Washcloths and Coffee Cup Cozies

I have always resorted to making things when I'm grappling with various aspects of my life that are challenging. I think it is the need for something tangible, some evidence of my efforts manifest that is the driving force behind that, but, along the way, it has also become very satisfying.

I'm in a creating mode at present; the making things kind of creative mode. I have been all winter and as I approach spring it seems to have gone into a higher gear. I've moved from the heavy yarns needed for infinity scarves, fingerless gloves, muffs and caps to lighter weight fabrics and a somewhat lighter heart as well.

Crochet rather than paint or clay or beads and stone is my medium of the moment. Not particularly artistic crochet as my avant garde spirit might normally reach for, but rather quite practical crochet. Everyday items are what have caught my fancy and keeps me busy when my mind refuses to rest. From washcloths to kitchen trivets, granny square baby blankets to coffee cup cozies and sleeves, it's the crochet needle that has been flying.

It is a somewhat welcome diversion from plots and character development, first, second, third and fourth draft, and all else literary. I'm enjoying it and who knows what my muse has up his or her sleeve. Almost certainly there is a story somewhere hidden in one of these skeins of yarn - one not already told by Ms. Christie's Miss Marple, of course.  Hmm.               Photo Credits: Peggy Love

A Blog Tour Writing Process

Welcome to a blog tour where writers and authors answer questions about their writing process. My friend and talented author, Shelia Goss, posted hers last week, where she gives you the insider information on her process and new book-The Joneses — and she tagged me to join the tour. Thanks, Shelia!

 

My latest book, The Trilogy: A Diary, A Thief  & A Secret, written under my pen name Tess Allen, is available in paperback and digital online everywhere, including, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. It contains three of my most requested novellas: His Wife's Diary (Love Bites), The Jewel Thief (Love Bites), and The View From Suite 2100. Additionally, I’ve recently released a new volume of poetry, Usher in the Sun, Poetry after Suicide. It, too, is available in both digital and paperback at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers. Please also visit my official website at www.peggyeldridgelove.com.

What am I working on? 

I have several things in motion currently. A romantic suspense novel, My Very Last Nerve, and the first book in a brand new series which will feature a wonderful new character I've created that I am affectionately calling Sister Busy Body. These books will be published under my pen name, Tess Allen. I have another volume of poetry also in the works entitled Born Black and it, like all my poetry, screen or stage plays, will be published as Peggy Eldridge-Love.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I love suspense, mystery and romance and those three elements are present in all of my works of fiction. My main characters are traditionally women whom could easily ‘be you’. Ambitious with visions for themselves, women who have loved and been loved, some have been disappointed, some have been the disappointer, but all are determined to find that place within and without where the life and the love they most want can flourish. Sometimes that involves traveling down paths not only uncertain, but paths that are often nerve wracking and frightening as well.

Why do I write what I do?

Early on the books I most enjoyed were mysteries, historical romance novels and psychological thrillers. When I began to write I wrote in each genre individually but found later that I seemed to hit a special stride when I ventured into the world of romantic suspense. Although I will continue to write in them all, at the moment romantic suspense seems most natural to me.
 

How does your writing process work?

The characters tend to introduce themselves to me first. It is like a quiet little whisper initially, then a nudge, and if I’m not immediately receptive the nudge will become a push. Once I know the characters and respond to their push I start by doing a synopsis, followed usually by a chapter-by-chapter outline, and then the actual writing begins. 

Since I am a poet, a playwright, screenwriter, and novelist I do from time to time have more than one project in motion at the same time. 

And now it’s my turn to tag some people! I’ve chosen two of my colleagues. Check them out next week to find out their secrets to success…. 

Ey Wade

IN THE CHAIR is the name of Ey Wade’s wonderful blog and you can visit it at http://theinterviewedcharacter.blogspot.com. She is the author of several books including Tripping Prince Charming and Beads on a String-America's Racially Intertwined Biographical History.

Tzynya Pinchback

CAT IN THE BELLY is Tzynya Pinchback’s intriguing blog. You can find it at www.tzynyapinchback.com. She is an extraordinary author/poet and you’ll love her latest book How to Make Pink Confetti!

Reflections on a Decade of Blogging

I'm about to launch a new blog, Buzz on the Grapevine, which will have as its main objective giving visionary people a small platform to share their visions. I sincerely hope it will accomplish that goal.

As I move in that direction with a new blog I realized it was in 2004, nearly 10 years ago, that I launched this one, Living on the Tip of My Pen. Its chief purpose was sharing the world as I saw it through my eyes as a writer.  I believed the struggles and joys, the victories and defeats as they intertwined with my day to day existence were sometimes noteworthy. If for no one else, just as a charted journey for my own reflection. The passage of time piqued my curiosity this morning, so I went in search of the first post I made for this blog. Here it is below!

Interesting to look back with hindsight, to see what was worthy of my efforts and energies, my own hopes, dreams, and objectives of that time. Just as interesting to see what was not as fruitful, but definitely was as meaningful - if not more so - as catalysts for my "today."

Saturday, November 20, 2004

Joy and Pain!

Whoa!

I am in the middle of a new novel that I really like. I anticipate having the first draft of it complete real soon. The working title is woefully uninspiring, so I won't even mention it, but the premise and the thrust are deep! I keep revisiting the character chart of my female protagonist though because she is very evasive right now, not at all forthcoming, and I'm having to earn her trust for her to really, really open up and let me see what's going on! She seemed almost transparent at first, but the more I discovered about the male protagonist the more uncertain her transparency became. In fact, her transparency was an illusion! They've got me walking the floor!

I'm also moving forward with the first book in my mystery series, (The Cari Pompey Mysteries), How Deep Is Your Love, and anticipate that book being available near the end of the year. Plus, all things being equal, The Knoll Frames, will finally see the light of day in early 2005.

Coming up for air in 2004 has been beyond difficult. It has been a year filled with all manner of challenges, some that at times looked impossible to surmount. In June I experienced an unbelivable stroke of good luck that looked almost too good to be true. One of the big five greeting card companies had taken an interest in my greeting card line, Nudgies, and moved at lightening speed to enter into contract negotiations with me. One of their acquisitions managers advised me that they were going to bypass the proposal stage and he forwarded me a contract with instructions that I just look over it and we'd work out whatever needed to be resolved before it went to both our legal teams for finalization. I was floating on air! Then, a few days later my contact called me and said without prelude or any explanation, that he'd been advised that "the company no longer wanted to pursue my line." And, ladies and gentlemen, that was it! To this day I do not know why. A letter that I received shortly thereafter included this heart-wrenching message: "Even though a lot of us in the company love your work and find it very unique, we have decided that we cannot pursue your work any longer. My apologies for this error. Some of us as XXXX jumped the gun on this project. Unfortunately, our company cannot use your work in our lines." This seemed extremely late in the game for them to make that discovery! They had been reviewing my work for months and it had gone through layers and layers of people internally before they approached me about acquisition. I'm still trying to figure that one.

But, that was that, and life went on, and I'm a thousand times a better person as a result of it. One thing I learned beyond a doubt is that the cliche 'if it sounds too good to be true it probably is' is true.

Posted by Peggy at 5:17 PM