Thursday, November 21, 2019

What We're Writing @LucyBurdette


LUCY BURDETTE: Obviously today's the day I tell you what I'm writing, and I don't suppose the answer should be "nothing." However, with two mystery conventions and the transition from Connecticut to Key West in my rearview mirror, it's been hard to concentrate. 


Hanging out with the Reds at Bouchercon


My rockstar pals at Crimebake

Tbone visiting the pet relief station in the airport

So how about "What I Should Be Writing?"


For Key West food critic mystery #11, I got approval from my publisher and agent to set part of the book in Scotland. I'm super excited about showing some of the gorgeous places I visited last summer. However, I've discovered that questions about why Hayley is there, and who is there with her, and how they might possibly get involved in solving a murder mystery are not so easy to answer. And I'm also realizing that my notes and photos from the trip are pretty darn skimpy. (Unless, I want to write a book about losing luggage--I'd be all over that.) I know there will be lots of scones, and thin places, and family, and jealousy, but beyond those themes, it's all rather vague. In summary, I've set myself a good challenge and I look forward to discovering the answers. Below is the tiniest beginning snippet:


I snickered. “We gave that up when we asked Miss Gloria to join us. And she’s going to make the trip so much richer. She’s so excited—she’s researching her family tree on Ancestry and she’s made a little map marking where all her relatives might be buried.” 
We were all headed to Scotland, a delayed honeymoon for Nathan and me, and the first trip abroad since her husband’s death for Miss Gloria. Nathan had offered to take me anywhere I wanted to go. I chose Scotland because of Outlander and Shetland, natch, and because I wanted to meet his mysterious sister whom I’d only recently learned about. When I’d broken the news to Miss Gloria, my fellow Outlander watcher fanatic, she’d said mournfully, “Scotland was the next trip Frank and I were going to take. And then poof, he was gone. Dead of a heart attack and not traveling anywhere but to the morgue. I’m so happy for you, Hayley,” she added. She really meant that but she had a shimmer of tears in her eyes.
Later that night, Nathan suggested that we should invite her along. I was shocked. “It’s our honeymoon,” I reminded him. I would have loved to have her travel with us, but I was afraid my new husband would regret it once we were on the road. Traveling with an old lady might be a challenge. Not that anyone who knew her would describe Miss Gloria as old. Some days she showed more zip than me—and I was fifty-something years younger. And if she did happen to droop, the tiniest catnap brought her roaring back to life.

“We’re already spending most of the week with my sister,” he said. “Miss G would only be an improvement.”

There will be lots more to come, and I'm glad that I feel excited about writing it when I read this part over. I have absolutely no idea about a title, so if anything smart comes to mind, please leave it in the comments.

And, I'm super-grateful to have my next book, THE KEY LIME CRIME (July 2020), available for pre-order!



You can order it at an independent bookstoreBarnes and Noble, Amazon, and anywhere books are sold!

44 comments:

  1. Well, Lucy, that’s sweet and a bit mysterious and now I’m anxious to know what happens when Hayley and Nathan and Miss Gloria all get to Scotland.

    ::sigh::
    Waiting is hard, so I’m off to pre-order your book . . . .

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  2. Scotland, huh? I'm interested to see how the change of scenery goes for the characters. I'm guessing they will hit a few bumps along the road that average traveler doesn't.

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    1. I'm anxious to see how it goes too Mark! and I'm afraid you're right about the bumps...

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  3. Oh, Lucy, I'm so happy that Miss Gloria is going to Scotland with Hayley and Nathan! I loved that they were going to Scotland, and now I love it even more with the knowledge that Miss Gloria will be part of the adventure. And, I'm excited about Key Lime Crime, too. I just can't get enough of this series!

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  4. Ordered before posting, veteran shopper that I am, first in line and all that.

    Scotland intrigues me too. I look forward to your new "bewk"!

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  5. What a big heart Nathan has! It's going to be a fun read, I know. And you can always consult with Catriona about details. ;^)

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    1. thanks Edith, and such a good idea about Catriona. The good news is as long as I see things through Hayley's eyes, they can be wrong, right?

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  6. Love this snippet! That last line--that should keep your creative juices flowing! Can't wait to see how you work it all out--so will have to settle for Key Lime Crime for now. :-)

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    1. Thanks Flora! I'm super excited about TKLC! The trouble with this business is we writers are always months or years ahead of readers so it's hard to keep straight!

