DONIS CASEY: Write Errant

I had an absolutely wonderful time presenting my workshop down in Sierra Vista AZ on how to deconstruct a historical mystery novel. It was a lovely, intimate group, and we were really able to talk about how it’s done. Everyone was so enthusiastic, and asked such good questions, that the workshop went on for more than two hours and I hardly noticed. Except for the fact that I was so hoarse from talking that I practically had to maintain silence all the next day. Poor Don was bereft of my constant wit and wisdom, and was forced to think his own thoughts. He did seem to be in an unusally good mood, though.

My next gig is April 29 at 11 o’clock in the morning at Scottsdale Public Library. I’ll be talking about my books, and about the writing life, too. It all sounds very romantic to spend your days imagining and creating entire worlds on paper, but there’s a lot more to it than than that. Shameless promotion doesn’t suit most authors, who tend to be an introverted bunch, as a general rule. But the reality of the book business these days makes it an absolute necessity if you want anyone at all to read your work.

The thing I try to remember is something that novelist Charles Benoit wrote – he’s just constantly amazed that in spite of everything, he’s an actual published author. So come by Scottsdale PL on the 29rh if you’re in the area, Dear Reader. There will be dessert!

As I mentioned in my previous post, on May 1st, I’m going to see Carolyn Hart and newbie Hannah Dennison (author of the hilarious A Vickie Hill Exclusive!) at Tempe Public Library at 3:30, then I’m taking them to supper and chauffeuring them to Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale, where I’m going to MC their talk at 7:00. My editor and PP Bookstore owner Barbara Peters asked me if I wanted to, and I jumped at it, since Carolyn has been so good to me. In her new book, Death Walks In, a watercolor picture of a scene from one of my books is hanging on the wall of Annie Darling’s bookstore in South Carolina!

And last, for anyone who’s ever written or tried to write a book, there is a very interesting discussion going on over at www.typem4murder.blogspot.com on the process. It’s fascinating to see how different authors go about it.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 18th, 2008 at 6:15 pm and is filed under Writer Rant. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.