Simpler Times

Let me tell you why I read, not why I write. I enjoy being entertained, and I love a good mystery. Is that simple or what? If it contains humor? So much the better.

It used to be, in the “old days” when I had a job other than writing, you could find me on my lunch hour, on my breaks, and at home in the evening, reading.

The phone would ring and when I’d answer someone might say, “What’re you up to?”

My reply? “Shh. I’m reading. I’ll call you back.”

Okay, it wasn’t quite that bad, but yes, I was an avid reader. Now I’m a wife, a writer, a marketer and I do as much promotion as I can. Unfortunately, I haven’t done a lot of promotion lately. “Hey! Try that new book, How Now Purple Cow – A Bogey Man Mystery. It involves purple cows and elderly spies, along with the Cross family.” That’s my promotion for this week. Short and sweet.

There are so many authors out there with so many ideas. I attended a class several years ago that was being taught by an older man who made me feel that he knew things. He certainly knew more than I figured I’d ever know. He said there were only thirty-two types of stories that could be written, and that the key was to come up with a unique twist on an old theme. I don’t know if thirty-two is the right number or not, but I’m always looking for an author with a unique twist. So far I’ve found quite a few. His comments encouraged me to look for new and unique ideas for my own books, but that’s harder than it sounds.

Because of getting into “the business”, I’ve had the opportunity to read a lot of authors I’d never read before. I used to go to the bookstore and look for the same authors, over and over, and I loved it when they had a new book out. Now I find myself looking for new names, on those rare occasions when I even  look for a new book.

My To Be Read stack of books is out of control, as am I. I refuse to buy another book until I can whittle the stack down at least a little. Every time I finish a book, I have trouble deciding what to read next. I’ve talked about word-of-mouth being the best advertising, but it’s reached a point where I cringe when someone recommends a new book. I won’t tell you how often I give up and buy the recommended book.

Maybe I should put them in order by the date they were published. That won’t work. A title will catch my eye, or a cover, or a familiar name, and I’m sunk. I’ll pick up the book after I rub my hands together.

However, it all goes back to the fact that I have very little reading time anymore. I miss those days of read, read, read. I have a more interesting life now, but I still miss the reading time.

What am I saying? I’ve always had an interesting life. It was just different than it is now. Do I want to go back? Not really. Life is one change after the other, and that’s what sometimes keeps it interesting.

I’m not fishing, so please don’t mention my name, but I’d love to know who wrote the last book that really kept you reading. You know, the one you couldn’t put down. Just call me a glutton for punishment, because after you tell me, I’ll want to run right out and buy it for the To Be Read (TBR) stack. Just think. You might be helping someone else whose stack is nonexistent.

Until next time, from one reader to another, if you have a large TBR stack, don’t bang your head against the wall. It won’t help. Just pick one up at random and start reading.

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website

CLICK HERE for a quick trip to Amazon.com

How Now Purple Cow – A Bogey Man Mystery is now available in both ebook and paperback versions.

What could purple cows and elderly spies possibly have to do with each other?

When young Mikey Cross discovers ceramic purple cows, a ring, and investigative notes left by a mystery writer popular in the 1950s, his parents’ and grandparents’ lives are turned upside down.

Pamela and Chris Cross become involved in vintage intrigue with trepidation and more than a little angst when they find out there’s an elderly assassin on the prowl and the situation isn’t quite as vintage as they thought.

The dead just may come back as the living when it’s least expected.