Thursday, September 14, 2017

What I'm Writing @LucyBurdette



Lorenzo's cards say a book is coming!

 LUCY BURDETTE
Before I talk about writing, I wanted to acknowledge what a difficult week it's been for those in the path of Hurricane Irma. This included my beloved Florida Keys, though we hear that Key West itself sustained less damage than the islands further north. (And also in the Caribbean islands further south, which were devastated.) Honestly, I wondered if I'd ever feel like writing again if the storm had wiped out the island and the community of people I've grown to know and love. I'm hoping and praying that life can return to something like normal soon on that magical spray of islands...

Now back to writing...

It's been a while since I've written about what I'm writing, and that probably reflects how difficult the process is. But by the time this post goes live, I will be getting ready to dive into the full manuscript for Key West food critic mystery #8 (still unnamed). This should be fun (compared to the muddy middle in which I had to keep slogging forward whether I knew what was happening or not.) The whole book will be laid out on the pages, but I will be looking for important plot points that I let drop or failed to mention entirely, errors in timeline, characters who don't sound like themselves, clunky language, and so on.

I really enjoyed getting back to the lives of Hayley Snow and her entourage, including Miss Gloria, Lorenzo, Lieutenant Torrence, Detective Bransford, and on and on. It turns out I've woven a lot of people into this series! 

Key West is famous for being the home of the Harry S. Truman Little White House. The president spent a lot of working vacations on our island, and this modest place where he worked and relaxed (playing poker with members of his cabinet and members of the press) couldn't be more appealing. I have a good friend who is one of the tour guides at the Little White House and he was immensely helpful. Not only did he give me extra private tours of the backstage areas of the building, he was loaded with plot ideas. Now that's a great friend. I also had the pleasure of meeting the director, Bob Wolz, who has been instrumental in protecting and refurbishing the building, restoring it to the condition that it was in when Mr. Truman was in residence.

I invented a Havana/Key West conference as the backdrop for this book. In addition to writing about the fascinating country of Cuba, I was forced to eat and prepare lots of Cuban food. So you'll be seeing that too!


Here's a tiny sneak peek...the book will be out next summer from Crooked Lane Books:

Chapter One

Some days you can take the temperature of our island’s anxiety by reading the column in the Key West Citizen called "Citizens Voice." Those phoned-in snippets of opinion can veer into the red zone on any number of topics—leaf blowers, the homeless, traffic, a new amphitheater at the waterfront.

But the comments and rants and worries about this weekend’s Havana/Key West conference sounded even more hysterical than usual. Rumors circulated that Raul Castro and Jimmy Buffett were both scheduled for brief appearances at the Harry S. Truman Little White House, where the conference would be headquartered. This would gum up traffic on the island and leave us open to all manner of visiting nut jobs.

I believed the Jimmy Buffett scuttlebutt because Parrot Heads, Buffet’s super-fans, had been pouring into town over the past few days dressed in Hawaiian shirts and parrot hats. Since it wasn’t the season for their annual convention, I suspected they’d gotten some insider information about Jimmy’s schedule. 

But Castro in Key West? That seemed downright preposterous. On the other hand, it would definitely up the ante for the weekend, as protestors who felt the US should have no contacts with a repressive Communist country clashed with people who believed this kind of event would help the Cuban people find a voice in the free world. The comments in the paper had been coming fast and furious and ugly, reminding me of a full pot of potatoes boiling too hard. If someone didn’t turn down the heat, there’d be a huge mess on the stove.


If you've fallen behind in reading the Key West series, now's a good time to catch up! Available wherever books are sold...

49 comments:

  1. I am so glad that you are safe, Lucy . . . I hope the recovery in the Keys will be swift for everyone . . . .

    It is so exciting to anticipate a new Hayley Snow story . . . I loved this little sneak peek and can hardly wait to read the rest.

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    1. thanks so much Joan. Boy it's been a hard week. thank goodness for social media so we could stay in touch a little!

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  2. I know writing is hard work. I really do. But any job that involves frequent residency in Key West, behind-the-scenes research at historic places, and lots of great Cuban food can't possibly suck to the max. I'll look forward to reading Hayley's next adventure, and I'm beyond glad that Key West made it through the storm with spirit--and most of the people and infrastructure--intact. The island, your friends there, and even Hemmingway's cats, were near the top of my list of worries as Irma hit our shores, and that is entirely due to how much I enjoy reading what you write about them.

