Stirring Up Dust

This morning I spent some time rearranging my closet for Fall. In the process I moved a bunch of tote bags arround (yes I'm as addicted to them as I am to purses). I also pulled out almost all my summer clothes and stored them in contianers, except for a few to see me through Indian Summer.

So, I moved a lot of stuff around, and the end result looked great. I judge that from the fact I could close the closet door easily without it catching on any inside items, and now I have my Fall clothes within easy reach.

I was pretty pleased with myself until my nose started running and I began to sneeze. Obviously, I'd stirred up dust in the process. Still it was a worthy cause, and the dust will eventually settle and clear.

The dust reminded me of the book industry. A lot of authors are stirring up dust by rejecting traditional publishers and striking out on their own. Many are making it big. They're the ones who take the time and energy to do it right.

Their efforts are looked on with alarm and even scorn by some traditional publishers and their authors, who are scrambling to retain their supremacy.

Once the dust settles and clears, I believe the publishing industry will look different, yet in better shape, kind of like my closet.



Morgan Mandel


Killer Career is 99 cents on
Kindle and Smashwords, and is
also in print.

Forever Young-Blessing or Curse
is coming soon to Kindle and
Smashwords, also the
re-release of Two Wrongs.

Worked For Me

I thought I could get lots of editing done on Forever Young-Blessing or Curse during my 12 day vacation in the NorthWoods of Wisconson. I got less done than I'd thought because the weather cooperated too much. With everyday in the 70's, when my husband went out fishing, I found it my duty to sit on the small deck of our cottage with my dog, Rascal, and read from my Kindle. I also went on long walks with Rascal, and enjoyed the beauties of the changing colors of Fall. I saw some gorgeous sights of yellow, orange and rust colored trees reflected on the water. Some of them will only remain in my memory, since I didn't always remember to bring a camera on our walks.



Coming Soon, I promise!

I did manage to squeeze in half an hour or an hour on some days to edit my Forever Young-Blessing or Curse manuscript. When I did, I found better words than I had written before, and also discovered how to correct spots where the pacing blogged down.

I didn't get as far as I wanted in my editing, but my vacation worked for me. I'm more refreshed and ready to tackle anything. What about you? Do you work none, some or a lot on vacation?

Community Spirit by Morgan Mandel

Sunday morning my husband and I went to a pancake breakfast sponsored by the American Legion. He's a member of the Sons of the American Legion, and likes to attend their events, plus who could pass up their great breakfast spreads!

We also enjoy being members of the Festival Committee, which runs a five day event with the Fourth of July as the main fulcrum.

Those are a but a few organizations in our area, which help the community and also give their members a feeling of belonging. There are quite a few others.

How can community organizations relate to writing, especially mysteries?

• Bestowing a community spirit on your characters can be a way of rounding them out, showing they have values, generosity, and are decent people, as well as giving them a focus or goal.
• Or, the opposite - A character can be devious and pretend to have the well being of the community at heart, but actually be plotting a vicious crime.
• Organizational doings can be a great backdrop for something unusual to take place, like a murder.
• Characters suffering from the results of crime can find a measure of relief by becoming part of a community and getting caught up in the spirit.

Have you included something similar in one of your books, or do you know of an example? What do you think of the idea of including some form of community spirit in a mystery?

Morgan Mandel

Killer Career is 99 cents on
Kindle and Smashwords,
Also $13.95 in print.
Forever Young-Blessing or
Curse Coming soon -
Two Wrongs to be re-
released very soon.