Confessions Of A Lesbian Writer

I have a confession to make...I love mysteries, reading them, writing them, watching them, thinking about them. Two weeks ago, the Spinsters/Bella lesbian book forum added a Mysteries/Thrillers/Suspense category, and I've posted two threads. One is about real-life mysteries...chime in and tell your story, if you'd like. So far, dozens of lesbians have posted fascinating stories of crime or near-crime experiences. These lesbian stories, in many cases, rival the best of lesbian fiction. The other thread I started is about favorite mysteries of all-time, which for me is not a lesbian book, or any book for that matter, but rather an indie film, The Vanishing. Don't make the mistake of watching the American fiasco with Kiefer Sutherland. Instead, rent the original if you have a chance. It'll be worth your while reading the French subtitles, because it traces the path (from two points of view) of one of the most compelling stories I can remember. I've only seen it twice, and I can still conjure up at least ten scenes, including the ending.

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More Confessions...

August 17, 2008: The most well-known lesbian magazine in the world, Curve, will soon be publishing a book review of Selective Memory, book #6 in the Kristin Ashe mystery series. A month ago, they asked for a photo of me, and since then, I've been nervous. About the critique, the picture, the book reviewer's interpretation of the story...everything. If the book review is positive, I'll let you know as soon as the issue hits the stand. If not, pretend we never had this conversation.

August 10: 2008: I don't know about other lesbian authors or writers, but I need to hear the opening line of my lesbian stories before I can turn them into full-length lesbian fiction books. The story in If No One's Looking, book #7 in the Kristin Ashe lesbian mystery series, due out in October 2008, opens with this line: "I looked down and saw drops of blood."

My most traditional lesbian mystery novel to date, the story revolves around a three-year-old girl who has gone missing from her home in the suburbs south of Denver. Her lesbian mothers are the prime suspects in her disappearance, and tensions build as the lesbian community offers, then withdraws, its support.

In randomn order are the opening lines to my other six lesbian fiction books:
"I had never felt so cold in my life."
"I've waited a long time to tell this story."
"They think I can't remember, but I can."
"Some people, it takes time to despise."
"My heart was breaking."
"We spread her ashes over Vail mountain."

Be the first one to send me an This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it correctly matching the opening lines above to the lesbian fiction books I've written, and I'll send you an autographed copy of If No One's Looking when it's published in October. Here are my lesbian fiction books:
A Safe Place To Sleep - Book #1
Existing Solutions - Book #2
Commitment To Die - Book #3
Unbearable Losses - Book #4
Disorderly Attachments - Book #5
Selective Memory - Book #6

August 3, 2008: I had a FANTASTIC time at the GCLS lesbian writers and lesbian readers conference in Phoenix this past weekend (and trust me, I never use all caps to express anything)! Lesbians literally took over the Sheraton Hotel, and the experience was simply amazing - on so many levels. It was actually a shock to travel to the airport and back to Denver and eventually to Winter Park, with no lesbians in sight, I'd become so accustomed to the first-in-my-lifetime experience of being completely surrounded by lesbians. Now I know why lesbian readers and writers look forward to this event all year. It lived up to its billing and then some.

July 27, 2008: Just in the nick of time, I finished writing and typesetting the curriculum for my GCLS workshop on plotting and outlining a lesbian book. If you're an aspiring lesbian writer, an avid lesbian reader, or simply someone who would like to know more about how lesbian stories are written, take a look at the free lesbian story forms I created on the Basics of Plot and Weaving Scenes.

July 20, 2008: I'm getting very excited about attending the GCLS lesbian writers and lesbian readers conference, which will be held July 31-August 3. I'm putting the finishing touches on a 3-hour class I'll be teaching on how to plot and outline lesbian stories and lesbian books, using Selective Memory, my 6th lesbian novel, as an example. The writing techniques are the same as they are for mainstream literature, I'm just thrilled to be working with a lesbian audience!

July 13, 2008: I love to talk to lesbian books clubs, about my books, lesbian fiction, lesbian stories, or anything else. Technology makes it simple for me to join you and your lesbian writer friends in your hometown. Pick a topic, schedule a time, e-mail me, and I'll set up a bridge line for an all-lesbian, super-fun conference call. The bridge line allows people in different locations to be on the same call, for the cost of a long-distance call. Invite me over, and I'll be there.

July 6, 2008: I've become obsessed with search engine optimization and keywords as they relate to lesbian fiction and lesbian books, lesbian authors and lesbian mystery writers. I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out how to convince Google and Yahoo that my website, which is obviously packed with lesbian stories and relevant lesbian content, merits a top ranking in lesbian searches. Little by little, I'm clawing my way to the top. Maybe that's how you found me!

June 29, 2008: I had a blast hosting the "Friday Night Potluck" on the Spinsters/Bella lesbian fiction forum this past week. There were 50 posts at last count, all on the topic of "forever," and I was amazed at the thought many of these women put into their replies. I especially appreciated the comments from the lesbians who had the guts to tell their personal stories. Read them in the lesbian fiction forum!  You'll be fascinated by the posts, from both lesbian writers and lesbian readers!

June 22, 2008: I've been in and out of the Spinsters/Bella lesbian books forum all weekend, hosting this week's "Friday Night Potluck." I've been posting about whether I believe in "forever" - in real life or in lesbian fiction.

June 15, 2008: Until three weeks ago, I'd never posted anything on a board, forum, or chat room - lesbian or otherwise. Now, with the launch of the Spinsters Ink/Bella Books lesbian books forum, I've been motivated to give it a try. Check out the lesbian fiction forum!   June 15, 2008

June 8, 2008: The best line I ever wrote was edited out of my lesbian book, Selective Memory. Here it is: "In this sanctuary of deceit, I felt more pain than from all the other lies combined." I made the change myself, because, someday, I want to use "Sanctuary Of Deceit" as a title for a another lesbian book.

June 1, 2008: I'm a 45-year-old lesbian writer who wrote her first resume last month. I got the "job," a part-time consulting and training gig (for small business owners who need marketing or cash flow help), but I'm not sure whether it's a victory or a defeat.

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