Friday, December 18, 2015

What Are Your Plans for 2016?

The Basket Maker's Wife
“Couldn’t put it down.”
AMAZON: US: UK: CA: AU:
iBOOKS
BN
KOBO

In a magical Ozarks town, Nora finds the peace she needs--and then love came calling...
The lives of 3 contemporary women--Nora/Lynn/and Jessie, The Basket Maker's Wife--are woven into The Maiden/Mother/and Crone of Celtic lore. Made stronger by love and Jessie's healing, each woman is a gift to the others and to Mill Haven. Add new loves and Nora has a big new life--
~~
~Since the beginning of time, women have been gatherers and needed baskets to store and to carry. Today’s woman might use a purse or a tote bag, but a basket is a lot better. Every basket has a purpose, like the picnic basket, the egg basket, and so on, and the best baskets are made with loving hands. You can always tell who is going to put a good basket to use.~
Jessie Holbrook, The Basket Maker’s Wife
~~ NEWS FLASH! THE BASKET MAKER'S WIFE WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE IN PAPER! (Don't bother reading the description; the real one isn't done yet. :))

How do you love this gorgeous flow thru cover?! I do. The baskets are my own shots, my baskets, used by the cover artist, NajlaQamberDesigns. (I'm in love with baskets. :))

That is only one project. Book 2 of my series is going thru its stages now. Read the following list of my 2016 goals, a partial of the INTERVIEW given to Sleuth's Mystery Writers in Springfield MO:

~~~

I’m in a creative/fertile “nesting” period right now, writing away and learning. My 12 Plans for 2016 also include:
  1. Get back into dictation.
  2. Collect all the articles I’ve written in the last 30 years about how to write and stash them in a folder for a potential book. We need more of those, don’t we? (To understand that last question, now that I have awards for humor.) However: I highly recommend Dwight Swain’s Techniques of Best Selling Writers. Study it, mystery writers.
  3. Complete my book list up on my website and linked. This is challenging.
  4. Switch my full website Name Domain to something I can manage for now.
  5. Indy publish a new completed book at my copyeditor now. Finish the WIP. Write the 3rd/4th Novelette in a series, lift a free short series to Wattpad. (Thank you, Shirley McCann, for pushing me into Shorts.)
  6. Publish more backlist. This includes getting ISBN, Formatting, covers.
  7. Covers: More consistent looks. Working with designers (I like artistic filters).
  8. Review of my current published books’ metadata. I just heard this: Constantly review. We learn as we go. Or we should. Makes sense.
  9. Redo my Amazon author profile and link my out of print/reverted rights Traditional/legacy books with my own Indy books.
  10. Do some iBook coupons, some free books, some GoodReads giveaways.
  11. Take more online courses, re: marketing on Facebook.
  12. A friend and I are considering meeting for a formal brainstorming session. Each brings to the table 5 things about their WIP for which they need help. Time is equalized. That Equal Time is an essential agreement, else someone dominates and someone comes away frustrated.
  13. More stepping outside the usual, i.e. attending NINC, which does have a non-member one-day, First Note. Testing what works. I might even draft up a business plan. (A little humor, you know.)
 ~~
Okay, let's see how much I can get done of those somewhat mighty plans. :) One thing I have learned in over 30 years in this business is that you'd better RECONFIGURE AS NEEDED. Remember that new writers. :)

Please do join my E-NEWSLETTER. Giveaways and contests, you know, plus what I’m doing—like crocheting and painting, which will turn up in new books/shorts. I LOVE LOVE Twitter and Facebook.

And that leaves this question: What are your writing/publishing plans for 2016?

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Simple Tidings



I'M PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS NOW AND CONCENTRATING ON THE SPIRIT OF CALM AND GOODWILL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

I've never been one for the over-abundant holiday season, and this year especially, I am keeping to the Simple Modes. Our family has had its disasters this year, but all are warm and safe now, looking forward to that bit of family closeness at the end of the year. In particular, I am not one for rushing about, grabbing Black Friday sales, etc.

Typically, I bake gingerbread men, cookies, and breads, make a few things, and look forward to the week at the end of the year. That's the review time, to see what was good/bad and really didn't matter. And to plan 2016--my 2016 list is maybe a little overdone, but right now, I'm full of creative energy.

Here's what my family is getting, and they know it. :) Some caps, scarves, and a whole lot of dishcloths and mats. While crocheting is not my favorite creative mode, it is good therapy in very stressful times.

