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Witch Crafting

Photo showing construction of Hazel Fun Witch Mouse for post on Witch Crafting
X-Stitch pattern cover for Hazel Fun Witch Mouse for post on Witch Crafting
Hazel Fun Witch Mouse photo for post on Witch Crafting

My critique group partner and fellow young adult author, Jill Hedgecock, has just released her sixth novel. Pizco is a teen historical fiction adventure set in ancient Peru. We are planning a joint author signing and reading event at local independent bookstore Reasonable Books in Lafayette, CA. I’ll be reading from my debut YA fantasy Bedlam Bewitched. Jill will read an excerpt from her newest release, Pizco. The event promises a fun time with brief author Q&A, a book scavenger hunt, and a door prize for one lucky winner.

I’m currently assembling the contents of our prize gift basket, which will include several on-theme or book-related goodies. One of these is a hand-crafted, cross-stitched witchy mouse.

An avid cross-stitch enthusiast, I have a stash of stitching patterns, fabric, and floss on hand and always have a work-in-progress. Lately, my favorite designer is Just Nan, whose patterns often feature adorable mice and other critters. These are stitched, beaded, and constructed into tiny 3D ornaments. I have completed dozens of her patterns, especially her mice.

The featured mouse in our gift basket is Hazel Fun Witch Mouse. Her dress sports little spiders, stars, glittery purple beads, and a ghostly pumpkin on the back. She has her broom and is ready to fly. Her curly tail doubles as an ornament hook. Hazel joins the gift basket with other nods to our books.

This author event will take place on June 21st. Stay tuned for further details in my June newsletter and plan to join us. In the meantime, you can learn more about Jill’s wonderful coming-of-age adventure, Pizco, on her website at www.jillhedgecock.com and on her Amazon page here.

The Raven Boys: A Review

The Raven Boys book cover for book review blog post

If you’ve read my previous “Favorite Fantasy Reads” blog post, you’ll know that The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater is one of my favorites. I loved this book and subsequently devoured the whole four-part Raven Cycle series. So I was excited to learn that The Raven Boys has been adapted into a graphic novel, scheduled for release this July 2025.

Blue Sargent comes from a matriarchal family of psychics and seers, although she does not possess this skill herself. Until one St. Mark’s Eve in a crumbling churchyard on the corpse road, she encounters the spirit of a boy destined to die in the coming year. Gansey is his name.

Gansey and his three friends attend the local all-boys prep school, Aglionby Academy. Blue scrupulously avoids stuck-up Aglionby students, known as Raven Boys. But she quickly finds herself entangled with Gansey and his obsession with an ancient Welsh king buried somewhere along the supernatural ley lines that run through the town. Their quest draws Gansey, his loyal gang, and Blue into the crosshairs of a murderer.

Suspense, romance, and Welsh mythology combine in The Raven Boys, an engaging supernatural tale. Armed with her unconventional upbringing and shabby chic vibe, Blue makes a feisty and empathic protagonist. To save Gansey, Blue must confront her preconceived notions about him and his Raven Boy companions – Ronan, Adam, and Noah. Each has significant secrets, revealed in surprising twists and turns that inform their actions and propel the plot. I’m also a big fan of quirky matriarchal families (as you’d know if you’ve read my novel). Blue’s family is hilarious, providing many laugh-out-loud moments that lend touches of levity to the tale. Stiefvater does a masterful job of weaving all these elements together into a memorable and page-turning read.

This summer, I look forward to seeing how all this translates into graphic novel form.

Chapter Endings

Image for post on Chapter Endings featuring a Lego figure hanging from a book (cliffhanger)

I’ve been busy drafting my next novel and am happy to report steady progress. Not the chapter a week that I’d been hoping for, but I am cranking out chapters in time to meet my critique group deadline for review.

The story muse is speaking to me again. Even when I’m not actively typing, my brain is working out the next section of the story. Bits of dialogue pop into my head. Characters reveal more of their hidden motivations. In fact, I can’t wait to get back to writing.

But at last week’s critique group, one member took issue with my chapter ending. They felt that I didn’t stop it in the right place. As we are an opinionated bunch, a discussion ensued with folks weighing in on both sides. But this raises an interesting question. How do you decide where to end the chapter?

In general, each chapter should advance the story arc, moving the protagonist a step further toward their goal or introducing a setback that impends their progress. But just moving your character from point A to point B in the journey is not enough. To maintain tension, each chapter should contain conflict and change their stakes in some meaningful way. This could be accomplished by introducing a new problem that they have to solve, or an adversary bent on stopping them, or even an internal weakness that undercuts their ability. As the story ebbs and flows, the stakes can change in positive directions too, as we cheer our hero’s successes. But the most popular ending strategy seems to be the cliffhanger—a sudden change in circumstance introduced at the very end of the chapter.

