Susan Reiss's Blog
September 26, 2014
Signing @Baltimore Book Festival
On Saturday, September 27 from 6-8, I’ll be at the Eastern Shore Writers Association booth P-36 signing with my good friend, urban fantasy author Melinda VanLone. (If you’re at the Festival earlier in the day, Melinda and I will be walking around, taking in the sights. Just ask some at the booth to call us and we’ll come meet you!)
Yes! I’ll have the Book #3 in the St. Michaels/Silver Mystery Series, Painted Silver!
If you’re near the Baltimore Inner Harbor, come and see the boats, the writers and ALL THE BOOKS! What a fabulous gathering of writers and readers…and the weather forecast is perfect.
Come and say Hello! I’d love to see you. –Susan Reiss
Yes! I’ll have the Book #3 in the St. Michaels/Silver Mystery Series, Painted Silver!
If you’re near the Baltimore Inner Harbor, come and see the boats, the writers and ALL THE BOOKS! What a fabulous gathering of writers and readers…and the weather forecast is perfect.
Come and say Hello! I’d love to see you. –Susan Reiss
July 18, 2014
Signing at Plein Air-Easton
ON SATURDAY: I'm signing my new mystery, “Painted Silver” and this is an extra special event because the mystery is set at the art festival where I'll be signing! I've been holding my breath all week, hoping that nothing bad happened to anyone at the festival. So far, so good!
On Saturday, July 19, I'll be at two locations:
Special table outside Banning’s Tavern, 42 E Dover St, Easton, MD 21601 (corner of Washington and Dover) 9-11AM then 1-3PM!
The News Center Bookstore 218 N Washington St, Easton, MD 21601 has me signing from 11-1. Busy Day! A great way to introduce the mystery that draws talented artists and art collectors into a web of creative envy, greed… and murder. Come and say hello!
On Saturday, July 19, I'll be at two locations:
Special table outside Banning’s Tavern, 42 E Dover St, Easton, MD 21601 (corner of Washington and Dover) 9-11AM then 1-3PM!
The News Center Bookstore 218 N Washington St, Easton, MD 21601 has me signing from 11-1. Busy Day! A great way to introduce the mystery that draws talented artists and art collectors into a web of creative envy, greed… and murder. Come and say hello!
April 25, 2014
I NEED A GHOST!
As I write "Painted Silver", the next book in my Silver Mystery Series, I have the fun opportunity to play with a ghost! The action takes place on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland—an area packed with history and legends.
So, I need the ghost. The scene opens on Bruff’s Island just off the Chesapeake Bay. People have been living in the immediate area since the 1600’s.
This should be easy, right? Well, no.
I talked with some local residents whose families date back awhile. No, we don’t know of any ghosts.
One man tried to be helpful. Rumor has it that there is a “hanging tree” in a nearby town. I thanked him, no, no, no. That’s not the spirit I was hoping to find, plus the town is too far away from the action.
Now, what?
A friend said, you’re a fiction writer. Make it up!
Well, I guess I could, but it seems like the easy way out. Back to work.
When in doubt, DO THE RESEARCH! I visited my friendly librarian who maintains a section about local history. She rose to the challenge, once again. She found some notes written by someone who did some genealogy work about her husband’s family. Decades ago, she interviewed a woman who grew up on the estate next door. After working my way through pages of her memories as a child, I found it.
She said she remembered “the beautiful Helene with the golden hair” often rode over on a large white horse to have a glass of Madeira on the porch with her father. Truly a time of elegant living. She quickly clarified that Helene wasn’t really interested in her father. She loved to ride sidesaddle and they were one of the few houses that had a block so she could remount.
I found my ghost. Who is to say that “the beautiful Helene with the golden hair” isn’t still riding in the area, looking for another glass of Madeira?
When in doubt, DO THE RESEARCH! It should probably be the mantra for every writer because… sometimes the truth with all its details is better than what we can make up!
So, I need the ghost. The scene opens on Bruff’s Island just off the Chesapeake Bay. People have been living in the immediate area since the 1600’s.
