Also, I liked that your fictional town was founded by immigrant Germans in the mid-1800s. Some of my ancestors came over from Germany in the late 1850s and were foundational citizens of Fredericksburg. In fact, if you have ever seen the White Elephant Saloon on Main Street, my grandfather built it in 1888 and ran it as a saloon for years, living on the floor above it (I've been told), before moving to San Antonio. The Hill Country is filled with German descendants, as you know. Thanks for throwing that into the story.
Interesting, Nancy! I used several of the Sunday Houses (Fredericksburg) and a couple of local businesses in the upcoming (May 2024) China Bayles. I've seen this building--and love the history of the German settlements in this area. There are still many traces of that influence.
Oops, I looked at my family notes, and my grandfather and his wife lived not above the saloon, but in a house behind it. He did add a saddlery next to the saloon and had someone else run it for him. They sold the saloon and moved to San Antonio in 1903. Later they moved to a home in which I grew up after both grandparents died and my parents moved into the house. Lots of history in Central Texas and the Hill Country, and from all backgrounds and countries, too. I know interest in the area is not limited to those whose ancestors made it home, as you evidence. I look forward to your new China Bayles book.
Interesting story, Nancy. I wondered, because the building I saw was single-story (that's the way I remembered it, anyway). F'burg has done a great job saving its historic buildings, but I'm sure it's a constant struggle.
Thanks, Judy! I think these episodes have a cumulative effect, maybe a big stronger because they're strung out, read over time rather than at one sitting. I'm curious about this--hope to get some feedback on it.
Hey Susan, having a fluctuating hearing problem, I don't bother with radio at all. Nor telly or podcasts for that matter. Just noticed a strange effect ready Fanny #4...... Your characters are so alive, I suddenly realized I was Listening while I read !! Lol !! Thanks for the treat, Maurice.
Sus an, you add so many touching details. When Fanny feigns that she cannot hear Henry and takes another caller--I laughed out loud on that one! That a girl, Fannie! And the old gentleman pining for a partner, I find that touching and a bit funny to take up radio time sharing his emotions like that! I love reading these segments and can't wait for the next one. Now I hear that it will be the last one...I'll surely miss these small town folks!
Thanks, Shawn. I tend to write long (been doing novels forever) so short is a challenge. I keep asking myself whether this or that detail is actually worth the story-space I'm about to give it. For me, it's a lesson in economy.
Suspenseful! I admire how you're building suspense through layers of dialogue between those who can and cannot see the action. (I swear I recall these episodes from a China Bayles novel I read ten years ago or more!)
Thanks, Kate. You might have read this short story in the original publication: Malice Domestic 3, edited by Nancy Pickard (1993). It's long OOP but available used. I revised it for episodic delivery (and announced the source, although you might have missed that). This story and the next are "free" because they're derived from earlier work. After that (next year, February), I'll move the fiction to paid-subscribers only.
I did miss your source note, Susan. But the reason I remembered the scene is that it's a compelling one with a slow reveal; I could visualize it so vividly while hearing the voices.
The talk-show format was less gimmicky at that time (1993), but I never used it again, although Fannie appears (I think) in a few of the early books. Those Malice Domestic anthologies were not marketed very heavily, and mostly to attendees at the annual MD conference. You're the first to remember it!
I think libraries purchased them. All I can recall is borrowing all your titles from the Santa Rosa Public Library (Sonoma County) back in 2006-14 when I was undergoing joint replacement surgeries and rehab. Great reads for my long recoveries! Thank you. xo
Cliffhanging!! I remember when my children and I were doing our midwest driving vacation, and we were listening to E.B. White's Trumpet of the Swan in the car. I pulled into a gas station and got a chorus of "Don't turn the car off NOW, Mom!" from my passengers. I know just how they felt, right now.
Yep. They knew their readers. They even insisted that their writers NOT use a cliffhanger that had been used before. The trouble was that there were several books in the unpublished queue ahead of the book you were working on, and you couldn't see the cliffhangers in those books. So your MS would come back with a big red NEW CLIFFIE PLEASE in the margin. All just part of the fun . . .
At least you knew someone was actually reading the manuscript in detail. It annoys the heck out of me when some really obvious error shows up in a book. Not just spelling, but continuity problems. I've seen protagonists grow or shrink several inches, nephews become many years younger than in a prior book, even one book series where a peripheral character changed race from one book to the next. Not in yours, though.
They were fiercely protective of that franchise. I've been lucky to have good editors from the beginning--and to find good editors and layout people to work with when I went indie. I've had a few embarrassing moments (misdated the Golden Gate Bridge, for one!). Things happen.
Love this story! I can't wait for the next episode!
Fantastic job on these Snippets! Holding My Attention💯Have a Nice Thanksgiving Gobble Gobble
You too, Sandy!
Narrowing down the chase! Love these little snippets. Becky
This just keeps getting better and better! Love the way you are winding up the pitch!! 🤗
Such fun!
Well, credit where it's dew is refreshing, n'est pas ?
Also, I liked that your fictional town was founded by immigrant Germans in the mid-1800s. Some of my ancestors came over from Germany in the late 1850s and were foundational citizens of Fredericksburg. In fact, if you have ever seen the White Elephant Saloon on Main Street, my grandfather built it in 1888 and ran it as a saloon for years, living on the floor above it (I've been told), before moving to San Antonio. The Hill Country is filled with German descendants, as you know. Thanks for throwing that into the story.