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    1. that's such a sweet message, thank you Gigi! You are completely right--my job is mostly a joy:)

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  3. Lucy, I've been checking for updates on Key West every day. So glad that Lorenzo is okay, and the Cat Man, and the Hemingway house and cats.

    And I am so sorry I didn't manage to tour the Truman White House when I visited last winter!! It looks like a fascinating place, and I can't wait to read the new Hayley!! As we said about Rhys's Georgie books yesterday, a mystery is fine, but what we really want is to find out how the characters we love are doing!

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    1. You'll have to plan another visit Debs:). Yes, for me too it's the characters in a series that matter the most!

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  4. Lucy, I'm so glad that Key West escaped major damage. And, I am over the moon to be anticipating a new Haley Snow for next year. I have missed her and all her friends and family. I loved touring the Truman Little White House there.

    And, I can't help but add that my thoughts and prayers are with Julia and her children as they are going through the loss of such an exceptional husband and father.

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    1. I know Kathy, we are all so sad. Just heard that news this morning. You can read Ross's obituary on Julia's facebook page...

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    2. Oh, that's so sad about Ross. Give Julia my love. It's an easy transition for him, but so hard for her and her children.

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  5. First, let me say I am SO glad this series is continuing, Roberta. And I love the snippet - you've set up a situation ripe for murder, obviously. I'm also so sorry about what I've seen and read about the damage to Key West, but as you say, it could have been a lot worse. Did Lorenzo evacuate? Have you heard from him?

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    1. Yes he evacuated and he's fine. Waiting anxiously to return...thanks Edith

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  6. Okay, you've convinced me - I have to start reading this series! Don't know why it has taken me so long.

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    1. Oh gosh, yay Judi! I sure hope you enjoy the books

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    2. They're so good, but they'll make you hungry:-)

      DebRo

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  7. Forced to eat Cuban food? Oh, the horror. What we suffer for our art. =) Personally I find the Parrott-heads scarier than Castro; those people are nuts!

    I'm glad you and the Keys are (mostly) okay and congrats on the new book.

    Mary/Liz

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    1. Thanks for all that Mary. I've met some parrot heads and they are lovely people, in spite of the costumes! In fact this past year, the local parrot head chapter donated $1000 to the Key West Friends of the library. I think they are very charity minded even though they do like to party!

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  8. Great news about Hayley and gang!! I suspect that a new Hayley might some day involve a hurricane.... Better news about the survival of the Keys--and seeing the impact on the Caribbean islands--devastating. But the news about Julia's Ross--heartbreaking. This blog feels like a community--I want to make food--send comfort.

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    1. I feel the same way about Julia and her family, Flora.

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    2. I know we all feel that right now. And we will have more on our lovely memories of Ross tomorrow.

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    3. Ever since hearing about Ross earlier today, I've had Julia and her family on my mind. Like others, I wish I could do something. I am definitely praying for them.

      DebRo

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  9. Flora, I know exactly what you mean about wanting to do something. My heart goes out to Julia and her family. Ross was one in a million.

    Mary, we live less than two miles from Riverbend, Cincinnati's summer concert venue on the Ohio River. It's at the end of our road, which is the quickest way to the expressway, and nearly every place we need to go outside our own community. Buffett plays here at least twice a season, sometimes more (he used to come four times!), and you're right, they are a WILD bunch.

    Roberta, what a relief, that you and your friends are safe, as well as so many landmarks. The ecosystem is so fragile, and I wonder how the entire area fared, including up into the Everglades. I've seen photos of a few Key deer, but hope their original herd of 1,000 is not too decimated. Even losing 25% of the buildings, while still awful, is not as much a tragedy as losing so many of the precious and irreplaceable natural wonders that make that area so amazing. And considering how scary the storm surge was, along with the winds, it's truly miraculous that worse didn't happen.

    Hayley cooking Cuban food! Swoon. Happy editing!

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    1. Thanks for your comments Karen – funny that you have so much first-hand experience with the parrot heads! I to worry about the key deer, and I know more will be known as the communication networks are Restored

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  10. Good news that Hayley and the gang are back. Think she and that police detective are going to get serious? Just a hint will do.

