Author Life, Summer Style
By Lois Winston
I would have titled this blog post “What I Did on My Summer Vacation,” but I didn’t take a summer vacation. Hence, “Author Life, Summer Style.” Because, let’s face it, authors never really go on vacation. We’re always working because we view everything in our lives as fodder for the next book. Wherever we go, we’re pondering how the setting or the people we meet along the way might make it into a future novel.
Being someone who much prefers autumn and spring over winter and summer, I spent much of the summer cossetted in my air-conditioned office, writing the next Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery. In the evenings, thanks to the modern-day marvel of streaming, I finally had a chance to watch various TV shows I never got around to watching when they first came out.
Author Life: Mysteries day and night
During the day, I typed away. Aside from catching Jeopardy! every night, evenings were mostly filled with mysteries. Those I can recommend include The Law According to Lydia Poet, a 3-season biographical series about the first woman lawyer in Italy. Although this was an Italian production, AI has improved dubbing to the point that if you didn’t know the series was dubbed, you’d never realize it.
Another historical series I watched was the first three seasons of Grantchester, originally on PBS and now on Netflix. I’m hoping the remaining four seasons will eventually show up on Netflix now that the series has ended. All seasons are available on PBS Passport, but my husband will balk at paying for another streaming service!
Other series I watched were The Closer (on Netflix); the first season of Dept. Q (on Netflix), which has been greenlit for a second season; Mare of Easttown (on HBO Max); and Broadchurch (on Netflix).
Author Life: A slight detour from mysteries
I took a side trip into non-mystery drama with Olive Kitteridge (on HBO Max.) I’d read the book years ago. If you’re looking for a depressing drama, Olive Kitteridge is it. I’m not sure why I watched it. I knew going in it would be a real downer, but it was an outstanding production with an amazing performance by Frances McDormand. Definitely worth a few hours of depressive TV.
Balancing the downer of Olive Kitteridge, I watched Wicked for Good, which I’d seen in the theater when it first came out. (I won’t admit to how many times I’ve seen it on Broadway!)
Author Life: Stepping out of my writer’s cave
Other than spending my summer writing and binge-watching, I did leave my writer’s cave for three days last month to attend Killer Nashville. This was the 21st anniversary of the writers’ conference, and now that I’m living outside of Nashville, it’s held in my backyard. Well, not literally, but if August wasn’t so hot and humid in middle Tennessee, I could walk to the event.
In addition to catching up with old friends, making new ones, and meeting in person other writers I’ve known online for years, I was on four panels, listened to pitches from unpublished authors, took part in an ask-the-author round-robin, and gave a solo PowerPoint presentation on “Goal, Motivation, & Conflict: The Three Essential Building Blocks of Every Novel, Synopsis, Pitch & Back Cover Copy.”
Author Life: A 3-Pete!
The highlight of this year’s conference was what happened during the awards ceremony. For the third year in a row, I won the Silver Falchion Award for Best Comedy, this time for Seams Like the Perfect Crime. And the cherry on the top? The book was also named 2nd Runner-up for Best Book by an Attending Author!
All in all, not a bad summer.
What did you do this summer? Post a comment for a chance to win a promo code for a free audiobook download of any Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery or Empty Nest Mystery.
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USA Today and Amazon bestselling and award-winning author Lois Winston writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, children’s chapter books, and nonfiction. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is a former literary agent and an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry. Learn more about Lois and her books at her website www.loiswinston.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive an Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mini-Mystery.
Wow! Congratulations. What a well-deserved honor! And sounds like a productive summer.
Thanks, Brooke! I’m still pushing toward the end of the WIP, when life doesn’t get in the way of writing, but I’m making progress.
Sounds like a rewarding trip to Killer Nashville, congratulations!!
My summer was hot, hot, hot! That is not unusual though. My lone escape was lots of wonderful books to read and listen to. Here’s to Fall! May it be long and lovely!!
Thanks, Maria! A long and lovely Fall sounds wonderful!
Congratulations, Lois! You and Anastasia have struck gold (or silver, as the case may be), and the awards are testament to your excellent all-year writing. Thanks for the TV recommendations, and hope autumn gets here quickly for your sake!
Thanks, Saralyn!
Congrats on the Silver Falchion (again!). And an interesting summer. I golfed 3 – 4 times a week and worked on fine tuning my true crime coming out in October. I live in N. Ontario where we have 2 seasons — winter and July 🙂 Not quite that bad…but close.
Thanks, Judy! Right about now I wouldn’t mind a taste of winter!
Thanks for recommendations on the shows – there was at least one (the Italian lawyer) that I never heard of. Congrats also on your Killer Nashville three-peat. Well deserved.
Thanks, Debra. I had never heard of Lydia Poet. Although I know the series fictionalized much of her life, as the film industry always does, I still found the series fascinating.
I read “Olive Kitteridge” years ago because it won a Pulitzer. The book is a bit depressing, but the TV adaptation features some of my favorite actors. However, after writing all day on the screen, I’d rather have a book in hand when I relax for the evening.
Congratulations on your award. It was nice meeting you face-to-face in Nashville.
Thanks, Kathleen! After knowing you for years online, it was wonderful finally getting to meet in person.
Thanks for the show recommendations, Lois. And big congrats on your award! Sounds like you had a productive and fun summer!!
Thanks, Mary Lee! It’s amazing what you can accomplish when it’s too hot to leave the house!