Hi, back from New York,

I lived through the New York trip, the book signing at the New York Police Museum that I thought would give me a heart attack--it didn't of course and I'm grateful and so very, very glad its over and with and only five people showing, four were employees of the museum, though a guy (a visitor to the museum) did sit and listen for a minute, regardless, I really enjoyed it to my surprise.

I enjoyed it for a list of reasons I'm going to list, a good one too: first, I met up with my close friend GiGi for the first time in four years, she looks wonderful and absolutely made the trip for me; she was so professional, had everything prepared, she even wrote an invoice for me to leave with the museum for the books, I couldn't have made the trip without her. Next, the museum's staff, specifically Iris Stephen, the coordinator, were phenomenal; they were so kind and generous you would have to have lived it to believe it, New Yorkers are terrific no matter what others say, the museum's staff are the best people. Next, the museum itself, beautiful; three floors of the most interesting information on one of our country's largest and diverse police departments, you could spend all your time just looking at all the displays specifically the homage to 911, its terrific, sobering and heartfelt. Next, New York itself, I love New York, it's a town like no other. The museum is located on the Hudson River, across from the Staten Island Ferry, a block from Wall Street and as I stood on the second floor after the reading staring out the window I watched the ships going down the river, the people passing by going into the South Street Seaport, it made me want to stay forever. Last, spending time with old friends I hadn't seen in twenty years over a nice meal at the end of the reading.

I'm glad I made it through the signing and the reading--which I did okay on-- the few folks seemed to pay attention, I'm glad to be home and have it behind me but I will miss New York. Ms. Stephen's, the museums coordinator, invited me back to read the next book in the Owen Story trilogy, I of course gave her a definite; Yes (God willing of course) and believe it or not, I can't wait.

Write what you love, let the rest take care of itself.

If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail me at my new address: shabazzl@adasbcc.org.

Until next time, God willing,

Lori

Hello everyone,

This is a mail before I go to New York for the book signing this Wednesday. I’m nervous though my friend Gi, who is going to support me at the signing, told me not to be; that I’ll be fine. I know I will but I’m not just nervous but close to terrified. Most of it is just me, I’m not good in front of people (though I have no idea if people---more than three—will show up) and will sound like an idiot or read like I never learned to read in my life; I cannot wait until Thursday. I’m looking forward though to seeing New York, being there and will let the signing take its course and do the best, the very best I can. If you’re in New York on Wednesday, near the New York Police Museum around noon, come and say hello and tell me not to be too nervous because it won’t last forever.

Write and be concerned about how you feel, no one else,

If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail me at my new address: shabazzl@adasbcc.org.

Until next time, God willing,

Lori

Hello,

I hope you're writing these days. I know there is a lot going on in our world and most of it seems to be bad news and much for us to worry about--well, we shouldn't, at least not too much, things get better--life gets better--so we do all we can, love who we love, be good people, try to do our best, pray always and of course--write--always.


If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail me at my new address: shabazzl@adasbcc.org.

Until next time, God willing,

Lori

Happy Friday and Happy Holiday to those who celebrate Columbus Day--that was too long,

I'm off on Monday which is a very good thing, I'll try and get a little extra sleep but more importantly do some distance writing which means trying to get out more than one or two pages; hopefully five or more. I would like to finish the book which is oh-so-much-wishful-thinking and too much for one day off. As you know I'm a slow as molasses writer and its sometimes frustrating though its the way it is. I'm reading "Books" by Larry MacMurtry and at one point he says he finally connected with a novel he was writing and got the first draft done in three weeks. I was totally envious of that but made myself feel a little better thinking, it's Larry MacMurtry, what else is there to say? So get over it.

I figure in the end it matters little how long it takes to write your novel, its most important that you do it whenever you can and that you end up with a novel, a good one you love.

If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail me at my new address: shabazzl@adasbcc.org.

Until next time, God willing,

Lori

Hello and Happy Friday,

Doesn’t it feel great when you get a line or a lead for your story? Or the right idea that makes that chapter, makes it juicy and worth the effort because it helps build your story ; makes it better? I love getting that zing when you’ve found that connection you needed; it happens all the time or you wouldn’t have a story or a novel, yet when you’re writing it seems like those zings are infrequent, that there’s a long time between them and most of the time you spend plodding, ringing your hands over the right line, the right connection, or worried you’ve following the wrong trail or have veered off into some ridiculous story line that doesn’t do a thing for the work. We all know there are more of the hard writing times than the smooth writing paths, yet the thing is that its worth it; always worth it in the end because you have your book and if we’re blessed, a really good one.

Keep at the writing.

If you have any comments or suggestions please e-mail me at my new address: shabazzl@adasbcc.org.

Until next time, God willing,

Lori