Monday, March 25, 2013

Monday Morning Ramblings

I'd love to say I have all my blog posts written or at least planned well in advance.  But it just ain't so.

Sometimes I do. Like when I'm all excited about my guest blogger for next Monday, author Carol Kilgore.

But sometimes I'm planning Monday morning's post on Sunday night.  And nothing happens. No ideas. Brain totally empty.  Well, lots of random thoughts but nothing to build a post around.

So I decided to finished the mystery I was reading instead,  AMONG THE DEPARTED by Vicki Delany.  Now, I'm a little embarrassed to admit this because I won this book in a blog contest back in September 2011.  I added it to my TBR pile and it somehow got buried there. Definitely my loss. I really enjoyed it. One thing I especially liked was the way Vicki used multiple POVs.  I do that myself so it was interesting to see how she led me from one character's mind to another. How about you? Do you enjoy reading stories written in multiple POVs? Do you enjoy writing them?

I stayed up reading after my husband went to bed. It was snowing and I left the outside light on so I could watch it fall and mark the depth on the deck railing.  Somewhere around midnight, Sophie wanted to go outside (for my new followers, Sophie is a very adorable, very neurotic Jack Russell terrier we rescued last year).  As I stood there in the open door, watching the snow fall, I was struck by the incredibly quiet. No sound at all. Have you ever noticed that? Does falling snow actually muffle sound or does it just seem that way?

Here's the view from my bedroom window this morning.



Pretty, isn't it?  But I'll be very happy if this is the last snow of the year.

Quick note. I've signed up to attend the Writers Police Academy next September. Registration opened, filled, and closed in less than a week. This will be my second time going to the WPA and I can't wait. The only downside is it's just two weeks after Killer Nashville, which I also want to do this year.  I have to decide if I'm going to missed Nashville or splurge and do both.  Are you going to any conferences this year?  What's your favorite or which would you like to attend? Anyone going to WPA or Killer Nashville?

That's it for today. See you on Wednesday.

Thought for Today:

I planted some bird seed. A bird came up.
Now I don't know what to feed it.

14 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

What a view!! Wish I could've woken up to that this morning. I could've stayed in bed.
The thought for the day is hilarious. Sounds like something comedian Steven Wright would say.

Maria Zannini said...

I love to watch it fall--as long as I'm not the one who has to shovel it the next day. :)

Did it get as high as you were expecting?

L. Diane Wolfe said...

So pretty!

Multiple POVs tend to confuse me.

Linda G. said...

I have a similar view out my window this morning. Pretty, but I'd like it better in November or December. Right now I'm longing for spring flowers and a little warmth.

Stacy McKitrick said...

Since I'm sick of the snow, I'll answer the question regarding the multiple POVs. Yes, I love them. I also enjoy writing them. My first three books only had two, but when I started my fourth book, I realized I needed a third, then a fourth. In my fifth book, I have six. I think it ratches up the tension if the reader knows something bad is coming, yet the MC doesn't. And yeah, I love tension even in my romances!

Robin said...

I don't mind two POVs if they are VERY CLEAR. Oftentimes I even like the chapter to be labeled with the person's name at the top so I know who is talking. If there are more than two POVs, I think it gets confusing. However, that is just my opinion.

Your pictures are lovely. It's funny, but I think snow is gorgeous to look at, but I hate actually being in it. I lived up north during my youth. In my 20s, I moved south and now I have no desire to be back in the COLD STUFF. However, the photos are lovely.

I think I heard a drumroll after your joke.

Carol Kilgore said...

Beautiful snow pictures! I don't know scientifically about snow muffling sound, but I believe it does. In the same way putting upholstered furniture, pillows, curtains, and a rug in a room does. I love Snow Quiet.

Carol Kilgore said...

Forgot to say that I love multiple viewpoint stories, too. Both to read and to write.

Now I'm done.

I think.

LD Masterson said...

Alex - It was the perfect combination. Beautiful to look at and my road was already plowed.

Maria - The heaviest part hit just north of here. We got 6". They got 10".

Karen - When we lived in Los Angeles, I really misses the snow.

Diane - The challenge with multiples is to make sure the reader knows exactly whose head they're in at all times. If it's not done right, it's very confusing.

Linda G. - I have several inches of tulip greens (stems? leaves? you know what I mean) buried under that snow. Hope they survive.

Stacy - I like the possibilities you have with multiple POVs. I have five in my current WIP.

Robin - You're right. The author has to be very careful not to let the reader get lost. Nothing will spoil a story faster. But I enjoy seeing things through different sets of eyes.

Carol - Snow Quiet. Perfect phrase. I think we multi-POV fans may be in the minority.

Mark Means said...

When I had a house in Kentucky, out in the country, I was always struck by how quiet it was when the snow came down, too.

It's a very calming feeling.

I rarely pre plan my posts because it forces me to write every day...a habit I need to get into :)

Jemi Fraser said...

So, so pretty! I love the fairy land frewsh snow creates!! :)

LD Masterson said...

Mark - My problem is I'm always working (writing) on something else so I forget to plan my post.

Jemi - I know. Almost makes the shoveling worthwhile.

mshatch said...

We had a snow like that last week. It was pretty but I'm glad it's almost gone. I'm so ready for spring and bare feet weather!

LD Masterson said...

mshatch - Actually our six inches is half gone already. It's amazing what one day in the 40's will do.