In particular, I like the Tunisian crochet. I only know a couple of stitches, but they serve me well. There is a lot to be said for repetitive work, when one's mind is stuffed full.

That stack to the right are unfinished dishcloths/washcloths (you choose which). The ends (tails) need to be woven in and that is one part I do not like.

I always thought of them as dishcloths, but so many people are using them now for washcloths as they exfoliate a bit.

One daughter and I share crochet times and it is a wonderful communication time. Recently, another daughter and her two daughters and I did a lot of crocheting, sitting, talking thru very calm times. The six-year old did a chain the length of their hallway! So proud.

Simple times, taking time, is so important this year.  I hope you are subscribed to my enewsletter, where I'll be posting photos of my latest travels?

Meanwhile:



SALE ENDING SOON!

Now .99! HIS CHRISTMAS PRESENT by Cait London Books a boxed set of two full-length romance novels. Meet an old-fashioned businessman, a reclusive rancher, and the women who remind them what love really means in this double feature of fun Christmas romances! Regularly $2.99.
AMAZON:
AMAZON UK:
BN:
iBOOKS:
KOBO:

The response to HIS CHRISTMAS PRESENT, 2 full books in one, has been tremendous. Jonah and Sam will be back up to 2.99 soon, so grab these guys when you can.

Enjoy them as you relax during the holidays? And do watch for my next post: THE YEAR IN REVIEW AND NEW PLANS.

Monday, November 30, 2015

Check Out My Interview!


A rose taken from San Mateo, California  park/gardens on my latest trip. This after a FL one. I usually make several trips each year and am stuffed with photos. I'll post some of these shots on my enewsletter, so please join?


Sleuth's Ink, Springfield MO, is featuring my interview, my journey and plans for 2016. I'm so full of plans. I hope I don't have to hold myself to that list. :)

But seriously, this has been a real growth year for me, impacted by one super writer's conference, which was a breath of fresh air. Not a how-to-write, traditional publishers and agents, but Indy writers. Very professional Indy writers with teams and resources around them. There are no taped sessions, but we were all taking notes. This year, the focus was on Global Sales, due to all the nifty stuff cell phones can now provide.

The most impact to me would be Joanna Penn's The Creative Penn, whom I met at the Florida Novelist Ink conference.

I've been a member of Ninc for years, but this was my first opportunity to attend. I'm already registered for next year--that's how good it was. I already knew other writers and met more during this hard working conference. At 3 sessions/hour with more at different places and a range of "Night Owl" sessions to choose from every day, we (I had a super roommate) worked to keep up. Thank goodness people posted replays as it was impossible to soak up everything. No beach time in FL, folks, just learning new stuff.

Perhaps the most shocking presentation was that of Trajectory, a service some publishers use.

Meanwhile: We need to sell, right? Relax this holiday season with my .99 cent sale ending soon!

HIS CHRISTMAS PRESENT by Cait London Books a boxed set of two full-length romance novels. Meet an old-fashioned businessman, a reclusive rancher, and the women who remind them what love really means in this double feature of fun Christmas romances! Regularly $2.99.
http://amzn.to/1OJL8iP
UK: http://amzn.to/1PntV0p
BN: http://bit.ly/1LUQFEi
http://apple.co/1LUxO6a
KOBO: http://bit.ly/1Gj96A7

I hope you'll join my enewsletter for those travel shots! They were requested by a good friend. And don't forget to check out the super interview Sleuths did, listing my plans for 2016--yes, it's that time already. I really enjoy this Springfield MO writers group, quite unusual in their presentations.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

There Comes a Time...

After traveling a bit, I've sent the second (untitled) in The Basket Maker's Wife series to my copyeditor. Now is the time for the great Catch-Up.

 

Boxed Set books are quite the savings now and I've just added HIS CHRISTMAS PRESENT, a combo of Sam in THE PENDRAGON VIRUS and Jonah in MIRACLES AND MISTLETOE. Quite the 2For buy at the current .99. (It will be going up.)
BLURB:

The Pendragon Virus:
Sam’s outdated view of man-woman relationships strolled along just fine, until The Pendragon Virus, one female efficiency expert invaded his life and company management. Dallas Pendragon tosses a challenge he can’t refuse—that he can’t manage a household and budget. Then he’s living in her house during Christmas season. Burned by love, Dallas didn’t expect Sam to be a super dad, or a tender lover….

Miracles and Mistletoe:
