Friday, February 9, 2019 We went back in time, from the Roaring Twenties to the Victorian Era. This spring, it’s time to get back to the future, if by the future you mean the days of flappers. Coming in Spring… An Uninvited Guest… In Granny Phanny’s Kitchen! Here’s a hint. What “thread” ties this story … More Coming in Spring — Back to the 1920s
Book Launch? Sort of… The Three Things Serial Story A Little 1920s Story Should I call this a book launch? That just doesn’t feel right, because I already did this story (and others) here at Teagan’s Books. When I started this blog at the end of 2012 I did a few posts. By 2013 I … More Book Launch: The Three Things Serial Story
Hello, everyone. You’re about to discover how demented my definition of taking a break can be… With dogged determination I endeavor to disengage form things that develop stress. Of course I get more, different, worse stress in return. I decided a distraction of monumental proportions was in order. No, not that kind of monument, though I’d … More The Art of Taking a Break: Insanity
Hearing, Sight, Smell, Taste, Touch Traditionally those are the five senses. I thought it would be a fun change of pace to do a mini-series on The Senses. In novel writing I try to involve all your (the reader’s) senses. Today I want all of us to begin building a story together. One by one, we’ll use … More Mini Series — The Senses — Hearing
Blessings of the Yuletide to you and yours! Welcome back to Atonement, TN everyone. I hope the holiday season is bringing joy your way. The truth is that I don’t make a big deal of this particular season. However, I do enjoy giving little presents. So I spent hours trying to think of something I could give … More Seasons Greetings — Features from Atonement, TN
Word of the Day Often I think I should have a word of the day. Once I bought a desk calendar of them, but it turned out to be words that none of us would sensibly use under any circumstance, professional, playfully, or otherwise. I haven’t come up with a viable way to give myself a word of … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 32
Three Things & Three Blogs I hesitated to ask for more “things” to fuel the steam locomotive to the Victorian Era, because the serial is nearing the end of the line. What if I got more things than I could use? I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. However, I still had to have the three things. … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 31
Unexpected Connections I don’t delude myself that my blog serials are “properly” written stories. They are pure unplanned, pantser fun. Since I never know what the next episode will bring, I can’t do advance planning so that everything is properly connected from the beginning. Events and characters show up later than is “acceptable.” I’m aware that flaw … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode- 30
Chugging Along Slowly The steam locomotive to the Victorian Era is almost at the platform to take you to Copper, the Alchemist, and the Woman in Trousers. Although, it’s chugging along rather slowly. One of the landslide of things that derailed the locomotive last weekend was the cold I had Saturday. Happily I managed to fight … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 29
Thanks for waiting Welcome back everyone. I’m so glad you waited for the steam locomotive to the Victorian Era. The “three things” for this chapter are from Donna Parker at Yadadarcyyada – Vague Meanderings of the Broke and Obscure, a truly wonderful blog. In Donna’s posts she shares her thoughts on a variety of things. In one … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 21
Caution: Shameless Self-promotion Ahead Thank you so very much to Donna, RC, and Kathryn, who have all sent “three things” to drive this story. All those are waiting in queue. However, the steam(punk) locomotive was all out of fuel when I started writing this episode. Also since I didn’t have “three things” to drive this … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 20
Every picture tells a story… Or it does if the camera is in the hands of Timothy Price at T&L Photos. The photographs make for a chronicle of day-to-day life for Tim and his family in “the land of enchantment” — also known as New Mexico. That family includes a four-footed crew of felines that keep … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 19
Back on Track Last time I hit a bump in the road (or rather the railroad tracks). However, the Victorian locomotive is back on schedule and running at full steam. John W. Howell gave us the very first set of “things” to guide the plot of this pantser serial. Happily later he sent a second set of three, which … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 17
