (that started before the convention did):

My Mom and I won the lottery and got to go on a jail tour. A tour of a real jail. (You think Castle is cool with the writer-guy getting to be a part of amazing things generally reserved for the police or criminals? This Convention was fantastic.)

Not the real jail we went to

After some major trouble in West Virginia (I will post about that soon), Mom and I made it to North Carolina with like an hour to spare before the bus left for the jailhouse. We checked into the Embassy Suites Hotel, signed in with the WPA and met the bus heading for the Guilford County Jail in High Point, N.C.

(Other lucky winners got to go on ride-alongs. You know, where you ride along in a police car with an officer - Mom and I were so glad we got the jail tour because after two days in a car, the last thing we wanted to do was sit in another car all night!)

We were a rather large group and took up every seat in the jailhouse entry area. The officer started with, "Bear with me, I was unprepared for your arrival as this was dumped on me an hour ago."

Right there I remembered that cops are people with jobs just like the rest of us. Who else hasn't had the huge project dumped on them with no prep time?

Luckily for us, he's given many tours and slipped into the role perfectly. He answered our questions and soon took us through the metal detectors, up some stairs, through hallways and up (or was it down?) an elevator, stopping at every checkpoint and explaining the process from arrest to jail cell.

One of the things that blew my mind (and others as we kept asking the same questions because we couldn't wrap our heads around it) was the fact that one woman guard commanded a block.

(The female officers can watch the male blocks but the male officers cannot watch the female blocks for obvious reasons.)

Another cool feature of this tour was the fact this was the new dormitory style prisons that'll be built around the country. They're finally doing away with the prison bars and prison blocks and mess hall meals and so on and so on.

1.) I can't wait to spot this new design for the first time on a TV show.

2.) How will prisoners in fiction shank one another in those big gatherings in the cell blocks?

Back to the tour...

We stood in a circular room with many doors lining the walls on two levels. Two sets of stairs led up to the second level. Showers broke up cells every so often. The showers were a tight, claustrophobic fit with sheer walls on three sides and a shower head. The door was enough to cover the torso but you could see feet and heads.

The doors to the cells - I should refer to them as rooms - were solid doors with a long, narrow window. No bars - in fact, the only bars I remember seeing in the whole prison were the guardrails on the second level.

The area we stood in held plastic, really uncomfortable-looking chairs and a TV or two. By the main door was the guard station where a female officer sat alone. (We got to see the shift change and the new female officer take over and check every cell through the long, narrow window and do her duty. She was focused and practiced.)

We were surrounded by inmates. I saw lots of orange and hair and faces staring at us through those long, narrow windows. I didn't feel sorry for them - my instinct was to do so because no one likes to be trapped - but they're there for a reason. (Though, this was jail, not prison. These men haven't had their day in court yet.)

The officer-tour-guide described the different size cells and told us to take a look. We sort of stood there looking at one another. Who wants to peer into a jail cell with men inside? A few adventurous participants wandered toward some windows and I followed them.

At first, my mother staunchly refused to invade someone's privacy but I hissed at her that:

1.) the criminals (or suspects) are used to it as the guards do it all the time

2.) they were staring at us

3.) and most importantly - "When are you ever going to get the opportunity to peek into a real jail cell?"

Since Mom has no intention on embarking on a criminal career, she peeked in. I had my ear out for the whispers of the group and only looked into the cells that contained sleeping men.

No fuss, no muss.

That was the jail cells. One contained a bunk bed. They all held a toilet and sink, of course. Earlier in the tour, the officer said the inmates get one roll of toilet paper a week.

Our group consisted mainly of women and we all stared at one another. Some of us burst out laughing.

(As it turns out, the women get one roll of toilet paper at a time. The next day I did the jail searches class and Sgt. Netter explained the 'give-an-empty-roll, get-a-new-roll' deal they've got going on for the women.)

These are things you don't think about. (Not me anyway.)

The tour was supposed to last two hours but we went over time and the officer didn't mind a bit.

Let me OUTTA here!

I admit to feeling a little trapped myself. In my head, this was over at 7PM and the big clock said it was past 7 and we were still there, standing and listening and asking questions and being peered at from behind long, narrow panes of glass. I was on a tour and couldn't leave. For me, it was a psychological entrapment (if I'd had a fit or something, they would have escorted me out) but for these men, the ones before them and the ones who'll (unfortunately) come after - it's physical.

For a few lucid seconds I could feel the prison.

Not to speak for all of humanity but being trapped truly is a universally hated experience. (Hence, prison.)

I soaked up so much/many info., tidbits, visuals, smells, sounds, experiences...it was overwhelming.

What a start to this unique and amazing convention!!!!!!!

EDIT: Check out my Mom's Blog Post about it.

Wordless Wednesday - Writer's Police Academy Jail Time

2011-10-05T01:25:00.002-05:00

Baker Street Saturday - Doyle's Shortest 'Sherlock Holmes'

2011-10-01T02:21:00.007-05:00

This is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's shortest Sherlock Holmes story, How Watson Learned the Trick:

Watson had been watching his companion intently ever since he had sat down to the breakfast table. Holmes happened to look up and catch his eye.

"Well, Watson, what are you thinking about?" he asked.

"About you."

"Me?"

"Yes, Holmes. I was thinking how superficial are these tricks of yours, and how wonderful it is that the public should continue to show interest in them."

"I quite agree," said Holmes. "In fact, I have a recollection that I have myself made a similar remark."

"Your methods," said Watson severely, "are really easily acquired."

"No doubt," Holmes answered with a smile, "Perhaps you will yourself give an example of this method of reasoning."

"With pleasure," said Watson, "I am able to say that you were greatly preoccupied when you got up this morning."

"Excellent!" said Holmes. "How could you possibly know that?"

"Because you are usually a very tidy man and yet you have forgotten to shave."

"Dear me! How very clever!" said Holmes. "I had no idea, Watson, that you were so apt a pupil. Has your eagle eye detected anything more?"

"Yes, Holmes. You have a client named Barlow, and you have not been successful with his case."

"Dear me, how could you know that?"

"I saw the name outside his envelope. When you opened it you gave a groan and thrust it into your pocket with a frown on your face."

"Admirable! You are indeed observant. Any other points?"

"I fear, Holmes, that you have taken to financial speculation."

"How could you tell that, Watson?"

"You opened the paper, turned to the financial page, and gave a loud exclamation of interest."

"Well, that is very clever of you, Watson. Any more?"

"Yes, Holmes, you have put on your black coat, instead of your dressing gown, which proves that you are expecting some important visitor at once."

"Anything more?"

"I have no doubt that I could find other points, Holmes, but I only give you these few, in order to show you that there are other people in the world who can be as clever as you."

"And some not so clever," said Holmes. "I admit that they are few, but I am afraid, my dear Watson, that I must count you among them."

"What do you mean, Holmes?"

"Well, my dear fellow, I fear your deductions have not been so happy as I should have wished."

"You mean that I was mistaken."

"Just a little that way, I fear. Let us take the points in their order: I did not shave because I have sent my razor to be sharpened. I put on my coat because I have, worse luck, an early meeting with my dentist. His name is Barlow, and the letter was to confirm the appointment. The cricket page is beside the financial one, and I turned to it to find if Surry was holding its own against Kent. But go on, Watson, go on! It's a very superficial trick, and no doubt you will soon acquire it."

Books & Things Thursday - Golden Donut Contest

2011-09-29T10:34:00.030-05:00

Guess what?

My Mom (Ellie Oberth) was one of 10 finalists for the Golden Donut Award!

