51313 Harbor Street: November 2010

Sorry. Haven't been here. National Novel Writing Month, job searching, working out at the gym, housework, yard work, and life have kept me buried under. Let's catch up, eh?

National Novel Writing Month

I meant to blog about NaNoWriMo, sharing with you what I learned as I wrote madly. Well, here's what I learned: you write madly during NaNoWriMo. That's pretty much it. There isn't really time to learn things. You have to write at least 1,667 words a day, come rain or shine, sickness or health, richer or poorer. Kind of like being married and lasts longer than a lot of marriages do these days.

Oh, I'm enjoying it. There's a certain amazement as the words tumble out. And the fact I will have another book two-thirds completed by the end of it is a good thing. It's a lot of pressure, of course, but I think the pressure is the secret. You don't have time to second guess your story. You have to get those words, and you have to get them each and every day. Like I said, it's an amazing thing.

Job Searching

Sigh. Well, this isn't a great subject. I never imagined I would still be looking for a job four months after my last one ended. It's quite ugly out there. Not only am I not being offered a job in the fields I'd like at the position I'd like, I'm not even being offered entry level positions. Everyone's scrambling for a job. I'm met people with years of experience and plenty of academic degrees, and they're not able to find employment.

Several people now have told me that I should be write full time. Not that simple, folks. Despite what people think, few authors make their living by writing. Most have another job or have a spouse who is employed. And economical downturn has hurt publishing houses just like all other industries. They're taking on fewer new authors, paying lower advances and royalties, and publishing fewer books. Mid-lists are being trimmed, and people laid off. So ... while writing full time is a dream, I'm not there yet. I need a job to carry me until I can.

Or a spouse with a job that could support us well.

Working out

So I've been walking at the fitness center. I'm up to two to two and a half miles and 10 minutes on the recumbent bike. It's going okay. I can tell I have more stamina and strength. It's just taking a lot of work and effort and energy. I come home drained and barely able to function for an hour or so. Well, it will get better. It has to.

My goal is to be walking 2 miles a day and riding the exercise bike 30 minutes a day by the end of the year. I'm also lifting hand weights three times a day. Not much on that yet, but it will get better. I can tell I need it because my arms ache afterwards.

The goal here is not necessarily to lose weight, but to get healthier. The weight loss will happen -- and I have lose weight -- but I'm more interested in increasing my endurance and strength right now.

Housework

I hate it. Enough said.

Yard work

I've actually been able to do some yard work this month. The exercise is paying off. I wasn't able to rake leaves or pick up branches and trash back in August. I'm excited about how this shows my work is paying off.

Life

Life is as it is. I try to accept things as they come and make the best of them when I can and endure when I can't. Like most folks, I imagine. Money remains my biggest worry and problem, but I have a roof over my head, food on my table, and an Internet connection. I have friends. A God who loves me. I have many blessings. Gotta to remember that. You should to.

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Monday, November 15, 2010

Murder by the Mile, 1st excerpt

This excerpt is raw and unedited. Straight from my computer to yours. I can't promise it will appear in Murder by the Mile in this form or at all, but I thought it gave the flavor of the book. Hope you enjoy it.

Excerpt from Murder by the Mile
By Stephen B. Bagley
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

In his dreams, Bernard would look up and see the hanged man open his eyes and stare at him. In those dead eyes, Bernard would see an accusation that Bernard could have saved him if he had only thought. In his dreams, Bernard would try and try to hold up the man to give him slack so that he could remove the rope from his neck. All the while Bernard would be screaming at his dream self what he should do. The man would thrash and moan until Bernard woke up. In reality, the hanged man never opened his eyes, barely moved at all, and never made any sounds as he died, but Bernard would dream it differently for years.

On this beautiful day in early November – a bit chilly, but pleasant enough in the sun – Bernard M. Worthington limped along Watts Ridge Road as part of the two hundred or so people participating in the Ryton Many Mile Marathon. Occasionally other runners passed him. Most of whom he knew and who wanted to know if he was okay.

“Just got a cramp in my hamstring,” he told Merriman Smith who stopped for a few moments when he saw the limping librarian.

“Done that before,” Merriman said. “Unpleasant. Did you warm up first? I’ve been more flexible that I ever thought possible since I started yoga at the community center.”

Startled, Bernard glanced at Merriman. Merriman smiled at him.