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  11. I also love your island and hope it will be my home someday. I couldn't pull myself away from the news/videos of the storm coverage. I'm so very thankful everyone is ok and the island is still there. My heart hurts for the people that have lost everything. I can't imagine.

    Thank you for giving us a little glimpse into your new book. I have missed all of my " friends". When you really love a series, I think that's how you feel. You feel like you know them. You feel like they are your friends or like family. You make everything about your book so familiar, that you are right there with them when you are reading. So...thank you! I'm looking forward to the new book.

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    1. Thank you for becoming part of the family Roxie! I feel exactly what you have described for my favorite series

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  12. So delighted that Hayley is back! I love Key West, Love Hayley's Key West... hoping and praying that it came through Irma intact. And can I say, Miss Gloria rocks. Is romance in the cards for Hayley?

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  13. Thank you so much for sharing the opening of your NEW HALEY BOOK!!!! It sounds wonderful, and it sure will be hard to wait for next summer. I was praying my heart out for Florida and especially the Florida Keys and Key West, and am so glad that they survived the storm. Keeping Florida in my prayers ~

    Sending deep felt condolences to Julia, and keeping her and her family in my thoughts and prayers ~

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    1. Yes lots of prayers for Julia and her family this week, and all the people in the path of the hurricaneS! It almost seems like we forget the one that's come before once a new one takes its place

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  14. And yes, a new Haley book! Love that so much! And you are so good at setting up instant conflict… Love that.
    Now I am consumed with thinking up the title for you. Are you still going with the punny funny ones?

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    1. Hayley! My dictation software is not savvy about that yet…

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    2. Oh how I wish you would come up with a brilliant title Hank. I don't know which way the new publisher will go – I just sent off a list of about 10 this morning. So we'll see what direction they lean. I'm mostly hoping to get the same cover artists, as they have been brilliant!

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  15. Are you going to deal with the storm in it?

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    1. No storm in this one as it takes place in January. And there was a hurricane in the last book, so hoping that did not bring this one on. Yikes

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  16. I can't wait to get there to check on my house :( In addition to the obvious fears about structural and water damage, my daughter's wedding cake top is in the freezer. She was married at Sunset Pier in May. The little things are important too. Laurel

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    1. Yes it's very hard to wait Laurel, and I'm wishing the very best results for you. Of course all the worst losses run through your mind, but lots of people have already learned they are in better shape than they feared

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    2. I wrote to people on Facebook that I have never met...someone sent me a test telling me that aside from my fence being down and all sorts of trees down, my house appears to be intact. I cried real tears. The kindness of strangers will allow me sleep tonight.

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  17. So glad Irma is done, and I hope the damage on Key West is limited to things that can be replaced. In all my visits there, I've never been to the Little White House, must correct that soon.

    Congratulations on the new Hayley-in-progress. I look forward to it.

    The death of Julia's husband at such a young age is beyond sad. I will keep her and her family in my prayers.

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    1. I know Julia and her husband appreciate those prayers Ann. Yes do visit the little White House. It's a very special place on the island.

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  18. I thought of you and this series while watching coverage of Irma.

    So glad Hayley is getting a new adventure. I can't wait!!

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  19. I want to visit someday so glad your writing another book! I look forward to it

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    1. Donamae, Lucy's Key West series is such a great guide to places in Key West for those who haven't visited there, and it's a wonderful recognition of places for me from the times I've been there. Lucy, I always thought that this series was like looking at photographs of a favorite place and exclaiming, "yes, that is a favorite restaurant" or "Lorenzo, I had him read the cards for me." So much fun.

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  20. I love that stage, Lucy, when you have lots of stuff to dig your teeth into and tear apart. It feels so much easier to me than the first draft!

    I'm thinking of you and your neighbors as they pick up the pieces from Irma. I have family in Naples, FL so it was a tense couple of days waiting to see how they would manage. Luckily, they escaped without out any major damage, but a lot of cleanup.

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    1. It was a weird storm. Kept Tacking right and left to keep us all on our toes. Glad your family has come out of it in good shape

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  21. Have been following your updates about the Keys. I have family in Tampa so our focus was there, but feel like Key West is so familiar, too, because of all the time spent with Hayley and the gang. Looking forward to next summer and the new book.

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