My Zumba Moment

I’m heading off to teach a mystery writing class at the Roanoke Regional Writer’s Conference on Saturday. I’m a new mystery author, but I’ve studied and learned a lot over the past few years. I’m looking forward to sharing what I’ve learned—and learning a thing or two myself.
I’m always a bit nervous when I head off to a conference, so I’ve been thinking about my presentation a great deal—even while huffing and puffing at Zumba class. For those of you who don’t know, Zumba is an aerobic/dance class with a Latin flair. I love it—and am now doing it three times a week.
The thing about taking a class like this at a gym is that sometimes they switch instructors around on you. They all have different routines, approaches, and so on. So, I’ve been sort of having problems with one of the new instructors. I like her. Her moves are fun. Love the music she selects. What is the problem? Why am I not bathed in sweat when I leave her class like in other classes? I began to research by watching the clock.
In my favorite teacher’s class, I’m sweating at five minutes into the class. In the new instructor’s class, I am not really sweating until half way in. And then the level starts to fluctuate—an easier routine, then a harder on, and so on.
Hmmm.
The pacing was way off. If I were to compare it to a mystery novel, the murder wasn’t happening until midway through the book. How invested would my “mystery” readers be by that point? Not very. Many readers would have chucked the book after the first few chapters. We hear this time and time again—you have to capture your reader’s attention immediately and work to keep them interested.
But if I hooked my reader in with murder in the first chapter, then didn’t give any clues, or any red herrings until the half-way point in the book, they probably would have not finished the book either.
I think it is a tricky balance—this pacing in a mystery novel thing. Have you, as readers, noticed when it’s “off”? Writers, how do you deal with pacing?

How to Host a Killer Blog

Little did we know, back in early 2007, when Deb Baker and I noodled around an idea, that five years later, Killer Hobbies blog would still be going strong. It seemed like a good idea at the time for us, two author newbies, to work together and create a blog home for crafters.

As of today, we have 300 an incredible followers--and 1672 posts logged. THREE HUNDRED followers! Oh, my gosh, how incredible is that?

We've been through a lot of changes, but we're still here. So I'm officially proclaiming February 9, 2012, as our five-year anniversary. I'm sure we can come up with something really special to thank all of you, our loyal readers.

CHANGES IN CAST

We'll miss Terri Thayer. Terri and I shared a ride from Malice Domestic up to Festival of Mystery a few years back. We yakked like crazy and had ourselves a grand road trip. But I understand that all of us have to change and adjust, so I wave a *virtual* goodbye to her and hope she visits often.

MEET OUR NEW BLOGGERS
To keep our blog filled with interesting posts about life's luscious pastimes, we're introducing two new bloggers: Mollie Cox Bryan (Thursdays) and Chrystle Fiedler (Saturdays).

Mollie has already been a guest here, and I'm confident she'll bring a truckload of energy and fun to this site. Oh, and pie recipes. (I'm "jones-ing" for some chocolate cream pie. Or banana. Or any kind! This dieting is getting old.) She's the author of Mrs. Rowe's Little Book of Southern Pies, Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant Cookbook, and the forthcoming Scrapbook of Secrets: A Cumberland Creek Mystery (Kensington Books, February 2012).

Like Mollie, Chrystle Fielder has already written several non-fiction works, including The Complete Idiot's Guide to Natural Remedies. (Hmmm. I wonder what she suggests for rampant allergies?). She's the author of Death Drops: A Natural Remedies Mystery (Gallery/Simon & Schuster, February 2012).

WHAT'S MY HOBBY?

In case you are wondering if this might turn into an all-scrapbooking blog, rest easy. I still love scrapbooking; however, as you know, I dabble in all sorts of hobbies. Recently, I became a cat-grandmother. Yes, an orange tabby named Keanu has joined our family.

Isn't he beautiful? He's a rescue cat whose prior owner couldn't keep him after her divorce. He's ten months old, and already a BIG cat.

When I'm not writing, chasing the cat, letting the dogs in and out, or scrapbooking, I'm doing Zentangles, or Zumba, or gluing seashells on surfaces. Speaking of gluing down shells, I just shipped a beautiful wreath to the Boynton Beach City Library for them to auction off.

I believe with all my heart that the urge to create is a powerful, healing desire that we can't afford to ignore. The Talmud says it's a sin to pass up a permissable pleasure. Life is full of joys, if you take the time to notice them.

Can you tell that I love my life? I'm pretty fond of my blog-osphere, too!

What changes are afoot for you in this New Year? What would you like to see more of in our blog? Please tell us!

My New Year -- It’ll Get Better!

This is my first Killer Hobbies post for 2011. Yesterday suggested to me that the year isn’t off to as great a start as I’d hoped. On the other hand, that was yesterday, and now it’s today. Things are improving already.

What went wrong? Well, it mostly stemmed from my husband’s coming down with a tummy illness. I felt awful for him and couldn’t do much to help. Not that the timing is ever right, but it was on the day we’d chosen to change satellite TV providers. I count on him for technical things, since I’m so non-techie. Fortunately, our younger son is even more tech-oriented than my husband, and since he now lives in LA he was able to help by supervising the installation.

Then, I’d twisted something in my back. It isn’t horrible but it’s sore enough that I had to cancel my zumba lesson. One of these days, I’m going combine zumba with my Curves workout, but not this week. I did do some exercise but had to be careful not to do anything as strenuous as I usually like to do.

Okay, enough complaining. My husband is feeling better. Plus, my writing is progressing well. I’m working on the third Pet Rescue Mystery as well as some other story ideas. Plus, I’m contacting people about the upcoming release of BEAGLEMANIA, the first in the series, which premiers in March. I’m sending out galleys for review in addition to what my publisher is doing. That’s not going too badly. In fact, it’s rather fun!

What’s next? Well, as in any year, I have ideas and prospective plans, plus things I know I have to get done. Somehow, it all seems to work out.

How has your 2011 been going so far? Any surprises yet?