Reading Update and Fixing the Beginning of my WIP

I’ve written the next Ghostly Encounters book. Finished the first draft back in April. By now I SHOULD have finished the revisions, but COVID hit and really disrupted my routines. Or maybe that’s the excuse I just like to use. Because in reality, I know my book is a hot mess and I just couldn’t figure out how to fix it. Then I realized that maybe I started it in the wrong place. Or maybe started with the wrong point of view (POV). Or had I? Really, I couldn’t figure it out. I was too close to the story and kept second-guessing myself. So I called a friend to bounce off my ideas. Boy, am I glad I did.

I have a better idea of how to start it now (and with the correct character’s POV) and look forward to getting back to work on my WIP (which I haven’t felt like in ages). I’m hoping once I get going on Ghostly Protector, I’ll come up with an idea for the next book.

Because, yeah, I seemed to have misplaced my ideas somewhere.

It should be part of the Ghost series, since that one is selling the best, but for the life of me I can’t think of another story that hasn’t been told already (in my series). I need something new that will encompass the world I already have, but man, nothing is coming to me. Looks like I’m going to need another brain storming session with someone (preferably with someone who has read all my ghost books).

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #46

Dates read: November 11-15
Title: Fashion Faux Paw
Year of publication: 2012
Author: Judi McCoy
Genre: Mystery
Series: Dog Walker Mystery #6
# of Pages: 311
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Professional dog walker Ellie Engleman is more used to dog runs than catwalks, but when she gets involved in a fashion show, she learns a designer’s life can be murder…
    When Ellie is hired for a Fashion Week event—caring for the dogs who will model outfits that match human models’—she’s more than ready to escape her world of pet-a-porter for the glitz and glamour of the fashion world. But the glitter rubs right off when a designer drops dead of anaphylactic shock, her EpiPen useless after someone tampers with it.
    The victim’s peanut allergy was as well-known as her dress designs. With a little psychic help from the designer’s miniature Schnauzer, Ellie and her canine sidekicks are determined to sort through a coterie of backstabbing rivals and bitter enemies to find out who wanted the designer out of the competition—permanently…
My thoughts: This was the last of the series before the author passed away (and I do miss her, she taught me a lot about writing), so some questions will never be answered. Don’t know if I would have read this as a standalone, mainly because I don’t understand (or care) about the fashion industry, but since it was the end of this particular series, I read it and yes, liked it. The whole series was enjoyable and anyone who likes cozy mysteries with a little bit of strange will enjoy this series, too.

So…  Do you have friends you can bounce ideas off of? Have you ever felt like you ran out of ideas? I really envy those people who can write 20 books in a series. I’m having problems not duplicating stories and I’m only 3 books into the series!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update and Happy Veterans Day

If you’re a veteran, thank you for your service. If you’re a family member of a veteran, thank you for your support!

Me in 1978 at Ft Greely, AK

I’m a veteran (Army 76-81), married a fellow serviceman (who retired from the Army) and only got out when I became pregnant with our firstborn (we didn’t want to risk both of us being sent overseas and leaving our children behind with relatives). Being in the service back then was a whole different life than it is now, I’m sure. While hubby joined during the Vietnam War (he wasn’t sent over there) and retired during Desert Storm (again, wasn’t sent over), we were basically serving during a peaceful time. Very fortunate for both of us. We made the decision for him to stay in 20 years when he reached 10. I’m very glad we made that decision. It’s been a money-saver many times over (health insurance-wise).

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #45

Dates read: November 3-10
Title: Till Death Do Us Bark
Year of publication: 2011
Author: Judi McCoy
Genre: Mystery
Series: Dog Walker Mystery #5
# of Pages: 318
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from book: Professional dog walker Ellie Engleman comes unleashed when she takes a vacation—but it’s not long before murder sinks its teeth into her summer fun…
    A Hamptons wedding gives Ellie an excuse to take a break for the first time in ten years, so she and her best friend pack up their dogs—yorkipoo Rudy and terrier Twink—and head to the beach for a week.
    Since humans and canines have been invited to the festivities, Ellie hopes she doesn’t get roped into dealing with the wet-nosed wedding guests. But soon she’s chasing her tail over trouble of the two-legged variety. Before the bride can say, “I do,” someone is murdered, and Ellie and Rudy must put their noses to the ground to sniff out the killer before the entire ceremony goes to the dogs.
My thoughts: Ellie is still keeping her secret (about her ability to communicate with dogs) from her friend and boyfriend (although Sam is barely in this story). Still an enjoyable series.

So… Did you serve or have family members who served? Which branch?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Reading Update

I’m late again. Days are just kind of blurring together. Didn’t help that I spent last night watching “Dave” and “The American President” in honor of Election Day. Of course, if I had it together (brain-wise), I would have posted this before starting that marathon. Oh well…

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book #44

Dates read: October 28-November 2
Title: Begging for Trouble
Year of publication: 2011
Author: Judi McCoy
Genre: Mystery
Series: Dog Walker Mystery #4
# of Pages: 316
Paper or plastic: Mass market paperback
How obtained: Purchased from author
Blurb from book: Rob Chesney has been one of Ellie’s favorite clients for some time, but she only recently discovered how he makes his living: as a famous drag queen. When she gets free tickets to his latest show, she can’t resist the opportunity to drag along her tough-guy NYPD boyfriend, Sam, to watch Rob strut his stuff and embarrass her man.
    The screams aren’t all for the killer dance numbers, though. Backstage, Rob is discovered, weapon in hand, kneeling over a dead body. Sam is obliged to cuff him then and there, but Ellie knows Rob is innocent, and intends to get the truth out of the one who saw it all: a Poodle-Chihuahua mix named Bitsy.
    From the streets of Manhattan to the den of a pet psychic, Ellie and Bitsy will go wherever it takes to bone up on the night’s troubling events.

My thoughts: I keep waiting for Ellie to tell Sam (or even her best friend) that she can talk to dogs, but so far…nothing. Maybe in the next book? Hmmm… Still enjoying this series, though. It’s a fun one if you like cozy-type mysteries.

So… reading anything good? How are your reading goals (if you had any)? I’m ahead, which hasn’t happened in a looooonnnnng time.  

Happy Reading!

Stacy