Life dealt Jonah Fargo, Montana rancher-hermit, low blows and he isn’t in the Christmas mood for Harmony’s cheery psychic self. If he’s riding the Nuts Highway, he doesn’t need this curvy lady splashing imaginary cupids all over him and his ranch. He grumbles, gripes and disbelieves her psychic malarkey until IT happens…

 I hope you enjoy Sam's and Jonah's stories in HIS CHRISTMAS PRESENT! 




Sunday, September 06, 2015

I'm Back: The Update

THE BASKET MAKER'S WIFE

I'm back after taking August to try to catch up with necessaries. That never really works, does it?

I did get a good jump on editing the second book of my Basket series, which was my prime goal. (Writers, you can read about editing the whole rough draft at my writers section.)

Secondary goals got done, I guess, those of this big reorganization I'm into. When you first start in Internet, you just have to take a flying leap. I started years ago, years. Currently, I'm in a mop-up/reorganization mode.

I'm also working on upcoming ad projects, like giveaways, contests, etc. If you're my FaceBook friend, you'll see that I've learned how to crochet a bit. I'm a beginner, so it's easy stuff like dishcloths and yes, I have mistakes. People seem to like them. They would be nice to wrap around one of my books as a prize?

Keep watch on my enewsletter for news of this. I'm considering any and all, so if you have recommendations or comments, I'd love to hear them.

I'm on Facebook, Twitter, etc. and you can subscribe at the ICONS on this page.

Writers, be sure to check out my Writers Page?

And I'd love your comments about my hand crocheted dishcloths as prizes/giveaways?

Monday, July 06, 2015

TAKING A SUMMER BREAK

TAKING SUMMER TIME OFF TO DO MY THING.... (and finish a book). I'm a really busy, "do-er" woman, with family, so thought you might be interested in what else I do. See below--ad work first, you know... :)

I'll be posting on and off, so check back often?

By the Way, don't forget to check out my .99 ongoing sales.
***

~~MOVING ON TO .99 KINDLE ROMANCES....
LADY'S DESIRE: US AND UK and other places 
LADY ON THE LINE: US and UK
GAMBLER'S LADY: US and UK

~~MOVING ON TO .99 KINDLE HISTORICAL NOVELLA:
LADY DESPERADO: US and UK
~MOVING ON TO KINDLE .99 SUE KOWALSKI DETECTIVE NOVELETTES:
DEATH BY COUPON: US and UK
DEATH BY SALSA DANCING: US and UK

!!!Read on down to see what else I pack into my life.


THAT'S MY BASKET ON THE SPINE! 


NOW IN PAPER. ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
 Writing the 2nd in my Basket series now. Just need some solid time for editing, etc. I'm a basket lover and have all kinds. If I write it, I've been there or I've done it. Well, not murder. :)
~~Three women are bound by more than blood.
 “Couldn’t put it down.”
Basket Maker’s Wife by CaitLondon
US: http://amzn.to/1hB8uIk
UK: http://amzn.to/1GCVhux
Nook: http://bit.ly/1rqti9U
#mustread #psychic
I DRIVE EVERYWHERE!!!

MISSING MY YORKIE... SOB.

PAINTING LARGE CANVAS
SLEEPLESS IN MONTANA, A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
HAD A LOT OF "ME" IN ARTIST HOGAN KODIAK

THEY'RE WAITING...
I MISS SEWING! I MADE ALL MY DAUGHTERS' AND MY CLOTHING




PORK DUMPLINGS. GOOD IN SOUP. NOT A FAN OF FRIED.

DOING TONS OF THIS NOW AS IT IS GOOD QUIET TIME WHEN MY BRAIN IS DEAD/USED UP. :)

FRIENDS ARE IMPORTANT. THIS IS WRITER SHIRLEY MCCANN.
CHECK OUT HER MYSTERIES!


Some Canning/Jams/Salsas
I also help a lot of writers, have a family life, and enjoy a good cup of tea, growing herbs--tho now succulents are a lot of fun. And I'm packaging more books for re-release--this takes a lot of time and effort as I do some of the graphics and all of the formatting. AND I'm an amateur photographer. Plus, I'm active on Social Media. And did I say I like to drive? :)

IF YOU'RE A WRITER, BE SURE TO CLICK ON THE HOW-TO TAGS? 

If you haven't added your name to my social media list, please do? Links are on right sidebar.

Monday, May 25, 2015

ALIKE: Story Weaving and Crocheting

SEASON OF TRUTH NOW IN PAPER PRINT!

BLURB:

Divorced, bitter, and down on luck, Chloe returns to her hometown of Lolo, Wy. The first person she does Not want to meet is Michael Bearclaw, her first love, now a forensic expert.

 He's not sweet and out for payback, but her childhood friends, Josy and Angelica welcome her back into the Wild Willows bunch.

Chloe's arrival stirs the past as she tangles with Michael, who is set to have her at last. The Club has controlled the town and people's lives for years and their games aren't nice. As Lolo's dark past unravels, and Chloe and Michael’s attraction heats up, a killer will do anything to hide his secrets.
 ~~

For EBOOKS; KINDLE US~KINDLE UK~NOOK~iBOOKS~KOBO
 ~~~
While working on my current WIP (Work in Progress), I am struck by how much Story Weaving is similar to crocheting. I'm just starting to crochet and basically stick to very simple, i.e. dishcloths, kitchen mats, scarves. Right now, I'm fond of Tunisian hooking, but I pretty well stick to the basic double-crochet stitch.

