The Happy Hooker

You know how frustrating it can get when you haven't done something for years and then you pick it up again and can't remember a lot of the important stuff? Okay, I see your mind is in the gutter after reading the title of this post, but, boy, do you have it wrong! I'm talking about crochet! Yeah, that thing you do with yarn and a hook. Geez, people!

My first project, a wagon-wheel based beret.

I learned to crochet when I was about 9. My patience back then didn't allow me to complete anything elaborate. I did a beanie/hat, started a rug and a few granny squares, otherwise I crocheted over hangers and pencils. Hey, I was 9. Over the years, I didn't do much else except maybe to do a little trim work on my jeans or a sleeve or two to spruce them up.

So, here I was knitting hats, scarfs and socks and getting bored. Someone gave me an Amish knitting loom and I was have a great time with that. I decided that I really don't like knitting needles, but knitting boards, rails and circles are actually nice and easy, and I can put something down and come back after months without worry.

But I longed for something more. Something easy, but yet looked elaborate. I also wanted a new bathroom rug like we used to have when I was a little girl. Then I remembered the blue aluminum size I crochet hook my mom had given me as a little girl! Yahoo!

My work-in-progress spring table cloth. 

My excitement deflated fast when I realized I could only remember how to do a single crochet. There aren't that many patterns that only have sc, ch and sl on them (for you non-hookers that's single crochet, chain and slip knot) My mom had taught me all kinds of stitches, but that was a very long time ago. I looked up different stitches on the Internet, looking at diagrams and YouTube videos and going nuts. I wanted a book that I could carry around, but wasn't some convoluted mess that I couldn't follow.

My blue mood bathroom rug.l

Small shell stitch Christmas scarf.

FINALLY I found what I needed! Stitch 'n Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller.

Thanks, to Debbie, I quickly remembered stitches and tips and tricks my mom had taught me, not to mention a few more. And I have new things for my floor, table, and a ton of scarfs, hats, afghans, phone pockets and computer covers.

I really hope my family doesn't mind getting a new bathroom rug for Christmas. I've made more than I need and in different colors, shapes and styles. I'm even starting one crocheted with jute. All I can say is that I've really got myself hooked!

Looking for Debbie Stoller's book? Click on the photo below!

 Oh, and happy hooking!

 

The Next Big Thing

I have been tagged by Wendi Sotis at wendisotis.com Thanks, Wendi.  :)

Basically this means I have to answer 10 interview questions about the next book/story I'm working on. Not an easy task as I am working on several things. But here it goes!

What is the working title of your book?
My next book is actually finished and will be on sale soon, "The Professor Returns." I'm sure some of you may remember the story from Hyacinth Gardens. It's set to be released in October.  I am working on a couple of others too. Three to be exact: Hidden in the Song, Duty's Desire and one other that is still in outline.

Where did the idea come from for the book?
My ideas all start at the same place ... with a word. I'll hear a word on the TV, within conversation, in a song lyric or I'll see one in a book, on a billboard, in a letter or on the computer screen. That word inspires a thought and the though turns into a story. All in a split second.

What genre does your book fall under?
All my current stories are moderns.
 

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
I think I would have to discover some unknowns. All the actors I'd want are either too old for the parts or dead.
 

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
The Professor Returns: New college instructor Elizabeth Bennet reunites with the college professor she fell for as a student.
Hidden in the Song: Tragedy quiets the voice of a child music star, but love for a woman brings the hidden songs from the man he has become.
Duty's Desire: Government operative Will Darcy breaks protocol to rescue the one woman who hates him.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Self-published

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The first draft of TPR was written in about 2 months. It took three years to polish it.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
It's like a few in some aspects and not at all in others, so I really don't know.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?
Actually, it started out with a one word drabble theme. I don't remember the word and then it expanded as I thought about my father. So I guess I'll say drabbles and my dad.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
I like to think I packed a lot into a little in this story. I think this story has the ability to spark the readers imagination and make them feel right along with the characters.

Here is a link to my books page

Here are three authors I believe have what it takes to pen a great JAFF story

 Debra Anne Watson,
Jette 'June Williams' Lai,
Enid Wilson 

Rules of The Next Big Thing
***Use this format for your post
***Answer the ten questions about your current WIP (Work In Progress)
***Tag five other writers/bloggers and add their links so we can hop over and meet them.
Ten Interview Questions for The Next Big Thing:
What is the working title of your book?
Where did the idea come from for the book?
What genre does your book fall under?
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Include the link of who tagged you and this explanation for the people you have tagged.

Reading Real Life

I've been on a non-fiction kick lately. Reading biographies and true crime. I recently finished "The Badge" by Jack Webb. (Yes, I mean Jack Webb of Dragnet!)

Written in 1958, this was considered very adult reading. It's more than "just the facts, ma'am." It goes into detail about the Black Dahlia murder. That crime remains an unsolved cold case for the LAPD. I found a couple of James Ellroy documentaries on Netflix where he goes into detail about this case. One of them has a man who thinks he has a very good idea of who actual killed Elizabeth "Betty" Short, the Black Dahlia. He has no physical proof, but there are just too many coincidences to have to be true. (I'm not going to tell you any of the info here, because it is all too interesting to read and discover on your own.)

Now to find something interesting...

The Badge by Jack Webb on Amazon

My review of The Badge on Goodreads

Books, books and more books!

Just thought I should add the book links here for those of you that make it over from the old blog.

A Little Bit Psychic (Book)

A Little Bit Psychic (Kindle)

Honor & Integrity (Book)

Honor & Integrity (Kindle)

Honor & Integrity (Nook)

Honor & Integrity (iBooks, iTunes, iPad, iPod, iPhone)

Starting over

My old blog went to cyber heaven after my server pulled the plug and went out of the hosting business. They moved onto more lucrative things and I forgot to back up my old posts before they hitched a ride on the bus to big business.

That means I lost most of the links to my followers as well. Hopefully, you all will find me. In the meantime, I am looking for a new book to read and more stories to write.