The Seeds of A Story

Over the weekend, Jenna Kernan–my friend and fellow author–and I gave a talk on promotion via the internet. We talked about Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, About Me, and our personal websites.

While Jenna was talking about her website, she showed us a page where she shares a little behind-the-scenes aspect of each book she’s written (where the idea came from, research, that sort of thing). As both a writer and a reader, I found that fascinating.

As a writer, stories start in the oddest of places. As a reader, I find the insider information to be an added bonus.

Anyway, it got me thinking about the behind-the-scenes of some of my books–the little nugget that springboarded an entire novel.

In the case of REAP WHAT YOU SEW (book # 6–which released last month), the entire book came into being after a seemingly normal conversation with a friend who happens to be a special education teacher. Her stories about a student who happens to be a kleptomanic hoarder were the early seeds of the book.

In LET IT SEW (book # 7–which will release on November 6th), the seed came from a curiosity about Alzheimer’s and what part of a person’s memory is/isn’t affected. That curiosity led to an email to my neurologist and his answer was the water my seed needed to grow.

For me, the seed is just that. A seed. Careful thought, along with my imagination, grows it into a book.

Kinda neat, isn’t it?

That said, now it’s your turn (as a reader) to share a book you’ve read that’s made you wonder about the seed that started it off for that particular writer…

~Elizabeth

Best Word Ever

I love Mother’s Day. I love spending the whole day with the kids and not having to worry about errands or chores or who needs to be where/when.

I remember my first Mother’s Day with Dear Daughter # 1 (she was just 4 months old) and then with Dear Daughter # 2 (she was 7 1/2 months) like it was yesterday. And bits and pieces of each and every Mother’s Day since then is tucked away in my heart. Sometimes, I pull those memories out when I’m feeling blue or facing a test at the doctor’s or whatever. When I do, they make me smile. For as much as I always wanted to be a writer, I’ve wanted to be a mom even longer.

The early Mother’s Day celebrations were sweet–filled with lots of wet kisses, squeezes, and happy squeals when it came time for me to open their presents. These days, the kisses aren’t as slobbery (miss those) and the squeals not as loud…but the smiles are just as precious. And now, they plan the whole day. You know, what I might like to do, what I might like to eat, etc. 

No matter what they plan, they’re always spot-on with what I’d like to do. Because if they’ve planned it with me in mind, I win right there.

Mom.

It’s a beautiful word, isn’t it?

~Elizabeth

Touched By Angels

I had a big announcement post all ready to run today but it got pushed until tomorrow because of something far more special.

Yesterday morning, while on Facebook, my attention was called to a friend’s page. More specifically, a video on that friend’s page. So off I went to her page via my old computer (which has flash player). I turned on the volume, pressed play and found out that she was doing the MS walk in Reston, Virginia…for me. 

I had no idea she was doing this, no idea she’d formed a team (which she called, Team LauraB), and no idea she’d raised some money to do this walk.

I cried as I listened to her on that video, and I cried again with each picture she posted on her page of the event over the next hour or so. Because while what she did was wonderful all on its own…the part that moved me most is that she took time from her day to walk for something that impacts me, and, therefore, my children.

So thank you, Aimee. What a beautiful thing you did for me this weekend. Thank you for walking, for thinking of me, and for being sucha wonderful example to my children of the good that exists in this world.

And because I want everyone to see what walking angels look like…here is a shot of Aimee and her beautiful daughter (The Doll) just after they completed their walk for MS!

~Elizabeth 

 P.S. I think you can still donate to Aimee’s team (which was made up of her, her daughter, and her wonderful husband).  Here’s the info.

A Fab Signing

I’m back from my signing in Nashville and all I can say is, Wow.

Great. Time. In fact, as a little girl determined to be a writer so long ago, this would have qualified as one of those dream signings (along with one I did for a church group in PA last year).

Here’s a few pictures from the event which drew lots of book lovers despite the holiday weekend.

Mysteries & More in Nashville is a wonderful little neighborhood bookstore that has charm coming out its ears, er, windows. Seriously, I could spend days in this little shop (and Mary, the owner’s, back room? I need weeks in there). 

 That tent sign with the balloons on it?  Here’s what that said…

  Now, I’ll take you inside…

To see the cake they had to celebrate the release of REAP WHAT YOU SEW and the store’s 4th anniversary!!

And the readers who came out to hear me speak and to buy the book.  This woman’s name is Rose (like one of my favorite characters in the sewing circle).

  And here’s me alongside the wonderful owners of Mysteries & More, Mary and Greg!

Finally, check out this poster they got for the book launch (which I signed). It’s going on the wall of the store now.

We sold a lot of books (with some folks calling in for signed copies from outside Tennessee) but there are a few signed copies left. If you’re interested in one, give Mary and Greg a shout at Mysteries & More. 

