About The Seventh Tapestry: A Tense, Beautifully Woven Art Crimes Mystery

When a priceless 16th-century tapestry vanishes from the Museum of Medieval Art in Edinburgh, newly hired curator Sandra Robertson finds herself under suspicion — and in grave danger. 

Asked to help uncover the truth, Sandra reluctantly teams up with Neil McDonnell, the dashing Scotland Yard art crimes investigator, and together they navigate a web of illicit trade, institutional secrets, and mounting threats. 

As bodies turn up and the thefts escalate, Sandra must decide how far she will go to protect the artifacts she loves and the people she’s come to trust. 

Blending rich historical detail with taut romantic suspense, The Seventh Tapestry takes readers into the world of art crime: detective work that depends as much on provenance records and patchy inventories as it does on instincts and courage. Fans of atmospheric mysteries and historical intrigue will be drawn into the labyrinthine streets of Edinburgh, the hush of museum galleries, and the pulse of a partnership that may become something more.

The Seventh Tapestry is perfect for readers who love art history, clever whodunits, and a slow-burning romantic arc that raises the stakes at every turn. 

JUST A NOTE: This first time I saw the six famous tapestries, woven in the 1500's and dubbed The Lady and the Unicorn, in the Musée de Cluny (National Museum of the Middle Ages) in Paris, France, I was hooked. Why couldn't there be a seventh tapestry? 

And that led to The Seventh Tapestry. This story brings together art, history, and the people who protect our past — and explores the crossroads where passion and peril meet. 

If you haven't read my story yet, why not discover The Seventh Tapestry, a gripping art-crimes mystery set in Edinburgh. Follow curator Sandra Robertson and investigator Neil McDonnell as they chase stolen medieval artifacts, face deadly threats, and uncover shocking secrets.

And, let me know what you think!

 

MARCH IWSG: About Launching . . .

 This month's Insecure Writers' Support Group (IWSG) question asks writers to share their thoughts on launching their book. Specifically, What elements do you include in your book launch? Or, what do you have in mind for your future book launch? Or, what advice do you have for others planning to launch a book?

As a frugal, indie writer, I have tried many different strategies over the last decade, but I'm not sure what works best. And, I'm not sure I have the stamina to really support an all-out marketing effort that should support the launch of any book, especially when we writers spend a few years (or more) writing and revising and revising again. Here are a few that have worked for me:

• Newsletter: Most recommend developing a mailing list and sending out that newsletter consistently . . . but not so often you wind up alienating your readers! I always wonder what will interest my readers the most? It's easy to procrastinate when you're feeling uncertain.
• Presence on social media: Again, consistency and visibility. What can you offer potential readers? A glimpse into your writing life? 
• Reduced pricing or give-away during a launch period: This can be a nice way to say thank you to loyal readers. Actually, this is my favorite -- and can be announced through that newsletter.
• Paid advertising: Have you explored promotional sites/offers from places like Fussy Librarian? My own experience suggests you can anticipate a bump in sales.

That's pretty much all I can think of just now. You may have noticed I've been pretty invisible at IWSG since the December posting. Let me share that life has certainly presented a few plot twists! My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, bringing new challenges to us both, but we are persevering. My ability to walk has also been somewhat limited, but I can still walk. And I'm still writing, nearly finished with that next book, Honeymoon in Egypt.

I'm looking forward to reading what others write -- and learning some new strategies. May your own writing go well!

Thank you to Alex Cavanaugh for hosting the Insecure Writer's Support Group. I'm not on my home computer, so please go to the home page for IWSG for more information about this very helpful online writing community. And, here's the link (I hope) so you can visit those dedicated hosts for this month's posting: 

The awesome co-hosts for the March 4 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Natalie Aguirre!

Why not visit a few of these IWSG writers to learn their strategies?

IWSG: Grateful for each day . . .

Wish I did have unlimited time and energy to write. It snowed earlier this week, reminding me that seasons change and that all things have beginnings and endings.

 Today, the first Wednesday of the month, is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. If you are a writer, today you can post your thoughts on your own blog (see question below). This IWSG online community is a very encouraging place to share our writing journey -- and encourage each other!

Some 90 writers participate each month. Why not go to the Insecure Writer's Support Group web site and read a few posts? And consider checking out the very generous co-hosts for today's posting: are Tara Tyler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, Liza, and Natalie Aguirre!

TODAY'S IWSG QUESTION: As a writer, what was one of the coolest/best gifts you ever received?

