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Thursday, January 15, 2009

Brain closings...???

I usually enjoy winter, but this season has me frustrated. Although the snow is beautiful when we get enough of it to cover the mud, it creates this sense of stop and start that effectively prevents me from being able to do anything productive. For someone like me, this falls under the heading of mild torture. When I can't sit down and work on something for a good chunk of time, I hesitate to even begin a project. Even when I have time to do something, I can't focus because I'm waiting to hear if I'm going to need to be somewhere. I simply can't plan around this weather. Thus, my disgust with snowstorms and the whole ordeal of waiting for information on weather related closings.

This problem seems to be more profound now that I am working for our city schools. I just can't get myself motivated to do anything when I'm waiting for more information about whether or not my school is closed. Instead of being able to spend my two-hour delays being productive, I seem to be hooked on watching for more information, effectively trying to will a closing to occur. And that's not the worst of it, it's like I lose brain cells when I'm watching that little ticker flashing closings across the bottom of the television screen. "Must watch for closings," is pretty much imprinted on my cerebral cortex if that's at all possible. There is no room for fiction writing, not even a story about a snow day comes to mind.

So you see, while the weather may not have closed my school, it seems to have closed my brain for the day. I'm surprised I could remember my passwords to check my e-mail. Until I hear that we're either closed or that the roads are really clear, I get no rest. I'm wrapped up in a cycle of worry and anticipation that blocks all creativity.

Of course, I'm exaggerating the point a bit, but the overall effect of this weather has been to stall me in my tracks with regards to how much writing I'm getting done. One would think that a day home from school would mean pages and pages of prize winning material...well, ok, maybe not prize winning, but page-filling. How about that? If only my words could accumulate as quickly as the snow has, then we'd be getting somewhere.

THIS JUST IN...In the time it took me to put this post together, I received the call! We're closed today! Now, I've got all of this pressure to write...geez, I'm never satisfied.

Until next time...



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A Little Bit of Mystery: Short Mysteries to Confuse and Amuse

Where I've Been...

Listen to my interview on the Jeffery S. Miller show.

Listen to my interview on Calling All Authors.

Listen to my interview on the Let's Just Talk w/Kathryn Raaker.

Listen to my interview on Radio Free Baxter.

Where I'll Be...

After a short break in the summer, I'll be at the following locations:

8/11/09 Allen Park Public Library, Allen Park, MI 6:30 p.m.

Looking for something entertaining for your library or bookstore patrons? Looking for a fun way to spend a couple of hours? Do you love mysteries? Then you need to schedule a Tea & Mystery event for your library or bookstore! The fee is minimal and the presentation is fun and informative! Attendees will be given the chance to win great prizes and share their thoughts about the mystery genre and their favorite mystery writers!

E-mail me today at lonestoryteller@yahoo.com for details on how to set up your Tea & Mystery event!

Books by Rebecca Benston

Reviews for Rebecca Benston

“You'll find yourself looking forward to more stories from the files of Rona Shively.”

Michelle Shealy, Reviewer for MyShelf.com

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“Rebecca Benston has written a detective with plenty of suspense…I hope there will be a sequel…”

Annick, Reviewer for Euro-Reviews

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“The story is good, the plotting great. Rebecca Benston draws you into the story from the first page. Read the book.”

Lucille P. Robinson, An Alternative Read

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“Rebecca Benston’s twists, turns, and descriptions are utterly engaging.”

Tracy, Fallen Angel Reviews

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“In The Wash is like a 1930’s film noir detective story that had a modern, edgy twist and a female lead.”

Janet Davies, Once Upon a Romance Reviews

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“Under Lock and Key is an enjoyable, fun book! Rona Shively is a delightful character. I loved her off-beat, quirky personality and her outstanding sense of humor.”

Connie Harris, MyShelf.com

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“Talented author Rebecca Benston shows the reader just how complicated life can get suddenly and how people you thought you knew, aren't who you thought they were.”

Anne K. Edwards, Mysteryfiction.net