Holidays And Me

I just took part in a really fun fireside interview (all things me and holidays).

So if you’re curious about my favorite childhood toy, my favorite childhood game, my preferred outdoor winter activities, and a bunch of other things, click here:  http://blogcritics.org/books/article/winter-holiday-fireside-moments-an-interview5/#ixzz1g4mG87HU

~Elizabeth

‘Tis The Season

Who can resist a holiday themed Bits & Pieces (hopefully not you)?

1) What’s your favorite holiday decoration?

2) Favorite holiday song?

3) Gift cards or gifts (for you)?

4) Favorite holiday TV show?

5) Favorite holiday movie?

C’mon everyone. Play along.

~Elizabeth

Digging Deep

After a particularly rough night with my M.S. shot, I’m feeling rather achy and groggy this morning. On a day when I don’t have work that needs to be done, this wouldn’t be such a big deal. But it’s not one of those days and I’ve got lots to do (namely finishing the last of my copy edits on HEARSE AND BUGGY–the first book in my upcoming Amish Mysteries written as Laura Bradford).

So I’m digging deep for some sort of boost. My way of digging deep? Imagining my peaceful place (Wilderness Lodge at WDW), fantasizing about a special evening (which tends to lean toward a nice dinner out with lots of conversation), thinking back to a particularly happy time (usually a memory involving my kids), and grabbing some sort of comfort food (which tends to be something warm and yummy).

How do you find your boost?

~Elizabeth

A Plan and An Explanation

On Monday, I said I’d be back blogging Tuesday (a prediction I missed by a day–sorry). I also said I want to do something new…which I do off and on for the last few weeks of 2011. 

When I can, I’d like to post a picture of whatever struck my visual fancy that particular day and leave it to all of you to suggest a caption. Caption writing is actually a really good brain exercise–and can be fun, too.  I’ll still do some regular blogs as well, but I just feel a hankering to mess with something a bit different for a little while.

So look for that to start later this week.

In the meantime, here’s a visual explanation as to why I was AWOL on Monday (I took Dear Daughter #2 on a special Mom-and-Me weekend to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom). We had a FABULOUS time!!

~Elizabeth 

Day Off

Taking the day off today. But be sure to stop back tomorrow as I’m starting something new…

~Elizabeth

Lights, Lights

Drive-thru Christmas light displays are one of my favorite holiday traditions. I love packing the kids in the car, turning on the Christmas carols, and ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the lights as we drive.

Unfortunately, where I’m living now, drive-thru light displays are non existent.  So I’ll just have to pretend.

What’s one of your favorite lead-up to the holiday traditions?

~Elizabeth

Three For One

For today’s Writing Thursday I’m tackling three questions that came in via my Facebook Fan page.

Q#1:  Michelle asks about writer’s block.

A: Michelle, for the most part, when I’m writing, I don’t deal with writer’s block. My time spent in newsrooms never afforded that luxury. Every day we had deadlines and, therefore, we had to produce. That skill has stayed with me into fiction writing. However, there are times when I try to write and I can’t. I’ve found that for me, these instances occur not because I’m blocked but, rather, because I’m trying to take the story in a direction that won’t work. Once I figure out the issue (or correct path), the words start flowing again. Sometimes this means a walk around the block while my brain chews various possibilities. Sometimes it means a bag of candy corn. But I always work through it. 

Q#2:  This one is from Aimee.  What happens when the direction you’ve planned to take your story isn’t working and you need to get it back on track?

A: Aimee, this fits in largely with Michelle’s question and it can be a tough one at times. But the fact that you know your story isn’t working in a particular place is a good thing. It speaks to instincts. And, as a writer, instincts are crucial. So here’s what I suggest… Step back a bit in terms of the actual writing for a day or two (that’s it). Let the story percolate. Hopefully the problem spot will rise to the surface of your brain giving you a place to start. Then attack with what if questions and keep twisting and turning until you have that “Ah-Ha!” moment. It’ll come. Really. Sometimes the changes aren’t as big as you think, fixable with added layers here and there. Sometimes they’re more major. But it’ll be worth it in the end!  Good luck!!!

