A Long Day

I feel like have computer and assorted other electronics, will travel. My son has meetings in our South Bay office and we are doing a seminar tonight. So packed up everything in my bag on wheels. I have my computer, Ipad, assorted cords, my card that gives me WiFi, two crochet projects, bookmarks for KNOT GUILTY,a book and layers of clothes.

I’m now situated in the Ebar Café at Nordstrom’s in the Del Amo Shopping Center. There is a plug for my cords, a table the right height for typing, coffee and a bagel (well, there was a bagel. It was very tasty).

I already made a stop at the Barnes & Noble in this shopping center and saw KNOT GUILTY in a bookstore for the first time. I’m always happy when it’s on the bestseller tower. I signed their stock. There is another Barnes & Noble near where we’re doing our seminar, so I’ll be making another stop.

Between now and then I’m planning to give a last look to the copy edit of SEAMS LIKE MURDER. It is nice to be able to take my work on the road. It is nice to be out in the world rather than shut in my usual work room.

The only trouble is that I am enjoying looking around at all the activity instead of focusing on my work. There is music playing and I find myself typing in time to it. And as people come into the café, I respond to the movement and look up.

As soon as I turn in the copy edit or SEAMS LIKE MURDER, I will be working on the next Crochet Mystery. It’s funny how what’s going on around me seeps into my writing. The property behind us used to have a small house that was almost invisible to us both because of the size and position of it. But a developer bought the property and not only raised the ground, but is building a 5000 square foot, two story monstrosity that looms over our yard like a big white box. Luckily, we have some redwood trees that block a lot of the view.

I started thinking about who might buy the house when it’s finished. Since Molly basically lives at my house and I started thinking about what might happen between her and who ever lives there. I think there is definitely going to be trouble and maybe a dead body. It’s kind of good feeling that I am going to get some value out of having that monster house behind us.

It always tickles me when I see the real thing that I based something in my books on. The house where the murder in HOOKED ON MURDER is down the street from me. I don’t know the people who live there, but I always laugh to myself when I see them pull out of their driveway, thinking they don’t know they live in the murder house.

I use real people, too. Or at least their physical appearance. There is a man I used to see all the time who had an odd hair line that to me looked like he was wearing a hat. He became Logan Belmont in one of my books. I haven’t seen the real man in years, but just saw him the other night in a restaurant. Logan is a real estate agent and I think he will be making an appearance in the next book, involved with selling the monster house that is behind Molly’s house. I wonder what Mr. Hat Hair would think if he knew.
I wonder what I’ll pick up from sitting in the Ebar. Maybe the guy behind the counter will end up in a book. He has a slight build, multi colored hair with a swirl in the front and a nose ring.

The seminar was a success. I checked everyone in and set up lots of appointments. I went to another Barnes & Noble and signed books. We stopped to eat at an all night coffee shop in Manhattan Beach. And now 15 hours after we left this morning, we’re home. After I post this, I’m going to send the copy edit of SEAMS LIKE MURDER hurling through cyberspace to arrive by its deadline. Then a nice cup of tea and sleep. And it’s off to indoor cycling in the morning.