August is a s….l….o....w…..
month in Hollywood, so it’s giving me time to catch up in lots of
different areas of my actual life. Yes, I actually have one.
Here’s what I’m up to.
Story Structure/teaching:
I've done it – I finally finished my epic story breakdown of The Silence of the Lambs. I don't care
what genre you're writing in - everyone can learn from this perfect teaching
movie. If you're on my Story Structure Extras Mailing list you've already got
it - if not, you can sign up here.
What I’m
writing:
I just finished proofreads of Hunger Moon (Book 5 of the Huntress/FBI Thrillers), so I’m in that
luxurious gap time called “research.” It’s the kind of research that makes me
look like a serial killer, but still – so much more fun than writing, it feels like
a vacation! J I’m also foraging in
two different arenas for a next series, but that’s all too early to talk about.
What I’m reading:
An Unsuitable Job for
a Woman - I’ve always meant to read
this detective classic so when I saw that the Goodreads Mystery, Thriller & Suspense group made it one of their August reads, I jumped on it! Wonderful
writing that feels like British historical fiction, which, being that it was
written in 1972, I guess it sort of is!
And it’s a double-header – the group is also discussing We Have Always Lived in the Castle, so
of course I’m rereading this Shirley Jackson gem!
What I’m watching:
Still missing The
Handmaid’s Tale… :(
Now watching Fargo,
Season 3. Excellent performances and weirdly hypnotic. We skipped Season 2, but
it doesn’t matter with this show. We’ll catch up with S2 next.
Where I am:
Craig and I were at the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime
Writing Festival, aka Harrogate, in York last week. This week we’ll be reading,
signing and paneling at Bute Noir, an outrageously fun crime
writing festival on Scotland’s gorgeous vacation island of Bute, with this fabulous
lineup.
Even more fun, the Slice Girls, our all-author female
cabaret group, is paneling together and performing
on Saturday night. Find out more: Slice Girls on Facebook.
My Workout:
I’ve torn a muscle that is making it exceedingly hard for me
to walk any distance – so I’m doing cardio barre at home for my daily routine,
which weirdly doesn’t hurt at all. At least, no more than barre usually hurts!
Here’s an easy beginner routine to try.
Finance:
I am always, ALWAYS talking about how writers need to
cultivate a good relationship with money. Here’s a great article on basics. Take a deep breath and change your life.
Giveaways:
This month I’m giving away all four Huntress books, signed
trade paperbacks, on my website contest page.
So - what are you up to?
Happy summer, all!
- - Alex