George R.R. Martin in his Game of Thrones series is a master of cliffhanger chapter endings. I often read books at night before bed. But his chapter endings were so intense that I couldn’t stop there. I had to keep reading or I couldn’t sleep. Eventually I learned that I had to stop in the middle of a chapter to be able to put the book down for the night.

What do you think? Does every chapter need to end in a cliffhanger? What do you think makes a good chapter ending?

Finding Momentum

Pad with checklist image for post on Finding Momentum

I don’t typically make New Year’s resolutions, but come January I do think about my writing goals for the year ahead. This year, my goal is to complete at least a first draft of my next novel. I have about eight chapters of this new work drafted. But my progress stalled for most of last year, while I shifted to focus on the publication and launch of my debut fantasy novel, Bedlam Bewitched. Now that Bedlam is released, I’m ready to return to my novel-in-progress.

However, in the intervening months, my momentum on this new work has stalled. Not that I don’t love the concept or the characters. I do. And I really want to resume writing this story. But for most of January, other seemingly more pressing matters distracted me. When it came to writing this new work, I felt stuck. How do you pick up where you left off months ago? How do you find your writing mojo again?

I’m not a fast writer. More like, slow and methodical. But I do thrive on routine. And there’s nothing like a good deadline to give me a much needed kick in the pants.

Enter my critique group. We’ve been meeting every other week for nearly two decades now to read and comment on each other’s stories. I value these talented writers for their insight, encouragement, and frank constructive criticism. Submissions are due on the previous Wednesday for discussion at the next meeting; thus, the perfect motivation for me to make progress and submit my work.

When in the flow of drafting a new novel, I would aim for a chapter per week. I would plunk butt in chair and pound out pages mostly in the mornings. Having a time slot devoted to writing along with a goal and a deadline helped my productivity. Devoted time slot? Check. Goal? Check. Deadline? Check. So here I am with fingers poised over the keyboard…staring at a blank page. Now what?

I need a running start. Fortunately, I’m not starting from scratch. I have eight chapters and a bunch of story notes. I’m a “pantser”, so I don’t work from an outline. But I do have a general idea where this is going and a few notes on what comes next in the story. So I pull out the previous chapters and reread the story from the beginning.

Finally, I have regained momentum. Two new chapters drafted and it’s only mid-February. Maybe I won’t make my goal of a chapter per week. But page by page, I will get closer to a finished draft and a completed manuscript.

Do you have any tricks for overcoming writer’s block? What helps you to get unstuck?

The Doll

Cover from an old short story, The Doll, showing teacher's comments. Image for post "The Doll"

On the cusp of the New Year, I have a tradition that I call “shredding the old year.” I go through my files and gather old receipts and other papers that I no longer need. Then I feed them through a paper shredder and dump them in the recycle bin. A purge of the old to make room for the new.

This year, I got a bit carried away. I opened my writing drawer with the intent of cleaning out some of my older stories. Stuffed so full of files that you can’t wedge another one in, this drawer contains bits of my writing in various stages of completion. There are published short stories, ones still in need of editing, and those that I started and abandoned unfinished. Among these, I found a file labeled “Story Ideas.” I pulled it out and began rifling through the contents, when I found a surprise—a saved treasure.

Typed on onion-skin pages using an old manual typewriter, “The Doll” was written in high school for Mr. Tortorici’s Approaches to Life class. I don’t remember the exact nature of the assignment, but I do remember that we had been studying Camus and Sartre. Instead of an essay, I had decided to write my piece as a short story on existential themes—a tale about a china doll who finds meaning in her friendship with a tattered, discarded teddy bear.

While I would often make up stories in my head, I rarely wrote them down or shared them with anyone else. And this story felt different…perhaps more personal, introspective, revealing. So with trepidation, I submitted my assignment. My teacher’s hand-written comments are still legible on the cover: “Cheryl, I enjoyed your story very much. It clearly discussed existential themes in a manner that’s both true and entertaining.”

I doubt that Mr. Tortorici had any idea what his kind comments and encouragement meant to me. Back then, I couldn’t imagine that I would one day become a writer. But I have saved that story for all these many years. So thank you, Mr. Tortorici, and all the other teachers who selflessly inspire and teach and encourage. You may never know the impact you had.

All these year later, I reread my short story. It still resonates with me. Definitely not a candidate for the recycle bin. It’s a keeper. I replaced the yellowed pages back in the folder and slipped it into my file drawer. A fond memory of the old to inspire the new.

Do you have a favorite story or something else that you created? Was there a teacher who inspired and encouraged you?