So there's a beginning and an end thread as you'll see in the photo below. And they have to be worked in, else the deal unravels. So filtering in the beginning of the story, is similar. There's usually a pattern and so far I've only done berets and beanies for patterns, but holding the whole THEME or shape of the thing takes concentration. I crochet at night, repetitive stuff, because my brain has been churning stories all day, or ad work, etc. I like the repetition of a long Tunisian hook, a scarf that keeps going and you can pick up and add to whenever you feel like it. Story Weaving is much more intense, where all the little ends need finishing, which is where my WIP is right now, the second in a series.


 This is a heck of a lot of crocheting, folks, and very good therapy.

I like to give these as gifts, selecting whatever to suit the person/occasion, and it's a nice way to wind down my churning stories.

I'd love to hear from you, just WRITE. And that ENewsletter is easily available.

Don't Forget, SEASON OF TRUTH IN PAPER

OR in EBOOK: KINDLE US~KINDLE UK~NOOK~iBOOKS~KOBO

ENJOY!

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Mix-It-Up Sale!

3-HOLIDAY MIX-IT-UP SALE!
THRU MOTHER'S DAY-MEMORIAL DAY-FATHER'S DAY
In advance of busy summer, I'm having a mixed STOCK-UP sale! See below for Kindle Unlimited/Free to .99 and "reduced". Prices change after Father's Day.

But first: Available in e-book, but if you are a pprbk reader, SEASON OF TRUTH is now available in paper. This re-release's original title was What Memories Remain. OR... in ebook Kindle US or UK.

Romantic Suspense Blurb:
--> Divorced, bitter, and down on luck, Chloe returns to her hometown of Lolo, Wy. The first person she does Not want to meet is Michael Bearclaw, her first love, now a forensic expert. He's not sweet and out for payback, but her childhood friends, Josy and Angelica welcome her back into the Wild Willows bunch. Chloe's arrival stirs the past as she tangles with Michael, who is set to have her at last. The Club has controlled the town and people's lives for years and their games aren't nice. As Lolo's dark past unravels, and Chloe and Michael’s attraction heats up, a killer will do anything to hide his secrets.

DREAMY DADS: 2 in 1, Mr. Easy and Donovan's Second Chance. Now in Kindle Select and Free Before Father's Day.

