Today was the day. I got up early, for me it was to be Christmas in July, the proof copies of my book were to arrive. I listened to the birds, checked the weather, read the newspaper, took the car to Madison to be serviced, ate breakfast at the Jet Room, then, when I got home, checked the mail box. Nothing!  It was 12:11pm, and they weren’t here. How could that be? Where were they? And what was I going to do with the rest of my day? I had plans, but no back-up plans.

I read a book, don’t remember much of what I read. Took a few photos. Rummaged through the cupboards for something to munch–really should bake something, but it would only make me fatter. Looked through the fridge for something healthier to eat, but the fridge really needed to be cleaned–wasn’t going to happen today. What’s a gal to do? Wait. I can’t. I want my books NOW.

It didn’t happen.

The next morning, only difference was that I brought the car home. It was 9:43am. And there they were. Waiting for me on my doorstep. I haven’t been so eager to hold something since the births of my babies and grandbabies.

Aren’t they beautiful!

I was asked recently how long it took me to write my novel, Enemy Within. I said, it depends on how you measure it: sixty years, if you use when I first thought about becoming a writer, or three years when I started the actual research and writing of Enemy Within.

Since I decided to publish independently I have gained a new respect for the people and work it takes to bring a book to market. Through the organizations I’ve joined, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, I found someone to critique, edit, and format my book, and give lot of support and encouragement; the people in those organizations are wonderful. The cover artist I found on my own, a neighbor who is a graphic artist.  The next step in bringing a book to market is a hard one, publicity.

This is where it starts.  Presenting Enemy Within

 Available for e-book pre-orders at:

http://www.kdp.amazon

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

http://www.smashwords.com

Hope you enjoy.

It is never too late to be what you might have been. George Eliot

Recently I was in Phoenix, Arizona and was privileged to stay in the same hotel as hundreds of teens in town for the state DECA competition.

It was fun to watch their excitement as they put the finishing touches on their presentations, taking those early steps toward their adult life. I wanted a do-over.

But in life there are no do-overs, just re-assessments. Are any of those early plans still doable? Do I still want to do them? Continue reading →