The Golden Donut Contest was quite specific. It had to be 200 words - not one word more, not one word less and this included the title. It had to be about the photo (click the link to see) and there was a fee to enter. (Usually, that's a red flag no-no but we knew this contest was legit as it was part of the Writer's Police Academy and the funds went to benefit the GTCC criminal justice foundation.)

We didn't realize she was a finalist until after the Writer's Police Academy ended and we weren't at the Banquet when they announced the winner.

Congrats, Mom!!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Embassy Suites in North Carolina

2011-09-28T01:10:00.003-05:00

Baker Street Saturday - When is season 2 going to air?

2011-09-10T12:34:00.000-05:00

Yeah, so I can't find a consensus on when season 2 of Sherlock is going to air. This link indicates it might air in Britain long before the U.S. I don't care about that as long as the DVD (my region!) is released in the fall.

Photo by Morigan1 on Flickr

Ah, another light Baker Street Saturday post because later today, my best friend's sister is getting married and it's going to be such a fun celebration!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Baker Street Saturday - More Holmes Haikus

2011-09-03T12:58:00.000-05:00

It's light fare today in Baker Street:

(Haikus - 17 syllables, 5/7/5)

Can you identify which stories the following refer to?

Sherlock Holmes Haikus

Things we send by post.
What is in the cardboard box?
Don't ask - really, don't.

A killer kills Holmes?
Sumatra River Fever.
Watson overhears.

These Sherlock Holmes haikus are too easy for guessing which story inspired them:
http://jenniferoberth.blogspot.com/2011/07/baker-street-saturday-haikus.html

Hope you enjoy!

Book & Things Thursday - Jennifer Oberth Interview on Here Be Dragons Blog

2011-09-01T07:40:00.000-05:00

I've been interviewed by the lovely Hannah over at the Here Be Dragons Blog!!

It was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed some of the questions she asked.

Check it out!

17 seconds of 'Sherlock'

2011-08-27T11:14:00.000-05:00

They've released a little commercial for season 2 of Sherlock which I happen to think is quite mean since they were supposed to air season 2 in the fall and now pushed it back to spring of 2012.

Spring of 2012? Really? Ugh!!

It's a promo so there aren't 'spoilers' per se but obviously, after that season 1 cliffhangar, any footage is a spoiler so watch if you want, don't if you don't and Bob's your uncle!!

17 seconds of Sherlock season 2

Oh, and, if you're interested - the second Ella Westin Mystery, Honeymoon Homicide is on sale now!

So is Who Murdered The Ghost - a fun read by Ellie Oberth.

And my sister has been married three months today! Congrats again!!

A busy weekend!!

Books & Things Thursday - Winner of the Honeymoon Mishap Contest

2011-08-25T02:21:00.002-05:00

We have a winner!!

Drumroll please.........

Linda of the absolutely wonderful and funny Blog, Crone and Bear It!

Linda has won a free copy of Honeymoon Homicide, the second Ella Westin mystery coming to all eReaders on Saturday, August 27, 2011 and her Honeymoon story will be in the bonus section at the end.

Congratulations, Linda!!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Copper enjoyed the Stargate Convention weekend!

2011-08-23T18:57:00.001-05:00

Misc. Monday - Contest & 'Stargate'

2011-08-22T07:48:00.001-05:00

The Honeymoon Mishap contest ends today - at midnight C.S.T.

You have a few more hours to keep the entries coming!

The Stargate Convention in Chicago (really Rosemont, IL) this last weekend was GREAT! So much fun! It was wonderful to see the old actors I've seen before, the new actors I'd never seen, to get to see my old friends in the seats and to make new ones.

And having a tiny chat with David DeLuise outside the hotel was so cool.

Stay tuned to the Blog as I collect pictures (mine were all blurry) and write up my notes.

Baker Street Saturday - Sherlock Links

2011-08-20T02:21:00.007-05:00

This Post is all about the links, baby!

BBC's Sherlock

This is called Sherlock's Step.

(This video is about 26 seconds long.)

Photo by Morigan1 on Flickr

Acting IS a ridiculous profession. I think of it like baking a cake. If someone watched you actually bake a cake, it might come off as ridiculous. You get dry ingredients and wet ingredients, you mix them together and create this big mess. If you're like me, you might even set something on fire. You have dishes to clean, a counter to scrub, maybe the stovetop because you were too loose with the beater. (A ridiculous-looking contraption all on its own, by the way. Usually I'm too lazy to even bother digging it out, plugging it in and jamming the beaters into the little holes – they never match up for me!)

You may have driven to the store to get the strawberries to top the fudge of this delicious cake. A hundred years ago everyone would have thought the idea of driving for strawberries to be ridiculous. Maybe you had to go to three stores to get all the ingredients. That's pretty ridiculous. Or you dug through to the back of the pantry praying for that teensy bit of vanilla extract you just need real quick.

All that might just be a whole lotta ridiculous – but when you present the gorgeous cake (and let's face it, foodstuffs is all about presentation) to your guests, all they see is chocolate, fudge, strawberries, decadence and their mouths water.
If they saw video of some of the stranger activities surrounding the baking of said cake, they might look at you funny. Especially if they've never baked before. (I'm of a category that really should never bake again.)
So yeah, acting is ridiculous but, dare I say, necessary!

Silly Cumberbatch
He is silly and oh, so cute.
(This video is like 8 seconds long.)

Photo by Morigan1 on Flickr

ugh, breathing, breathing's boring
This is so funny. Really, it is SO funny! I kept watching and the further I got, the more I giggled. I found this via Twitter.
The Tweet: "Pretty sure this is exactly what The Sims was created for."
Yes, yes it was.

BBC America's Blog Post 'Vote in the Anglo Fan Favorites Quarterfinals, Men of 2011'

Vote Cumberbatch!

Books & Things Thursday - Book Cover and Contest

2011-08-18T00:46:00.005-05:00

Recap of the Blog Posts this week related to the upcoming Honeymoon Homicide.

This is the cover of Honeymoon Homicide which will be released later this month.

It's the second short story in the Ella Westin Mysteries (8,000+ words) and will be $0.99.

I also want to remind everyone about the contest.

I posted the details on Misc. Monday (8-15-11).

Submit your honeymoon-gone-wrong G-rated story before the Augsut 22nd, deadline!

Wordless Wednesday - 'Honeymoon Homicide' Book Cover Revealed

2011-08-16T18:46:00.001-05:00

Misc. Monday - Tell Me Your Honeymoon Mishap

2011-08-15T00:17:00.047-05:00

I'm running a contest here at the ol' Blog.

Tell me your (G-rated/General Audiences/All Ages) Honeymoon-gone-wrong story for inclusion at the end of my next eBook, Honeymoon Homicide.

E-mail me or comment here.

Criteria:

1. You can tell me in two sentences or up to 500 words.

2. Must be G-rated - this isn't about that side of the honeymoon. This is about something that went wrong or something that didn't go according to plan. (i.e., the plane was late and you missed your cruise ship or you got lost or the hotel misplaced your reservations or your brand new husband tried out French for the first time and asked someone for a chicken.)

3. Must be your honeymoon story, not one you've heard.

4. By e-mailing me or commenting on the Blog, you're giving me permission to include your story as an extra in my eBook (Honeymoon Homicide). (It still remains your story and you can publish it anywhere else you might like. I'm just using it at the end of the eBook as an added bonus to my readers. It's just for fun.)

5. You must leave an e-mail address or Blog link where I can find your e-mail address on your profile page where I can reach you in case you win. (Otherwise you forfeit and another winner will be selected in your place.)

