SPRING NEWSLETTER

Happy Spring, everyone. Seems like it's been a long time getting here.

The hubster and I got to talking about how we miss the spring wild flowers, buttercups, bluebells, and what we used to call Easter lilies, but which I think are a kind of wood violet. Anyway, after seeing an article in the paper about swans and mallards out at the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge, we piled in the 'Ru and drove out there. No swans or ducks, or even a measely deer, but we did find buttercups and bluebells. Did our hearts good. I've attached a couple of pictures in case you might like to see them.

Last newsletter I had a little health tip that brought a good response. Here's one on strokes that some of you may not have seen, and if you have seen it before, a reminder never hurts. I keep a Post-it on the side of my computer tower so I don't forget.Three years ago this month Gary had an episode, although the docs said his was a TIA. Whatever, the symptoms were nearly the same, except he lost consciousness. Anyway, here are the STROKE IDENTIFICATION SIGNS:
1. Can the affected person smile?
2. Can s/he talk and say a simple sentence?
3. Can s/he raise both arms?
4. Can s/he stick her/his tongue straight out without it falling to one side or the other?
The good news is that even with these symptoms, provided the person gets help within three hours, a total reverse of damage is possible.

My western novel, THE WINNING HAND, went out of print from the publisher, so a few weeks ago I asked for and got a reversion of rights. I tried my hand at reformatting to Amazon Kindle specifications, and now the book is available as a Kindle E-book on Amazon. The url is http://tinyurl.com/ygvd2hn. As it happens, I have a box of the print copies from Behler Publishing yet to sell. Anyway, I've had an historical novel, suitable for age twelve through adult, stuck away for years and intend on putting that one on Kindle too. I'll have to concoct a cover for it first, a chore for an artistically challenged old broad like me.

No Kindle? Well, me either, although I'd love one, but Amazon conveniently gives away reading software to download onto your computer, your iPhone, or Blackberry.

Also, after a year and a half, the Western Writers of American anthology is promised for May. The title is still Roundup! Great Stories of the West, but it'll be for 2010 instead of 2009. My story is called LEFT BEHIND. The book will be available through any bookstore.

I've worked up a new presentation that I think libraries, service clubs, readers groups and even schools might enjoy. It's a group workshop that will guide participants through plotting a novel, developing characters, and writing a query to hook agents, editors, and readers. Should be fun even for non-writers. Contact me if you have a group interested.

Here are the titles of a few books I've read lately that really struck my fancy. TO SAY NOTHING OF THE DOG by Connie Willis, an innovative time-travel with a murderless mystery that'll have you laughing out loud. (Of course I'm fond of time-travels. I'm working on the fifth Boothenay Irons Gunsmith book right now.) WHAT REMAINS OF HEAVEN by C.S. Harris, a Regency mystery with excellent characters. A BAD DAY FOR SORRY by Sophie Littlefield, a funny but serious...hmmm...not sure what to call it, suspense novel comes closest, I guess, but the middle-aged woman protag is someone I sure wish I'd invented. WHISKEY KILLS by Johnny D. Boggs, one of the new kind of westerns that everyone should enjoy. This is his second book using a reservation policeman back in the bad old days. Just won a Spur Award, and well-deserved.

I don't want to keep you too long, so will bring this to an end.

Enjoy the blue skies (when we have them), the green grass, and the spring flowers.

Until next time,

Carol
www.ckcrigger.com