Q#3:  This one is from Cullum.  I’m curious about how you come up with the weapon and the murder! Do you compile a list of each, or wait untill you’re into the story? 

A: For some reason, I always know who is going to die right off the bat. The murder weapon usually makes sense with the surroundings. It needs to fit with the story. I, personally, don’t use guns and the main reason for that is lack of knowledge, really. There are so many ins and outs of different guns that I don’t want to get it wrong. I prefer things like poisons, strangulations, and throwing folks off cliffs ( )   In DEADLY NOTIONS (book #4), I sat down with a piece of paper and drew up ways the various sewing circle members were related. When I realized that Melissa, Beatrice, and Debbie all had dealings with a child around the same age, I narrowed in on a premise that surrounded Melissa’s daughter’s birthday party (allowing me to involve all three women as well as the rest of the circle in various ways). Because it was an outdoor party, there was a rope swing. A rope swing could be cut down and the rope used for the murder…  Fun question, Cullum!

If you have anymore questions, fire away! 

~Elizabeth 

Aunt Mary

I’m sorry I skipped out on the blog yesterday, but I have a good excuse. A really good excuse.

I got to spend Monday evening into Tuesday with my aunt. And, if you’d ever met my aunt, you’d understand why I think time with her is worth missing a blog post.

You see, my Aunt Mary is,  without a doubt, my rock. She’s stuck by me for as long as I can remember, loving me and supporting me through everything. And when something’s up inside my heart, she knows. I don’t have to say a word… She just knows.

Because she knows me. And knowing me isn’t easy. I’m very guarded with my feelings. Friendly and caring towards others, sure. But allow someone to get too close to me? Um, not easy.

But Aunt Mary, she asks.

And she doesn’t take the simple window dressing answer I’m conditioned to give because it’s usually good enough for everyone else.

I’ve tried to figure out what’s different with her… Why I’ll open up to her in a way I don’t open up to anyone else. She doesn’t pry. She doesn’t pester. Yet when she asks, I answer.

The best I can come up with is this:  She makes me feel safe. I know that when she asks…she listens. And no matter what I say, no matter whether I get angry or my voice cracks with tears, she loves me through it all. She sees me as the little girl I was and the woman I’ve become. She’s proud of me, she cares about me, and there are no conditions placed on that. Ever.   

You can’t put a price tag on that.

So tell me, who’s your Aunt Mary in life?

~Elizabeth

These Shoes Were Made For Walking

It was about sixteen years ago when I sat in the Stride Rite store at my local mall, watching Dear Daughter #1 get fitted for her very first pair of shoes. To this day, I can still remember the slight  hesitation on her little face when I stood her up so the sales lady could double check her feet in the sizer…and then again when that first adorable pair of shoes was finally laced onto her feet.

That image played itself through my head yesterday as I sat in a chair in the middle of Macy’s while that same not-so-little-anymore girl tried on very different shoes–the kind that will take her to her first winter formal later this month. This time she didn’t need the sizer. Or anyone to lace anything up. And instead of holding her hands while she walked around the store, I got to watch her wobble just a little as she navigated her way around in heels.

The experience left me a little nostalgic and maybe a wee bit teary-eyed (we won’t tell her that, though, okay?), but it also brought a smile to my face, too. Because although she’s almost seventeen now, I still saw that sweet baby in her face every time she looked across at me–that same hint of hesitation in her eyes.

It goes so fast. All of it. And while I couldn’t possibly have spent any more time with her than I already did when she was little, I can’t help but wish I could wiggle my nose and relive it all one more time…

~Elizabeth

Dear Santa…

In honor of  the infamous Black Friday, I figured it might be fun to take a look back at some of my own must-have Christmas toys from my childhood (including one that made me cry…and not in a good way).

So click here: http://thestilettogang.blogspot.com/, to see some of the toys that made their way onto my own Dear Santa lists over the years. Then, stick around and tell us some of yours…

~Elizabeth