“You’d be surprised what this old body is capable of,” Merriman said. “Lots of miles left in me.”

Bernard nodded doubtfully. He had never thought of the City Treasurer as being in good shape. Merriman had a sharp mind ideally suited for numbers and budgets, but he had to be at least seventy-five.

“Bimmer, slothing off?” Ron Sims greeted him as the police lieutenant ran up and then jogged in place.

“He didn’t warm up,” Merriman said. “He’s got a cramp in his leg. Always warm up, I say.”

“Where’s Lisa?” Sims asked.

“She had things to do with Lorena Jo about the wedding,” Bernard said, not liking the question. Sims had dated Lisa Trent back in high school, and Bernard suspected the police lieutenant still wanted her. But she’s mine, bucko, he thought.

“What’s going on, Bernard?” Jerry Ruebuck asked as he joined them.

Bernard groaned silently. One thing he didn’t need or want was the help of the too cheerful and seemingly perfect husband of his former girlfriend. When Sherry Hyatt married Jerry, she apparently ordered him custom-made to her specifications.

“Cramp,” Merriman said. “He didn’t warm up.”

“Probably doesn’t get much exercise at the library,” Sims said.

“Do you need help?” Jerry asked. “I can run back and get my car. Would only take five minutes. I can run this much faster than I can jog. Been saving my strength for the long haul.”

“I brought my cell phone,” Merriman said. “I could call someone.”

“Sherry’s at the station up ahead,” Jerry said. “She could drive her car down here.”

At the mention of Sherry, Bernard straightened up. “It’s better. I’ll walk it out.” He didn’t know if Jerry knew about Sherry and him, but he liked to avoid situations where they were all together. Particularly since Sherry seem to take an unholy pleasure in needling Lisa. One day Sherry was going to go too far, and Lisa was going to deck her. Bernard didn’t want that to happen. Or did he?

“Are you sure?” Jerry asked. “I don’t mind at all.”

“You can’t be too careful,” Merriman said.

“Not at your age,” Sims said.

All three men laughed. Bernard forced a grin on his face.

“I’ll be fine,” Bernard said. He took a few steps and found he could actually move better. “I may finish walking, but I’ll finish. You can go. Go on. Don’t mess up your times for me.”

Sims nodded and jogged on.

“You’re sure?” Jerry asked. “I wouldn’t mind a reason to not go on. Sherry made me do this. Oh, not that it isn’t for a good cause, but I’d rather sponsor someone else and go and play golf. Besides, this race isn’t even certified. It’s not even a real marathon.”

“It’s enough for us around here,” Merriman said loyally. “It’s been going on for over forty years now just fine.”

The Ryton Many Mile Marathon had been started in the late sixties during the first running craze. It would have petered as a lot of local races did over the years, but it became a charity event. Residents sponsored a runner, and the money went to whatever good causes had been selected by the organizers. This year, the money raised went to the Ryton Humane Society, the Shelter for Women and Children, and the local Call-A-Ride.

“Oh, it’s a good little race,” Jerry said. “I just like something that stretches me. And it’s not even certified.”

The organizers of the marathon had looked at getting the race certified by several racing organizations, but decided they didn’t like the restrictions. That meant the race didn’t attract serious runners, but because it gave away t-shirts, ribbons, and at least twenty trophies, many amateurs ran each year and raised a surprising amount of money.

Merriman frowned at Jerry. It was one thing for a Ryton resident to criticize anything about the town, but it was quite another for a newcomer to do so. Bernard had lived in Ryton only two years himself and would never say anything disparaging in Merriman’s hearing.

“If it’s stretching you want –” Merriman started.

Jerry’s cell phone went off. The ringtone was a cut from the 70s song Brick House. “That’s Sherry’s ring,” Jerry said. “Probably wants to know where her man is at.”

Merriman’s face twisted.

Jerry answered his cell and jogged on down the road.

“Humph,” Merriman said. “That wouldn’t be a ringtone I’d use for my wife. If I had one. And not that Hyatt girl. She’s no brick house. She’s skinny as a rail and got a tongue like a rusty nail.”

Bernard thought it best to say nothing. Merriman had probably forgotten Bernard’s history with Sherry and the Hyatt family.

“Well, I’d better get on,” Merriman said. “I’ll tell the aid station you’re coming so they can watch for you.”

