I WAS A GUEST BLOGGER ON MORGEN BAILEY'S WRITING BLOG JUNE 18

Today I am the Guest Blogger on Morgen Bailey's Writing Blog in the UK. The topic is "Location, Location, Location."
    When writing, locations are important whether the book or story is light and funny or technically detailed. Get it wrong and you have a problem.
    There is an interesting irony in this. When I wrote "Confessions of a Cougar" the locations were all from my memories of several trips to England including ones after the experiences in the book. To be sure I double checked everything that I referred to by searching the internet.
 The book got a sort of snarky one-star review on Amazon, while the others were 5 star. One of the things the reviewer said was, " I'm wondering if the writer did any actual research on England, because it sure sounds like she didn't ever visit."
   This really gave me a chuckle and made me think that perhaps that reviewer had never been there or was British and didn't like my descriptions for some reason. I've made about 8 trips to England and visited many parts of the country plus double checking everything in my memory to make sure I hadn't garbled details. Oh well, like the saying goes, "You can't please all of the people all of the time," but I sure gave it the old college try. That's what I mean. 
   Even if they're wrong, some people must find things to complain about, so read the article and be very diligent in getting location descriptions and ambiance right.

   VISIT THE BLOG AND READ THE ARTICLE http://morgenbailey.wordpress.com/2013/06/18/guest-post-location-location-location-by-morgan-st-james/    
   FIND 39 Chapters about Writers Tricks of the Trade in my book, Writers Tricks of the Trade: 39 Things You Need to Know About the ABCs of Writing Fiction

ANOTHER EXCERPT FROM "A CORPSE IN THE SOUP"

FROM THE AWARD-WINNING "A Corpse in the Soup"
FIRST BOOK IN THE SILVER SISTERS MYSTERIES SERIES

Manicotti’s face turned beet red. “He’s where? He’s what? But that can’t be. He’s a Gourmet Gladiator. He’s due on stage at the Kitchen Coliseum in ten minutes. We can’t hold up the show for him.”

“You don’t understand Mr. Manicotti,” he squeaked. “The man is dead as a mackerel. D-E-A-D. He can’t come to the Kitchen Coliseum, he can’t cook on your show, and he’s not goin’ anywhere except the morgue.”

Large patches of sweat appeared on the producer’s shirt. His eyes bulged and his mouth opened and closed like a carp out of water. “You’re sure? You touched him? He’s dead?”

“Yes, Sir. I’m still on his set. I’m about to call the police, the medics, the swat team, the FBI, I don’t know what all. I’ve never seen a corpse in a soup bowl, ya know.”

My new book, "La Bella Mafia" is moving along right on schedule

Things are rolling along right on schedule. Yesterday I approved the PDF proof of the book which means we should have Advance Review Copies (ARCs) to be sent to true crime reviewers, newspapers, media, etc. The interior design of the book looks great and Dennis and I have gone through it so many times looking for possible errors I can probably recite chapters from memory. We want this book to be as perfect as possible, so even after the editors and proofreaders, Dennis and I have done our own multiple readings of it.

The more I read it, even though I co-authored it, the more I realize what an incredible tale of courage and inspiration this is. For those who have only seen the type of abuse and survival skills that were Bella’s life it is a look beyond what you see on TV or in the movies, because it is REAL. Yes, this really did happen and happens in many families behind closed doors. Maybe not to this degree, or sadly, maybe even more, but it does happen. Instead of letting it beat her down, Bella used these awful experiences to counsel and inspire others who suffer silently.

For those readers who have endured unspeakable traumas caused by similar treatment or the need to survive, this book sends a message loud and clear. “Hold your head up and believe that YOU can make things better.” If you are in the clutches of an abuser, run—don’t walk—as far away from them as you can. Bella talks about this extensively in the last section of the book, Part 3 La Bella Mafia.

Anxiously awaiting the next step in the publication process—the cover. After that Houdini Publishing will be able to produce digital and print Advance Review Copies and we will be reviewing the list to determine exactly where to send them for reviews.

Morgan St. James

LONG OVERDUE UPDATE

So much has been going on since my last post in December I feel like that juggler with too many balls in the air. On a positive note, none of them have hit me on the head yet.