I will pick one winner whose story will appear in the eBook and I will give credit by name and if you wish, a link to your Blog or website.

The winner will also receive a coupon for a free copy of Honeymoon Homicide.

The deadline is next Monday, August 22nd.

Get those keyboards a-tappin' and let the stories commence!

Feel free to tell your friends and family (especially if they had a great honeymoon mishap tale that just has to have a wider audience)! Link back here, Tweet it, Facebook it and so on!

Baker Street Saturday - Copper Reads 'Sherlock Holmes' Until She Falls Asleep

2011-08-13T11:36:00.001-05:00

UPDATE: I didn't realize it was National Left Handers Day!

Something current Watson (BBC) and I have in common...(I can make ANYTHING Sherlock Holmes related.)

Books & Things Thursday - 'Honeymoon Homicide'

2011-08-11T14:33:00.000-05:00

I've decided to start a new weekly themed blog post at Live Out Loud that I'm calling 'Books & Things Thursday'. There's so much going on in the world of books, in the industry, the technology, the love, the fear, the excitement, the stories...

Who could resist? It's an exciting time as an author (and as a reader) in this new world we're all making, each day that goes by. Authors and readers - that's what it's all about.

And characters, of course. We'd have nothing without characters.

As my first post in this new theme, I shall talk about one of my characters. Because, let's face it, Ella Westin is cool!

Guess what everyone - Honeymoon Homicide, the second story in the Ella Westin Mysteries, will be for sale soon!!

The target date is August 27th so be sure to check back here for details!

If you haven't read Married To Murder yet, you can buy it here for $0.99. (You can also check out 50% of the story for free...)

The soon-to-be Mrs. Ella Westin doesn't remember adding 'solve a murder' to her bridal to-do list but when she stumbles over the dead body of her matron of honor, it looks like she'll have no choice. Especially as her groom is the one and only suspect. Throw in bad weather, a deaf hairdresser, a ruined wedding cake and a not so retired pirate and it's enough to make Ella want to throttle everyone in sight.

Can she catch the killer before the wedding is called off? Or will she be Married To Murder?

Published January 27, 2011

6,559 words

Wordless Wednesday - What'cha Lookin' At?

2011-08-09T20:57:00.000-05:00

Misc Monday - Outlaw the Vegan?

2011-08-08T03:10:00.002-05:00

Okay so I'm a vegan. (No meat, no dairy.) Pretty simple.

I choose to live with two of the most cuddly carnivores you can imagine.

First, I catch Copper reading this:

And now, I've noticed a strange habit Outlaw has developed.
He's the daintiest thing on two paws. (He often stands on his hind legs as if trying to show he's almost as tall as me.)

Usually when I eat, he comes into the room. He looks at me, maybe sniffs the air - hint, hint. He'll even stand on his hind legs and put a dainty paw on my thigh, as though he's just humbly curious.

Except when I eat salad. If you eat salad near this cat (read: the same house) he will not leave you alone. He paces, he jumps up, he stares at me and he even meows which is a rare thing to hear. His head bobs as he cranes his neck for a better view.

He is relentless!

What is up with that? Mom will eat meat-things and he does his usual little 'I'm here if you feel like dropping a nibble on the floor' but if there's salad involved, you'd better watch out. Once he stuck his paw in my leaves which was perfectly disgusting.

The only thing that gets me peace is to give him a tiny leaf. But once he finishes scarfing that down, he's back for more and with a stronger attitude about it.

Now, a lot of you that read my Blog have cats - is this the normal behavior of a carnivore? I know cats require a small amount of greens but I've never had one that demanded to sit next to me with his own bowl of salad...

He'll be after my tofu next.

Baker Street Saturday - Sign the Petition to Get the Music of 'Sherlock' Released

2011-08-06T02:23:00.013-05:00

BBC's Sherlock had some pretty cool music. (I love the theme in particular.)

I came across a petition online to release the music of Sherlock so we can buy it.

(I know, I know - can you believe how many people have to ask the powers that be to make a product so we can spend money on it? Isn't this a gimme for TPTB?!)

Anyway, if you're interested (you only have to type your name and give an e-mail address), click here and sign the petition!

Here's a quote from the website:

"Petition to release the music of BBCs Sherlock

Published June 1, 2011

If you agree and would like the music of BBCs Sherlock, composed by David Arnold and Michael Price, to be released on CD sign this petition!"

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/ReleaseSherlockMusic

I hope you sign!!!!
Let me know in the comments if you did...

Wordless Wednesday - My Little Sister & Me As Kids

2011-08-02T19:21:00.000-05:00

We're so little!

(I'm on the left, she's on the right.)

Close up!

A few years later - I was 10 & she was 8 (I may have been 9...)

(She's on the left, I'm on the right.)

Misc Monday - Family

2011-08-01T01:30:00.007-05:00

It was a family weekend. My sister flew into town on Friday and Dad drove into town Sunday morning (8 AM).

We went through some of Oma's belongings. It was fun and interesting as opposed to sad - I was surprised about that.

I got to see my Dad (and his twin brother's) birth certificate(s) - from Germany. I don't know if it's because it's so old (sorry Dad!) or because it's from another country but it looks all fancy and is on colored paper. The paper is thin and brittle, though.

He brought the chef doll that my Mom made some twenty or thirty years ago that Oma had in her kitchen for all these years. (I'll have to take pictures for Wordless Wednesday so check back then.)

We just sat and went through pictures and paperwork and items and chatted and remembered...

It was such a pleasant way to get a little closure to the emotions running high these last couple weeks. (I hadn't gone to the service.)

It was a nice Sunday.

Baker Street Saturday - Moffat-grams

2011-07-30T02:23:00.004-05:00

     Did anyone watch White Collar last week? The one where Neal has to spend millions of dollars to attract the attention of the bad guy?

     Did anyone notice the use of the Moffat-grams? I swear I've heard the term before but cannot find it online. So my definition, a Moffat-gram is writing on the screen to pass information to the viewer in a passive way, neither disturbing nor disrupting the fourth wall.

     Steven Moffat's Sherlock did this in the first season. When a character received a text message, we see them looking at the phone and read the writing in the air next to them. We no longer need a close up of the phone and try to read its text.

     When Sherlock Holmes is quickly deducing one fact after another, all we see is him kneeling next to a body and looking. But the words floating next to him take us on a wild trip and we not only see how quickly his mind works but understand what he's seeing along with him. (And yet the brilliant detective still makes more deductions than we ever could.)

     White Collar did this when Neal was spending money. They showed products he was trying and buying and words floated next to it in thin air, telling us the name and dollar amount.

Not to end the comparison there:

     Then toward the end of the episode, every cell phone in one area bleeped with the exact same text message. It was very cool - and yet, somehow reminiscent of the first episode of Sherlock in which every cell phone bleeped with the exact same text message - which had writing floating in the air around each and every one. It was so well done.

     Obviously it was so well done or others wouldn't be adopting the suave new way of imparting information to us lucky viewers.

     So what about you? Have you seen the Moffat-grams? Do you like them? Do you have a problem with them? Do you think it’s a brilliant move that’ll change how episodes and movies are expressed to us?

Wordless Wednesday - 6 months ago today 'Married To Murder' was published!!

2011-07-27T01:27:00.011-05:00

99 cents

Monday Misc. - 'Psych' Book Review

2011-07-25T04:15:00.021-05:00

Psych: Mind Over Magic
by William Rabkin

A novel based on the characters/show of Psych on USA Network.
This book was fun and entertaining. Well, they're all fun and entertaining and they're all like the show. One problem I have is the author goes a tiny bit too long on some of the antics the boys get up to. It works for the show, a visual medium, but I get caught up in the written format. However, it doesn't deter from my enjoyment.

