Daily Jots

“There are a lot of elements to writing a mystery. These tips should help you brainstorm! You’ll see I’ve included all the steps you’ll need to create a story full of surprise and suspense. Read through them, and start making notes for your mystery.”

And we know that the brainstorming part is the most fun. Sometimes, I would rather do the planning and then hand it over to someone else to write.

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I was just reading an article about organizing your kitchen and keeping it neat. That lead me to wonder what kind of character you could build (for your next novel) if he or she had the untidiest kitchen you could ever imagine. As I write this about a zillion possibilities are popping into my mind.

What about a serial killer?

Britt and I have gotten into the habit of going for a walk each morning. It’s cold and I hate it, but I’m kind of glad that we did. No one else seems to be out and yesterday we stopped at one of our neighborhood parks and we had it all to ourselves. We sat on a bench, watched the clouds for a while and even checked out the playground equipment.

When was the last time you actually sat on one of those bouncy animals and not felt like an idiot? Luckily there was no one around lol…

Don’t know what I’m going to do when my landscaping daughter goes back to work in the spring. I’m kind of liking the company!

To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else.
Bernadette Devlin McAliskey

I think I’m coming down with a cold… no I know that I’m coming down with a cold and I don’t feel like writing anything today. So, that lead me to think about what other writers do when they don’t feel like working… sick or not. That lead me to this page and I think the advice is pretty good!

Are you following in the footsteps of another writer or are you dancing to your own beat? Some writers hate to follow the rules. Which side of the fence are you sitting on?

I decided to go browsing on my bookshelf to look for a book that might interest the writer in you. This is it. Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions. It’s all about reviving Victorian family celebrations and there is a chapter devoted to each month. If anyone is researching family life, this book is an enjoyable way to do it.

And just in case you were wondering, the book was written by Sarah Ban Breathnach, the author of Simple Abundance!

*Sarah Ban Breathnach’s Mrs. Sharp’s Traditions: Reviving Victorian Family Celebrations Of Comfort & Joy

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, but it was on my shelf and I had yet to read it, so for sheer relaxation, I started. Now could there be a connection with the strorm that blew in yesterday… freezing rain and equally freezing temperatures. Maybe I should have chosen a book with a palm tree on the cover.

As I am writing this, I am contemplating turning up the furnace. Yes, it is that cold! Am I superstitious?? I’m beginning to wonder.

Let It Snow

If you are anywhere near Titusville, Florida, you just might want to check out the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum. If you are planning a crime or mystery novel, you might be able to use a lot of this stuff. Inside, you will find some pretty gruesome crime scene photos, and if you have ever wondered what an electric chair looks like… they have one of those on display!

You can book yourself a session in the gun range with instruction thrown in as well. (See The Big Ticket Below)

Obviously, this is not your average museum and the perfect place to do a bit of research! But if you aren’t near Titusville, Florida, check in our own home town. There are zillions of exhibits that usually pass by the people who actually live in the area. We usually leave the museums and touristy stuff for vacationers! To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I visited our own city’s museum!

“Admission
Adults: $12
Kids 4-12: $8
Senior Citizens & Military: $8
Law Enforcement Officers: Free*
Family Survivors: Free
Members: Free*

* Guests - Half Price

BIG TICKET
If your looking for some major excitement then you want the BIG TICKET! The BIG TICKET is only $40 per person and features museum admission, 50 rounds of 9mm action in the gun range with free instruction and a 150 mile per hour helicopter ride! The BIG TICKET is available Tues. thru Sat. Museum admission, gun range activities and helicopter rides may each be purchased individually”

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What is in your desk drawer at this very moment? I mentioned a few days ago how the surface of my desk has to be neat and tidy, but that doesn’t seem to apply to my desk drawer. Everything seems to get pushed into it, but perhaps this month, I will schedule a little time to clean it out. Who knows what I will find.

*Money would be nice!!