Bedlam Bewitched Review in the Diablo Gazette

Bedlam Bewitched Review in the Diablo Gazette - December 2024

A big THANK YOU to Jill Hedgecock for her generous review of my debut teen fantasy novel, Bedlam Bewitched! Her kind review appeared in her “BookEnds” column in the December 2024 issue of The Diablo Gazette. You can find it on page 17.
Several of my talented writer friends also had feature articles in this issue. Look for Colleen Gonzalez’s movie review of Wicked on page 4. On page 16, Master Gardener David George writes about the nutritional benefits of growing your own microgreens. On that same page, you can find Jill’s conservation article on nesting boxes for wood ducks.
Check out the entire issue here:
https://www.diablogazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Diablo-Gazette-DEC-24PD.pdf

Trimming the Tree

Christmas tree with ornaments and lights - illustration for Trimming the Tree post

Every year on Black Friday, while others are out hunting for bargains, we put up our Christmas tree. We fetch the boxes from the basement, and I carefully unwrap hundreds of ornaments that have been packed in tissue paper since last January.
When looking for ornaments, one of my favorite places to visit is the Orchard Nursery in Lafayette, CA. Each year, they fill their main shop with dozens of decorated themed trees. They have garden-themed trees, candy-themed trees, trees for dog lovers, cat lovers, and animals of all kinds. There are trees for games, sports, music, and travel. You name it, and they likely have a tree full of it. And it’s beautiful. I love visiting each year to shop for gifts and to select a new ornament. When my kids were younger, they would each choose an ornament too.
Ours is not exactly a “themed” tree. No Pantone color scheme, no curated collection of vintage blown glass, no over-arching theme. In fact, there are few matching ornaments on our tree. It’s more an eclectic hodge-podge of decorations, collected one at a time over many years. Not that these ornaments don’t have meaning…They all do.
My kids’ interests are reflected in the ornaments they chose. My marine biologist daughter contributed a dangling jellyfish, a blown-glass crab, a bejeweled shark, and many other fishy finds. Likewise, my son selected the many transportation-themed pieces hanging from the branches. You don’t have to look too hard to find planes, trains, and even a San Francisco cable car. And his fascination with Star Wars means that you will also find an X-Wing Starfighter and even General Grievous. The creators of those I SPY books would have a field day with our tree.
Many of the pieces are hand-made. An avid cross-stitch enthusiast and crafter, I stitched many of these ornaments myself. It runs in the family. My daughter followed suit, crafting a felted and stuffed likeness of her pet guinea pig for the tree. And the oldest ornament? That’s a ceramic teddy bear that my grandmother made for me when I was just a girl.
As my kids were growing up, my mother would give us dated frames for their school pictures. Now when you look at my tree, you will find photos of my children from their very first Christmases up through their college graduations. You will also find photos of my mother and father, who have since passed. These memories are captured in smiling faces peering from its branches.
Upon reflection, I guess my tree does have a theme after all. FAMILY.
How about you? Do you have a favorite holiday tradition?

I’m Participating in SCBWI BookStop

SCBWI BookStop participation graphic
My SCBWI BookStop book page for Bedlam Bewitched

Looking for some great children’s literature? Check out the books at the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) BookStop.
The BookStop features offerings for kids of all ages from picture books up through young adult novels. All these books were written by the authors and illustrators in the SCBWI community.
Check it out here: https://www.scbwi.org/bookstop/
I’m participating this year. The book page for my debut fantasy novel, Bedlam Bewitched, can be found here:
https://www.scbwi.org/bookstop/book/bedlam-bewitchedybvjrx0v

Art Embraces Words & Signed Copies

Art Embraces Words Event photo of the 3 author presenters in costume

Art Embraces Words Halloween Event

On Saturday, October 26th, I had the honor of participating in the Lamorinda Art Council’s Art Embraces Words Halloween Event. The program held at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center featured three local authors and two artists. I joined my fellow California Writer’s Club authors, Marlene Dotterer and Jill Hedgecock, for this fun Halloween-themed presentation.
Dressed as Star Fleet Captain Hindra, Marlene Dotterer read from her sci-fi short story “Caught in an Alien Ocean.”
As the Mad Hatter, I read an excerpt from my debut fantasy novel, Bedlam Bewitched—a charm-filled tale of mayhem set in a chaotically-enchanted bookstore.
Jill Hedgecock, disguised as the titular Doberman from her supernatural ghost trilogy, read a haunting passage from her novel, Between Shadow’s Eyes.
We were joined by local artists Olivia Falk and Gini Graham Scott.
I had a fabulous time. And we all won prizes for our costumes.
Thank you to AEW co-chairs Linda Hartmann, Elana O’Loskey, and Bill Carmel for putting together this wonderful program!

Signed Copies of Bedlam Bewitched?

If you’re looking for signed copies of my novel, Bedlam Bewitched, look no further than Reasonable Books in Lafayette, CA. This lovely independent bookstore is located at 3645 Mount Diablo Blvd., right next to the Trader Joe’s in downtown Lafayette, CA. You can find a collection of new, used, and vintage titles in their shop. And they have an entire bookshelf devoted to local authors! You can learn more at their website https://www.reasonable.online. Or better yet, stop by in person to browse and find your next read.