The most wonderful gift I have received is encouragement all along my writing journey. There's something pretty amazing to hear from readers that they have fallen captive to my stories, even if sometimes the compliments come with a bit of a caveat: "I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed your story!" An honest review remains the very best gift any reader can give -- and I try to reciprocate for those stories I read.

Looking back, my aunt made it possible for me to begin college classes, opening up a world of new ideas and dreams. My husband has encouraged me over the last five decades by reading and critiquing nearly every draft. And, we have traveled everywhere to research my stories (Scotland, England, France, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, South America, and throughout the United States). And I have appreciated working with other writers to exchange crits as we revise and revise again our stories.

What's next? I'm not sure. On December 6, I'll be 82. I hope to finish my current draft, maybe in the first quarter of 2026. If you read The Seventh Tapestry: An Art Crimes Mystery, set in Scotland, please let me know. For my next book is Honeymoon in Cairo. Sandra and Neil got married and somehow wound up investigating thefts of priceless artifacts as the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza prepared to open. Here's the working cover!

May 2025 end with good memories and new dreams for the coming year for us all. Happy New Year!

IWSG: . . . When I began writing . . .

When we were kids, didn't we all think, "Someday, I will . . . ?"

Maybe I wanted to be an astronaut, to travel the world, and, yes, to become a treasured suburban wife. It was the 1950's after all. But my dreams changed as I became a teenager. I still did want to travel the world, but in my heart, I wanted to be a poet, a dreamer, a writer.

Reality came next. As I worked my way through college, I gave up the idea of becoming an astronaut. Too much math. I became a banker and a teacher, and then I met Allen. I became a world traveler by his side -- and a treasured wife. When I retired from teaching, I became a writer. 

My stories were inspired by the travels we'd taken -- and the history I'd studied of the Industrial Revolution:  Scotland and England in the 1840s. Four books later, I turned to mysteries and now, I love writing every day as I work on my second novel of art crime fiction. 

IWSG's question for this month asks if there have been any surprises along the way. Yes. I have been thrilled to write my stories and find readers who seem to keep coming back! Thank you! Standing Stones, the first in my historical fiction series, now has over 1,200 reviews. And that was a BIG surprise! 

The first art crime fiction I wrote was about a missing tapestry. Perhaps you know about those six famous tapestries on display in Paris -- their theme, the lion and the unicorn, a gift for royalty to use to keep those stone walls warm in their imposing castles. But, asked that writer within, what if there were a seventh tapestry? And what if it went missing? 

November brings us to Thanksgiving, and if you've read this far, I think you deserve a gift! Here it is: if you haven't read it, you can pick up a free copy of The Seventh Tapestry, starting tomorrow, November 6, through Sunday, November 9.  

A note about the Insecure Writer's Support Group: Each month, IWSG posts a question for participating writers to consider. Here's the question for this month: When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?

IWSG's purpose is to share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writers! 

The awesome co-hosts for the November 5 posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove!  Why not visit them to see what they imagined when they began writing?

Oct IWSG: My favorite book . . . and a gift for you!

IWSG October 1 question - What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?

I still remember working my way through college, sitting in a class of 60 students, excited to begin. I was the only woman. The professor scanned the class and stopped, pointing at me. "Why are you here, taking the opportunity to learn away from a man who will be the head of a household?"

I was humiliated, but stubborn. The class? Economic History of Great Britain. And that's how I got hooked on the 1840s. A time of the Industrial Revolution and the Clearances, when working folks were evicted by landowners eager to make money by raising sheep for the new factories.

This history resonated with me. Yes, I grew up in a blue collar setting. One of my mother's husbands was a steel worker. Sometimes we didn't have enough to eat. I learned about grit and survival. I wanted to learn more about those families in the 1840s whose lives were changed by the Industrial Revolution. I wanted to tell their story. A decade or so later, Allen and I spent time in Scotland, researching places I'd only read about.

That led to my first book of historical fiction, Standing Stones, that introduces the McDonnell family and their journey that took them (through the next three books) from Scotland to Australia and Canada. Today, Standing Stones has over 1,200 reviews on Amazon.

My gift to you is out of gratitude for all those readers (and writers too) who have inspired me to keep writing. Click HERE to pick up your free ebook! (just through Saturday, October 4).

Standing Stones remains my favorite book because the story celebrates not only the perseverance of those who lived through that difficult time, but also my own tenacity -- in writing and in becoming an indie writer. We writers honor our creativity with every word we write, and so, in the words of a mentor found right here on IWSG: Write on!