Writing Challenges Teresa (Tess) Karlinski of How the Cookie Crumbles, an irreverent view of life after sixty-five sent the “things” for this episode. You may know her from her Gravitar handle as Cut the Crap. If I had to assign a letter of the alphabet to Tess it would be “V” – for vibrant, vivacious, … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 15
What’s in a name? Last time I promised that this episode would reveal the name of the mysterious Woman in Trousers. Her name shifted and altered in my mind throughout the week. But yes, the “things” finally led to the naming of the Woman. I thought to pay homage to a character from an all but forgotten … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 14
Hello everyone, I’m always excited when I’m able to get ahead of schedule on anything, particularly this “interactive, culinary, steampunk” serial. However, I never thought I’d need to have a couple of episodes written in advance because of a bereavement. For the time being, I’m simply unable to talk about it, but it’s just Crystal … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 12
Location Revealed! When my friend Olga at Just Olga offered “things” for an episode of this “interactive” serial, I knew they would be rich in detail. What I didn’t expect was for those things to reveal the location of the story… well, sort of. It’s not an exact location, but a general one. You see, that’s how my Three Things … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 11
I’d like to thank the Academy… By the “Academy” I mean the group of wonderful people, writers, chefs, photographers, readers, and bloggers who come here to Teagan’s Books each week. You see, when I introduced the previous episode, I got a little off track. Ever since, I have felt that I did not do justice to the … More A Shout-out – Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers
You’re too old, too fat, and you dress funny… What? But wait — it gets even better. Let me put this into context. While not an exact quote, it is close. It was meant to be a pep talk from a friend at work when I was upset about not being able to get interviews … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 9
The steam locomotive is still on track. Episode-7 is here, although it seems like only yesterday I sent you a poll asking what kind of serial you wanted to do next. First I thought I’d give you a glimpse of my world. Since “Atonement in Bloom” will pick up where my novel “Atonement, Tennessee” left … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 7
A Flight of Fancy Welcome. I invite you to come with me on a flight of fancy, somewhere in the late Victorian Era. I’ve done all sorts of things in my life — nothing glamorous. There are also a lot of things I’ve never done. This is not a “bucket list” ramble, but one of those … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 4
You are the best! Yes, I mean you! Last weekend I launched the first episode of our latest “interactive” serial. I was doing Snoopy’s happy dance about the positive responses from all of you. Not only that, but so many of you have been generous with sending three random things and/or food-related things. Remember, you are … More Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode-2
Hello everyone, As of Monday evening, most people want to start an all new serial from scratch. If that’s not the option you’d choose, then be sure to cast your vote! The poll will stay open until Friday, January 16th. No need to re-comment on this update unless… Whatever form the new serial takes, I’m going … More UPDATE: New Interactive Serial – What do YOU want?
Sheiks and Shebas, welcome back. It’s time to conclude this rewind of our first “interactive” serial! It was fun romping through the Roaring Twenties with you in 2014. I’ve met many new friends that I treasured right away. Just as importantly, old friends stuck around too. I hope our serial’s family grows even more in 2015. … More Rewind – Three Things – Conclusion
Welcome back to the Jazz Age and our little 1920’s serial story. There are so many different (not to mention fascinating) holidays at this time of year. Whatever you may have celebrated — or perhaps you choose not to honor any day at all — no matter what the case, I hope it has been … More Rewind – Three Things Episodes 29 – 30
Welcome back to our whimsical version of the Jazz Age. You’re just the cat’s pajamas for coming back to this flapper tale. I hope the characters in this 1920’s serial have wiggled into your mind so comfortably that you have your own ideas of how they would look or sound. However, I thought it might be … More Three Things 25 & Character Recap