2 in 1 KINDLE Collection:
1. Donovan’s Second Chance (Fusion): Burned by love, Quinn wants to raise his daughter, then Taylor, aka “business shark”, turns up…
2. Mr. Easy: Angler Wyatt finally finds his daughter and little granddaughter, and his “keeper”, the never-marrying again Tallulah.
 US and UK

~~MOVING ON TO .99 KINDLE ROMANCES....
LADY'S DESIRE: US AND UK and other places 
LADY ON THE LINE: US and UK
GAMBLER'S LADY: US and UK

~~MOVING ON TO .99 KINDLE HISTORICAL NOVELLA:
LADY DESPERADO: US and UK

~MOVING ON TO KINDLE .99 SUE KOWALSKI DETECTIVE NOVELETTES:
DEATH BY COUPON: US and UK
DEATH BY SALSA DANCING: US and UK

~MOVING ON TO JUST REDUCED 4 U KINDLE: SILENCE THE WHISPERS
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Blurb: 
-->
Haunted by eerie whispers, heiress Cameron Somerton is driven to uncover the secrets of her past. When big, hard-looking Hayden Olson moves in next door, she senses he’s hunting her. Why? Has he been sent to harm her?
Hayden wants answers to his family’s disaster and she’s the key. When they become uneasy lovers, he isn’t expecting Cameron’s sensuality or his fascination with her.
Stirred into action, a dormant evil believes that murder is a small price to keep secrets… Can Hayden protect her and unravel the horrible secrets of Cameron’s haunting whispers?

US and UK

That's it! I hope you see something you want. I'm posting New and Upcoming on my Newsletter and hope you'll want to SUBSCRIBE.

Catch my Twitter and Facebook hangouts on the top right? AND  I always want to hear from you. Please write CaitLondonBooks

Enjoy!
   

Sunday, May 03, 2015

Two for One Sale

2 FOR PRICE OF 1 KINDLE UNLIMITED
DREAMY DADS

Each book 2.99. OR... get DREAMY DADS 2 in 1 for the same price.

Blurb:

Quinn Donovan wants one thing: To raise his little daughter amid his loving family in the quiet safety of picturesque Blarney Flats, AR. But when Taylor Hart, female business shark, arrives to sell her property to developers, Quinn’s senses ignite. Enchanted by the town, Taylor has her hands full of the hunky handyman, who’s set to woo her and the race is on….

Master angler Wyatt has met his match in "Stretch", alias Tallulah, the woman protecting his long lost daughter and little granddaughter. One look at fast-moving, irritating, never marrying again Tallulah and Wyatt knows she's a keeper. He sets the bait to catch her for his own, but neither is expecting what happens next….
~~
I love both these guys, Quinn and Wyatt, each not expecting to get love-smacked a second time. These guys were super enough to reissue and great romance reads for anyone who has missed them. They truly are DREAMY DADS.

These books were previously published, but I am getting new readers all the time, and really, really grateful to those paperback readers who now want e-versions to reread. How great is that?!! Thank you all.

And thank you for your reviews. Some books are brand new to epublishing and have no reviews so if you do enjoy my books, please do review? You'll see more at my brand new Facebook page, Cait London Books. Please do drop by and give me a Like?

OR: Write to me at Cait London Books?

I hope you enjoy both super father/guys in DREAMY DADS.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

The Plotting Trail

Check out:
Return to Fairy Cove
Season of Truth
Silence the Whispers
Sleepless in Montana
When Night Falls
Hidden Secrets

Start Here on The Plotting Trail: If you haven’t read Dwight Swain’s Techniques of the Selling Writer, you just must. It’s not just another how-to, but is the foundation of many other how-tos.

If you write fiction, you need Swain's book. I’ve studied this book repeatedly and find some new inspiration each time.

But moving on to my 30-yr experience in Plotting: When I first started trying to sell, I soon discovered two things:
1.)   Publishers bought me for my stories and ability to churn fresh ones quickly.
2.)    I did not know how to plot well. That is, to write to a specific number of pages granted by the publisher, and to develop and round off the story within those allowed pages.

Okay, Big Note Here: Label Me a cross between a Plotter and a Plunger.

So I had the stories and plenty of them and I was regimented, fast and a good learner. And so it began…

My first editor wanted 10 paragraphs (this was for a category). Each paragraph was to have 2 sentences pertaining to: 1.) The story line 2.) the main protagonists. The midpt of 10=5. Chapters 1-3 introduced the characters and their backgrounds and the conflict. 3-5 developed the relationship/conflict. 6-9 more conflict/relationship. 10 the resolve and in romances, it’s happily ever after. A category basically translated to less than 200 pages, so that was 20 pages per chapter.