IWSG's Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! 

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the October 1 posting of the IWSG are:

 Beth Camp (that's me!), Crystal Collier, and Cathrina Constantine!

Sept IWSG: Celebrating Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen's songs
are poems distilled in music, 

meditations shaped by quiet
that simplifies meaning
down to the edge of understanding.
His dark, slow voice,
relentless, asks us to 

accept some unspoken truth 

that we already know and acknowledge
in the rasp at the back of our throats,
at the tears forming in our eyes:
Unrelenting, universal understanding
of all that makes us human,
vulnerable and yet, worthy.

This month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question asks us to consider: What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research, storybible, or creating outlines\beats?

My answer comes from the poem I wrote above, about Leonard Cohen, a much revered singer, poet, and song writer, whose work (at least for me) is about human creativity.

Photo by Takahiro Kyono (2013)

AI may be a useful tool. It certainly is changing and will continue to transform our lives dramatically. Even as we applaud AI's ability to carry out complex tasks efficiently, some recognize the inherent danger in a technology that has the ability to self-teach itself new skills -- and that may outpace human control.

Yes, I have used AI indirectly. As a frugal indie writer, I like to use Pixel to create my book covers. And that's where I found my working cover for Honeymoon in Egypt, an art crimes mystery, currently slated to be finished this December. To my surprise, the image was generated by AI.

I have always been drawn to technology, fascinated by its potential and emerging applications. But I want to write my own words. Tell my own stories. No shortcuts here, in this, my own creative space. When I research, I discover surprising links, new ideas and understandings of what I'm writing. Would or could AI help this process? Well, I think I'm just too old to play around with my own writing process that begins each day. If I were 30 instead of 80, I might want to reconsider. 

So, let's go see what others think! The awesome co-hosts for the September 3 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Diedre Knight! Why not visit a few (or 10) of these wonderful writers to find out what they think? Here's the LINK.

What do YOU think about AI, writing, and the wonderful creative world we make for ourselves!

The purpose of the INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP (IWSG) 

is to share and encourage writers at every level. 

Any writer can participate by posting on their blog 

on the first Wednesday of each month. 

August IWSG: Unethical? How about a plot twist . . .

 

Sunday began like any other day of the week. Quiet. Uneventful. Until we ended up in the Emergency Room at midnight. We waited for two hours to learn another two hours would pass before seeing a doctor. So we went home, and in the morning, Allen was better. We just celebrated our 50th anniversary on Friday, but this ER visit seems like a harbinger of things to come, despite doctor reassurances and his advice to wait and see what happens next.

So, I've misssed a few days of writing, and I don't care. Missed a few days of exercise also. Still cooked his favorite meal tonight, and we're looking forward to the rest of the week with NO doctor visits! 

This month's IWSG question is simply: What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

I don't have a clue. Maybe I'll learn from reading other IWSG writers' posts and those intrepid souls who've volunteered to host this month. Why not visit the August co-hosts and find out?  Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Natalie Aguirre, Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, and Olga Godim!  Or stop by to check out the nearly 100 participating writers on IWSG's home page.

Thank you for reading . . . I hope the rest of August brings us all some quiet days to cherish and enjoy!

IWSG: Something new???

 

Summer has truly begun with a blast of hot days up past 90F. We stay cool in our cozy apartment with a high of 70F, first floor, and haven't turned on the air conditioning (yet). This morning, I'll be visiting a dear friend, bringing her a collection of quilting projects to share. 

Over the years, I've enjoyed taking classes and learning new skills (sashiko, hand-turned applique).  The end result was a small pile of tabletoppers without backing, settling in the corner with no home. With a commitment to 'get 'er done,' I've begun adding batting, backs, and binding. My first pile of 5 finished tabletoppers went to a fundraiser for a local community center. Only 2 left. And maybe that scrappy blue quilt top will go next. 

There's something truly relaxing about putting random pieces together just to see what happens next -- something like writing. Although, I will admit both writing and quilting require discipline as well.

This month's challenge question from IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) asks us: Is there a genre you haven't tried writing in yet that you really want to try? If so, do you plan on trying it?

This month's question made me laugh. Nearly out loud. Mostly because I've written in nearly every genre I can think of, from historical fiction, to art crime mystery, to science fiction, to simple fantasy. One genre immediately popped in my head. I haven't written erotica. Blush! Some 'things' just belong behind closed doors. Private. I'm not being Victorian. Dark edges appeal to me. Just not erotica. 