Welcome back my friends. To those of you in the USA, I hope you enjoyed a Thanksgiving Day filled with gratitude and happiness. I would use huge letters to say “Ta-dah!” but I’m exhausted from a full month of squeezing every minute of novel writing possible from each day and night. My ta-dah is more … More Rewind – Three Things Episodes 20 – 21
Hi there Sheiks and Shebas! I’m having a hard time coming up with an intro that will “hook” my readers. Honestly, I don’t mean to complain, but I’ve been battling a migraine on and off for two days. So All I can think of is… What did you do this week? Me? I killed a … More Rewind – Three Things Episodes 15 – 17
Welcome back to the 1920’s everyone. I really appreciate you dropping by for this “rewind” of the first interactive serial. But first, I want to update you on my My National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) progress, since that is what has taken me away from writing the serials. This is what my homepage showed me Friday. … More Rewind – Three Things Episodes 10 – 14
National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo as it is affectionately called, is underway. I started out with a lot of enthusiasm; let’s just hope it holds out. Writing the draft of a 50,000 word novel in a single month is grueling! While I’m slaving away at my keyboard, I’m posting a “rewind” of the original interactive … More Rewind – Three Things Episodes 6 – 9
My favorite of all holidays… and my favorite yearly challenge… It’s my time of year! So for all my spirited, Ghost in the Kitchen-loving, heavenly haunt hunters, poltergeist pursuers, and gremlin getters I bid you — Happy Halloween! I’m glad my spirits are high (and I don’t mean Maestro Martino has gotten locked into another wine … More Happy Halloween and Happy NaNoWriMo
Hello everyone — and welcome. I’m delighted to have you here, and I’m happy to be here too. You see, a week ago I had a resignation blog ready to post — leaving this blog and the serials, and maybe writing all together. Why? Something troubled me greatly when I concluded Three Ingredients Cookbook-2, a Ghost … More Rewind – Three Things Serial Episodes 1 – 5
Don’t stray — Episode-24 is headed your way You’re used to the new episodes of The Three Ingredients culinary mystery serial appearing on Saturdays. This week getting it finished within that self-imposed deadline seemed like a big challenge. I didn’t want anyone to feel abandoned if I didn’t get this post out until tomorrow. So … More Three Ingredients: Stay Tuned for the Parade of Pets
Hello friends — old, new, and as yet unmet! Welcome to this character recap of the Three Ingredients serial I feel huge gratitude for all of your comments and encouragement. The Three Ingredients is the second storyline we’ve done in this “interactive” format. For new reader-friends, I call it interactive because the story is moved forward by … More Three Ingredients: Character Recap
Hello everyone, I think this is the first weekend that I’ve failed to give you a serial episode since we started this, way back with the Three Things. So I hope you will tune in next weekend to find out what is happening with Pip, Granny Fanny, Cracker the Parrot, and the rest of the … More Three Ingredients – Stay Tuned
Hello everyone. I hope you like the new look for Teagan’s Books. I thought the new theme with the little houses and trees was a good fit for our 1920’s serial. In a way it reminds me of my fictional town, Atonement, TN — so it will do for posts about my novel as well. Episode-16 … More Three Ingredients – 16: Pork, Braise, Fork
With the exception of Pip, our story’s narrator, the character who seems to get the most interest is Cracker the parrot. That amuses me, because Cracker is a character that I never anticipated. That’s the fun part of deliberately not planning this serial and letting the “ingredients” you send drive every aspect of it! I would have … More Three Ingredients – 12: Rye, Pie, Dainty Dish
Since I started this culinary mystery serial, The Three Ingredients, I’ve been reading a lot of cooking blogs. One of my favorites is Kooky Cookyng, written by Ishita. She was kind enough to provide the three ingredients for today’s episode. Don’t be shy! Leave a comment with three food-related “ingredients” to help keep this story going. … More Three Ingredients – 10: Liver, Za’atar, Sunflower Seeds
The Story Begins I’m posting this especially for those who have requested something longer to read. I’m listening to your comments, and I aim to please! So here is a rather long excerpt from the beginning of “Atonement, Tennessee,” my debut novel, published on Christmas Eve 2013. With our “interactive” serials, The Three Things, and The Three … More Atonement, TN: Beginning