I especially liked the Sherlock Holmes comment and the Richard Kimble reference. The author doesn't just mention them but uses who they are to depict something in the book. I like that - basically, if you didn't know Sherlock Holmes or Richard Kimble, you'd understand via connotation but you wouldn't get it.

Oh, and Jack McGee was thrown in there too - and I knew excactly who he was.

There was a running joke throughout the book of a particularly strange name (P'tol P'kah) which I assumed would get annoying but the joke did not stale.

This is what the back of the book says:
When a case takes Shawn and Gus into the Fortress of Magic, an exclusive club for professional magicians where outsiders are rarely allowed, they're treated to a private show by the hottest act on the Vegas Strip, seven-foot-tall "Martian Magician" P'tol P'kah. But when the wizard does his signature illusion and dissolves in a tank of water, he never rematerializes. And in his place there's a chubby corpse in a three-piece suit and a bowler hat.
Eager to keep his golden boy's image untarnished, the magician's manager hires Shawn adn Gus to uncover the identity of the dead man and find otu what happened to P'tol P'kah. But to do so, the pair will have to pose as a new mentalist act and go undercover in a world populated by magicians, mystics, Martians, madmen...and one murderer.

Baker Street Saturday - Haikus

2011-07-23T10:48:00.000-05:00

Sherlock Holmes Haikus

Dogs, death and the moor
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Watson without Holmes

In The Devil's Foot
Holmes Just About Kills Watson
Watson Then Saves Holmes

Wordless Wednesday - Oma (1927-2011)

2011-07-20T00:02:00.008-05:00

Oma = Grandma (in German)

My tribute

Oma

2011-07-18T02:52:00.080-05:00

Oma = grandma (in German)

My Oma died last week. It's heartbreaking news.

I remember travelling up to Canada for Christmas when I was very young. (We drove from Chicago and left before dawn. My little sister was put in the car asleep, woke up about a block after we left and asked, "Are we there?")

I took a plane by myself to visit her one time. I remember three things:

1.) It rained the ENTIRE time
2.) I missed an earthquake in Chicago (thank you, Oma!)
3.) We went into the (soaked) garden every day and Oma cut chives and made buttered toast and put the fresh chives on it for me.

She didn't know this but I still do that to this day as a treat (though the closest I can get is fresh chives from the store!)

Oma was a bookkeper, teacher, housewife and writer - among many other things.

One thing that was cool about Oma was her philosophy of life.

A fond memory my Dad has took place when he was a little boy. She sighed and said, "I want to quit the human race."

My Dad took her words literally and said, "No, no! You can't give up now! You have to win!" He said he didn't even know she'd entered a race!!

To quote Oma herself:

"...when I was about 5 years old and heard my parents and their friends talk about cases, where kids were born and had a supposed memory of former lives, I came to a conclusion that our soul, or what ever we want to call that spark of life, goes back into a big pot after we die and the contents gets mixed by time and when any other living thing gets to be, to be born, a little of this mixture gets to be the new spark of life...I still have not found a better explanation. No one has come back yet to tell us."

How awesome is that? It's a beautiful notion and one of the best I've come across to describe how all living things are connected and even intertwined.

Oma was a great reader. She loved books and she wrote, too.

This is Oma on her first day of school. I see I inherited my *love* of school from her! Would you look at that attitude? She was born to be an Oberth even if not by blood.

Oma loved dogs. Cats, too.

She's going to be missed by countless people. She (and Opa (Opa=grandpa in German)) created this massive, massive - seriously there are tons of Oberths in America - family.

She's lived in at least three countries and she traveled a lot. (Obviously!)

She learned English by watching soap operas.

She was a mother of five - the woman gave birth to five babies in three years! (She had Irish twins and actual twins. I'm the oldest of the youngest.)

Actual Twins (My Dad & Uncle)

She got to be a great-great grandmother. That's got to have been so cool for her - a great-great grandmother!!!! She had five kids, eleven grandkids, twelve great-grandkids and two great-great grandkids. (I hope I got that right.)

My Mom told that after she married my Dad, she was going to attempt something known as 'cooking'. So she asked Oma for some of Dad's favorite recipes. Oma said she didn't have anything written down and Mom thought she was being secretive but Oma said she was welcome to watch her. So Mom followed her around the kitchen while scribbling notes furiously as Oma grabbed a chunk of this and a handful of that. She sprinkled some spices and tossed a bunch of whatever-else...Mom wrote recipes as best she could! (Mom did a pretty good job, actually, because before I became a vegan, my favorite dinner was Oma/Mom's beef stroganoff.)

Last winter, Mom and I were going to attempt to veganize Oma's beef stroganoff recipe but with my sister's wedding planning, Christmas and then my getting sick for a month, we pushed it off for the winter of 2011. Now when we attempt to veganize the recipe, the special connection to Oma will be more pronounced. And a wonderful reminder in the months to come that she's not really gone...

My father called me from Canada, from Oma's house. (I got a cell phone call from 'Oma' which made me sad!) He noticed a doll in her kitchen. A chef doll that my Mom made maybe 25 years ago - still in Oma's kitchen after all these years! After my parents divorce and everything - sitting right there in her kitchen by the phone!

Oma, ich liebe dich. Or as you'd always say in response, Ich liebe dich, Schatz.

Baker Street Saturday - Jeremy Brett's Fan Letter To Himself

2011-07-16T04:25:00.024-05:00

How cool is this guy?

I don't know if anyone deserves credit for sharing this with the world but if someone does - thank you for sharing this with the world!

"One incident that David Burke recounted brought the house down at The Northern Musgraves' Jeremy Brett Memorial Lunch. It is a tale that reveals not only Brett's humour and eccentricity, but also his endearing, self-effacing qualities:

Jeremy said to me on one occasion, ‘I was feeling so low the other day that I sent myself a fan letter.'

‘Are you serious?’

‘I'm absolutely serious.’

‘What did you write to yourself?’

‘"Dear Jeremy,

I would just like to say what a wonderful actor you are. Your Sherlock Holmes puts every other attempt at the part in the shade. Basil Rathbone is not fit to clean your boots; and Douglas Wilmer and Robert Stephens should beg you to give them lessons. You're much prettier than all of them, for a start. There is only one word for your performance — magic. Please send me a signed photograph.

Yours,

Joe Bloggs.

P.S. I've heard that you're really a nice person, too."’

‘Did you really write that?’

‘Yes, I did.’

‘Did you send it?’

‘Yes. I put a first-class stamp on it. I wanted to get it as soon as possible. It came the next morning.’

‘And did you read it?’

‘Of course I read it. I read it a dozen times. I felt wonderful afterwards.’

‘Well, did you send yourself a signed photograph?’

‘David, I may be mad — but I'm not barking mad! In any case, the bugger didn’t send a stamped addressed envelope!’”

Wordless Wednesday - Is there something my little carnivore wants to tell me?

2011-07-13T02:47:00.002-05:00

'The Office' Anniversary & 'Sherlock' Pics

2011-07-09T04:50:00.030-05:00

(If you don't like spoilers of any kind for Sherlock, don't scroll down to the pics. They're pics of filming but might be weird with that season 1 cliffhanger still looming over us fans...)

The original, British version of the Office premiered 10 years ago today.

I've only seen a handful of episodes but Martin Freeman is adorable (in a completely different way than he is as John Watson, yet that 'a' word comes to mind) and perfect in the role of the mousy, shy, practical joker.

