Small Joys Big Happiness by Jenn McKinlay

One of the things my mother taught me, just like her mother taught her, was to find joy in small things. I remember spending a lot of time outside with my mom when I was kid. She would frequently tell me to be still (honestly, did she even know me?) and listen to the birds sing. It was a struggle. I am now and was then usually a blur of constant motion. But I did it. I listened. I heard the chirps and trills fill the air, and I marveled that so many birds could be chattering at the same time. I still pause to listen to the birds in my yard, because it amuses me to wonder what they’re talking about (probably, the great lummox, standing in her yard eavesdropping on them).

Looking back, I realize it was so much more than just an appreciation of birdsong she was sharing. She was teaching me to be observant of my surroundings, to be present and in the moment, and to find joy in something so small that most people, sadly, miss it.

Arizona Sunset. Pink Clouds!

When my hooligans were little, I would usher them outside every time there was a beautiful sunset. “Pink clouds!” I’d yell. Even now, so many years later, if they see a sunset, they holler, “Pink clouds, Mom!” and we all run out and watch as they deepen to purple and fade into night.

People, I think, spend an awful lot of time chasing happiness like it’s some illusive pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, instead of appreciating the small joys that pop up in their every day life. Madison Avenue convinces us that happiness is attached to a price tag or a label, but I don’t believe that’s true. I have never bought anything that filled my heart like the grin of one of my hooligans or the music Hub makes when he strums his guitar. And so, with the world being rather negative lately, I’ve been trying to focus on the small joys that make it all worthwhile like birdsongs and sunsets.

So, Reds, what are the small joys that brighten your days?

LUCY BURDETTE: Well, I can think of a lot of big things having to do with family and friends. But small things? Most of them have to do with food. Like our amazing tomato crop, which is just past peak. John said tonight: "Wouldn't we kill for a tomato like this in February?" (Yes, we would.) And the Connecticut peaches from our local grower, Bishops, are so sweet and delicious. I'm eating two of them a day!

Jenn's peach tree, which also brings me joy
and a butt load of peaches every June! LOL.

And I'm also grateful that my Meniere's is under good enough control that I can have a cup of coffee (big!) every morning, and a glass of rose if I feel like it at night without worrying that I'll get instantly dizzy. And I'm grateful to have Jenn's new book to read, which I am taking to bed with me tonight...

JENN: Thank you, Lucy, you're very kind!

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I always try to  take a moment every day to look at the stars. Just to remind myself of everything. It really makes a difference.  Little things? My slippers, seriously. Nice soap. That first sip of coffee in the morning. The first sip of wine. When I have a good idea. (One little good idea and I am happy for hours.) When I am home writing and the weather is nice, I take a walk every day, and first, circuit our garden to see what's coming and going. Sometimes I see a bunny! And that is fabulous. (Even though the bunny's favorite thing is our hosta.) And of course, you know, the ducks.

Hank's flowers!

Hanks' bunnies!

HALLIE EPHRON: Top of the list, my grandchildren. I've got two pips. Nature-wise, the birds that hang out in our yard. We have so many bushes to provide cover where our neighbors have mostly grass. And the other day a painted lady butterfly through and paused on a flower. Lovely.

Hallie's butterfly!

RHYS BOWEN: I love the view from my balcony. On warm nights I sit out there watching the stars, the light of a plane crossing the sky and listening to crickets and frogs. I swim every day and relish in the blue sky. And when I'm in Arizona in winter I'm with Jenn--the sunsets are incredible. My cell-phone is full of zillions of sunset pictures! And little things? My afternoon cup of tea. Walking with friends. Dinner with family. So many things to be grateful for!

Rhys's view!

INGRID THOFT: One of the little things that makes me way too happy?  The sight of “People” magazine in my mailbox on Friday.  I love starting the weekend off with a shot of pop culture and human-interest stories, and I especially like reading it in the bathtub.  Warm chocolate chip cookies are always pleasing and seeing the gorgeous displays of fresh flowers, seafood, produce, and handmade wares at Pike Place Market never fails to give me a boost.  I love to watch the amazing variations of color and light that occur on Puget Sound on an hourly basis.  Also, the vessels that make their way range from tiny Boston Whalers to mega container ships with just about every size in between.  It’s like looking at a Richard Scarry book in which all of the different moods of maritime transportation are delineated.  Remember Richard Scarry books?  Those books still make me happy!

JENN: I loved Richard Scarry books! SO fun!

Ingrid's Pike Place Market! 

What about you, Readers? What are your simple joys?

Promotion: That's What Friends Are For!

HANK: It's almost here! Jessica Speart--a true friend of Jungle Red--worked for years on WINGED OBSESSION. It's a tale of greed, obsession, and sexual temptation in the vein of The Orchid Thief – the story of the world’s most wanted butterfly smuggler, the rookie U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent who finally brings him down, and the writer who found herself at the center of the story.