I'd rather write about how we commit ourselves to a better world and how we find our way there. Especially these days.

And then someone asked me if I'd ever written time-slip stories. Hmm. Never have followed Alice down the rabbit hole to a different time and place. So, maybe that's my next challenge.

Update on the writing. I'm taking a break, even with 50K words calling out to me from that art crime mystery in progress, Honeymoon in Egypt. Family issues have been emotionally draining. Maybe next month, I'll have better news for you. 

For now, I wish you a summer filled with warm (not hot) days, and good times with family and friends. And maybe, some quiet mornings for writing!

About IWSG: The first Wednesday of the month, nearly 100 writers take to their blogs to post their thoughts on writing or in response to this month's questions. Consider visiting this month's generous hosts Rebecca Douglass, Natalie Aguirre, Cathrina Constantine, and Louise Barbour -- and participants HERE to read and perhaps leave a comment!  You just might be inspired . . . to write!

Sounds of the Past . . .

 You know how it is when an old photograph pops up, and suddenly, you're remembering something from decades ago. That happened this week when I spotted a picture of Fats Domino.

He played just the piano at a small high school dance back in 1961. I was a senior, thrilled to 'bop' to his energetic rock and roll, all of us motivated by his music and his enthusiastic smile. I knew he lived in New Orleans. What I didn't know is that Fats Domino was a little shy. Elvis called him the 'real king of rock and roll.' He passed away in 2017, but I can't listen to his music without smiling and reappreciating his gifts.

Read more about Fats Domino HERE and listen to his greatest hits HERE.

As long as I'm looking back, here's another favorite from Simon and Garfunkel to enjoy:  The Sounds of Silence (1964). Ah, another blast from the past! Enjoy.

IWSG: Books????

First Wednesday of the month means time to post a response to The Insecure Writer’s Support Group’s monthly Blog Hop. Here's the June 4 question: What were some books that impacted you as a child or young adult?

Books were an escape for me. I could fall into a book and ignore all else around me -- even meal time. Libraries were quiet. Each shelf beckoned. Once I could check books out, I started with "A" and kept going. Even today, when life becomes chaotic and I don't want to watch the news, a new story beckons. Maybe this is why I became a writer many decades later, entranced by words and the mystery behind an unfolding story.

I remember reading Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea in my school library and trying to hold back my tears. I was drawn to adventure and now can't remember the book that spawned my dream to travel by ship around the Horn. Other favorites included: Louisa May Alcott's Little Women (somehow I was Jo and Beth at the same time); George Orwell's Animal Farm, Robert Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land, Frank Herbert's Dune, and pretty much anything by Ray Bradbury. As a teenager, I used to babysit for one family who kept a box of science fiction in the basement. I read them all. 

Today, i-pads beckon. My grandchildren might start reading. The thirteen year old is carrying around two library books, one Japanese manga, and the other a non-fiction book about police work behind crime scenes. At least, she's reading.

Image by jenikmichal

Changes. . .

Mid-week, and this May morning brings intermittant sun and rain-darkened clouds, switching between sun and shadow, much like me. Since learning Allen has Parkinson's disease, I feel optimistic (maybe he'll remain in the early stages for a long time), and then those darker thoughts come. I try to write and yet end up stepping away from my current project. That goal of writing 300 words a day, 4K a month seems unattainable, and, yes, I feel inadequate, despite having reached 50K already and setting a date to finish the first rough draft by December 2025.

Later today, I'm Zoom meeting with a group of writers to talk about chapbooks. Yes, I have poems, have already published one chapbook, but what will I do with these poems, a few hundred, that remain unread? And when Allen needs me, I don't care about the writing, the morning, I just want to be there for him, steady and strong. Even if I feel like crying.

If I say nothing can be changed, that feeds into inadequacy. The reality is that change comes to us all. So, today, I shall float along with those clouds, feeling the sun, ready to make a commitment: Work to be positive. Take those small steps that create order and peace and harmony in a world that will keep changing.

May the change that comes your way strengthen you.

For now, I'm working on today's menu and grocery shopping. I've given up on that weekly major shopping. Too much gets simply tossed aside. I'd rather do smaller trips, twice a week. Found a recipe for Baked Eggplant Rolls stuffed with ricotta pesto. Nice salad on the side. Probably leftovers for tomorrow.