He was endearing in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as Arthur Dent. (As if Martin Freeman wasn't adorable enough, they put him in pajamas...)

I was lucky enough to get to see Hitchhiker at the El Capitan in Hollywood. Before the show, the music entertained us as we found our seats. The live music played by an orchestra!

After the show, we got to go downstairs for the exhibit in which props from the movie were on display. (Unfortunately, no Martin Freeman was waiting behind glass. *sad face*)

It was so cool!

Of course, Martin Freeman is amazing as the latest incarnation of John Watson in BBC's Sherlock - which is filming as we speak.

And, speaking of adorable, I mean Sherlock, here are some pics from shooting (literally) courtesy of the BBC America Blog and Flickr. They aren't the highest quality but they are cool. They also don't show Martin Freeman much.

It looks like they're holding hands! At first, I thought Watson is holding Sherlock back from shooting someone. Then I guessed Martin Freeman was attracting Benedict Cumberbatch's attention - but since it's across three pics, it seems unlikely.

My theory (of the holding hands) is that Sherlock and Watson are handcuffed but since this is rehearsal, they're not using handcuffs so Martin Freeman is simply holding onto Benedict Cumberbatch's sleeve.

What story can you make up?

Wordless Wednesday - Well, I'm Ready To Go

2011-07-06T00:20:00.001-05:00

Baker Street Saturday - Granada's Sherlock Holmes

2011-07-02T02:35:00.016-05:00

I finished Granada's Sherlock Holmes with David Burke and then Edward Hardwicke as Watson and the awesomely talented Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes.

This series focused on the original Sherlock Holmes stories written by Doyle. In fact, the episodes say 'adapted for television by' because they are so close to the originals, they weren't even rewritten.

This made Brett's performance even more spectacular because he took on Holmes as Holmes. Not an updated version, not a re-imagined version but the original man himself.

And, after reading the entire collection of original stories and then watching this series - wow!

David Burke is a sparkly-eyed, wonder-struck Watson. (You should see his expression when he meets Mycroft – the only man Sherlock admits is smarter than him.)

Edward Hardwicke is an outstanding Watson with the kindest, most comforting voice you can imagine. He is devoted to Holmes but will put him in his place as needed.

Jeremy Brett flails his limbs, laughs abruptly, darts his eyes, jumps onto furniture, sniffs people while talking to them and shows a cold, calculating brilliance in one moment and heart and soul in the next.

There were some strange episodes. The Last Vampyre comes to mind. I liked the short story better than this two-parter. In fact, the twist got lost in the TV show and it wasn’t as cool. The Master Blackmailer – I swear I do not remember a single drag queen in any of Doyle’s stories.

Not even Granada, Hardwicke and Brett could salvage The Hound of the Baskervilles. I’ve not talked about Hound on my Blog but that has got to be the slowest moving, most boring story anyone has ever written. (I’m sorry Mr. Doyle!)

And The Cardboard Box was hysterical in a horrific kind of way. If you read the story first and know what’s in the cardboard box and see Grenada make it a Christmas story and the box is put under the tree to be opened at a party…that was more suspenseful than BBC’s Sherlock season one cliff hanger!

The Man With the Twisted Lip, Silver Blaze, The Final Problem, The Empty House, and The Devil’s Foot were a few of my literary favorites and the series brought them to visual life splendidly.

Though, Silver Blaze is unquestionably one you must read before you watch.

The Dying Detective was also well done.

Oh! My heart just broke into pieces when Holmes explains himself to Watson in the The Empty House! Jeremy Brett is a master at his craft.

Suffice it to say, I wish every story was televised with Brett as Holmes and Hardwicke as Watson and that they’d been able to film even more. Original stories. How cool would that have been?

Almost as cool as the entirety of the Granada series itself, I suppose.

What do you think?

Wordless Wednesday - Is This Why My Printer's Acting Up?

2011-06-29T07:45:00.000-05:00

Blog Design Thoughts?

2011-06-27T11:30:00.000-05:00

Blog Design Thoughts anyone?

Anyone?

I'm afraid to ask - what do you think of the new Blog face?

Do you like it? Dislike it?

Have suggestions on how to make it better? Easier?

Can you navigate?

Is it too busy? Not busy enough?

Please - tell me what you think!

And I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone that visits and comments and e-mails and hangs out and lets me hang out at your Blog. You guys are so cool.

YOU make this fun!!

Thank you.

Baker Street Saturday - Six Dinner Guests

2011-06-25T02:00:00.004-05:00

Au and Target had asked me what six dinner guests I would invite and I did a Post of real people (alive or dead) on Monday which you can read here.

Today, I'm doing a Sherlock Holmes edition:

1.) Number One spot goes to Sherlock Holmes - Jeremy Brett's version. He would be, by far, the most off-the-wall dinner guest I can think of. Will he come to dinner dressed as a vampire? Will he dart his eyes at each of my other guests and give that half smile? Will he insult anyone or solve any crimes that need solving? Will he eat?

2.) Doctor John Watson - Edward Hardwicke's rendition. His tone and choice of words would be a comfort throughout this strange dinner. (It would undoubtedly be strange.)

3.) Sherlock Holmes - Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal. He would be a bit rude (at least come across as so) I'm sure, he'd probably eat nothing and he'd be texting the whole time. (Solving those cases Jeremy Brett's Holmes' wouldn't know about since he'd be at a distinct disadvantage at his lack of technology.)

4.) Doctor John Watson - Martin Freeman's version. He'd kick his Holmes under the table and mutter at him to behave. This'll work for about seven seconds. Then he'd send a quick text to his Mycroft and have him disable his Sherlock's phone. Plus, he's bound to write this up on his Blog and maybe we could become Blogging Buddies!!

5.) Mrs. Hudson - Una Stubbs' version because this poor woman will need all the love, respect and appreciation she can get before the full weight of taking on Sherlock as a tenant sinks in. Plus I will somehow have to ask her, as delicately as possible, what exactly her husband did in Florida...

6.) Sherlock Holmes - the real one. The one from the books. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original coupled with my imagination; my interpretation of his words and descriptions through Dr. Watson. I would love to see this original Holmes who'd have the Jennifer Oberth twist. Of course he probably wouldn't eat either.

And I'm a rather picky eater, as friends and family can attest. No gluten, totally vegan and I'd probably not be very hungry anyhow so while the Watsons would be soothing and devouring the meal, trying to keep their Holmes' as socially acceptable as possible, the Holmes' and I would be talking and not eating.

Why can I picture Mrs. Hudson sending scowling looks at all the Holmes' and unconsciously picking up the dishes at the end of the uneaten meal?

What an awesome dinner this would be!

I just hope the Moriartys don't find out about it. Or any of the Colonel Morans. I wouldn't want my house blown up or food poisoned or shots of airguns careening through my windows.

I still say current John Watson and I could be Blogging Buddies.

(P.S. I'm ready to scrap this whole Post because I looked up how to properly pluralize the name 'Holmes' and came up with no consensus. Is is 'Holmeses'? 'Holmes'? 'Holmes''? Where's my editor when I need her! I told you I needed an editor even for my Blog Posts!)

Peter Falk was Awesome!!

2011-06-24T16:43:00.000-05:00

Peter Falk has passed away.

I LOVE him! Remember Columbo?

He was so much fun as Columbo. Always talking about his wife, taking care of his dog and catching killers like William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Patrick McGoohan and Robert Vaughn, just to name a few.