Then the Magical Flow Chart: The most help I’ve ever gotten to really see the linear idea was from a programming course. The big IF/THEN FLOW chart. If this happens, then that happens, right. The beginning is a straight end to the desired ending, but there are all sorts of diversions and If/Then’s and conditions built within the flow chart that always reach back to the main story line. Somehow, this clicked more of a trigger than anything else. We all have our little clicks/snags, something that grabs us, and a programming flow chart did it for me. If you haven’t studied one, take the time?

Moving right along, there’s the circle, where all questions begun at the first must be resolved by the end. Well, as writers we may want unresolved to lead to a series.

Add the historical Brown Bag programming stuff, basically where you’re using Framework to separate plot points into 3 or 4 different screen-play segments. I recognize that the 3-part screen play is a favorite, but I prefer the 4-part as I like that midpt.

Then, lots of other stuff. But then, PAGEFOUR outliner for PC. Pure Magic. I had everything I wanted on screen… if I wanted. No more opening and closing file folders for characters, scene snapshots, etc. PageFour was exceptionally helpful when planning a series and keeping track of essentials. I loved how I could click from one part of essentials to another easily. It saves to .rtf, and I wrote a number of short stories and articles on it, fine-tuning in Word.

Life sailed along just peachy until I changed from PC to Mac. (I’m loving Mac, btw.)

Then Disaster!!: PageFour my absolute must, was not available for Mac. Mac’s Apps have a few this and that’s, including a Cork Board, but nothing compared with PageFour (I almost begged them for a Mac version).

Scrivener is recommended by Mac people and I’ve tried that, but many of my books were already in progress and stuff had to be copied/pasted, stuffed in, worked around. Just recently, I’ve found how to work with it, so far as plotting, characters, notes, etc. But I still use Word, though Scrivener is set up for Pages. A hybrid Plotter/Plunger and software user, I have Pages, but still use Word.

Then even more critical (so far as I know today): Scrivener does not yet have an iPad version. They promise one in 2015. I hope so, because if you need Scrivener, TextEdit, etc. and Dropbox are the workarounds. Since I use my iPad as a working sidekick, I hope that dream comes through.

But PageFour was the ultimate of anything I’ve tried for handy-dandy and last I heard, they did not have plans to develop a Mac version. I did a huge amount of work on PageFour which is still good, saved in ye olde .rtf, including Title and Story Ideas, interesting words and a huge TOYBOX of developed ideas to pull from whenever I needed to churn fast. I highly recommend keeping your own TOYBOX.

The moral of this endless story is we change, stories change, work systems change. Get used to it and move on the best you can. :)
 Check out:
Return to Fairy Cove
Season of Truth
Silence the Whispers
Sleepless in Montana
When Night Falls
Hidden Secrets

Monday, April 13, 2015

Spring in the Ozarks


I thought you'd like to see some of my spring shots.

I usually take my camera and drive around, taking shots, and have that planned pronto. There were some gorgeous white bark sycamores along one creek, but parking/walking there is dangerous. Those will have to wait until I have a "spotter" with me.

These are called different names, "Johny Jump Ups," "Wild Violets", etc. They are lovely in my back yard. Do you have other names for them?

I did take some good yard shots by the house, and the following are some of them:








We're having lots of storms in the Midwest, and we use our weather alert radios--keep those batteries fresh!
We're due for rain and more storms right now, so I'm working away, sliding into the finish with a new book before they hit. :)

Wednesday, April 08, 2015

The Scarry Inn: Shirley McCann


KINDLE 2.99~PPRBK 11.63 Prime
Introducing: Shirley McCann has been writing for over twenty years. Her short fiction has appeared in various publications over the years, including Woman’s World, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, and The Forensic Examiner, as well as many confession magazines.