Interesting, Nancy! I used several of the Sunday Houses (Fredericksburg) and a couple of local businesses in the upcoming (May 2024) China Bayles. I've seen this building--and love the history of the German settlements in this area. There are still many traces of that influence.
Oops, I looked at my family notes, and my grandfather and his wife lived not above the saloon, but in a house behind it. He did add a saddlery next to the saloon and had someone else run it for him. They sold the saloon and moved to San Antonio in 1903. Later they moved to a home in which I grew up after both grandparents died and my parents moved into the house. Lots of history in Central Texas and the Hill Country, and from all backgrounds and countries, too. I know interest in the area is not limited to those whose ancestors made it home, as you evidence. I look forward to your new China Bayles book.
Interesting story, Nancy. I wondered, because the building I saw was single-story (that's the way I remembered it, anyway). F'burg has done a great job saving its historic buildings, but I'm sure it's a constant struggle.
Wow! This keeps getting better and better each week! Thank you for this wonderful story!
Thanks, Judy! I think these episodes have a cumulative effect, maybe a big stronger because they're strung out, read over time rather than at one sitting. I'm curious about this--hope to get some feedback on it.
Hey Susan, having a fluctuating hearing problem, I don't bother with radio at all. Nor telly or podcasts for that matter. Just noticed a strange effect ready Fanny #4...... Your characters are so alive, I suddenly realized I was Listening while I read !! Lol !! Thanks for the treat, Maurice.
Maurice, that's quite a compliment. Thank you!
Aaarg!! I have to wait a week to find out what happens!
Ah, anticipation . . .
,, 😉
Sus an, you add so many touching details. When Fanny feigns that she cannot hear Henry and takes another caller--I laughed out loud on that one! That a girl, Fannie! And the old gentleman pining for a partner, I find that touching and a bit funny to take up radio time sharing his emotions like that! I love reading these segments and can't wait for the next one. Now I hear that it will be the last one...I'll surely miss these small town folks!
Hi Shawn, yup the details and devices that Susan uses are an education, teaching by example rather than explanation. Peace Maurice.
Thanks, Shawn. I tend to write long (been doing novels forever) so short is a challenge. I keep asking myself whether this or that detail is actually worth the story-space I'm about to give it. For me, it's a lesson in economy.
Suspenseful! I admire how you're building suspense through layers of dialogue between those who can and cannot see the action. (I swear I recall these episodes from a China Bayles novel I read ten years ago or more!)
Thanks, Kate. You might have read this short story in the original publication: Malice Domestic 3, edited by Nancy Pickard (1993). It's long OOP but available used. I revised it for episodic delivery (and announced the source, although you might have missed that). This story and the next are "free" because they're derived from earlier work. After that (next year, February), I'll move the fiction to paid-subscribers only.
I did miss your source note, Susan. But the reason I remembered the scene is that it's a compelling one with a slow reveal; I could visualize it so vividly while hearing the voices.
The talk-show format was less gimmicky at that time (1993), but I never used it again, although Fannie appears (I think) in a few of the early books. Those Malice Domestic anthologies were not marketed very heavily, and mostly to attendees at the annual MD conference. You're the first to remember it!
I think libraries purchased them. All I can recall is borrowing all your titles from the Santa Rosa Public Library (Sonoma County) back in 2006-14 when I was undergoing joint replacement surgeries and rehab. Great reads for my long recoveries! Thank you. xo
This is getting more and more interesting. Hurry up and send us the next chapter!
Coming next Wednesday, Nancy. As a librarian said to me once (about a wait list), you'll just have to contain your soul in patience. 😊
You are speaking to a former librarian, but I haven't heard that one. I think I'll use it soon in some context because it's perfect.
Cliffhanging!! I remember when my children and I were doing our midwest driving vacation, and we were listening to E.B. White's Trumpet of the Swan in the car. I pulled into a gas station and got a chorus of "Don't turn the car off NOW, Mom!" from my passengers. I know just how they felt, right now.
Oh, funny! I began commercial writing by writing Nancy Drew (among other things). The editors insisted on a cliffhanger for every chapter.
So that's why I could never put them down!
Yep. They knew their readers. They even insisted that their writers NOT use a cliffhanger that had been used before. The trouble was that there were several books in the unpublished queue ahead of the book you were working on, and you couldn't see the cliffhangers in those books. So your MS would come back with a big red NEW CLIFFIE PLEASE in the margin. All just part of the fun . . .
At least you knew someone was actually reading the manuscript in detail. It annoys the heck out of me when some really obvious error shows up in a book. Not just spelling, but continuity problems. I've seen protagonists grow or shrink several inches, nephews become many years younger than in a prior book, even one book series where a peripheral character changed race from one book to the next. Not in yours, though.
They were fiercely protective of that franchise. I've been lucky to have good editors from the beginning--and to find good editors and layout people to work with when I went indie. I've had a few embarrassing moments (misdated the Golden Gate Bridge, for one!). Things happen.
Yes!!
I love these short stories. Thanks for taking the time in between China books.
You're welcome. Next China: May 2024.
Can’t wait for the next episode! Except - it’s the last one 😪 I’m gonna miss my Fanny fix.
Thanks, Lynne! Taking a break from storying in December (but not from posting!), back in January-February with a China Bayles story.
Excellent 👍