Whoa. Terrific, huh? It comes out in April. But so far, no one is buying her an ad in the New York Times. So what's a writer to do? Jessica--as usual--has a great idea.

IT’S HARD TO WRITE A BOOK

PROMOTING IT IS EVEN TOUGHER

by Jessica Speart

I thought I had it made when I got my first three-book contract. The Rachel Porter Mystery Series was ready to rock-and-roll.

Two years later, I knew my life was on the upswing when my publisher asked me to write three additional mysteries. Then came books seven and eight in the series and the big time seemed to be just around the corner. Books nine and ten appeared and, suddenly, the roller coaster ride was over. My publisher hit me with the news that they’d decided to drop my series. It felt as if they’d killed my first-born child and I don’t even have kids.

Reinvention can be a bitch. But that’s what we have to deal with as writers. My reaction was to spend the next two years hitting my head against an imaginary brick wall. Eventually, I tired of that and decided it was time to suck it up and move on. I’d actually come up with a nonfiction book idea just as my former editor asked if I had something else in mind.

Glory hallelujah! Everything came together and I landed another book contract. Only this was a much bigger and better deal. Three editors – and a couple of panic attacks - later, the book was finally done.

There was another rush of excitement as I had a new website created, worked hard to gather author quotes (God bless Lee Child and Lisa Scottoline. They’re now in my nightly prayers) and a few early reviews rolled in. Daily Candy called Winged Obsession “one of the great nonfiction reads of the new year” and Philobiblos highly recommended it. Even Penthouse jumped on the bandwagon. I never imagined an adult magazine would be in my future! But the real cherry on the cake is that Winged Obsession will be an Indie Next pick for April 2011.

Now it was time for the big payoff. I’d been dreaming about my upcoming book tour. What I really craved was the gratification of personal contact. After all, isn’t that the reward at the end of the job? You actually get to travel the country, meet with readers and sign your books. Right?

Wrong.

I love my publisher – and my publicist is the absolute best - but I was deflated to learn that a tour wasn’t in the plans. Tours are no longer considered cost effective and the best use of publicity funds. Rather, there will be regional appearances and a 25-city radio satellite tour. My responsibility is to blog, blog, blog, and to interact on Facebook and Twitter as much as possible. Move over, Charlie Sheen.

That’s all well and good, but I still want to get out in the big wide world and actually talk to people. I need a break from sitting behind the computer and social networking for a while. What’s an author to do?

All I can say is: thank God for mystery conventions and conferences. I quickly signed up for both Thrillerfest and Bouchercon. The upside is that I’ll be able to mingle with fellow authors and readers. The downside is that both events are enormous. Consider them the mystery/thriller equivalent of the Superbowl. It never matters how hard I try. I always feel a bit lost and out of place.

The antidote? I’ll also be attending a fairly new mystery conference that makes me feel right at home. Literally. Murder 203 takes place on April 9-10th in my hometown of Easton, Connecticut. I attended last year and had a terrific time. What’s not to like about a line-up of wonderful crime writers, including his year’s special guest: the fabulous Carolyn Hart. Murder 203 is much like Crimebake in that it’s a smaller, more personable conference. I’m hoping to see lots of friends there and make many more. And isn’t that what it’s all about?

*****************************
Jessica Speart is an investigative journalist whose focus is on wildlife law enforcement, endangered species issues, and the environment. Speart created her sleuth--U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agent Rachel Porter-- after years of investigating wildlife and drug-trafficking crimes for publications such as The New York Sunday Times Magazine, Omni, Travel & Leisure, Audubon, National Wildlife, Mother Jones, Wildlife Conservation, Earth Journal and Animals Magazine. When she began to find the characters she covered stranger than fiction, she turned her pen toward mysteries. There are ten novels in the Rachel Porter series.

Then a funny thing happened. Jessica recently wrote her first narrative nonfiction book upon discovering that the truth really is stranger than fiction. WINGED OBSESSION will be published by Wm Morrow in April 2011.

Prior to writing, Jessica worked as an actress in NYC, where she appeared off-Broadway, as well as in commercials and soap operas.

*********************************************************

Carolyn Hart is the Guest of Honor at this spring's Murder 203 in Connecticut--one of Jungle Red's favorite conferences. Wanna go? There's still room!

Register Today!

Here’s what this entitles you to:

- Two full days of author panels and talks for readers and aspiring writers
- Book signings
- Giveaways and free raffles
- Silent auction and live auction (including an opportunity to “buy your way”
into someone’s next mystery)
- Two breakfasts and Saturday lunch
- Our fabulous Cocktails & Crime reception on Saturday evening

VOTE! Then: Deadly and Dangeous Research!

Have you voted yet?

If not, go RIGHT NOW.

Then come back and read this TRUE CRIME TUESDAY amazing tale from Jessica Speart!

JESSICA SPEART:

Research Can Be a Killer!