 ~~REVIEW for The Scarry Inn
The Scarry Inn by Shirley McCann is a YA/New Adult Horror Story about a group of four teenagers driving to Flagstaff, Arizona for their Christmas break from school. Their car breaks down and leaves them stranded in a small town called Frighton on Christmas Eve, in the middle of a blizzard. The only lodging available is a new motel, called The Scarry Inn, named after the owners, Dick and Thelma Scarry. The inn isn’t open for business yet, but Dick’s sister Madge is sure he will let the teenagers stay. Sure enough, the kids are able to rent two rooms, one for the girls and one for the two boys. But when terrifying things start happening, the kids think Dick and Thelma are playing jokes on them as a publicity stunt for their new inn—until Kara gets murdered, that is. While the book isn’t exactly graphic, it is pretty scary, and not something I would recommend for young YA. But for older YA, new adult, and even adult, it’s an exciting, chilling, and well-written tale that will keep you glued to the edge of your seat. ~ Regan Murphy, Reviewer.

Let’s Get Started:

Q: Shirley, I’ve just read The Scarry Inn and enjoyed it.  Tell us a little about the story from your intimate/writer’s POV. How did you get the plot idea? What triggered it?
A:  The trigger came from a time when my husband and I were stranded in a small town called Ashfork, Arizona. We were on our way to Missouri from California, and our car broke down. Good thing is that nothing weird or scary happened. Just a rundown motel was the only thing we could find. We finally rented a car and made it to Missouri. But you, know the writers mind…

TO PURCHASE THE SCARRY INN:
AMAZON/KOBO/BN/SMASHWORDS/ARe/BLACK OPAL BOOKS/SCRIBED

Q: There are so many great characters involved. I loved the friendly helper (Madge) who arranged for the teens to stay at the Inn—which isn’t quite ready for opening day, btw. She went home to make chocolate for her husband and left them there! If you had to pick one character, who did you like the best?
A: Probably Heidi. Although she was fighting for her life, she learned a huge lesson. You have to take what you get in life and keep moving forward. Dwelling in the past and what once was can stop you from enjoying the life you have.

Q: On the other hand, if you were a murderer and had your choice of what kind of personality you might kill, what would that person’s traits be?
A: Ooh. What an evil question? I think I’d kill all the skinny people in the world because they make me look fat. These people would constantly be shoving food into their mouths with nothing happening to their bodies. I’d probably have to stalk them awhile to make sure it was just their good metabolism that allowed them to eat. If they’re purging, I’d let them live. That’s horrific enough. And even exercising and dieting would be enough to let them live. It’s those good metabolism people that would have to die.

Q: The Inn serves a horrible dinner to the teens. What would you expect for a pre-opening holiday meal?
A: Well, considering the inn wasn’t open yet, and the owners weren’t expecting guests, I probably would have expected sandwiches. But if it were operational, I’d expect a nice soup or salad, followed by a plate of salmon, asparagus and baked potato. And a roll. And my choice of coffee or tea.

Q: Speaking of teens, The Scarry Inn is labeled as a Young Adult (YA) book. Many of life’s problems are included: divorce, the usual teen problems, etc. (BTW, I loved how you described the parents’ worrying when the teens went off the grid.) Why did you choose this market?
A: I’ve been a YA fan all my life. I read a lot of YA. I think a lot of adults still read YA. Look at the popularity of Hunger Games and Divergent. Even Maze Runner. It’s not just teenagers that are seeing these movies. There’s a lot of old folks like me too.

Q: Which is your favorite holiday and why? You’re not going to kill characters on Valentine’s Day, are you?
A: Hmm. Hadn’t thought of that. But certainly not at the Scarry Inn. I’m not doing a holiday theme with The Scarry Inn. But Christmas is my favorite holiday. And like I said earlier, my husband and I were stranded on the Christmas holiday, so writing about that seemed appropriate at the time.

Q: While traveling, have you ever experienced staying somewhere you really didn’t like?
A: Oh yeah. Definitely Ashfork, Arizona. The motel wasn’t well insulated, so it was cold, but the one thing I thought most interesting was that despite the cold weather, there were ants crawling along the doorframe. I HATE bugs of any kind. Creeped me out. Other than that, I don’t get to travel much. Pretty much a homebody these days.