Today I feel like we’re getting to sneak a peek inside a Christmas package, because my friend Joye shared with us her semi-secret recipe for Fabulous Five Minute Fudge! You’ll find the recipe at the end of this episode. I wish I had been able to make WordPress fancy-up formatting do the recipe justice… but all I could … More Three Ingredients Serial – 2: Mandolin, Chinoiserie, Wimberries
Happy December everyone! Now that National Novel Writing Month is over, I’m back with our Three Things Serial. Without further preamble, here is episode 29 of the Three Things Serial: 29. Cypress tree, Mosquito, Gams All the Fabro cousins stood on one corner of the deck, apparently just beating their gums about nothing in particular … More Three Things: 29 – Cypress Tree, Mosquito, Gams
Today is the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. As a long time “whovian” I had to give a nod to the television show, because it is sublime. If any of you are not familiar with this phenomenon, it is a BBC science fiction television series about a “time lord,” known as The Doctor. He travels in what … More Three Things: 28 – Sublime, Dragon, Funds
I’m privileged to have a dear friend whom I also think of as a mentor. For the majority of her life she has given huge effort to educating herself about complex medical issues that have touched the lives of her loved ones. That truly amazing woman sent today’s set of “things” and as usual, my mind went to … More Three Things: 26 – Angiogram, Burglary, Cockroach
As some of you know, National Novel Writing Month began at the stroke of midnight, November 1st. This is my second year to participate… and silly me… I follow the rules. So I’m limiting how much time I spend on our Three Things Serial. That said, let’s get on with the story. Okay… I freely … More Three Things: 25 – Kitten, Fake, Comfort
I’m finally here with another episode of our little 1920’s story. The characters have been nagging at my thoughts. I don’t know what I’m going to do with them during November, while I’m trying to write an entire (new) novel in a few short weeks, for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)! Maybe I’ll skip the fun part … More Three Things: 23 – Dissolute, Rocky, Bonehead
When I researched ways to illustrate this episode I noticed that media topics of interest in the 1920s were much the same as they are now. I saw headings about sex, diet, scandal, fashion, and other things that you’d see today. Like they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The “things” for episode … More Three Things Serial: 21 – Underwear, Tasteless, Limestone
While I was browsing around the New York Times, I stumbled upon “The Janeiac Quiz.” Since I’ve always enjoyed Jane Austen‘s books, I took the quiz — and failed miserably. I’m sharing it because many of you enjoy those classics. Emma is probably my favorite of Austen’s works and it is also the source of today’s Three Things. I’ll take them … More Three Things Serial: 19 – Comfortable Home, Happy Disposition, Vex
I’m pleased to tell you that today’s three things are from a “science nerd turned quilter who lives near Bristol UK” – known to bloggers as Spockssister. For the sake of this blog’s header (which is not at all cooperative with me) the things are sort of abbreviated. However, in the serial I’m using them … More Three Things Serial: 16 – Microscope, Sewing Machine, Dog
Today’s “things” are from an innovative thinker in Albuquerque. I think they help bring life to the story and our characters — a glimpse of their day-to-day life. Remember, if you need to catch up, the full story lives at the Three Things Serial page. Finger Waves, Shoe Horn, Cummerbund The old fire engine roared … More Three Things Serial: 14 – Finger Waves, Shoe Horn, Cummerbund
Surprise — a mid-week post! Here’s another short installment of the Three Things Serial. This time the “things” are courtesy of Sharon in Virginia. You can view the entire story (so far) as it develops on the Three Things Serial Story page. Next time, the three things will be from reader and friend Provincial Lady. Remember — to keep … More Three Things Serial: 3 – Popcorn, Painting, Movies
August 3, 2013 Here begins the “Three Things Serial Story.” Mary kicked things off with Oscillating Fan, but to keep things consistent right from the start, I needed to use three things. So I took two more “things” from Mary’s last two blog posts: Scent and Cowboy. The Three Things Serial Story With “things” sent … More Three Things Serial: 1 – Oscillating Fan, Scent, Cowboy
Many of you have heard me talk about my “Three Things” writing exercise, but let me explain it for those who have not. Many years ago I developed the exercise as a way to keep me writing. I wasn’t working on any novel at that time. This exercise lends itself to any form of writing, but … More Three Things and Recurring Characters