I’ve been known to do some crazy things while researching my Rachel Porter mysteries. I’ve climbed into cages with mountain lions, gotten lost on a logging road in the middle of a snowstorm, and broken into a warehouse run by the Chinese mob where shark fin was being illegally processed.

But my next book contract was for nonfiction.

I had a juicy topic – a Japanese butterfly smuggler who described himself as the “Indiana Jones” of insects.

HANK: Sorry to interrupt. But isn't that the best idea you've ever heard? Her book is Winged Obsession. Okay, back to Jess.

JESSICA: He’d broken the law for years and finally been caught in a three-year undercover sting that had all the twists and turns one could possibly imagine. The story was filled with greed, lust and obsession. The special agent on the case was willing to work with me and I’d been given full access to all the investigative files and undercover audio and Skype tapes. What more could a writer possibly want? That was easy.

So far, no one had managed to interview the smuggler, Yoshi Kojima. He’d adamantly refused to speak to anyone while serving a twenty-one month sentence in a California federal prison. Upon release, he’d been immediately deported to Japan and gone right back to his illegal trade.
I wanted to talk to the criminal, himself.

Kojima’s attorney, who had rudely declined to speak to me, planted the idea in my mind. “Maybe you should go talk to Mr. Kojima in Japan,” he’d sarcastically suggested before hanging up on me.

Good idea, I thought. The problem was I was heading to a country where I knew no one and don’t speak Japanese. That didn’t matter. My radar was set for Japan and there was no turning back. What I experienced was culture shock.

The first day I was afraid to venture more than a few blocks from my hotel. Hey, it had been a major problem finding it in the first place. A bus from the airport had dropped me off in the middle of Shinjuku. Try hauling a monster suitcase around in the rain while asking directions from strangers who have no idea what you’re talking about. I finally found my small hotel tucked away on a maze of side streets.

By day two, I was in full research mode. There were various rumors that Yoshi Kojima had resorted to a life of crime in order to support his sex fetishes. They ranged from a weakness for transvestites to an addiction to maid cafes where young girls, dressed as naughty maids, wait on customers hand and foot. I fully intended to check out both of these scenes.

Transvestites were easy enough to find. So were gay clubs with their different themes. There were mature bars, chubby chaser bars, muscle bars, young guy bars and bear bars for those who like their men hairy.

HANK: Oh. Interrupting again. Bear bars? Oh, well, no, just go on.

JESSICA: The only problem is that foreigners aren’t welcome – especially gaijin women. Maid cafes proved to be easier, though I became the main object of interest. None of the ‘maids’ could understand exactly what I was doing there.

I quickly learned there were few street signs, menus, or directions in English, and pantomiming will only get you so far. Fortunately, I’d been able to connect with a Japanese butterfly collector just before leaving the U.S. He graciously offered to introduce me to a dealer on the outskirts of Tokyo. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Butterfly dealers tend to be an elusive lot with their pricey treasure troves. Besides, his place would have been impossible to find on my own and, once again, the dealer spoke no English.

The dealer operated out of two large apartments lined floor to ceiling with a filing system of slim maroon boxes. Each was filled to the brim with butterflies gathered from around the world, many of them illegal. Twenty thousand additional bugs are added to his stash every month. All this comprises only a third of what he actually has in stock. The rest are kept under lock and key in a nearby warehouse. The dealer was more notorious than I’d realized, having previously been jailed in India for smuggling butterflies. He happily posed for my camera surrounded by his booty.

Neither of these men knew what I was really writing about, except that the subject was butterflies. I needed to keep my mission secret if I was ever to find Kojima. I could only hope that word of my arrival in Japan didn’t reach the smuggler before I did in the highly secretive world of butterfly dealers.

HANK: What did I tell you? Amazing. But Jessica--what happened then????

Have you ever done anything dangerous in the same of research? I learned how to do stunt driving--yup, I can do a bat-turn at eighty milesd an hour. But Ive never faced down an internaitnal criminal.

And hey: have you voted yet? Just say yes!

*******************************************

Jessica Speart is an investigative journalist whose focus is on wildlife law enforcement, endangered species issues, and the environment. Speart created her sleuth--U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agent Rachel Porter-- after years of investigating wildlife and drug-trafficking crimes for publications such as The New York Sunday Times Magazine, Omni, Travel & Leisure, Audubon, National Wildlife, Mother Jones, Wildlife Conservation, Earth Journal and Animals Magazine. When she began to find the characters she covered stranger than fiction, she turned her pen toward mysteries. There are ten novels in the Rachel Porter series.

Then a funny thing happened. Jessica recently wrote her first narrative nonfiction book upon discovering that the truth really is stranger than fiction. WINGED OBSESSION will be published by Wm Morrow in April 2011.

Prior to writing, Jessica worked as an actress in NYC, where she appeared off-Broadway, as well as in commercials and soap operas.