Q: All these teens needed to top off the absence of phones and cells, a horrible hostess, was an Alfred Hitchcock movie—which I think Scarry Inn would make a great movie, btw. But what is your special pick for a scary movie and why?
A: I’d LOVE to see The Scarry Inn on the big screen. Send producers my way. But my favorite scary movie is an old one called, I Saw What You Did. It’s about a couple of teenagers who call random people and tell them they know who they are and they know what they did. One guy they called had just killed his wife. I can’t remember how he finds them – I’d love to see it again- but it is one scary movie.

Q: The Scarry Inn stuck-travelers were served iced tea on a freezing day. What would you drink during a blizzard? Or any day?
A: Hot tea, hot Chai tea, hot chocolate.  But I’d still have an iced tea too. Can’t beat good tea. But no coffee for me. Hate the stuff.

Q: Okay, this is where I ask the really deep questions, like favorite hobbies, favorite author, favorite way to pamper yourself?
A: Reading is my hobby. I devour books. I also like to crochet, although I don’t find much time anymore. Mary Higgins Clark is my favorite author. YA author is Lois Duncan, who wrote such classics as I Know What You Did Last Summer, and Killing Mr. Griffin.
Pamper Myself? You kidding? I’m still trying to figure out time to do that. I’d love a massage once a month, but can’t even find time to have my hair done, so probably not gonna happen. These days, pampering includes a pair of pajamas, cup of green tea, a huge bowl of popcorn and a good book.

Q: Deeper yet. If you were to choose a color of polish for your pedicure, would it be blood red, or would that remind you too much of the murders you commit on paper? What shade would you choose and why?
A: I’d love red. It’s my favorite color, but I think it chips too easily. Pink is usually my choice. It’s serene. But I like the idea of red for my book signings. Will have to get that done this week.

Q: When you write, do you have favorite music or absolute quiet? What is your writing schedule?
A:No schedule at all, unless I can make myself get up really early on my days off. I get up at four when I work (which isn’t much, by the way), so sometimes I like to sleep later. I have a paraplegic husband and babysit three grandkids during the week. I grab whatever time I can. BUT, IF I can get up early, I have a thunderstorm CD that I love. (CAIT'S NOTE: This is one of the reason I admire Shirley so much. Writers deal with life issues and if you're meant to write, you will, through almost everything. Almost.:))

Q: ANONYMOUSLY YOURS is also popular now. You mix characters well in it, too. This cast of THE SCARRY INN characters is large, each with a special background and relationships, i.e. the worrying parents, the conflicted daughter, the remarried father, a teen who feels unloved, the truck driver and the pregnant wife, etc. You seem comfortable bringing all the lives together. Is that a result of having your own very busy life?
A: It’s possible. But I think everyone has busy lives in one way or another. I think as writers we probably do include some of ourselves into our writing.

Q: Can you tell us more about your intended series, The Scarry Inn as the first? Also, tell us more about anything else you’re writing?
A: The Scarry Inn will include six books in the series. The first one sets it up. The second book, which I hope to finish soon, will include a murder mystery weekend. Except the murder won’t be fake. Of course a few of the characters will also be in the next book. I’d tell you who, but it would let those who haven’t read it yet know who they shouldn’t suspect in the first book. You’ll just have to read the next one to find out.

Q: Would you like to give a special shout-out or thank-yous to those influencing you or your writing?
A: My family has always been supportive. My sisters, brothers, and my mom have rooted me on from the beginning. My immediate family has never read a thing I’ve written. The writers groups, Sleuths’ Ink and Ozark Romance Authors are great for writers because we get a lot of support and push from them. And, of course, there is Cait London, who is quite the PUSHER of writers, herself.

Be sure to check out THE SCARRY INN and more of Shirley's writing: Anonymously Yours, Got Time? 13 Solve It Yourself Mysteries, A Collection-13 Short Mysteries, and The Necklace-A Middle Grade Mystery.

TO PURCHASE THE SCARRY INN:
AMAZON/KOBO/BN/SMASHWORDS/ARe/BLACK OPAL BOOKS/SCRIBED

!!!Keep up with Shirley by visiting her Website/Blog and Social Media:  Facebook and Twitter.

From Cait: As a longtime friend, I've found Shirley to be always cheerful, positive and truly enjoyable company all the way around. But I'm sure Shirley would love to hear from you, so please comment or share with the icons below this post. Let's hear it for Shirley McCann!