Phyllis Middleton tells all: How FATE worked in my life

How FATE worked in my life.

It was suggested that I should write about what I know best. I call it my other life. Crime. Cops. Death. Investigations. Crime Scenes and Crafts! Yes, Crafts.  So my topic is about FATE…how my life was guided by it.

Let’s go back in time…like 40 years ago. I wanted to work for the airlines and spent my senior year going through an airline training program where I completed the program doing my residency in Kansas City, MO. As FATE would have it, I was visited by the FBI while there and within two months I reported to Washington, DC to become the newest member of the FBI card filing team. Within 6 weeks there, I continued my training into their fingerprint program and six months later, I was qualified as a fingerprint examiner. Problem was, I hated Washington DC and longed for my home back in Colorado.  At eighteen – let’s call it what it really was…homesickness. I quit and moved back.

I then applied to every airline and the local law enforcement authorities. I decided that whoever gets me first that is the career I will follow. I answered the call of FATE.  Within six months, The Pueblo County Sheriff’s office hired me as a civilian into the newly created Crime Lab/Scene – primarily the fingerprints field. Over the years, I learned all aspects of our Crime Scene Investigations Department, becoming an expert in courts for fingerprints, and learning all the other aspects. I was noted to be the first woman patrol officer Pueblo County ever had.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Kelly Lee on Murdering Eve

The beginning of a new year is a time for fresh starts, resolutions, and optimistic planning about the future. But also a chance to reflect on the year that just ended, wonder where the heck it went, and whether or not you considered 2011 a "good year".

Overall, I would describe 2011 as pretty spectacular. I signed my first book contract and got "published." I became pregnant with my second child. I learned a lot of lessons about my work ethic, my family, and my friends…who supported me, and most eye-opening…who didn't. Some people in my life I found incredibly inspirational. Some (strangely enough) were inspired by me.

Unfortunately, the one resolution I had every intention of keeping for 2011 got shot to crap in May of last year. What was it, you ask?

Drink more champagne.

I figured life is reason enough to celebrate. Plus, my spectacular group of girlfriends is particularly dedicated to trying new champagnes. Peach champagne, one of our favorites, pops up regularly in our refrigerators. As does every imaginable combination of mixed drink made with sparkling wine. Mimosas, bellinis, poinsettias, you name it—we drink it. Yum-O.

Then, I celebrated my eighth wedding anniversary in May. Hubby and I went to Las Vegas. And I got pregnant. Hello, baby. Goodbye, champagne resolution.

WHERE HAVE ALL THE ROMANTIC MOVIES GONE? by Kathy Ivan

I was talking with my sister earlier and the conversation turned to movies. Romantic comedies to be exact. I'm a big lover of romance in all its forms. That's why I write it. I love the subtle nuances of it, the majesty of it. The quiet moments and the shout-it-from-the rooftop moments. There's just something about watching or reading about two people falling in love and getting their happily ever after that just makes me go, "Awww!" But when it came time to list some of my favorite romantic movies, that's when things got a little tricky. I could think of lots and lots of them that I love, but I realized something I thought was significant. Nary a one of them was current. What's happened to Hollywood that they can't seem to make a romance/romantic comedy that really touched me enough that I remember it long after seeing it?

Hollywood in its heyday made some fabulous, witty, and memorable love stories—I can't even use that turn of phrase without thinking about the movie by the same name—Love Story.

Are You a Lazy Writer?

Okay, I know you're now on a diet and exercising to shed those holiday pounds. So what about your mind? Have you exercised your mind lately? Have you stretched yourself as a writer or have you gotten lazy.

Recently, I received a rejection letter that not only said I was using the "same old" plot devices, but that my writing was repetitive. Hmmm...that was a new one. Yes, I admit I used the "same old" plot devices, mistaken identity, etc...but this publishing house is known for wanting the same ole same ole. I tried to write something they would want...I should have put a Cowboy instead of a doctor and they probably would have bought it.

But the repetitive part made me think about my writing. I also read a new author and her sentences jumped off the page at me and I immediately knew mine didn't do that. Hmmm...I contemplated, have I become a lazy writer? Am I just putting the words down on the page trying to reach the end?

I work very hard on plot, characterization, but what about sentence structure? Word choice? How much time is spent on making sure I get just the right nuance on the page?

MY WISHES FOR YOU . . . by Kathy Ivan

This blog post really should have happened yesterday. Unfortunately, I have fried brain cells due to the flu and completely forgot I was supposed to do my New Year's post. So even though this is a day late, here it is. The sentiments still hold true—even if they are a day late.

With a bright and shiny New Year approaching in just a few days, most people are busy thinking about their resolutions; the things they plan to change about themselves or the things the want to do in the upcoming year. I've done that more times than I care to count. I start out with all the best intentions with my goals clear. I'm going to lose the rest of the weight I need to lose. I'm going to complete at least two manuscripts during the year. I'll work less and spend more quality time with family and friends. Don't we all promise ourselves we'll do those same things and more.

Then every year, before a few weeks are gone, so are those resolutions. Life interferes, work interferes, or in my case "laziness" interferes. :-)

So, instead of making resolutions this year, I've decided to make wishes. Not wishes for myself, but instead wishes for you, my friends.

Author Interview: Pri Ardis

Tell us about yourself. How long have you been writing? I started on comic books…yes, I’m a comic book geek. Then I became a full-fledged book lover ever since my parents took me to this cool thing called the “public library.” I picked up this awesome book called “Nancy Drew” and never looked back. In hindsight, my parents were smart to take me to the library. No parent could have afforded my voracious reading habit—which is why I’m fully onboard with the eBook craze.

I’ve been writing since I first opened a composition book on vacation in India over ten years ago.  Those long train rides can leave you a lot of time to come up with a great story. I remember finishing that first novel and having a stack of composition books to stare at. It was then that I realized I’d have to transcribe it all onto the computer. That second draft took a really long time.

Priya Ardis

How did you get from your day job to writing romance? Since I started writing before graduating from school, I’ve always had a day job and a night job (writing). I really don’t know what my life would be like without a work-in-progress. Maybe I’d take up video games. I’m fascinated by how far gaming has come—how complex the storyline and the graphics have become. I’m a computer programmer and a writer so the mix of the two in gaming intrigues me.

In my novel, I love to mix up magic with technology. After all, what is life without a few gadgets?

IT'S TIME FOR PRESENTS!!!

GIFT TIME IS HERE!!!

We at the Plotting Princesses would like to thank all the wonderful readers and writers who stopped by our blog and read the interviews/articles and left comments. We had a fabulous turnout for our first Christmastime celebration, and the generosity of all of the Plotting Princesses warms my heart with love and gratitude that I can call all of these lovely writers my friends.

Below is a list of all of the winners whose names were drawn at random. Since most people didn't leave their e-mail addresses, if your name appears below, please e-mail me at Kathy@KathyIvan.com with your information—e-mail address and snail mail address so we can get your gifts to you right away.