At times, I enjoy reading cozies but I no longer am fond of the ‘cooking’ type of cozy.  I find that when they end a chapter with a recipe that it jars one out of the story.  I noticed that more and more ‘cooking mystery’ authors are doing too much of that of late.  It destroys the flow for me.  I see nothing wrong with putting all the recipes at the end of the book.

     The fact is the entire premise has become a tired cliché.  This makes me wonder how many other cozy styles have wandered down the same path. 

     How did Dame Agatha manage to keep her wonderful Miss Marple fresh and believable in all those books?  Why is it that I can reread those books many times and still enjoy them and yet some of the more modern writers’ books are a once and done?

     I hope that once my books are out there my readers will have the courage to tell me if they grow tired of my characters.

     Some days I’m writing even when I’m not sitting at the computer typing away.  Scenes flash through my head along with fragments of dialogue.  Gestational ideas need to percolate. 

     I grab a pen and write things down on a Post It, maybe two or three that I stick to my desk, computer, keyboard, lamp or anything that’s handy.  I’ve had ideas hit me while cooking, sleeping, or even when I’m taking the dogs outside.

     Hey, Patty get back here I need that note I stuck on your butt.

     I have notes all over the house there isn’t a room in this house that doesn’t have a pad of notes and a pen handy.  I also write notes to remind me of things I need to do.  Those too are everywhere.

     I drive DH and the dogs crazy at times but then they do the same to me so we’re even.