A Gathering of Cozy Critters

Learning is a lifelong process. I’ve learned a lot more out of the classroom than I ever did inside four walls (I’ll have to admit though that those kindergarteners taught me a lot when I was supposed to be teaching them!) In our cozy critiques, learning is the key–the key to writing, reading, understanding, and fun! Yesterday’s critique was no exception.

Would you believe that we critters don’t always agree? Well, we don’t. I’m glad we don’t, because seeing another person’s viewpoint widens the old horizon. My world would get pretty cramped if I lived only within my own borders.

Jane is an amazing person of many talents: writing, art, and historian. Yesterday she told us a lot about the history of Johnson, Arkansas, that I would never have known otherwise. She has compiled a thick notebook of newspaper articles, photographs, real-life stories of others, the history of that fascinating town. Johnson’s Mill, the Post Office, early days schools and churches, all came to life again as Jane opened her notebook and shared a wealth of information. Now as I drive through Johnson, I see in my mind’s eye those places and the people who lived in a thriving community that was important in Arkansas history.

Peg has a knack of seeing and understanding what makes a story good. She likes cozy mysteries but has no patience with the ones who introduce the villain too soon. She likes to pit her detective skills against the skills of the protagonist and she likes the ending of the book to have a surprise or two. Another thing that is irritating is repetition. She may utter things like, “All right, already! How many times do we need to read this?” if the author begins to sound like a parrot.

Nancy is very busy promoting her book, The Grace Impact. Not only that, she and her husband Rick are working together on the next book, something every good author should be doing–working on the next book! A radio interview at Marnie and Friends, guest-posting on three blogs last week, and appearing as the lead story in Cherished.com pretty much takes up any free time she might have. If you haven’t checked into The Grace Impact, please do. It is a wonderful devotional.

Helen couldn’t be with us but she sent an email and it sounds as if she will have many new stories and fresh insights to share when she returns. We missed you, Helen!

One thing that is so neat about this group of Cozy Critters is that they are my support group. These ladies want my books to succeed and they do all they can to help. Jane sketched out a possible cover picture for Moonlight Can Be Murder. She and Peg had some good ideas for a bookmark design for the three Darcy and Flora cozies.

We always support each other. I never hear anything derogatory from these friends. They just simply don’t say or do anything to take the sunshine from the day.

The fourth Darcy and Flora is in the works!! Oh, my goodness! You wouldn’t believe how Darcy gets entangled in the next mystery. She didn’t intend to, you understand, but as Grant said, she is a magnet for mystery, murder, and mayhem. Well, actually, he said it a different way and not quite so tactfully, but that’s what he meant.

“Sweet are the uses of adversity.” – William Shakespeare.

You are right, Mr. Shakespeare, and the mystery writers employs them all!