“That’s not necessary,” Bernard said, but Merriman had already jogged on.

“Great,” Bernard said. “Just great. It will be over town that I couldn’t keep up with him.” He sighed. In high school, Bernard had been a long distance runner. He expected he would do better in this marathon than he apparently was going to, but too many tacos and not enough exercise were slowing him down. He vowed to start an exercise routine immediately.

He started off again. He found he could walk briskly. His leg seemed to be loosening up. He might even be able to jog in a few minutes if he was careful. He certainly didn’t want to end at the end of the group. That really would give the town wags something to talk about as if he and Lisa hadn’t already giving them enough when they help Chief Donaldson solve two different sets of murders.

At the moment, he had the road to himself. He could see a few people in front of him, but everyone behind him had yet to make the turn off Oak onto Watts. He slowed a bit. He wasn’t trying to win anyway, just finish so that his sponsors would give their pledged money to the Friends of the Ryton Library. The FRL was only a few months old and needed all the support it could get. While the library had a comfortable budget due to the (stolen) fortune Agatha Ryton-Storer had left the library, Bernard was conscious the library lacked grassroots support among the Ryton residents.

In many communities, libraries operated as a social and cultural hub for the surrounding areas. During the many years when Agatha Ryton-Storer had been the Ryton librarian, she had fiercely protected “her” library from any outside activities. For years, the Ryton residents had been able to use the library within her restricted rules. It was no wonder they didn’t see the potential it offered to enrich their lives. Bernard was determined to change that. He had many plans for the library. He hoped he would be able to implement all of them, but realistically he would be satisfied this year if he could get the FRL off the ground.

He followed the curve of the road, not paying attention to his surroundings, although he noticed the trees were growing nearly across the road. Few people used Watts Road now that the new highway had been completed, but it was a scenic run and had hardly any traffic, which made it well suited for the marathon.

Noticing his left shoe had come untied, he stopped to tie it. He heard a movement in the brush at the side of the road, but he couldn’t see anything. Probably a raccoon or more likely a dog.

He stood and took a step.

His face ran into something.

His gaze traveled up.

A hanged man dangled in front of him.

Bernard stumbled back in horror.

He rushed forward to try to hold the man up.

“Help!” he yelled. “Help me!”

But it was a good five minutes before anyone else ran up to help. By that time, Bernard knew the man was dead, but he kept holding the man’s legs, trying to lift the man up to ease the rope around the man’s neck even though he knew it was too late.

Excerpt from Murder by the MileCopyright 2010. All rights reserved. No copying in any form without prior written permission from the author.

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Sunday, November 14, 2010

Books read in 2010 so far

My desire to read 100 books in 2010 had been derailed a bit by National Novel Writing Month, but here's my list so far. Don't know if I can read another 10 books between now and the end of the year, but I'm going to try.

90. **** The Professor of Secrets by William Eamon
This well-researched and interesting biography of Leonardo Fioravanti is a good read even to those not interested in history. Fioravanti was a brilliant, clever, colorful, and controversial doctor in Renaissance Italy. Considered a genius by many and a dangerous quack by others, Fioravanti remains one of history's most curious characters even to this day. Recommended.

89. **** Oklahoma Anthology 96 edited by Lydon Brecheisen and John Cox
A short collection of poems by Oklahoma poets and writers. With any collection, some poems speak to the reader and some do not, but overall, I found this collection to be strong with poems of sharp emotional impact and vivid imagery. It appears to be out of print, but you can probably get it through inter-library loan. Recommended.

88. **** Echo by Jack McDevitt
Another excellent science fiction book by McDevitt. He's the best SF writer out there right now, producing one great book after another. I just wish he'd write faster and publish more! In this book, antique dealers Alex Benedict and his partner Chase Kolpath come across an stone tablet that may be a link to an alien race, but someone or something is out to stop their investigation even if means killing everyone involved. Recommended.

87. **** Godlike Machines edited by Jonathan Strahan
As with any short story collection, this one has a couple of excellent stories with the rest being okay, but those two stories ("Return to Titan" by Stephen Baxter and "Hot Rock" by Greg Egan) are worth the cost of the whole collection. Unfortunately, this is a Science Fiction Book Club special and is only available through them. Recommended.

86. **** The Silent Sea by Clive Cussler with Jack Du Brul
The amazing men and women of the Oregon are back. This time they tackle the mystery of an ancient Chinese expedition that might have world changing consequences. Recommended.

