tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post2859721904057987867..comments2024-03-28T13:20:41.312-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Ellen Crosby--Magical WritingJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-24256051835269761712017-11-04T23:54:33.307-04:002017-11-04T23:54:33.307-04:00Call it magical or synchronicity or whatever but f...Call it magical or synchronicity or whatever but for years I thought everyone's life worked that way. I'd talk to people and "intuit" things about them, I'd be working on a hard piece of writing then walk away - and usually straight into the answer I'd been searching for. I really prefer to think of it as magic and now I know several other writers who have the gift also.havenwriterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09982315911559750695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45108269058256573332017-11-04T19:43:16.365-04:002017-11-04T19:43:16.365-04:00Thanks for the comments on my book covers, Kathy! ...Thanks for the comments on my book covers, Kathy! The paperbacks of the first 6 books from Pocket Books were designed by Wendell Minor, who has designed some iconic book covers, including "To Kill A Mockingbird" and "Catch 22." Look up his website and you can find him on Facebook as well. He also published a book, which I own, called "Art for the Written Word." I'm also in love with my Scribner hardcover jackets and my new Minotaur covers. I think one of my favorite parts of the book production process is the first time my editor sends me the new book jacket! And I agree with you about the magic of Jungle Reds!Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-75781628947348323742017-11-04T19:37:16.519-04:002017-11-04T19:37:16.519-04:00Thank you so much, Pat!!Thank you so much, Pat!!Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-4343986644063748652017-11-04T19:36:26.291-04:002017-11-04T19:36:26.291-04:00Hallie, we have some pretty amazing memories toget...Hallie, we have some pretty amazing memories together, my favorite being the 100-bottles-of-wine dinner at the Broward County library fundraiser in Florida! And leaving our shoes in a heap on the pier while we boarded that incredible yacht for a group photo in our sock/stocking feet!Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-50778038080075758082017-11-04T19:34:04.973-04:002017-11-04T19:34:04.973-04:00Ingrid, I agree with you. How could Charles Kuralt...Ingrid, I agree with you. How could Charles Kuralt's "real" family not know about the second family out west? Or at least suspect something! I wondered the same thing when Robert Hanssen was arrested for spying some years ago and his family had no clue what he did. It was especially creepy because one of the places he used to get and receive messages was a park down the street from my sons' high school and he went to my parents' church. Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-69102813123451549242017-11-04T19:30:40.158-04:002017-11-04T19:30:40.158-04:00Diana, "The Year of Magical Thinking" ha...Diana, "The Year of Magical Thinking" has been on my TBR list for a while. (She's such a wonderful writer.) Now you've got me thinking that it needs to move to the top of the pile. Nice to see you in Toronto as well!Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-27370715692418605312017-11-04T19:28:25.325-04:002017-11-04T19:28:25.325-04:00Karen, that is a great description--that we need t...Karen, that is a great description--that we need to get out of our own way and allow the writing to happen. Have not really thought about it that way! And, yes, it was unbelievably bold and brazen and a bunch of other things. What I wonder is how his wife could never have suspected a thing for so many years??Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9378641410430444052017-11-04T19:26:36.818-04:002017-11-04T19:26:36.818-04:00Thanks for this, Mark . . . I am always amazed by ...Thanks for this, Mark . . . I am always amazed by what people believe they can get away with. And every time I worry no one will believe something I made up, usually I end up hearing about a real story that is even more outrageous!Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-29713525794503909242017-11-04T19:23:58.137-04:002017-11-04T19:23:58.137-04:00Thanks for your hospitality, sweetie! Thanks for your hospitality, sweetie! Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46459884439726187282017-11-04T19:23:26.955-04:002017-11-04T19:23:26.955-04:00Jenn, thanks for this. I had no idea when I starte...Jenn, thanks for this. I had no idea when I started writing it that Donald Trump would run for president. And even less of an idea that he would win! Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-74890246302530602512017-11-04T19:22:09.263-04:002017-11-04T19:22:09.263-04:00Triss, when I was growing up I used to wish I coul...Triss, when I was growing up I used to wish I could know the future. Now the present seems so scary that I am glad I don't know what's around the corner!! But I do think it's very cool that you write about something and voila, reality imitates fiction. There must be magic there!Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-25715499187473573662017-11-04T19:18:33.727-04:002017-11-04T19:18:33.727-04:00Rhys, that is so amazing! I remember one year when...Rhys, that is so amazing! I remember one year when I needed to know something about converting a pesticide into anthrax and a microbiologist from UVA showed up at one of my signings. He offered to help me, but it took a long time for him to reply to my e-mail. Later he admitted he had been writing a colleague to discuss my question . . . and suddenly they realized they could possibly end up on some terrorist watch list if someone ran across their conversations!Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-13983308395045610272017-11-04T19:14:32.735-04:002017-11-04T19:14:32.735-04:00I'm glad I'm not the only one who was clue...I'm glad I'm not the only one who was clueless about Charles Kuralt! And, I, too, have learned to have faith that the solution will appear. All it takes is a nap. :)Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2693764711398942992017-11-04T19:13:04.429-04:002017-11-04T19:13:04.429-04:00Hank, your story is great! The universe DOES provi...Hank, your story is great! The universe DOES provide when the time is right, so true. When my husband was News Director at the Voice of America years ago, he used to travel to UNC-Chapel Hill every year where he gave a talk at the J-School, plus interviewed students for the Charles Kuralt Fellowship: a one-year internship working in the newsroom in Washington. He always commented about what a bright bunch of students they all were. Of course, the secret life stuff never came up! Looking forward to your new one!!Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-70222097399117228392017-11-04T19:05:56.510-04:002017-11-04T19:05:56.510-04:00Jim, telling you a secret: there will be another g...Jim, telling you a secret: there will be another giveaway when the book comes out, plus ANOTHER one on Criminal Element. Your odds should improve!! Plus you have more time to read anyway, now that you are retired!Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-44660192266868243332017-11-04T19:05:00.058-04:002017-11-04T19:05:00.058-04:00Roberta, I know what you mean about wondering how ...Roberta, I know what you mean about wondering how the rich and famous seem to believe they're walking around with a Harry Potter invisibility cloak on so they can get away with anything. I think it takes a massive ego and a feeling of entitlement (hello, Donald Trump)--which is why it's so satisfying to be able to right those wrongs (or write those wrongs) in our books, don't you think?Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-63432494988397636282017-11-04T19:02:01.891-04:002017-11-04T19:02:01.891-04:00Gigi, I love your story about song lyrics giving y...Gigi, I love your story about song lyrics giving you what you needed for your plot. So wonderful! And it's kind of scary to think about what your friend said about manifesting our writing into reality. Someone once told me that you don't have to be a murderer to write about murder--but we've all felt rage, anger, despair, and the dark emotions involved in those crimes. So what you need to do is evoke those feelings . . . and maybe talk to an expert who can fill in the missing stuff! Still, I think writing is better than therapy, don't you?Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12580667101074846752017-11-04T18:54:03.984-04:002017-11-04T18:54:03.984-04:00Oh, Edith, I do that, too! After taking Robert McK...Oh, Edith, I do that, too! After taking Robert McKee's Story Structure class in London years ago--which is essentially about writing screenplays--I started listing all my scenes on a spreadsheet to keep track of the timeline and the plot. So I'm definitely a planner. But if the day's words deviate from what I thought I would write, the outline gets changed. You gotta go with the magic.Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-26960866283428136012017-11-04T18:48:32.567-04:002017-11-04T18:48:32.567-04:00Thanks, Kait! I think we all could use a little ma...Thanks, Kait! I think we all could use a little magic these days. Hope you enjoy the book!Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-56505701059078512502017-11-04T18:47:45.796-04:002017-11-04T18:47:45.796-04:00Thanks, Joan! It's sort of ironic (and unplann...Thanks, Joan! It's sort of ironic (and unplanned!) that my book comes out on Election Day--we have a fierce governor's race in VA that is attracting national attention as a litmus test for 2018. I will be glad when the bloodletting stops on Wednesday! Hope you enjoy the new one and thanks for your comments!Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53586375180124627622017-11-04T18:45:00.616-04:002017-11-04T18:45:00.616-04:00Thanks, everyone, for your lovely comments--and es...Thanks, everyone, for your lovely comments--and especially to Debs and all the Jungle Reds (I love you all!) for inviting me back here and for your warm and gracious hospitality. Unfortunately yesterday my husband and I were at yet another memorial service and a reception at the National Press Club in D.C. for a journalist colleague of his and a long-time friend, so I didn't post many responses. So, belatedly, I'm answering you all today. Thanks & xoxoEllen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-17546292931957992272017-11-03T15:11:38.843-04:002017-11-03T15:11:38.843-04:00Kathy, that is the nicest thing to say!! I do thin...Kathy, that is the nicest thing to say!! I do think we have magical synchronicity on Jungle Red.<br /><br />And I love Ellen's covers, too!<br />Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-70165316458022194912017-11-03T14:07:51.423-04:002017-11-03T14:07:51.423-04:00Debs, yes, indeedy, I will be touring! "The V...Debs, yes, indeedy, I will be touring! "The Vineyard Victims" comes out on Tuesday, which is Election Day and a Big Deal here in Virginia where we have a governor's race that is supposedly a litmus test for 2018, so I'm postponing the launch to Wednesday, November 8 at One More Page Bookstore in Arlington, VA. If you're coming, there will be cake and wine. :) I'll be at a bunch of places in the Metro DC area through mid-December (all listed on my website), plus at The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, AZ a week from tomorrow (November 11), Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop in Mechanicsburg, PA on December 9, and Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, PA with Con Lehane on December 16. Please come see me somewhere!!Ellen Crosbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00680153118671932692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-32970413532523515512017-11-03T13:49:00.326-04:002017-11-03T13:49:00.326-04:00Magical writing is a wonderful term for what you d...Magical writing is a wonderful term for what you describe, Ellen. It's as if what you're writing is meant to be, and the universe is making sure you know that. I often feel a similar connection to reading, and it happens a lot here at the Jungle Reds blog. I've been looking at an author or a book, and, voila, I open up the Reds blog, and that author or book is featured here. And, sometimes it's a subject matter that is spot on for me at the time, too. Now, there are other places I get this connection, but this blog is the single most magical connection I have ever had. Little wonder that it is such an important part of each day for me.<br /><br />I have to tell you, Ellen, how much I love the covers of the Wine Country Mysteries. They are on my radar and on my TBR list. Thanks for visiting here today and sharing such a great post. Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-61225506706414769032017-11-03T13:30:36.778-04:002017-11-03T13:30:36.778-04:00Ellen, are you touring? If so, tell us where you&#...Ellen, are you touring? If so, tell us where you'll be!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.com