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  7. What a great intro! Hopefully Nathan and Hayley will keep Miss Gloria from getting into trouble.

    Oh, what am I saying? I'm sure trouble is inevitable with this crew! LOL

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    1. Liz, as I was reading the excerpt, I was thinking what a smart auctorial decision it is to bring Miss Gloria along. You just know she's going to wind up making things 100% more complicated for Hayley and Nathan - and complications are to novels as compost is to a garden - it makes everything sprout up!

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    2. The truth is she's everyone's favorite character so how could I possibly leave her out? And she's already sparking some good ideas...

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    3. I just learned a new word: auctorial

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  8. How marvelous,Lucy! Really looking forward to reading this one, whatever you decide its title.

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  9. Ordering it now! Is that Tbone on the cover of The Key Lime Crime!?! You're ahead of me... congratulations on a great start! Going to Scotland, tartan plaid and lime green! I can see the cover now.

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    1. thanks Hallie, that is T-bone! Although John just yelled at him for hanging from a screen by claw...

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  10. Looking forward to read what will happen to Hayley, Nathan and Miss Gloria in Scotland. Always eager to revisit Scotland through a good story.

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  11. This is so wonderful! Incredibly exciting, and can you believe it? Number 11! So so so so fabulous!

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  12. How many books have you written now, anyway?

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    1. Good question, Hank. I feel Lucy may be quietly outstripping almost all of us in the book count.

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    2. Oh come on ladies, I'm a piker compared to Rhys and Jenn LOL. THE KEY LIME CRIME will be #18, if you don't count the books in the drawers...

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  13. Key West meets the Highlands. Sounds like a great premise, especially with food.

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    1. Margaret, my husband and I honeymooned in Scotland, and I had some of the best meals of my life there. Whatever people say about British cooking, it doesn't apply north of the Tweed.

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  14. You obviously need another trip to Scotland if your pictures and notes are skimpy. Will Hayley will do a food review while there? I'm intrigued about the week spent with Nathan's sister. Okay, waiting, waiting, waiting.....

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    1. The main things that struck me eating in Scotland were scones, fried fish and dessert. I suppose I'll have to branch out from that menu!

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  15. Outlander and Shetland, natch! Love it and looking forward to this one as always.

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  16. Lucy, I am pre-ordering this novel! I can imagine Hayley and her Mom having Scottish roots. I would think with their auburn red hair that they have Scottish /Irish roots. I loved my visits to Scotland. It is a beautiful country. My great grandfather was born in Scotland. Hw worked as a coachman at a big estate and left for America. He decided to stay in America.

    Diana

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    1. Diana, that's so cool about your grandfather. Do you know where the estate was located? I'm discovering that I have more English and Irish roots than I realized, but no one in a recent generation.

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    2. Lucy, I wondered if you had French Huguenot ancestry too because the last name Burdette sounds French? I was not sure. I have a lot of English ancestors too. My father's paternal line came from Durham, England, though this ancestor's ancestor left Scotland for England around 1375?

      My Great Grandfather died during the Great Depression in the USA. I think the estate was called Balfunning ? Perhaps in Lanarkshire? I am not sure. According to my DNA results, my Scottish ancestors came from Edinburgh. I think I also have a Welsh ancestor who came to America and fought in the American Revolutionary War. Another ancestor came from Ireland and his family is interesting. His father was born in Scotland and his grandfather was born in Ireland.

      I so look forward to reading your book about Hayley travelling to Scotland. I think that will be my favorite of your books because it is set in Scotland. I am partial to locations.

      Diana

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  17. This has to be the most interesting honeymoon trip ever! I would never have expected that of Nathan. Makes me wonder if he is planning to use Miss Gloria as a buffer...

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  18. So thrilling, Lucy! 11th book in the series!!! That's fantastic. I love your snippet and have no doubt the
    adventure in Scotland with Miss Gloria will fabulous!

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    1. thanks Jenn, it's so weird. Seems like it happened in a flash!

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  19. Love this snipped, Lucy! Pre-ordering, of course. I can't wait to read Hayley's take on Scotland. Can we get some single malt in there, too?

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  20. Lucy- I love how you naturally and cunningly set this trip up. Like a pro, natch. (I am stealing 'natch' for my WIP.) I can't wait to read.

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