85. **** First Rose by Mary Barton Wilcox
A fascinating story of a woman who dies and then goes to heaven. The imagery that Wilcox uses to describe heaven is powerful. The book has a stunning last line. Recommended.

84. *** Death Under the Dryer by Simon Brett

83. **** This Time Together by Carol Burnett
Funny, sweet, and sometimes sad, this showbiz autobiography is a great read and an excellent followup to her previous book One More Time. Recommended.

82. *** The Body in the Bonfire by Katherine Hall Page

81. **** Cat to the Dogs by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
The mystery isn't complex in this book, but the fantastic element of special cats who can speak to humans makes this book worth reading. You've got to meet Joe Grey and Dulcie, who make purrfect sleuths. Recommended.

80. *** The Morning Star by Nick Bantock
79. *** The Venetian's Wife by Nick Bantock

78. **** Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog by Lisa Scottoline
Funny and moving stories from an "Ordinary Woman." Scottoline, by the way, is a New York Times Bestselling author and Edgar winner. Not so ordinary, I think. Recommended.

77. *** The Encyclopedia of Fantasy and Science Fiction Art Techniques by John Grant and Ron Tiner

76. **** Frenzy by Robert Liparulo
The concluding volume of the first Dreamhouse Kings series comes to a satisfactory close. I enjoyed this young adult Christian fantasy series, although the breathless speed of the narrative constricted character development at times. Recommended.

75. ***** The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas G. Carr
In The Shallows, Nicholas Carr argues that the Internet is damaging our ability for deep thought and that the use of the Net is making us shallow. He provides a lot of evidence, including some fascinating and frightening scans of our brains when we use the Net. Highly recommended.

74. **** The 2009 What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Nelson Bolles
Excellent book on how to find a job. It's updated yearly and well worth the update. Recommended.

73. *** The Golden Mean by Nick Bantock
72. *** Sabine's Notebook by Nice Bantock
71. *** Hire Me Inc. Resumes and Cover Letters by Roy J. Blitzer
70. *** Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde
69. ** The Sign by Raymond Khoury
68. *** The New Frugality by Chris Farrell

67. **** State Fair by Earlene Fowler
Another entry in the Benni Harper mystery series. As always, the characters and their funny and sometimes sad interactions are as important as the mystery. Recommended.

66. *** Griffin & Sabine by Nick Bantock
65. *** Bring It On by Laura Anne Gilman
64. *** Accidentally Dead by Dakota Cassidy

63. **** I'll Mature When I'm Dead by Dave Barry
Excellent collection of humorous articles that haven't appeared in newspapers (except for one). Recommended.

62. *** Shootout in Dodge City by Judd Cameron
61. *** The Escher Twist by Jane Langton
60. *** Live Free or Die by John Ringo
59. *** Eco House Book by Terence Conran
58. *** Never let a fool kiss you or a kiss fool you by Mardy Grothe

57. ***** Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr. Lilian Cheung
Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist monk, and with the assistance of Dr. Lilian Cheung, has produced an excellent book on how to eat healthy and live well. I found this book illuminating and wise and have started to see results in my own life as I've applied its principles. Highly recommended.

56. *** Into the Darkness by Harry Turtledove

55. **** Sync: How Order Emerges From Chaos In the Universe, Nature, and Daily Life by Steven H. Strogatz
Fascinating book about how order can arise at every level of the cosmos and how this synchrony effects our world. Easy to read and full of examples. One of the best science books I've read lately. Recommended.

54. *** Do-it-yourself Digital Home Office by S.E. Slack

53. **** How to Simplify Your Life: Seven Practical Steps to Letting Go of Your Burdens and Living a Happier Life by Werner Tiki Kustenmacher and Lothar Seiwert
Excellent book on how to simplify your life with wise, practical advice. The authors cover everything from your home to your job to your relationships. This book isn't about having less, but about enjoying what you have more. Recommended.

52. *** Solar Power Your Home for Dummies by Rik DeGunther
51. *** Daughter of the Empire by Raymond Feist
50. *** Choice Theory by William Glasser

49. **** Leap of Faith by Gordon Cooper with Bruce Henderson
Mercury 7 astronaut Gordon Cooper tells of his career in space and then of his belief that the U.S. government has covered up information about UFOs. Besides the surprising info about UFOs, the book details Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space projects and offers lots of surprising details about the inside workings of NASA. Recommended for UFO skeptics and believers alike.