Cherry tree spotted on a walk near our home

IWSG: If I could . . .

If I could sleep sitting up on the overnight train to Abu Simbel along the Nile River in Egypt, would I? Or climb beneath a pyramid, tons of stone above me? Or sail around the Horn, walk the same path with penguins skirting the sandy rocks, or stand in awe before Van Gogh's self portrait in Paris, tour groups passing at breakneck speed around me?

Yes, I have done these things and more. I have not been afraid. I felt privileged to see the world with my true love beside me. Would I choose such travel over that house in the suburbs? Yes. Journal in hand, I have written my way all through my life. 

You might ask what began your writing life. I can answer quite simply. In high school, so many decades ago, reading books and writing were an escape. I grew up in a family of alcoholics, frequent moves in and out of foster homes, and nightmarish incidents (the night one of my stepfathers took down the front door with an axe being one). I left at seventeen and never looked back. Worked my way through college. Became a writing teacher, and on retiring, Allen said, "It's time for you to write those stories, truly." For the last twenty years, I've written 11 books and hundreds of poems as an indie writer. The shoe fits.

Along the way, I've come to understand that every decade has its own challenge. Now 81, I realize this decade may well try to break me, but I refuse to bend. We learned this week my dear husband of 50 years has Parkinson's. I fear his loss more than anything else. My job now is to be strong, positive, and take care of him, as he has taken care of what matters most to me -- that inner life that sees and seeks beauty in all things. Even cooking.

So this post is my roundabout way of answering this month's question for the Insecure Writers' Study Group. Some common fears writers share are rejection, failure, success, and lack of talent or ability. What are your greatest fears as a writer? How do you manage them? 

My response and hope is that you follow YOUR dreams, honor your own creative spirit, and persevere! For each day is precious, as are you and your gifts.

Spring at Manito Park

Here's a little about the Insecure Writer's Support Group! The first Wednesday of each month is officially IWSG Day. Some 90 writers talk about their progress on their blogs, offer tips, or answer the question of the month. Everyone tries to visit about 10-20 other writers to show our support. And, each month, several writers volunteer to be co-hosts. This month, the generous co-hosts are:  Feather Stone, Janet Alcorn, Rebecca Douglass, Jemima Pett, and Pat Garcia!

Why not consider participating? For spring is truly on its way. May you celebrate each day and find many words for your stories. 

IWSG: Fantasy or real life?

Today's challenge question is: What fantasy character would you like to fight, go on a quest with, or have a beer/glass of wine with?

If I were twelve, this question would be easy. I'd love to sail on a pirate ship in the 19th Century, smell the sweet, free scent of the sea, and search for treasure. The reality? Cramped quarters, no showers, hit or miss food, and no computer for writing.

At eighty-one, I'm not interested in fantasy. Okay, maybe book fantasy. But real life? I would love to travel to Peru or Paris just once more with my beloved fellow traveller who's been by my side for nearly fifty years. Is that possible? I'm not sure we could survive the plane trip! Let alone climbing up five flights to our temporary apartment! We content ourselves with postcards, photos from long ago, and travel the world vicariously at local international restaurants, celebrating each day.

And about the writing: Steady progress. IF I'm able to keep writing 4K a month, Honeymoon in Egypt will be finished by the end of the year. This is the second book in the art crime series, following The Seventh Tapestry

Just one writing tip: When I'm drafting, I normally jump around whenever a scene occurs to me. Maybe other writers do this. Sometimes, I end up writing duplicate scenes. So, I now like to use a simple list at the top of each chapter. This helps me remember the who, what, when, and why as the story develops. What's your favorite writing tip? 

So marketing experts, my question is: Should I follow experts who suggest my price should stay at $4.99, OR drop the first book in a series to 99c -- or permafree???? What do you think?

Here's a little about the Insecure Writer's Support Group! The first Wednesday of each month is officially IWSG Day. Some 90 writers talk about their progress on their blogs, offer tips, or answer the question of the month. Everyone tries to visit about 10-20 other writers to show our support. And, each month, several writers volunteer to be co-hosts. This month, the generous co-hosts are: Jennifer Lane, L Diane Wolfe, Jenni Enzor, and Natalie Aguirre!

Why not consider participating? For spring is truly on its way. May you celebrate each day and find many words for your stories. 

Spring at Japanese Garden, Manito

Letting go . . .

 Recently, I read an article. Can't find it now, but the underlying message stayed with me: Consider what you have. What do you treasure? What do you use most? And, why are you keeping the rest? 

