A Call To Arms, Er, Needles

With DEATH THREADS (the second in my Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series) set to debut on May 4th, and Book #3 awaiting editorial comments from my amazing editor, I’ve turned my creative energy toward plotting book #4.

This plotting (or “percolating” as I’m fond of calling it) phase is when I sit down with a pad of paper and think about my characters–who they connect with, what they do, their history thus far, etc. As I ponder all of that, I begin to consider ways to turn their lives upside down. So far, the ideas are swirling thanks to a cast of characters that are simply fun to write.

I’m often in this phase for several weeks as I dream up ideas and wait to see which one sticks. Fortunately for me, the basic idea stuck pretty fast this time. Now I just need to work it through in my mind as I figure out the all-important who, how, and why. And then, when I’m done with that, I need to figure out how to cover my tracks and throw the reader off the scent.

This phase is, without a doubt, one of my favorite parts of writing. Then again, so is the day I sit down at my computer to start. Oh, and don’t forget the middle where things are coming together and characters are beginning to take over, dictating what my fingers should write. And then there’s the climax where it all happens…

See? I haven’t even started and I’m already getting excited.

This time, though, I’d like to try something new. Rather than compile sewing tips from various places for the back of the book, I figured I’d see if any of you have one (or a few) you’d like to contribute. I’ll send a signed bookmark to each and every person who contributes a sewing tip.

Ready?

Hit the comment button and give me your best tip. The email address you type in the requested field is not seen by anyone else. The only thing that shows up under your comment is the name you’d like to show! Easy, huh?

Have a great week!

~Elizabeth

**P.S. Allison Collins (who entered last week’s “Where Am I?” challenge via my good-girl-kills.com blog) was the winner of the $10 B & N gift card and signed cover flap of DEATH THREADS! Congratulations, Allison!

Certainties of Books

I’m hard at work on book #3 in the Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series. But I need a little help from all of you.

As you know, my main character (Tori) is a librarian. Now, without going into too much detail, Tori’s beloved library (and thus the books it houses) suffers some damage. She–as any die hard booklover can understand–is crushed. Absolutely Crushed.

While a eulogy is a bit of a stretch in this situation (and certainly not the route I’m going), the loss of books certainly could elicit some feelings of nostalgia for someone who has used them as a focal point for her career. Which is where you all come in…

What do you see as some “certainties” about books? For me, it’s the fact that books can take a reader to places they may never visit otherwise.

Your turn… The more, the better.

~Elizabeth

P.S. I’ve just posted a challenge of sorts for those of you who have already read SEW DEADLY. Click on the “latest news” tab at the top of your page to check it out (psst…there’s a chance to win a prize)!

The Wait Is Finally Over

SEW DEADLY hits the shelves this week and I couldn’t be more thrilled! It’s a dream come true, really. And one I tend to enjoy to the hilt.

First up? Haunting a few bookstores on launch day (Tuesday) just to see if it’s on the shelves yet (if you squint at your computer screen really hard right now you can probably see me crossing my fingers…and my toes for good measure).

Next? Hitting the road for a tour of some of my favorite independent bookstores throughout the midwest! This is the part I’m most excited about–getting out, meeting readers, being around people who “get it.” I’ve met so many wonderful people since I started writing…readers who have become close friends, readers I’ve never met in person yet supported me in my first ever Walk For MS in 2008, readers who send me emails that make me smile.

So…if you’re in the vicinity of any of my gigs over the next two weeks, stop by (check my events page for specific dates/times/locations)!! Or, if you’d like to learn more about the book, visit www.threadsmagazine.com and click on their August 4th blog (SEW DEADLY is front and center)!

Stop back next week when I hope to have some fun tales from the road I can share with all of you!

~Elizabeth Lynn