Meanwhile, regarding the picture on the right, how did this come about? Why is this woman dressed like . . . Sherlock Holmes?
It all started with a visit a few years ago to my cool brother, Nathan, and his classy wife, Mary, when they were living in Luton, England. (My brother has passed away since then and is sorely missed. My sis-in-law now lives in Bristol, and Rajan and I enjoyed a visit with her last summer.)
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| Classy lady and cool guy |
As you can see, it's done up very nicely: There was even a bobby at the door - just keeping an eye on things, I'm sure:
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| The museum |
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| The Bobby |
And a little seed was planted in my imagination that slowly began to grow. And that little seed finally turned into a book--A middle grade mystery that's going to be published by MX Publishing in June!
MX Publishing is based in UK, but has a division in the US. The company specializes in Sherlock Holmes related books. Sherlock fan that I am, I am probably going to go broke shopping there, because there is such a wonderful selection: You'll see what I mean if you go HERE for their UK site or HERE for their US site.
In the meantime, that visit led to a middle grade mystery: Imogene and the Case of the Missing Pearls. Please keep it in mind when June rolls around. (You can read some reviews of it HERE under the Product Description section. And you can pre-order now if you wish.)
Meanwhile, how about you? Has an event during a visit to someone ever sparked a new book idea for you? Are you a fan of Sherlock Holmes? Fan fiction? Historical fiction?
28 comments:
"Are you a fan of Sherlock Holmes?" Well yes, since my early teens. Began, of course, with the canon and have since gathered 100+ pastiches from Mark Twain (A Double Barreled Detective Story) to Stephen King, Anne Perry to Laurie King, Carole Bugge, Adrian Doyle, etc. There is such an encouraging format to the character --that even the biggest problems can be set right by logic and reason. They encourage us to maintain our minds. Anent which, your photos struck me with a frisson of recognition. Madam, I believe we've met, at Mueller's perhaps 20 years ago. Happy to have renewed your acquaintance online.
Hi, Geo.
Well, goodness, nice to meet again. Is Norma your wife? I've been emailing her recently and didn't make the connection. The Muellers are our superb neighbors and friends. Couldn't ask for better.
Ah, Sherlock . . . Ah, Mark Twain, for that matter! (another favorite of mine.)
Have a great day.
So excited about your book. Can't wait to read it (again!). Congratulations.
Thanks, Rosi! I'm excited, too. Have a great day!
"Is Norma your wife?" We have lived together 45 years. I'll go ask. Yes, and we share your high opinion of Wm., Thos. and Jerrilee. Delightful!
Well, that high opinion goes to Norma as well. We've had coffee a couple of times with Jerrilee.
The "seeds" for stories come to us in unexpected ways.
What an enticing story. What a lovely way of remembering your visit to your brother.
Hi, Julia, thanks for stopping by, and thanks for following this blog. It really is interesting how stories begin in our minds and take root. I'll always be glad I went to th SH museum.
I definitely think that real life travels and just everyday stuff can spark ideas for us.
Hi, Elana, yes, I have another book (in the process of endless rewrites) that was sparked by knowing someone from Ireland. It's interesting just what will set a writer off.
Love your photos. The cover of your book rocks, too!
Thanks, Donna! I was very pleased with the cover.
Am also a Sherlock fan! Love how your brother helped to inspire your book, mine has also with my Mer stories. Thanks for stopping by my blog also. ;)
Thanks for stopping by, Sheri. Nice to meet another Sherlock fan. If you stop by MX Publishing, there's a whole bunch of Sherlock writers. Good company! :-)
Congratulations!! I love Sherlock Holmes too.Good luck on the novel.
Love your photos.
Thanks, Connie. Sherlock is one fabulous literary characer, that's for sure. He just seems to endure.
Oh fun! I also had the chance to visit Holmes' home when I went to London. I bought a bust of him at the shop and it still sits at my desk.
Mayra Calvani
Hi, Mayra, yes, I'd like to go again. I don't think I fully appreciated it then the way I would now.
Hi Elizabeth. Here i am again. So interesting how it all came about. Lovely pics!
Hi again, Denise. Thanks so much.
I'd love to visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum one day.
Lynda, it's quite a fun place. You can wear his cap and hold his magnifying glass and pipe andbe photographed that way (although my picture above was taken at a costume and magic shop here in Sacramento). Also, a maid met me at the door and took me to Sherlock's supposed set of rooms. Great fun.
Congratulations Elizabeth, it sounds great. It's one for my daughter - she's a massive Sherlock Holmes fan! Thanks for stopping by my blog, by the way, and leaving a comment.
Hi, Deborah, I'm so glad you stopped by. Yes, I think your daughter would like it very much, if she's a Sherlock fan. Even if she weren't, if she likes mysteries, she'll like this one. Have a great day, and hello to your daughter.
How crazy we both wrote a story with the same title. Yours is longer though. =) I LOVE Sherlock Holmes. My oldest has read pretty much everything he can find on him. You know, any time I visit a historical site, my mind explodes with possibilities. It's dangerous. ;)
Hi, Crystal. Yes, that was such a coincidence! I love Sherlock Holmes, too. He really wears well, too. I wonder if Conan Doyle realized he had written, not just a popular character, but a classic one! I think Sherlock will last forever in literature.
You're lucky to have visited so many lovely places! I would like to visit this museum one day. I've never heard of it before. Thanks for posting this!
Hi, Kimberly, thanks for stopping by. It's really a fun museum. My sis-in-law and I spent about 30 minutes, trying on his hat, his coat, (well, what the museum put in the room) holding the magnifying glass and pipe, etc.
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