I looked around in the clutter of my office and three bookcases, I began to sort them out. Surprisingly, I just didn't need, read or plan to read many books. So, a few bags later, and they're off to a new home (friends, library, and donations). Part of following this process led me to think about when these 'things' were important. Good memories of teaching, but I'm not teaching any more. Good stories, but I'm not going to read some of these books again.

One half shelf of books is about those wonderful codices from the Maya and Aztecs, precious and sacred books written with hieroglyphs and intricate pictures. The Spanish burned these books, yet a very few remain. I couldn't let these books go . . . even as I learned today that new codices are being discovered -- which means new books will be written!

Pages from a Mayan Codice (Source)

New Aztec codices have been discovered (Source)

The office feels less cluttered. I feel lighter. Now I'm beginning to look at the rest of the house. What do I truly need? What do I treasure and why? Do I really need two kitchen scissors? Okay, in that case, yes. But this is kind of a fun process. 

What would you keep? What would you consider letting go?

IWSG: If I could be anyone . . .

As we march into Spring, the Insecure Writer's Support Group challenges writers to answer this question on the first Wednesday of March:

March 5 question - If for one day you could be anyone or *thing* in the world, what would it be? Describe, tell why, and any themes, goals, or values they/it inspire in you.

When I was a kid, I read as many books as I could check out of the library, falling into historical fiction as if it were an escape from what surrounded me. My dreams were to sail to the Southern Seas, to travel the world, to climb mountains. I never actually thought this would happen, holding the current book in my hand, lost in places so far away I couldn't hear anyone at all. 'Nose in a book,' my mother would say, losing her patience and whacking me. I left at seventeen and never looked back. I also don't drink.

I never thought I'd fall in love, get married, have children, or live in a lovely cottage on the hill with a white picket fence in front. That cottage never materialized, but I still remember that day I met Allen, my husband of now over 50 years. He said, "I really like you, but I like to travel." My reply? "So do I." Did I say that he loved bookstores and libraries as much as I do?

I've traveled more than I ever imagined, explored cultures that yet resonate, and I became a college teacher of writing, helping others find ways to express their dreams and set their own goals. Once retired, we settled near family, with two grandkids who brighten every week.

And I began to pursue my longheld dream of becoming a writer, starting with historical fiction (somehow I got stuck in the 1840s), then dabbling in other genres -- police procedurals and art crime mysteries. All inspired by that lifelong love of travel.

So, if I could be anybody, I think I am simply happy being myself.

And, starting tomorrow, March 6, my latest book goes on special. Unleashed Pursuit, a story about a woman police officer on the run who winds up in a small town in Oregon. Take a look, if you like. I still love to encouraging reading, so all of my books are available on Kindle Unlimited.

Now, the snow has melted, temperatures are slowly warming. Maybe spring will truly be here with first flowers in a few more weeks -- a good spring for all of us.

Consider visiting the awesome co-hosts for the March 5 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse Van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Liza @ Middle Passages! Say hello, leave a comment, and celebrate each day! 

Oh, and there's still time to read a book!

Where do ideas for new stories . . .

 So, where do ideas for new stories come from? 

My historical fiction series began with a college class called The Economic History of Great Britain. Sounds pretty uninspiring, right? My first day, the room was quite crowded with about 70 students. I found a seat toward the back and by the door (my habit: Always sit as close as possible to the exit). 

The teacher marched in, looked at all the students, zoomed in on me, and said: "Why are you here, taking up the spot of a male who will need this class to become a wage earner and head of a family?" Yes, I was the only female in the class, working on a double major, English and History. And, yes, I successfully completed the class, earning an "A". 

That class focused on the Industrial Revolution and the ways the lives of simple farmers were transformed. Landowners evicted these hard-working families, replacing them with sheep as the wool suddenly had become a profitable product, very much needed for the new factories. 

Standing Stones, set in 1840s Scotland, introduced the fate of one such family. I'm very pleased to report that Standing Stones now has over 1,000 reviews and led me to write 3 more stories based on the McDonnell family and their adventures in Scotland, Australia, and Canada.

So, stories can be inspired by external events, books read, or even a visit to a museum . . . .

A few years back, we spent a month in France, independently traveling. One special day, we visited the Musée de Cluny in Paris to see those very famous six lion and unicorn tapestries, woven sometime around 1500. Magnificently detailed, each tapestry illustrated one of the five senses, with the sixth tapestry a mystery, named To My Only Desire (roughly translated). 

