Great tag line, Charlotte, and spot on. Happy? Well, you might catch me that way at a moment when I'm not looking.

Yes, I am with you. I'll go to the page and do what I can.

Where is Jessica? lol

Congratulation to the Ducks, Charlotte. Sorry this thing zapped you but glad you're better. Thanks for the heads up on the books. I wish you the very best 2012!

Hey! What a great way to start the new year! I love your blog, Charlotte. You do a great job keeping us going. Happy New Year.

No, I have not seen that movie. In some ways sprawling Paris is ordinary, but there is an electricity in the heart of the city where those guys hung out. If you want an education, go to London; if you want to contemplate man's existence, go to Rome; but if you want to fall in love, go to Paris.

I don't disagree with any of this. What I find interesting is that when I am enjoying a book, I never consider the voice of the verbs or whether the Hemingway-hated adverbs are present or not. I don't look at sentence structure or the quality of the adjectives that are used. When I read the best books, I'm looking at the page but the author is telling the story in my ear. It's very difficult--at least it has been so far--to put all of this together and produce a result that sounds natural. I think the answer to that may be practice. But like in any thriller, the damn clock is ticking.

No doubling up, Zan Marie! It's like Bob Barker winning The Price is Right. Charlotte, I was a good boy during Christmas week--some will say it was not by choice. Doesn't good behavior, even if it is unintentional, deserve a reward? Sign me up.

Thanks for the comment, Charlotte. You know, until you pointed it out I didn't see that to all the world that looks like a saxophone. If I turn him a little to the side you will see that is a trumpet with the bell resting on his leg. That gentleman is Chet Baker. If you like momma's boy-tortured soul types, Chet is your guy. I am told he was very good looking in his youth, but the smoking and the heroin took a toll. He left behind a lot of music but is best known for his rendition of "My Funny Valentine." If you listen to it on youtube, don't mess with the vocal version. Bless his heart, Chet couldn't sing worth a damn. Listen to the trumpet only version. The photo shows him hunched over in a folding chair.

Great post, Charlotte. You have the good things on your list. Enjoy them all.

Merry Christmas, Charlotte.

I'd write what I write now: mysteries set in the present with things like cell phones and dialogue that sounds like it came from the forties. I'd love to win the class, Charlotte, but don't be offended if I sit in the back.

Charlotte, I'm not sure I want to choose three words; yours seem to serve the purpose so well. This is a great post. Looks to me like a great springboard for going into 2012.

Hey! I see an ad for "Christmas is a Season! 2008" on the right column of your blog. I am proud to say I am in the 2009 edition.

Nicole's address is c/o J.D., Gates to Hell Boulevard, Lost Beach, 34567. Oh, I'll be needing some pens for the journal.

Writing two books at one time doesn't work for me; the characters seem to meld together. I've had what seem to be great ideas come to me while I'm in the middle of writing something. I always write them down, but sometimes when I look back at my notes, I don't have the same enthusiasm or my summary doesn't make sense. I've decided I should devote more time to the notes I make. I should take a break and write a synopsis, at least of as much of the story as I know. If I can't find interest in the project when I read my notes (i.e. synopsis) sometime later, what impression will it make on an agent?

Well, I'm a little late with Thgving wishes. Have a SAFE Black Friday! You're tempting me with these deals, Charlotte.