~Elizabeth

She Reaped What She Entered

For those of you who read my “latest news” page here on this site, you know I put a copy of my brand new book–REAP WHAT YOU SEW (launch date: tomorrow)–up for grabs.

The entries have been pouring in over the past two weeks, providing Dear Daughter # 2 with a large base from which to pull the winning name. She swished, and she swished, and she swished, and she pulled out Amoris B. of Sacramento, CA!!

 Congratulations, Amoris! Please email me at: ElizabethLCasey@aol.com to provide your address and the name of the person for whom I should sign the book!   Then, in about a week, your book should arrive! Congratulations, again!

~Elizabeth

Back in the Chair

It’s Monday morning and I’m back in the chair ready to write. Of course, I was supposed to write over the weekend and I did manage to get about 600 words in on Saturday morning, but that was still shy of the 2,400 I’d goaled for myself.  :/

Fortunately, I can’t chalk the lack of work off on being a bum. Instead, it was one of those weekends where the goal wasn’t realistic. I had a basketball banquet to attend with Dear Daughter # 2, dinner with my beloved aunt (so, so nice), and three performances of Caberet to enjoy thanks to being the proud mom of two of the performers.

So now it’s back to the grind–one that includes writing, more website revamping work, and exercising. As for your weekend, was it restful, hectic, or mildly productive?

Have a great day!

~Elizabeth

ARC Winner

A few weeks ago, you might remember me posting a contest where the winner was to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of the first book in my upcoming Amish Mysteries (written as Laura Bradford)–HEARSE AND BUGGY.

The book will release to the public on June 5th, but, as is the case with new series, the publisher prints up a number of uncorrected proofs for the purpose of getting them into the hands of the big reviewers. As the author, I am given a handful of these special copies to give out as I see fit.

I chose to put one of these copies up for grabs via a contest with my only real requests being that the winner 1) doesn’t sell it or share it with anyone prior to the June 5th release and 2) if they like it, they consider posting a review somewhere or talking it up among friends and family.

Well, I got tons of entries into my email account (as per entry rules) and my daughter pulled out the name of one luck winner. This particular winner also happens to be a regular in the comment section of this blog–woo hoo (always nice to see)!

So, Mary H., from Cudahy, Wisconsin…I’ll be sending an ARC of HEARSE AND BUGGY out to you later this week. Congratulations on winning!!!

Bummed you didn’t win? Well, I’ve announced another giveaway in the “lastest news” section of this website, so click that tab and check it out!

Enjoy your Monday, everyone!

~Elizabeth

Happenings

Quick update on the book-related stuff going on at the moment.

**REAP WHAT YOU SEW (#6) comes out in just three weeks (April 3rd)!!!  I just got my first looksee copy over the weekend and it looks great!

**My current wip (work in progress) is Amish Mysteries # 2. I’m 25 percent into it and so far so good. In fact, writing this story is a treat!

**In addition to the wip, I work through a few relatively minor edits on a romance I have coming out in October–STORYBOOK DAD. Ths story has extra special meaning for me so I want it to be just right.

**I’m hard at work with my web designer on a total revamp of my Laura Bradford site (the name under which I write both my romances and my upcoming Amish Mysteries under). I tossed an idea out at her for this site and she loved it. So now we’re seeing if we can make it happen.

**I’m setting up events to coincide with the launch of both REAP WHAT YOU SEW in April and HEARSE AND BUGGY (Amish #1) in June. I love watching my calendar grow. The Amish launch events will be posted to my site soon.

So that’s a quick catch-up. Busy, busy, busy.

~Elizabeth

Out With The Old

Thinking about website designs today as I begin the process of transforming my “Laura Bradford” site. By the time I’m done, it will have a new look/feel, new content, new set-up, new stuff. The tricky part is knowing just which way to go. I want to reflect the feel of the Amish mysteries I’ll be launching under that name in June, but I also want it to be more universal to best coincide with any and all future projects.

Figuring out how to do all that, though, is a tall order.

In the meantime, I wouldn’t mind some thoughts on content, etc…

~Elizabeth

Dream A Little Dream With Me

I first dreamed of being a writer when I was ten. I wanted it so badly, I never entertained the notion of doing or being anything else (career-wise).  And now, thirty plus years later, I am…with eleven books on the shelf and nine more on the way/under contract.

Do I believe in dreams? You bet I do.

Which brings me to some of my new ones.

1) Having one of my books soar to the top of all the important lists.

2) To see something I’ve written make it’s way onto either the little or big screen.

3) To be able to spend several months in a city abroad (London, Paris, or Venice are good options), writing the days away.  

So tell me, what were your career dreams as a kid? Did they come true? What sort of work-related dreams do you have now?

~Elizabeth