This should be easy, right? Well, no.
I talked with some local residents whose families date back awhile. No, we don’t know of any ghosts.
One man tried to be helpful. Rumor has it that there is a “hanging tree” in a nearby town. I thanked him, no, no, no. That’s not the spirit I was hoping to find, plus the town is too far away from the action.
Now, what?
A friend said, you’re a fiction writer. Make it up!
Well, I guess I could, but it seems like the easy way out. Back to work.
When in doubt, DO THE RESEARCH! I visited my friendly librarian who maintains a section about local history. She rose to the challenge, once again. She found some notes written by someone who did some genealogy work about her husband’s family. Decades ago, she interviewed a woman who grew up on the estate next door. After working my way through pages of her memories as a child, I found it.
She said she remembered “the beautiful Helene with the golden hair” often rode over on a large white horse to have a glass of Madeira on the porch with her father. Truly a time of elegant living. She quickly clarified that Helene wasn’t really interested in her father. She loved to ride sidesaddle and they were one of the few houses that had a block so she could remount.
I found my ghost. Who is to say that “the beautiful Helene with the golden hair” isn’t still riding in the area, looking for another glass of Madeira?
When in doubt, DO THE RESEARCH! It should probably be the mantra for every writer because… sometimes the truth with all its details is better than what we can make up!
March 3, 2014
Where Does a Writer Get Her Ideas?
A writer seems to collect a mountain of ideas and most fade away from lack of interest.
But sometimes, an idea steps up and slaps the writer in the face.
I’ve spent many years writing for television and now spend my time writing the St. Michaels/Sterling Silver Mystery Series. I’ve never seen an idea blossom into a project like this.
Last summer, I had lunch with friends who volunteer for Plein Air-Easton who suggested it might be a perfect venue to set a murder for my mystery series. I was tempted to spend the week strolling around, talking to artists, admiring their work—in other words, doing research. But no, I told myself, you have one book in print, one on the boards and one in development. Wait until next year.
Some ideas are not to be denied. About two weeks ago, my volunteer-friends were excited about this year’s Plein Air event: the 10th Anniversary celebration, big prize money and important people coming. Their excitement was infectious and I thought it would be great to support a local effort.
The next morning, I was in a meeting with the event directors when this novel idea slapped me again. This year’s opening dinner and Paint Out event will be at Wye House on Bruff’s Island, which is named for the first English settler there – the first of five silversmiths. Silversmiths! Sterling silver mystery series!! The title came in a flash: Painted Silver.
Who am I to stand in the way of an idea? The work is underway and many things are falling into place in curious, wonderful ways. That’s why I’ve started the Painted Silver Blog. You can follow this madcap journey begun by an idea that wouldn’t be denied.
But sometimes, an idea steps up and slaps the writer in the face.
I’ve spent many years writing for television and now spend my time writing the St. Michaels/Sterling Silver Mystery Series. I’ve never seen an idea blossom into a project like this.
Last summer, I had lunch with friends who volunteer for Plein Air-Easton who suggested it might be a perfect venue to set a murder for my mystery series. I was tempted to spend the week strolling around, talking to artists, admiring their work—in other words, doing research. But no, I told myself, you have one book in print, one on the boards and one in development. Wait until next year.
Some ideas are not to be denied. About two weeks ago, my volunteer-friends were excited about this year’s Plein Air event: the 10th Anniversary celebration, big prize money and important people coming. Their excitement was infectious and I thought it would be great to support a local effort.
The next morning, I was in a meeting with the event directors when this novel idea slapped me again. This year’s opening dinner and Paint Out event will be at Wye House on Bruff’s Island, which is named for the first English settler there – the first of five silversmiths. Silversmiths! Sterling silver mystery series!! The title came in a flash: Painted Silver.
Who am I to stand in the way of an idea? The work is underway and many things are falling into place in curious, wonderful ways. That’s why I’ve started the Painted Silver Blog. You can follow this madcap journey begun by an idea that wouldn’t be denied.
