The World Series, that is. Did you think something different? No, in the Flynn household, there are two magical days of the year, both baseball oriented: One, when pitchers and catchers report, and two, Opening Day. The beginning of the World Series is also a very important day, but also a sad one, because it’s the beginning of the end of the baseball season. And there’s nothing sadder than a baseball fanatic faced with the end of the Series. Believe me, it’s tragedy at its highest.

But it’s also a grand time of the year for me, the World Series. The series means that I can conduct experiments. What kind, you ask?

Over the years (and I have known the Hub since 1977, so it’s decades of observation and experimentation we’re talking about), I have discovered that I can tell the Hub anything — and I MEAN anything — while the games are on, and he will not remember a single thing. I have discovered that unless it’s something that demands immediate action (example: “The house is on fire!” “Yeah, he’s pitching like it!” “NO! THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE!”)(Just an example, but you get my drift), nothing about it is retained in the brain of the baseball fanatic. And lest you think I’m exaggerating, I am not.

It occurred to me (not quickly, mind you) that this wasn’t necessarily a matter of frustration; for example, I found it a great time to mention casually that I just bought a $350 purse, which he only found out about when he saw the credit card bill, weeks later. (It was a wonderful purse, it’s still in great shape fifteen years later, in my own defense. On the other hand, this anecdote isn’t making me out in the best light. Forget this one.)

Come to think of it, no matter what experiment I tell you about, it’s not going to look great for me. So let me just close with this advice: Use these golden moments wisely, the spouses of all those who follow Doubleday’s game. Make sure there’s nothing that requires conversation. decision, or a spouse, or at least find out if it can wait a while.

And get ready for the post-Series doldrums. Something fun! Even if it’s not baseball!

As for me, I’m getting my writing time in. It’s peace and quiet time for me, as it should be for you!

Eilis Flynn
ECHOES OF PASSION, on sale now

Hi, all, and hopefully I’m back for a while! We’re still in the throes of adjusting to our move (we’ve had to redo some things where we’re living etc. — which has been some fun actually. I’m painting a mural in what will be my son’s room) but more importantly, now that I’ve left the wonders of the Rockies, I’m now in the midst of early American history. Virginia can be fascinating, so I’m hoping over the next few months I can retell some adventures I”ve had in discovery of my new place. I mean, George’s place isn’t too far and I actually got a chance to stop at Montpelier (more on that in a later post…) Adventures should never stop, no matter where you’re at — so this year I’ve decided to explore history and the fascinating, more in-depth lives of our forefathers–especially in light of the political changes that are abreast in this country.

Montpelier

How does that interest anyone????

Email us!

Lise

Tags: adventures in history, american history, history, Lise Fuller

So has anyone noticed that that imitation is run amok in horror land? Never mind that imitation runs amok in novels, but that if you want to overdose on zombies during Halloween, you can. I’ve decided that Hollywood works a lot like writing a book. Everyone wants the same, but different. So what do they do in Hollywood? Well, like the Sci-Fy Channel or Chiller Channel, you show dozens of this type of movie: zombies are pursued by commandos…special forces…space cadets…you name it. Oy! Nothing against those who wish to watch these movies. We all enjoy movies that have certain themes. One of my favorite sci-fi movies is Aliens, where “colonial marines” hunt down the alien.

Vampires have also run amok in Hollywood, but novels got there first. The only vampires from Hollywood I’m the least bit interested in watching is True Blood. Maybe because it’s bloody, nasty, sexy, funny, and the suspense sometimes is razor sharp. It’s like having the best horror romance novel once a week. And yes, I even wrote vampire novels. A trilogy called DEEP IS THE NIGHT (Ellora’s Cave). Note the cover of HAUNTED SOULS, the third book in the trilogy.

So what do you think? Are you overdosed on the rush to zombie and vampire everything? Or is it just me?

Tags: aliens, Denise A. Agnew, True Blood

I was driving my kids home from school yesterday when one of my favorite songs of all time came on the radio. Unless you’re a fan of 70′s and 80′s country music, you’ve probably never heard of it. It’s “16th Avenue” by Lacy J. Dalton. And wham!! I had an idea for a new historical m/m book. And I really, really want to write it now. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.

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The problem is, I have a bunch of stories I NEED to write first.

And, the thing is, I really, really want to write them, too.

So what’s a writer to do?! I sat down and made a list of all the books that are fully plotted in my head and waiting their turn in line to be written. I stopped at 30. No shit. I’m serious.

And yet, I sit here paralyzed and unable to start the next book. Aha. I think I realized why when I wrote the list. So I’m going to put on my big girl panties and deal with it and start writing as soon as I post this blog.

You all must go and see L.B. Gregg’s free fiction. She did a very short piece for Kris ‘n’ Good Books. The blog readers over there gave her a laundry list of things they wanted to see in a m/m story, and she wrote an unforgettable and completely hilarious short story. I’m in awe. Here’s her list:

• A naked cowboy
• Conflict about a pineapple
• My Little Pony tat
• First meeting
• Conference

She ran with it. I would have choked. I just can’t operate that way. Anything I wrote would have been ridiculous. But she managed to make the story engaging and the characters likable in a very short space.

When I read it and analyzed it, I had another aha moment about my own writing. Well, that moment may have actually come after I had my story idea in the car yesterday. I start with characters. A lot of writers start with plot and work from there. What if I had two people, and A happened, and then B happened, and they ended up C? I start out with characters. I have character A, and he’s a *, and he likes *, and he’s quirky because *. And then I have character B, and she’s *, and she hates *, but * happened to her. How can I get these two people together?

So, two questions. For writers, what’s your trigger? How do your stories begin? And for readers, can you tell the difference when you’re reading a book? Can you tell which writers start with plot, and which ones start with character?

And, in a completely unrelated matter, am I the only one who buys the physically challenged pumpkins at the pumpkin patch? All the pumpkins I bought yesterday were misshapen, or weird colors, or bumpy. My kids think I’m crazy. But I love those darn orphan pumpkins. I find them far more interesting than those boring old perfectly round ones. Maybe it isn’t unrelated at all. I like pumpkins with CHARACTER.