I started sketching in front of the TV yesterday. I finished the painting today. I call it "The Dream-Haired Woman." Thanks to my new friend J.T. Ellison and the half-hour drive home from Sherlock's, there's a whole story that goes along with that. I know exactly how I want to start my next piece.

HOWEVER -- I received a call from my mother this morning, irate that I didn't send her the chapter that I promised her on Thursday. I'm finishing that up right now. But I'm not allowed to paint for another week.

I love my mom. In four more chapters, so will my agent.
And so will you.


(Click picture for larger image)

Because Ingram doesn't allow us access to Facebook email anymore, I'd been remiss about returning a note from fabulous local thriller author J.T. Ellison. So when I found out she was part of the Mystery Writers Convention being held today at Sherlock's Books I said to myself, "Self, get your butt out of this house and go be polite. Who knows? Best case: you make a new friend. Worst case: you can get some writing done in the coffee shop."

Happily, it turned out to be the best case.

It's official -- Sherlock's Books is my new favorite bookstore. It helps that it's only about 20 miles from my house, a lovely, backwoods, straight-shot, non-interstate drive. And doing it mid-November when all the leaves are changing -- well, whichever ones didn't just turn brown and fall already due to yet another heat-lamp summer -- it was a pretty picture regardless. The building is HUGE, the staff is sweet and approachable and NOT annoying, there is a lovely restaurant and coffee shop with plenty of seating, and the theatre room is fabulous. You can even rent it! For $100 you get 3 hours with the projection screen, two homemade pizzas, and 3 2-liter bottles of soda. Birthday Party, Date, or Viva Pinata marathon -- your choice. There's also a nice hoby section in the back for all you guys into model car building.

And did I mention the drag strip being built in the back? And the free wi-fi? And the natural light?? Oh goodness, the natural light...all those windows...swoon...

The signing was wonderful. Thanks to everyone for coming out, and the Music City Romance Writers for being so hospitable to this Little Misfit. I will have to attend one of your meetings soon, so I can get all the books signed that I forgot to bring!

And if you live within a 100-mile radius of Lebanon, TN, you MUSTMUSTMUST check out Sherlock's Books. I have a feeling I'll be a frequent visitor on the weekends. Every author needs a bookstore to hide in. I'm so glad I finally have one.


Look at all those windows! It was love at first sight.