48. *** Teach Yourself Copywriting
47. *** The Art of the Book Proposal by Eric Maisel
46. *** 2010 Guide to Literary Agents
45. *** The Puzzle of Piri Reis by Kent Conwell
44. *** The Diabetes Dtour Diet
43. *** Time Spike by Eric Flint
42. *** Catalyst by Anne McCaffrey

41. **** Assegai by Wilbur Smith
Enthralling and exciting adventure in Africa in the early 1900s. Brutal at times, it remains a deeply romantic story in which the brave hero and beautiful heroine fall as deeply in love with Africa as they do with each other. Recommended.

40. *** And Now A Few Words From Me by Bob Garfield

39. **** Photocraft by Caroline Herter, Laurie Frankel & Laura Lovett
A beautiful book perfect for your crafting table. Many projects on ways to use your photos in interesting and unexpected ways. Recommended.

38. *** Harshini by Jennifer Fallon
37. *** Treason Keep by Jennifer Fallon
36. *** Medalon by Jennifer Fallon

35. **** Null-A Continuum by John C. Wright
This is a mind blowing, confusing, but ultimately entertaining book. It is a sequel to three books by the late Golden Age writer A.E. Van Vogt. I warn you: it has more plot twists and hidden identities than any other book you've ever read. The action bounces all over the universe, back and forth in time, and anywhere else you can think of. Frankly, it's overwhelming and took me two readings before I could fully grasp the plot. While I doubt I'd read any other sequels that might follow this one, it was worth the effort.

34. *** Arms-Commander by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

33. *** Knockout by Suzanne Sommers

32. *** Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews

31. *** The Golden Shrine by Harry Turtledove

30. ** Level 26: Dark Origins by Anthony E. Zuiker with Duane Swierczynski

29. **** Breath and Bone by Carol Berg
The stunning and exciting conclusion of the duology that started with Flesh and Spirit. Valen has discovered the truth about his life, but it's a truth that makes him a target for kings, warriors, dead men, witches, and worse evils. I hated to see the book end. Recommended.

28. **** Flesh and Spirit by Carol Berg
A interesting, quirky fantasy, the first of a duology. Valen doesn't fit in anywhere and runs away from the restrictive Pureblood Registry straight into a war that will determine the fate of the entire world. Recommended.

27. **** Revision & Self-Editing by James Scott Bell
One of the best books I've ever read on how to better your writing. Lively, packed with great examples, well-organized. I'm going to buy this book for my library. Recommended.

26. *** UFO by Charles E. Sellier with Joe Meier
25. ** The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
24. *** Elyon by Ted Dekker & Kaci Hill
23. *** Lunatic by Ted Dekker & Kaci Hill
22. *** Tragic Magic by Laura Childers
21. *** Chaos by Ted Dekker
20. *** Arctic Drift by Clive Cussler & Dirk Cussler
19. *** Renegade by Ted Dekker

18. **** The City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Grann
The true story of the disappearance of legendary British explorer Percy Fawcett in the 1920s and of the many other explorers who lost their fortunes, lives and/or sanity searching for Fawcett and the Lost City of Z. Recommended.

17. **** Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Do you like steampunk? Do you like alternate histories? If so, Leviathan is the book for you. It has zeppelins, clankers (like Star War walkers), giant living airships, cannons, politics, a prince on the run, and much, much more. The only reason this handsome teen book didn't get five stars was because it's the beginning of a series, and the story leaves you hanging. Recommended.

16. *** Infidel by Ted Dekker
15. *** Less Than Dead by Tim Downs
14. *** Florence of Arabia by Christopher Buckley
13. ** Amberville by Tim Davys

12. **** Whirlwind by Robert Liparulo
Another entry in the Dreamhouse Kings series. The King family moved into a huge creepy house and discovered that it held terrible secrets. The pace is staggering as they rush from one danger to another. This teen book has some truly creepy moments in it. Recommended.

11. *** A Darkness Forged in Fire by Chris Evans

10. **** Altar of Eden by James Rollins
James Rollins's Altar of Eden is a good book, but it dismayed me with its vulgar language in places, and frankly, it's not one of his best. Characters are slight, and the plot has a few holes. Still, Rollins is one of the best thriller writers out there, and I don't think I wasted my money; I just know Rollins has better books in him. Recommended.