The writerly part of me asked, "What if?" What if there were a seventh tapestry, hidden for hundreds of years? And so began my story, The Seventh Tapestry, my first art crime mystery.

Stop back by later to find out how twice, now, a vivid dream has awakened me -- and inspired a story!

Hope you enjoyed Valentine's Day -- or, as my daughter would ask, Did you celebrate Cheap Chocolate Day on February 15th?

IWSG: Running like a rabbit . . .

I'm late. I'm late! Just like that rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, down the rabbit hole I go, working my way through a to-do list that's way too long! Including a special writers' Zoom meeting on Wednesday that I missed entirely. Sigh.

For February 5, the Insecure Writer's Support Group challenges writers to answer this question:

Is there a story or book you've written you want to/wish you could go back and change?

The short answer is no. I did have a story that I set aside to finish Unleashed Pursuit. That side trip into the world of a runaway female cop, chased by bad guys and good guys, popped out into the world early January, 2025. Telling this story was a lot of fun, and feedback from readers has been positive. Check it out . . . and as indie writers say, consider leaving a review?  Go HERE.

So, happily, I'm now back at work -- and writing! -- on Sandra and Neil's Honeymoon in Egypt, a follow-up art crime mystery to The Seventh Tapestry. Would you be surprised to learn that Sandra and Neil discover artifacts have been stolen from that brand new Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza? 

Typically, it takes me about 2-3 years to write a story. I'm trying to apply 1) outlining, 2) deadlines, and 3) a daily word count to finish Honeymoon (currently at 34K) by December 2025. Of course, it does help that we visited Egypt a few years back. I still remember touching the pyramids at Giza and walking underneath one of those pyramids.

May you have a good month, whether writing and/or reading! 

Despite continued snow and winter that's longer than it should be, we will persevere! Right?

Consider visiting the awesome co-hosts for the February 5 posting of the IWSG: Joylene Nowell Butler, Louise Barbour, and Tyrean Martinson.  Say hello, leave a comment, and celebrate each day!

2025: Time to set those goals!

I'm filled with enthusiasm and a sense of thankfulness over the great receiption of Unleashed Pursuit, just released last week, already with 3 reviews! But, now it's time to set goals for 2025 -- a mix of writing and personal commitments. 

Here's my preliminary list, including deadlines (aargh!):

• Complete the first rough draft of Honeymoon in Egypt, an art crimes mystery, currently at 30K. Book 2 following The Seventh Tapestry, (now up to 149 reviews!) by June 2025.
• Continue blogging 2x/month.
• Send newsletter 1x/month.
• Read and review other authors 2x/month.
• Participate in writing groups (Zoom 4x/month, Spokane Authors 1x/month). Maybe resume working with the Internet Writing Workshop?

Am I being too ambitious? I truly don't know.

    Source: lolalambchops  

• OTHER:
• Go swimming and/or some other physical activity 3x/week.
• Continue making comfort quilts for those who need them, probably 1x/month.
• Come up with some way to make cooking easier (I really don't have a clue).
• Celebrate family commitments with activities 2x/week.
• Face down the MARKETING challenge (again, never sure what works or what I 'should' do to encourage new readers). 
• Do I offer a freebie for Valentine's Day? Hmmm. What do YOU think?

Ah, the truth is that I don't feel ready for 2025. Family illnesses are distracting, and I feel like each day brings a new and unexpected challenge. My favorite saying these days is that real life is much like fiction -- full of plot twists! I hope to support those who need me in the coming year -- and keep writing.

May 2025 be a good year for us all -- and, hopefully, a little less complicated!

 

Source:  Pinterest  

IWSG: Someone to admire . . .

2025 begins with many challenges. We'll need courage to face some of them down. Right now, the television news are focused on those horrific fires in Los Angeles. I can't help remembering the time I worked in LA's downtown financial district and lived in a small apartment off Wilshire Boulevard. Now a minimum of 80K people are evacuating what looks like four fires. I'm grateful to be living now in the snowy Inland Pacific Northwest, otherwise known as eastern Washington, even if we did get another inch of snow this morning.

The January 8 challenge question from the Insecure Writers' Support Group asks us to describe someone you admired when you were a child. Did your opinion of that person change when you grew up?

Whew! This question sent me down a rabbit hole, for my mother was a Hollywood starlet, beautiful, charismatic, and an alcoholic. I did not admire her. 

