White Christmas?

I was having a discussion with a coworker the other day. He said it's not a White Christmas unless it snows on Christmas Day. I said as long as there's snow on the ground on Christmas, then it's a White Christmas.

So what do you say?

Whether it's white or not--Merry Christmas!

. . . And This One's For Mary . . .

I've already talked about how the format for CWC has changed. We have one submission to critique for this month, and homework to bring in a short scene for everyone to mark up at the meeting.

And since Jenny won't be submitting--long story that she tells better on her blog--we're looking for things to do for February. I offered to lend everyone a cozy to read. They can read as far as they want, then write up what they thought, where they stopped and why. I want to get a discussion going about what the found fun, irritating, exciting, etc. I think this will lead to figuring out what's expected in cozies and what's optional.

The nice side effect of this exercise it that I got to go through the ones I've already read that I haven't loaned to Carrie the extraordinary hairdresser/first reader. Deb has kindly allowed the rest of us to adopt her if we want, and Carrie agrees, of course.

Anyway, as I went through the stack, there were books that I immediately identified as good fits for each person in the group. Ali will like this one with the funny protagonist, Shane should identify with the protag fixing up her house, etc.

Then I have to wait to see if I chose wisely.

A Good Time to Get Cozy

Here in Colorado, the snow is falling and it's COLD. It's the soft, gentle snow--at least in my neighborhood--that makes it look like December outside.

Feels like a great time to snuggle in with a cup of hot cocoa and sink into a good cozy. Think I'll go home and do that tonight.

Now the question: Writing or reading?

So Why Do You Want to Write Cozies?

Mary asked me that question at our latest CWC meeting.

Jenny mentioned that she had visited the library and checked out three cozies. She took to heart my comment that there are certain genre conventions, just as there are in fantasy or romance or sci/fi, and it would be helpful to be critiqued by people who are familiar with those conventions. Her initial response was "Good writing is good writing." Well, yeah. But there are still certain things one expects when picking up a particular genre.

Anyway, Jenny was talking about some of the things that bugged her in the first book she picked up. I countered with my own pet peeves from a couple well-known cozy authors.

After listening to us banter back and forth for a few minutes, Mary asked her question.

My answer was immediate. I grew up on these kinds of books. When they're done well, they are a great escapist read. These are the books you take on vacation with you--to read on the plane, or the beach, or before turning out the light at the hotel. They're fast and light. And the best ones can still stay with you long after "The End."

Agatha Christie did them so well. And so do many of the modern cozy writers. I hope to profile some of them in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Jenny is blogging about her experience as a cozy newbie--and doing a great job of deconstructing what makes a cozy cozy. Check it out.

So, why do you want to write what you write?

December Goals

Deb just reminded me that I haven't updated my goals for December. Deb can be a real pain sometimes.

I've realized that I need to do some more research for HM. In particular, I need to know more about the history of mining in Colorado. But it's a made up town, you say? Well, yes, but I still want it to fit in with the real world. At least as much as I can.

Goals:

--Finish CWC critiques (1/1)
--Research CO mining history
--Play some more with story

What have you planned for December?

Full Names

I recently finished a cozy that I really enjoyed. The puzzle was good, the characters were quirky, the small town was realistic and endearing.

You heard the "but" right?

BUT, the author kept using the characters full names. I can see, maybe, doing that once in a while. It was rare, though, for this author to ever just use the first name. I found it distracting to read "Joe Brown" or "Cathy Green" all the time.

What do you think? Is it helpful to keep reminding the reader of the characters' full names? Is it just me?

Writing For The Customer?

Deb's been talking on her blog lately about not underestimating the intelligence of your reader. I think it sounds like good advice.

Unfortunately, advertising agencies don't seem to think too highly of people viewing the ads they create. For years there have been the ads that seem to say, "Our customers are stupid." The best example is the Snuggie. The commercial shows people unable to deal with a blanket while sitting in a chair. They aren't even bright enough to put on a sweatshirt or button up a sweater. No, they must have a blanket with sleeves.

Target, however, has stepped it up a notch this holiday season with the new, "Our customers are psycho" advertising campaign. A woman in a red sweatsuit is training for the big Black Friday sales. Her eyes bug out as she lifts weights. She reads the sales notice like a bedtime story to inanimate Christmas decorations. At least she's smart enough not to need a Snuggie. Not smart enough, however, to take off the heels as she runs down the aisles.

My question is "Do these ads work?" I didn't buy a Snuggie, or do I plan to go anywhere near a store on Friday. How about you? Do you think they're funny? Annoying?