9. *** Cowl by Neal Asher

8. **** Crush it! By Gary Vaynerchuk
Crush It! is a great book for anyone who is trying to turn their passion into a life-long career. It's worth your money if you've ever thought about telling your boss where to go and leaving to follow your dream.

7. *** Design it Yourself Newsletters by Chuck Green

6. ***** First Lord's Fury by Jim Butcher
First Lord's Fury is my first five starred book and is the conclusion of an epic fantasy series. (Butcher also writes the Dresden Files series, the basis for the short-lived show on SyFy channel.) I hope he returns to these characters again in a new series. I think there's still plenty of stories left to be told in that fantastic world. Highly recommended.

5. *** Marvel Visionaires Chris Claremont
4. *** Orcs: Army of Shadows by Stan Nicholls
3. *** Robot Titans of Gotham by Novell Page

2. **** The Chocolate Cupid Killings by JoAnna Carl
The Chocolate Cupid Killings is the latest in a mystery series. I've not read any of the others, but I'm going to look for them. It's an excellent cozy. Carl, by the way, also lives in Oklahoma. I love Oklahoma authors!

1. *** The Light of Burning Shadows by Chris Evans

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Buy Murder by the Acre in soft cover at Lulu.com
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Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

Friday, November 12, 2010

Checking in

Sorry I've been gone. National Novel Writing Month, exercising at the gym, housework, and looking for job take all the time I have and then some!

Right now, I'm at 21,094 words for NaNoWriMo. Which means I'm almost a third of the way through Murder by the Mile, assuming it comes in 60,000 words or so. I suspect, however, that it will probably come in around 75,000. It's a longer, more complex book with more murders, clues, red herrings, romantic intrigues, chases, etc. than anything I've ever attempted before. We'll see. Right now, I'm excited about its potential.

So how are you doing? Life treating you well. Share! And now I'm going to call it a night. You have a good one.

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Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

NaNoWriMo: The third day

Made my words. 6,723. Whew. I'm wore out. Walked my two miles at the fitness center, did housework, wrote, and watched a bit of TV, and now my day is done.

I hate it when my characters hide something from me. Apparently Hester knows something about the murders. I wonder what it could be. I really meant her to be a third-level or fourth-level character, and now she's moving her way on up. She's secondary now. I wonder if this means she will get killed. There's more to Hester than I originally thought.

And that's for tonight. Talk to you tomorrow!

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Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

NaNoWriMo second day

5,077 total for National Novel Writing Month. It's nearly midnight. It took me all dang day. I'm totally beat. Why am I doing this again? Oh, yeah, I want to write a book. I knew it was something like that.

Night!

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Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

Monday, November 01, 2010

NaNoWriMo 1st day!

‎3261 words for National Novel Writing Month today. Woohoo! Double my daily goal. That means I have Thanksgiving off. I'd like to do a few more 3200 days so that I can take a few more days off if needed. Give myself a buffer.

My book for NaNoWriMo is the third in The Measurements of Murder™ series. Murder by the Mile. Bernard, Lisa, and the chief are back and up to their necks in bodies and trouble. So far, so good.

Had to pull out the baby name book. Secondary characters started appearing and they needed names. My directory of Ryton residents is experiencing major growth.

I'm beat. Not enough sleep last night. Had a hard time at the gym today getting my 2 miles in. Yes, I'm dieting, job searching, NaNoWriMoing, walking, etc. this month. There's a possibility November might kill me. Or save me.

Anyway, good night everyone! Back tomorrow for another 1667 words (at least)!

And good luck to all my fellow Nanos wherever you are!

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in soft cover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

Go GO GO!

And we're off! Woohoo! Murder by the Mile is go, go, go on NaNoWriMo!

Buy Floozy and Other Stories in paperback at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy and Other Stories in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Barnes&Noble.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by Dewey Decimal at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Amazon.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at Barnes & Noble.com
Buy Murder by the Acre at BooksAMillion.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in soft cover at Lulu.com
Buy Murder by the Acre in hardcover at Lulu.com
Buy Floozy, MBTA & MBDD items and more at Oakleaf Harbor

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Floozy & Other Stories

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Murder by the Acre (Second Edition)

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Murder by Dewey Decimal

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