LUCY BURDETTE: The very biggest news for me was turning in my draft of Key West book number 16 last week! As you can imagine, my favorite words written were these:
I wrote about the opening of the story back in December. I’m having trouble figuring out what else I could share that wouldn’t result in unwelcome spoilers. So I’ll skip that snippet for the moment and tell you what I’m working on now. (I know I will see book 16 circle back to me for edits, but I’m not worrying about that until it hits my inbox.) I have four projects on my to do list, a murder mystery event for the Key West library, a possible murder mystery dinner for Williams Hall, a Key West noir short story, and my Paris novel. Yikes! What was I thinking?
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| Feb 2025, Ann Cleeves's Shetland murder mystery in Key West |
The second annual murder mystery for the Key West Friends, taking place February 7, 2026, will be something like the one we performed with Ann Cleeves last winter. This time, the reading will be based on a fictional contest between pastry chefs, who’ve all been asked to prepare desserts from the Key West Woman’s Club Cookbook. (The Friends of the Key West Library and the Key West Woman’s Club are co-sponsoring this event along with our wonderful library staff.) I’m the playwright (ulp) and it will begin with a moderator and four or five baker suspects. I’m imagining the event will open with something like this:
Moderator: Imagine that you are sitting in an auditorium at the Key West library, a room very much like this one. You see the pea green walls and old-fashioned photos of the island, and you can almost smell the beguiling scent of new books and imagine the hum of voices as clever librarians answer the challenging questions of their patrons. This time, you are not here for the books or the librarians or even the computers. You have paid good money to hear from bakers who have entered a contest to find the best pastry chef on the island. Their challenge has been to prepare amazing delicacies from the Key West Woman’s Club Cookbook.
But things have gone perilously wrong, and the front runner has been found poisoned to death. All the chefs who entered the contest are now murder suspects instead of prize winners. Your job will be to identify the real murderer. You will hear the protestations and confessions of the suspects, and then we’ll break for tea and voting. Once we re-convene to hear the true story, five winners will be awarded prizes.
There you go! A beginning and a long to-do list. When you have a list of projects, how do you choose where to start? Do you hop around from project to project, or power through one before tackling another?
Congratulations, Lucy, on completing book 16!
ReplyDeleteYour new projects all sound amazing, but the Key West Friends murder mystery is particularly intriguing.
When I have a list of projects to complete, I generally finish one before starting the next one . . . .
that makes sense. I wish I could work on all at once, but I don't think I'm capable:)
DeleteCongratulations on completing book 16! I just finished reading the mango murders last week. Regarding projects, my sleep app informed me of my best times to work and the afternoon dip time when it is time to slow down and evening wind down time limiting screen time.
ReplyDeleteI pick projects that require my immediate attention.
Diana, What do use for a sleep app? Seems very sensible to pay attention to what the body needs!
DeleteThat was me.
ReplyDeleteThis is similar to one of my favorite interview questions to ask. It was interesting to see how the candidates prioritized hypothetical assignments. Did they identify the one that required input from others that should be started first? Did they knock out an easy assignment to get a quick win? Did they prioritize an assignment for the exec team, or one that would help the most people?
ReplyDeleteThat's fascinating! Were you looking for certain answers? What about the question: Which ones seem the hardest? LOL
DeleteCongratulations on sending off book #16. I love the closing line.
ReplyDeleteAs for to do list: I do write down what needs to be done, and then I go with what seems most urgent. Right now, two tasks are tied, so I do them in shifts: Portuguese lessons and new book.
A smart approach Elizabeth!
DeleteLUCY: Congratulations on reaching "The End" on the new book last December!
ReplyDeleteAnd next February's KW murder mystery sounds like a lot of fun.
As for to-do lists: I usually work on the top priority ones first. I tend to multi-task, so I don't wait until finishing one task before starting another. And for long term on-going to-do item, and I work on making a bit of progress.
So much good advice! thanks Grace
DeleteRoberta, congratulations! Wow! And good luck with your to-do list! (Selden)
ReplyDeletethank you Selden!
DeleteSending off a book is always a big yay! You to-do lists remind me of some of my own...
ReplyDeleteLists, lists, and more lists. Prioritize the ones with the closest deadlines. Knock off a couple of easy tasks just to declutter the list and have a quick victory or two. Good luck!
I would like a quick victory:). The short story feels daunting so I don't think that's it...
DeleteI have a couple of projects going at the same time right now with interruptions from life in general and I am feeling uneasy because nothing is completed. I am usually fine with multi tasking but there is nothing like the satisfaction of finishing something and crossing it off the list.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing book #16. After having read the last chapter of The Mango Murders, I am beyond excited to read the next book, and can only imagine what Miss Gloria is anticipating for Nathan. Hah! I loved Mango Murders!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck on all of your endeavors! You have the energy to carry them all and I am eager to hear more about your Paris book. As for the murder mystery party, I think February is a nice time of year to visit Key West;>)