I got a book - years ago - about the making of Columbo and found out the famous, "One more thing" line came about when the writers forgot to add a key line of questioning and were too tired (i.e. - lazy) to rewrite the scene so they had the Lt. pop back in with a line that would become synonymous with rumpled raincoats and supposedly absent-minded police lieutenants.

Speaking of rumpled raincoats, the book also said Peter Falk had picked out the raincoat and wore it and it drove the sound guys nuts!

One year for Halloween I dressed up as Columbo. I pulled my hair into a ponytail, got a rumbled rain coat and a plastic cigar and made gestures and said, "One more thing..." all day as I collected candy.

I haven't seen Columbo in far too long (TV doesn't play it anymore!) but I remember them. It reminds me of a piece of my childhood - somewhere in the beginning of my love of mysteries. Peter Falk was the man who knew whodunit - he had to figure out howdunit or howtocatchem.

I enjoyed his performances as a kid, a teen and an adult and I hope he derived satisfaction from the joy and laughter he produced in audiences from all his acting roles.

He will be missed.

Blog Revamp

2011-06-23T16:25:00.000-05:00

Hello all,

I'm redesigning the Blog, have no idea how to do so and - therefore - please bear with me as I play around and get it the way I want it.

Either I truly have no idea what I'm doing or Blogger has no option to play around without it saving it publicly. You'd think they'd allow you to redesign your Blog without changing anything live until you tell it to.
Oh well...bear with me!!

Wordless Wednesday - From the Centerpiece

2011-06-22T15:15:00.000-05:00

Misc. Monday - The Six People I'd Invite To Dinner

2011-06-20T03:57:00.029-05:00

Au and Target has asked me what six people I would invite to dinner.

Finally, here is my answer:

Real People (dead or alive)

1.) My other grandfather - the one I never got to meet

I'd ask him so many questions and clarify a few points that my family (they are becoming crazier as I get older) disagree on.

2.) Hermann Oberth - the Father of Space Travel

The nerd in me (not to mention the genealogist) has so many questions for him!

3.) George Washington

"Seriously," I'd ask, "is this what you envisioned?" (Sorry, George, I've ruined your appetite. But look at this dollar bill. Pretty cool, huh? Huh?)

4.) Princess Diana - a true royal

I'd love to show her what she's done. How her children are turning out. The influence she's had over the future of Britian - her future king married a commoner which hasn't happened in 350 years. You could never convince me that's anything other than her direct and frank way of progressive thinking. And of Princess Diana just being Princess Diana.

5.) Elliot Ness

This guy was so cool. He came up with so many things and he was so honest and had so much integrity, he was known as 'untouchable' because he couldn't be bought. This is a man I would be honored to share a meal with. And while I wouldn't want any gruesome details, I'd be on the edge of my seat with his stories. He must have been so creative and wily and I bet he had style.

6.) Tom Baker

Evidently I met him when I was a baby but my parents have no pictures to prove this. Aside from getting lost in his booming, commanding voice, boy would I love to chat with this talented actor that contributed so much to my childhood.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay - there are so many more people I'd love to have dinner with - I should do this as a weekly thing!!!

I will say this -

Come back on Saturday when I shall answer this question again and include fictional people! (Saturdays are 'Baker Street Saturdays' on this Blog so you don't have to be the Great Detective himself to guess who'll fill my table...)

So, what six people (alive or dead) would you invite to dinner?

Baker Street Saturday - BBC Schedule Disappoints Fans

2011-06-18T06:47:00.035-05:00

I'm confused by the report of Sherlock making Doctor Who's season run shorter.
First I hear Sherlock is making Doctor Who's season run shorter and then I hear Sherlock isn't making Doctor Who run shorter but Doctor Who's season run is shorter.

Huh?

Steven Moffat is the creative driving force behind Doctor Who and Sherlock. Some are saying he can't do both - but isn't that why we hire people? Why we delegate? You don't have to do both! But actually, you CAN do both. Our ancestors did - and by ancestors, I mean people from ten years ago.

There are, what, fourteen episodes a year of Doctor Who and three episodes a year of Sherlock.

That's seventeen episodes a year total.

17.

Do we remember the days when seasons used to be twenty-two episodes?

Do we remember the TV show by the name of 24? If Sherlock was Jack Bauer he'd either talk even faster (they'd have to slow the film like they did for Bruce Lee which would defeat the purpose) or he'd fail miserably and the world would be blown up because three episodes is nothing. Since when is three episodes a season?

I used to think being an actor was similar to being a teacher, schedule-wise. Both jobs offer the summer off. Teachers do summer school if they feel like it (or need the money); actors do movies.

And now we have an awesome TV show (my favorite) and it's three episodes a year.

Arthur Conan Doyle wrote 60 Sherlock Holmes stories.

If they dramatized every story in Doyle's Canon:

- With the old TV schedule, our show could get that done in three years with a few slots left over for original stories.

- With the new TV schedule, our wonderful cast would be in their 50's. It'd be like Stargate which was only ten years but we watched them age. But they didn't jump in age every three episodes!

Sigh.

I hope they don't stop making Sherlock or hand over the reins to someone who doesn't have the same vision as Moffat.

So now there's going to be seven episodes a year of Doctor Who and three of Sherlock.

We're down to ten episodes a year between two shows.

Does anyone else find this a little ridiculous? If these were any other characters I wouldn't even remember who they are. Unfortunately I like them. The Doctor and Sherlock Holmes are two timeless, awesome characters that'll live on forever, possibly. And yet, we have to suffer in wait. (Patience is not a Jennifer Oberth strong suit.)

They're coming out with more novels in Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes than TV episodes - which is awesome!!!!! So that is cool.

I can't keep up with the unending pool of Sherlock Holmes books out there.

Also on the BBC America Blog, in lighter news (literally), they've posted a list of Ravishing Redheads and Benedict Cumberbatch tops them all!

I thought he was blonde...

Questions:
1.) What do you think about the state of television scheduling in general nowadays? (Not the quality of programs, just the actual scheduling.)

2.) What British redheads do you adore?

Wordless Wednesday - Why is there a cat standing on my humidifier?

2011-06-15T07:11:00.001-05:00

Monday Misc.

2011-06-13T01:18:00.016-05:00

1.) I had intened to write up my take of the Sisters In Crime Chicagoland Chapter Meeting that took place on Saturday but it will have to wait. I'm feeling rather tired and cough-y today and only have the Post half-written.

2.) As an author, I feel that my Blog Posts must be as perfect as possible (writing-wise) and any deviation from proper grammar or heaven forbid, typos, is simply unacceptable. I swear if it wasn't so time-consuming I'd hire my editor to go over my entries before I post them! She'd think me nuttier than I really am. Although I attribute this particular nuttiness to my perfectionism which is bad for me but good for you. I hope I provide a high-quality Blog and even higher caliber of short story - short stories and novels to come. Yes. Maybe not so good for you if you liked Married To Murder and are awaiting further adventures. Perfectionism is keeping them from the public.

3.) By the way, how has no one told me that David Hewlett and Benedict Cumberbatch are in the same movie?!!!!?

100 Fictional Places I Want To Visit - The Diogenes Club

2011-06-11T00:51:00.039-05:00

I'm coming up with a list of 100 Fictional Places I Want To Visit.
(Why, you ask? Because I can, I answer.)

1.) The Diogenes Club in London.

First of all, it’s in London so that’s reason #1.

Second, I think it’d be cool to be with people you can’t interact with.

The Diogenes Club was co-founded by Mycroft Holmes and we learn about it in Sherlock Holmes and The Greek Interpreter.

What exactly is the Diogenes Club?