When my Aunt Liz offered me a chance to come live with her to go to college, I left and never went back.Yes, I admired and respected my aunt then, at 17, and now. Without her, I would not have begun that long journey to earn my degree and then a master's. I wouldn't have taught community college, with a special awareness of how education can change lives.

Liz was an artist and a beautiful person in her own right. Her paintings, more than 50 years later, still hang on my walls, inspiring me to be that person who sets goals and follows her heart. 

She overcame challenges as well, which truly began when she overheard her mother comparing her to Marion, my mother. "She's the leftovers," said my grandmother. I think sometimes that Liz spent the rest of her life, working to prove she was not the 'leftovers.' 

Her next challenge was becoming a recognized artist in a time when women were expected to be housewives. Once, she was shown a cupboard full of glasses, all in a tidy row. "This is what you should be doing. Not painting."

Yet she found time and resources to support me and my writing at a time when there was no one else. I will never forget her.

On the brighter side, I'm pretty excited to let you know that  Unleashed Pursuit is now available online. Click HERE to pick up your copy for half the price of a cup of coffee!

When newly appointed detective Cat Russo goes undercover at a shady nightclub in Seattle, she doesn’t expect her friend and partner, Sophie Morales, to be murdered. Threatening phone calls from strangers and a mandatory suspension push her to go on the run.

When she meets Officer Kevin McDonnell in a small town on the Oregon coast, Cat begins to believe she can solve Sophie’s murder. She’s determined to return to Seattle, despite everything that can go wrong.

Early readers have found Unleashed Pursuit a gripping read. As one reader said, “Just when you think that Cat is finally going to be safe, another heart-stopping twist occurs!”

A special thank you to Alex Cavannagh, the force behind IWSG, that online writers support group that allows us to catch up on what other writers are doing. And more thanks to this month's co-hosts -- Rebecca Douglass, Beth Camp (that's me!), Liza @ Middle Passages, and Natalie @ Literary Rambles! 

Why not explore what 95 other IWSG writers are doing on this monthly blog hop! Click HERE.  

We cannot change what is happening in this crazy beginning to 2025, but we can work to make our world a better place. For now, I'm hoping for better news from Southern California.

IWSG: Beginnings and Endings . . .

First an update. November was fun. Yep. I wrote every day, just a little over 10K words on one of my current projects, Honeymoon in Egypt, an art crimes mystery now at 32K, and met my goal for National Novel Writing Month. It was especially rewarding to simply draft, relish the details, develop the story, and not worry about editing. However, December begins with renewed focus on my other wip, Unleashed Pursuit, currently at 62K. Those generous beta readers came through with with serious editing challenges that will require me to drill down into conflict and find new ways to build tension. OK, I'm intimidated.

This month, IWSG's challenge question asks: Do you write cliffhangers at the end of your stories? Are they a turn-off to you as a writer and/or as a reader?

At least, this question is easy. Depends. Most of the time, I do like writing HEA. Don't we need that some of the time? Just because my characters wind up happy, we all know real life will present us with challenges, and not all of them end well. But why not let that challenge emerge in the next story, as in the beginning? When I'm reading, does the story satisfy on all levels? Ending with a cliffhanger often reads like a carrot, as if the writer were saying, "Come on, read the next story!" But if I really care about the characters or the story, cliffhangers don't bother me!

Now, I'd like to go see what others have written.  Hmmm. Is that a cliffhanger?

Other challenges. You already know that quilting is a balance to my writing. So, this month, I'm back working on the design for an Australian quilt. All of the patterns I've found are geometric, so that's where I started. 

But . . . aboriginal art is about a journey, whether real or internal. I'm playing around with combining the geometric with some kind of a circular design. Let me know what you think!

Circling within, so internal, but not a journey?

Perhaps an unplanned journey, not a map?

And December is my birthday month. This year, I'll be 81. That's pretty much an achievement in itself, but I wonder: How many books/quilts/time with family do I have left? For now, I hope to cherish each day and persevere! And thank YOU for being part of my writing life.

NOTE: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) day, an informal blog gathering of writers who share updates and encourage each other.

Why not join in? Check out the IWSG website to read what 97 other writers are up to. Leave a few comments. Share what's going on with your writing life on your blog. Special thanks go to Alex Cavanaugh and this month's co-hosts for encouraging us all: Ronel, Deniz, Pat Garcia, Olga Godim, and Cathrina Constantine!

May the coming month be a good one for us all.