Some of you know my husband and I have been building a house. We
are getting so close to finishing, I stare at walls trying to figure out what I
want to put where. The decorating and pulling colors together has been good for
my creative nature, but I swear I'm having DT's from not being able to sit down
and write every day.
One of my favorite projects for the house
is an old 1880's buffet/sideboard I discovered in a used furniture store. I
fell in love with it the minute I saw it. But we're on a budget building the
house and I had to run it and the price by my husband(who can't buy anything
for the asking price or at least try to get it for a lesser price). Hubby
told me I could get it if I talked the person down in price. I would say
this part of my acquisition is a lot like when a writer comes up with a story idea
or a fabulous new character. But then the realization hits that while they have
a great idea or character they have nothing else and need to dig deep within to
come up with a plausible story and believable but interesting character. I dug
deep and managed to haggle the guy down $50. 
We brought it home and I began stripping
the dark, ugly brown paint off and discovered beautiful oak beneath. This is like writing the first draft of a
book. It’s okay and gets the story spilled out, but when you go back through
and pull out the unnecessary words and details you find the real story.
After the buffet was stripped, we cut a hole for the sink to fit
in and added a piece of hardy backer. On our trips to the building outlet
stores I haunted the tile aisles until I found the perfect accent tiles. The
main part of the top would be the tile used in the shower, but I wanted an
accent on the edges that would work with the rounded front of the
furniture. Finding the right accents is
a lot like the final run through of a manuscript. You add the touches that make
the character’s dialog sparkle, the narrative read crisp, and the story come
alive.
After the vanity was tiled, I had to wait to add the grout. This
is the same phase in a manuscript where you let the story rest a week or two
then go through and proof read it. Adding the grout to the tile was the
finishing touch to the piece.
My husband still has to revamp two drawers, but we’re waiting for
the plumbing to be done to see how much of the drawers will have to be cut out.
This process equates to writers who send their books off to agents or editors.
Those people will determine how much of the book stays as is and what will need
to be cut or added.
I’m happy with my new vanity and look forward to finishing the
house and moving in so I can get back to writing my new mystery series. My
first book in the series released on the 10th. You can now purchase
Double Duplicity in ebook or print.
Double Duplicity Blurb
On the eve of the biggest art event at Huckleberry
Mountain Resort, potter Shandra Higheagle finds herself in the middle of a murder
investigation. She’s ruled out as a suspect, but now it’s up to her to prove
the friend she witnessed fleeing the scene was just as innocent. With help from
her recently deceased Nez Perce grandmother, Shandra becomes more confused than
ever but just as determined to discover the truth.
Detective Ryan Greer prides himself on solving
crimes and refuses to ignore a single clue, including Shandra Higheagle’s
visions. While Shandra is hesitant to trust her dreams, Ryan believes in them
and believes in her.
Can
the pair uncover enough clues for Ryan to make an
arrest before one of them becomes the next victim?