We moved into our Las Vegas house full-time in February and there was so much confusion it was like a Keystone Kops comedy. One thing after another happened but the real challenge was getting our wonderful antique Mexican buffet down from a mezzanine in the California townhouse so it could be moved to Las Vegas. It is one of the few pieces of furniture we will never give up. 

The problem was that it is a solid 10 feet long and could not go around the turn in the stairwell, so it had to be lifted through a space between a railing and dropped soffit.  Even by turning it on its side, there was only about 1 1/2 inches of clearance. You can see how small the opening was and the buffet weighs hundreds of pounds.

I couldn't watch. It took six movers to heft it up to that space, slide it through and lower it to the next level. 

Hubby and my three cousins had arranged chairs on the lower level so they could sit comfortably and watch the show like it was a "headliner attraction.". Not me.
I had visions of the whole thing crashing to the ground, so I hid out at the top of the townhouse until I got the all clear signal.

When it arrived in Las Vegas it took two men (who were huffing and puffing) to get it into the living room (on the ground floor) and arrange it. in place. One big guy wiped the sweat from his brow and the smaller one put his hands on his knees and took deep breaths.

I said, "At least you weren't the ones in L.A. who had to get it down from a mezzanine." The larger one rolled his eyes and said, "Maybe not, but we sure heard about it!"

More about what's been happening since February in my post next week. Check back to find out.

Meanwhile, check out my main website www.morganstjames-author.com. 

DENNIS N. GRIFFIN WILL INTERVIEW ME ON DEC. 18 ON HIS CRIME TIME RADIO SHOW

Dennis N. Griffin
True Crime Author

Dennis N. Griffin will interview me tomorrow night, DECEMBER 18, CRIME TIME blog radio. 4:00pm PST/7:00 EST. 
Among other things, we'll talk about using humor in mysteries. Here is the blurb, so drop by if you have the opportunity or listen to it in the archives.

CRIME WIRE ON DECEMBER 18

Tonight we'll take a look at crime from the perspective of a mystery writer. 

Author/columnist/speaker Morgan St. James has written several award-winning mystery books. Her latest funny crime caper is, Who’s Got the Money?, co-authored with Meredith Holland. And she's written the Silver Sisters Mysteries series with her real sister, Phyllice Bradner. 

Also recently released is her entertaining memoir, Confessions of a Cougar, the true story of three glorious weeks in England populated by sexy young men. Morgan writes columns for the Los Angeles and Las Vegas editions of Examiner.com and is a frequent speaker and writer’s panel member or moderator. 

All of Morgan's books can be ordered at most online booksellers in digital and paperback editions, and some are also available in audio books. Who’s Got the Money is in stock at select Barnes & Noble stores.

You can catch the show live at our new time of 7:00 p.m. Eastern or play it back from the archives athttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/insidelenz/2012/12/19/crime-wire

Call in to speak with the host (646) 478-0982

A GIFT FOR YOU

With the Christmas season upon us and people buying the "latest, greatest" thing on the market to give as gifts while the bills pile up, don't you sometimes wonder if the true meaning of the season has been lost in growing commercialism? Here is my gift to you. Memories of two very special Christmases back in 1940 and 1951. Enjoy and share. http://tinyurl.com/mschrms 

Who's Got the Money? now at select Barnes & Noble stores

Yesterday I stopped by the Barnes & Noble in Marina Del Rey CA and signed some copies of the funny crime caper, WHO'S GOT THE MONEY? that I co-authored with Meredith Holland. Today I visited the B&N in Manhattan Beach CA and also signed copies.

Still have several stores on my list. It is great to have them available in various B&N stores as well as at online booksellers. You can, of course, order a copy at your favorite local bookstores, too.

Oak Tree Press has been doing a great job of supporting us and Meredith and I really appreciate it. We were so happy when our book placed as a Finalist in the USA Best Books Awards sponsored by USA Book News.

It was particularly thrilling for me to add to my list of awards, since the first Silver Sisters Mystery I co-authored with my sister Phyllice Bradner, A CORPSE IN THE SOUP, also placed in the 2007 USA Book News Awards as Best Mystery Audio Book, and there are now three books in the series with a fourth in work.

Every experience I have writing a book with a co-author is different depending upon their style and expertise. My latest project is a true crime book, No More Crying Angels, and it is nearing completion of the first draft. I'm co-authoring that with true crime author Dennis N. Griffin.

And then, of course, there are the books I write on my own. Sleep??? What's that?