Sherlock Holmes explains:

“There are many men in London, you know, who, some from shyness, some from misanthropy, have no wish for the company of their fellows. Yet they are not averse to comfortable chairs and the latest periodicals. It is for the convenience of these that the Diogenes Club was started, and it now contains the most unsociable and unclubable men in town. No member is permitted to take the least notice of any other one. Save in the Stranger's Room, no talking is, under any circumstances, allowed, and three offences, if brought to the notice of the committee, render the talker liable to expulsion. My brother was one of the founders, and I have myself found it a very soothing atmosphere.”

Now, while I admit I wouldn’t normally be attracted (much less found in) a club where one cannot speak, I do think it’d be relaxing and recharging to be around people but not have to intermingle.

There are some days I want to be alone yet want that energy of my fellow human beings.

This Club would fill that need perfectly.

I’m sure I wouldn’t be a frequent member. (I’m not exactly known for being quiet.)

They do have the Stranger’s Room in which you can conduct business with your fellow human beings. But if I spent all my time in there, I might as well belong to a different club.

I’d probably end up reading the night away in the Stranger’s Room – in case someone wandered in and I started talking to them I’d be safe from expulsion. But then again, I might as well go sit in the Library.

Oh! The Metra Train just implemented their Quiet Cars – one car per train on all lines during rush hour as of June 6.

Metra Online: “The rules are simple: No cell phone calls. If passengers must answer their phones, they should make it brief or move to the vestibule or another car. Conversations are discouraged; if they must be held they should be short and in subdued voices. All electronic devices must be muted, and headphones should not be loud enough for anyone else to hear. ”

On Monday, our Conductor made an announcement that we were not in a quiet car, he had mistakenly told passengers this was one. I had been talking the last five minutes and was oblivious to the fact we even had a Quiet Car.

He said it’s the second car from the locomotive, then said, no, the third. Then he said something about there being no Quiet Cars on trains with less than six cars and amended that to five. I looked it up and Metra Online says two. I’m so lost - already.

AND just to make matters worse, it looks like the Quiet Car is going to be two from the back which is where I always meet my party (to talk about the workday) because we have to get off at our stop on that car. So that’s totally not fair!

I just know I’m going to miss the sign (`cause I’ll be talking), end up on the Quiet Car and embarrass the heck out of myself.

It’s only a matter of time before I get kicked out of the Quiet Car, mark my words.

Wait, did I just list my first fictional place to visit - a place where people are not allowed to speak - and then compare it to the new and REAL place of the Metra Quiet Car saying I’ll never go (on purpose, anyhow)?

Yup, I surely did. I surely, surely did...

Now I want to hear what you think of the Diogenes Club and the Metra Quiet Car?

And - what fictional place would you visit?

(And don't say the Holodeck because that's like, 'What would you wish for?' and you say, 'Unlimited wishes!'
Yeah, we'd all say that.
To quote, Sherlock Holmes, "BO-RING!!!!)

Wordless Wednesday - Bitey Bitey

2011-06-08T00:30:00.001-05:00

'Doctor Who': New 'Who' Season 6

2011-06-06T00:01:00.029-05:00

See, I already have a problem and I'm in the title of the Blog Post.

I've avoided Blogging about Doctor Who for two reasons:

1.) I loathe spoilers and don't want some wisenheimer commenting them.

2.) I am a fan of Doctor Who, not so much this new Who. Hence my problem with the title – this is not Season 6. It's like Season 32.

Okay, so that said, let's delve into my problems with this episode.

First of all, I'm not saying the title because it's supposedly a spoiler which I heard so avoided reading it. Then it was everywhere. It was even texted to my phone so I knew the title backwards and forwards before it aired.

Then of course, I thought, oh, good. This particularly dragged out storyline will be wrapped up.

No such luck. I think it was a fake spoiler to make you think one thing when it had to do with another.

The cool thing is the title was pretty good for the content of the episode. Clever.

Since this new Who started, I wanted to see the rest of the Tardis. As I was so disappointed with the new control room, I thought maybe we could get back to cool if the characters ever ventured into the rest of the humongous ship.

No such luck until this episode. And then I was disappointed all over again. The old Tardis, from the real series, was so dang cool and unique. I'd love to see that updated to 2011 special effects technology.

But alas, they decided, for some inexplicable reason, to make the rest of the ship look like every other sci-fi show's spaceship.

Rory and Amy might as well have been running through Battlestar Gallactica (the original, don't even get me started on the new one that I couldn't take more than two minutes of. Why call these things by their original title if you're going to make them so different they don't resemble their namesake? Call it something else!)

So we went from this supercool alien time and space traveler who was funny, charming, timeless, knowledgeable, just arrogant enough to be put in his place and truly unique – to – cool, whiny alien who's lonely despite the fact he's surrounded by friends, who travels in time and space, is insurmountably sad, charming, funny, seems to know less than he did when he was a few hundred years younger and kisses people.

He's not mysterious or unique and the show isn't safe anymore. Hence, they'll kill people off all the time. In fact, they started 'Season Six' by killing the Doctor and then Rory and Amy.

Oh yeah, Rory. What is that guy's problem? He's been killed more times in a year than Daniel Jackson in, what 8 years?

I swear the next time they kill him off, (next week presumably), I'm going to shout, "Oh my god, they killed Rory!"

But, before Steven Moffat is offended (too offended?), I will say I do tune in each week.

More out of loyalty for this show that used to be my favorite.

It was my favorite show for about 27 years. But after too much sadness and whiny (there is no crying in Doctor Who) and convoluted storylines and the addition of the most awesome show ever made, I have switched that top spot.

My favorite show is now Sherlock. Yes, after 27 faithful years, Doctor Who has been bumped out of favorite show status after I watched one and a half episodes (which is exactly half of its total) of Sherlock.

So I'm not picking on Steven Moffat's writing (too much) since he writes for Sherlock. And his Twitters are great and he despises spoilers almost as much as I do and his profile picture is AWESOME!

(See, as an author, I'd hate for a bad review. But I'd also like to think if someone messed up my stories and character after decades, a true fan wouldn't like it if it strayed too far from the original intent. See, I’m not saying his writing is messed up - if this was the same show but under a different name, well, I wouldn’t watch it but it would be great for what it was. Typical current sci-fi. How can you take something awesome and ahead of its time and make it like everything else out there???? Oh, Mr. Moffat, I say this with a shared love of the show.)

And thank God Matt Smith's Doctor is more funny than sad. Tennant was awesome but come on, if I want sad I'll switch to the Lifetime channel.

So what do you guys think – NO SPOILERS please. They spoil. Hence the name.

Of Treasure & Plans

2011-06-04T11:12:00.000-05:00

I never really knew how superstitious I was until I came across the Agra Treasure for sale.

If you will recall, the Agra Treasure is from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and The Sign Of Four.

The Sherlock Holmes Society of London is selling the Agra Treasure in the form of a brooch made to order and individually finished with jewels mentioned in The Sign Of Four.

That is a collectible totally up my alley and yet, I will never buy it.

It's cool.

It's from London.

It's unique.

And it's cursed.

In fact, it is so cursed that one when character loses it, Watson's life takes a turn for the better!

That's pretty darn cursed in my book. (And Doyle's, evidently.)

So I must pass on this really cool piece of physical fictional history.

Maybe I'll put my bid in for those pesky Bruce-Partington Plans...

'Sherlock' Awards and Slip of the Tongues

2011-05-28T11:15:00.035-05:00

Sunday (six days ago), England had the BAFTA TV Awards and live Tweet'd it for those of us unable to view it. (Thank you!)

Sherlock won the award for Best Drama.

