Placed in National Contest!

I received some exciting news recently. I placed in the top 100 manuscripts out of almost 12,000 entries in the 80th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition. I had entered a children's manuscript several months ago, then went on to other writing projects. This month they notified the winners and I found myself one of them. In the December issue of Writer's Digest magazine they will have an article telling all about the competition, with the winners' names, etc.

It pays to keep on trying! As they say, "Write, write, write. Enter, enter, enter!"

Combining Mystery with History

Colorado Springs, Colorado and Austin, TX are wonderful places to visit. And this time of year couldn’t be more fun, with all of the festivals and holidays coming up. In writing the Stormy Winters Mystery series, I have combined my love of history and mystery with that of the excitement of visiting and exploring the wonderful cities, both in the United States and around the world.

The first book in the series takes Stormy and her husband, Lance, to Austin amongst a tour group full of diverse people. (What else would you find in a tour group?)  As they did, I loved touring the Texas State Capital building, the museums, the grand old hotels, and the beautiful gardens. Come enjoy the various flavors of music, or watch the bats come out at night down by the river. And if you’re a football fan, don’t miss a single Longhorn game.

The second book in the series takes places in Colorado Springs. Stormy and her husband visit their niece, Ann, who is soon to graduate from the prestigious Air Force Academy. You will find much to do in this lovely city nestled in the Rocky Mountains, only a little over an hour south of Denver. It was exhilarating to ride the COG railway to the top of the famed Pike’s Peak. What a view from up there! And don’t forget to visit Miramont Castle, Seven Falls, Cave of the Winds, and many more of the wonderful places there. And let’s not forget to mention horseback riding in the Garden of the Gods.

I have planned out several more books in the series, each with its own mystery to solve.

I hope you will enjoy each one of them.

Finally...Fall!

Finally, fall has arrived! You can feel it in the air, see it in the stores, hear it in the sounds all around you. It's a breath of fresh air after such a sizzling hot summer. It's a wonderful time of year: Halloween, just around that spooky, treat-filled corner; Thanksgiving, bringing a feast for family and friends; and Christmas, filled with joy and delightful surprises. And don't forget New Years, a time to begin all over again.

And for a writer, it's a wonderful time to stop, listen, and create! So take a moment, get out that pencil, sit down at that keyboard, and let your imagination take you on a wonderful adventure!