Martin Freeman won best Supporting Actor for his role as Dr. Watson in Sherlock.

All on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Birthday, too!

Benedict Cumberbatch did not win Best Actor - which is disappointing to me because he's amazing. It's funny, though, because everyone was talking about Matt Smith (for Doctor Who) and Benedict Cumberbatch being up for the same award - and Steven Moffat writes for both shows.

What I pictured for work the next day, on the set of Sherlock, was Martin Freeman laying it on thick about Sherlock winning best drama and he winning Best Supporting Actor and Benedict...oh, wait. Nothing. (I've heard Martin Freeman is a bit of a jokester.)

But then Martin Freeman let it slip that Benedict Cumberbatch is going to be in the Hobbit - something he wasn't supposed to tell people.

Now all of the sudden, Monday morning on the set of Sherlock is a very different picture in my imagination - what can Martin Freeman say that Benedict Cumberbatch wouldn't bring this little slip up each and every time???

I love fun co-workers.

I hope we get more behind-the-scenes footage on the Season 2 DVD.

And bloopers - love me some Sherlock bloopers!!

What do you guys think? Any fun co-worker stories out there you'd like to share? Did you get to watch the BAFTA TV Awards or follow it at all? (Isn't the Internet great?)

My Sister's Wedding Day

2011-05-27T11:05:00.006-05:00

Today, my sister gets married!

It's all very exciting, especially with this Chicago weather and the ceremony being outdoors...Can't wait to see what happens.

As the maid of honor, I can't wait to see what duties I shall face - hopefully with dignity and grace but, well, we can't all be Pippa Middleton. I'll just do the best I can.

I won't have internet access (I don't think. Heck, even if I did, I don't know when I'd have the time to go online - it's Wedding Weekend!) so I'll leave you with the picture of my book. (The bride and groom are quite shy people and I'll post pictures when I can if given permission.)

I dedicated the story to my sister and soon to be brother (very soon!) so I figured, why not add this bit of shameless self-promotion on their wedding day! (Only 99 cents and can be purchased here. Oh, and you can check out a 50% sample free.)

Check it out and in the meantime, know that my family and the groom's family are all very excited and happy and there will be lots of dancing and laughter and praying for a break in the rain...

Wedding Wednesday - Travel-Themed Shower

2011-05-25T03:05:00.019-05:00

My sister's Wedding Shower couldn't be a surprise because she had to fly in for it, but I managed to make the theme a surprise.

Travel-Themed - and it fits the couple perfectly.

In fact, about 8PM the night before the Wedding Shower, my sister called to say their flight had been canceled and it was the last flight of the day...

I told her (after putting the time and effort we put into this thing) that the party was going on with or without the bride and groom.

Is that irony, par for the course or just a plain old nail biter that they almost didn't get in for their Travel-Themed Wedding Shower because of travel-related problems?????

Travel-Themed Wedding Shower Beach Cake (Hand Made):

Travel-Themed Wedding Shower Prize - Handmade Travel Quilt:

Travel-Themed Wedding Shower Centerpieces:

Hawaii Table

Caribbean Table

(Yeah, yeah, so there WAS a pirate at my sister's Wedding Shower even though I told her (through the dedication of my short story Married To Murder) that there wouldn't be. It's just one little pirate and it's Captain Jack Sparrow so...

Chinese Table

Each place setting had a water bottle wih specialized labels for the couple, a pack of peanuts, a pen from the Marriott hotel and an airline-approved baggie of little toothpastes, shampoos, conditioners, hand sanitizers, lotions and so forth. (Each baggie contained four items.)

The whole thing was travel related!

Below is the prize table with some really cool prizes (if we do say so ourselves) - all travel-themed of course. The handmade quilt, the Haunting in Georgia & Haunting in Conneticut DVD, the travel-themed photo albums, the French chef kitchen stuff, even the photo paper. The bags themselves are all travel related as you can see. (The one on the left is all stamps.)

This party was so cool to throw and I hope (and have heard back) that everyone had a great time!

Top Ten Reasons Catherine Tate should remain on 'The Office'

2011-05-23T02:29:00.047-05:00

SPOILERS for The Office (2011 Season Finale):

Dana, if you're reading this, STOP until you're caught up to the 2011 season finale of The Office.

Okay, to everyone except Dana (and anyone else who isn't caught up) – read on!

The producers of The Office want Catherine Tate to replace Steve Carell – but she's doing that play (Much Ado About Nothing) in the U.K. with David Tennant (former Doctor Who co-star). The play runs to September but filming for The Office starts in August, I believe is the problem. (There are so many creative ways to deal with this situation...)

Catherine Tate is my top choice for replacing Steve Carell on The Office and here's why:

Photo Album Catherine Tate Photos

1.) She's hysterically funny.

2.) She can handle the Scranton Branch with as much finesse, authority and understanding as Michael Scott. (Translation: none!)

3.) It would be awesome to have a woman manage the branch and would distance us from comparing whoever fills the role to Steve Carell – and let's face it, who could compare? They're doing a great job of distracting us with our favorite characters trying to replace Michael Scott quite unsuccessfully. Let's go the full distance and pick this talented woman.

4.) How cool for The Office to get back to its British roots.

5.) Maybe David Tennant could drop by for a visit?

6.) There could be whole storylines borne of her British background and how she might have to adjust to life in Scranton, use slang the others don't get and hear American slang she doesn't get.

7.) I want to see Catherine Tate on Television again – week to week! And, she could flail her arms and say, "Supertemp!"

8.) She's my favorite actress and I'd love for my fellow Americans - who don't already know how phenomenal she is - to find this out for themselves.

9.) She can do serious as well as she does funny. She'd be flawless with any script.

10.) It would refresh the very successful Office – Catherine Tate's sense of humor and talent would revamp the show and draw tired audiences right back into what made the show a hit in the first place.

These are my Top Ten Reasons Catherine Tate should replace Steve Carell on The Office, Ten in honor of her role as Donna Noble with the 10th Doctor.

What do you think?

Edward Hardwicke (1932-2011) - Dr. John Watson

2011-05-21T00:05:00.055-05:00

Edward Hardwicke died Tuesday (May 17) at the age of 78. (His Obituary) He was an actor at age 10! I know him from the Grenada Television Sherlock Holmes series - he played Dr. John Watson. (An awesome role in and of itself, I think.) He played to Jeremy Brett's very cool portrayal of Sherlock Holmes.

I watched some of this series in college and then again recently. I've only seen Edward Hardwicke in a handful of the Sherlock Holmes eps but he made his impression on me. He was so soft-spoken and gentle - if I were Watson I'd want to reach out and strangle Holmes on a regular basis!!

Have you seen his Watson? In The Dying Detective, he broke my heart when Sherlock Holmes announced he wanted a doctor he had confidence in, not Watson, and Watson/Hardwicke's face!

And in The Boscombe Valley Mystery, when Holmes asks if Watson (who is on vacation) would accompany him on a case. Watson says of course he'll come. Holmes seemed surprised and grateful - then said their train leaves in 35 minutes.

Edward Hardwicke's performance of Watson reminded me so much of Clive Swift's portrayal of Richard Hyacinth on Keeping Up Appearances. The sweet, kind, ever patient, completely reliable, loyal, long-suffering partner.

He said this about the role: "Close friendships need humour and tolerance. Watson needs a sense of humour to survive Holmes' worst excesses."

I adored his Watson and think he brought an understated intelligence to the role.

Edward Hardwicke will be missed by fans around the world, but never forgotten.

What do you think about his take on the timeless Dr. John Watson?