A year of muttering

Tomorrow marks a year since this blog started, an experiment to see if I could bear the additional demands of a regular, newsletter-style communication with the people who like my books. I always hated getting roped into the kids’ newsletters at school, since it seemed that no sooner did we finally get one issue off to the printer’s than another one would loom up. But blogs are, I am finding, a different animal. I try to post at least twice a week, and think I’ve managed during the twelvemonth, but without a specific word count, and with complete freedom of topics, it’s more like a chat with friends than anything formal.

In other words, if you like, we’ll continue with a second year.

It’s going to be a great year to write about, too, with THE ART OF DETECTION publishing in June, so that Kate Martinelli makes a return, as well as the ongoing writing process for TOUCHSTONE, which I assume you out there in Blogland would like to follow. The book is shaping up in some very interesting ways–I think I’ll write about it later this week.

Happy anniversary, Mutterers!

Posted in

36 Comments

  1. sinda on February 7, 2006 at 2:57 pm

    I do like. In fact, that was my February question, only I didn’t think of it until after last call. (So, how do you like this blog thing,now that you’ve been doing it for a while?)

    Glad you will be sticking around, I enjoy visiting.

  2. Elisa on February 7, 2006 at 2:59 pm

    Thank you, Laurie, for the blog and for deciding to continue it. Anything that takes regular writing takes time and I appreciate your generosity. I also have enjoyed the variety of topics and discussions. I hope you will be able to continue both the blog and your “real” writing. Each is a pleasure.

  3. Blythe on February 7, 2006 at 3:38 pm

    Thank you Laurie, I have really enjoyed reading your blog, it is the only “fun” one I read amid my 30 or so professional ones.

  4. Anonymous on February 7, 2006 at 4:16 pm

    By all means, continue! I’m not even a blogger … your site is my only experience of this venue … but I check in every day. I enjoy your observations, and find that many of the comments are interesting as well. Keep up the good work! Iris Lady

  5. Parelle on February 7, 2006 at 4:36 pm

    Happy anniversary of sorts! I’ve very much enjoyed reading this, and look forward to another year.

  6. Anonymous on February 7, 2006 at 5:21 pm

    I’m with Iris Lady — this is the only blog I read. I appreciate the time you spend on it, and enjoy it a lot.

    Happy anniversary back-atcha.

  7. Linda C on February 7, 2006 at 5:37 pm

    Mee 2 to all of the above. Thank you for your generous gift of time & energy to stay in touch. This is our Touchstone!

  8. Patricia Mathews on February 7, 2006 at 6:02 pm

    A second year? Yes! I like ! I like!

  9. Vicki Larson on February 7, 2006 at 6:08 pm

    I consider a blog kind of like talking over the back fence. A chat, not a polished presentation..I was introduced to the world of blog by my daughter, and I am eternally grateful. I love the informality and the privilege of being one of the fence talkers! vicki

  10. Kim Laird on February 7, 2006 at 6:38 pm

    Yes, please do continue. I don’t post often, but I hope you do know that there are many of us out there thinking over what you’ve said & learning more about your wonderful characters & your writing.

  11. Rebecca on February 7, 2006 at 7:12 pm

    I’ve enjoyed your blog so much. Glad to hear you’re continuing it!

    My mother and I are both looking forward to The Art of Detection– I’ve read all the Russells and she’s read all the Martinellis, but neither of us have crossed over before. We’re both planning on reading this one. It shall be interesting.

  12. KB on February 7, 2006 at 7:42 pm

    Like everyone else, yes, please continue, and thank you for sharing with us. Cheers to another year!

  13. Anonymous on February 7, 2006 at 7:53 pm

    THANK YOU FOR BEING PATIENT WITH US AND I WILL TRY TO BRING MY SELF TO READ THE GAY MARTINELLIS BOOKS! AFTER ALL YOU WROTE THEM – SO THEY MUST BE GOOD!

  14. Bex on February 7, 2006 at 8:11 pm

    Thank you Laurie, I have greatly enjoyed your blog, it has been very interesting to see the processes that you go through when working on a novel. I’m glad that you are continuing to carry on with this blogging lark.

  15. caroline on February 7, 2006 at 8:27 pm

    Add my thanks to all the rest, Laurie. Your ‘personal’ voice is as much fun to hear as your published one. More, please!

  16. Ann on February 7, 2006 at 9:06 pm

    I have just discovered your blog and really hope you continue. I am a huge fan of the Russell series so I enjoy reading your thoughts.

  17. KLCtheBookWorm on February 7, 2006 at 9:52 pm

    Keep it up! I look for a new post everyday.

  18. mrsatroxi on February 7, 2006 at 10:44 pm

    Happy anniversary, Ms. King!

    May there be many, many more!

  19. Marianne McA on February 7, 2006 at 11:34 pm

    Thank you.
    And Happy Blog Birthday.

    [There’s an opportunity Hallmark have missed. There should be a card with an appropriate sappy rhyme to send. Anybody?

    Today your blog is one year old,
    We all thank you for sharing,
    And if your bread has got blue mould,
    Disguise the taste with herring.

    Poetry: not my metier.]

  20. dementedslinkybrain on February 7, 2006 at 11:40 pm

    Thank you so much for bloggng – it’s a wonderful way for readers to keep up with what’s going on with you.

    I find so many things fascinating about your blog. One of the best things is that I share the same view on politics as you and enjoy your thoughtful, articulate views of the world.

    That you also love one of my other favourite authors, (whom I always buy in hardcover) Michael Connelly, delighted me to no end.

    Have you ever read Lois McMaster Bujold or Robert Crais?

  21. Anonymous on February 8, 2006 at 12:06 am

    O, thanks, to you and all the muttering responders. This is such a pleasure. Many happy returns of the day.– Meredith T.

  22. vian on February 8, 2006 at 12:53 am

    Yes, please continue. It has been wonderful hearing your mutterings, following your creative process, and the discussions that are engendered by fellow readers.

  23. riobonito on February 8, 2006 at 2:04 am

    Yes Laurie~thanks for this past year. Year # 2 would be most welcome.

  24. Cate Dodson on February 8, 2006 at 2:16 am

    Hi, Ms. King–
    I just wanted to let you know I enjoyed your book, A Letter of Mary, and wrote a review of it which you can find at this site:

    http://www.booksforabuck.com/mystery/mys_06/letter_mary.html

    Thanks for such a wonderful series!

  25. Anonymous on February 8, 2006 at 5:22 am

    Well done, first year…you are the Queen (King) of Muttering, and it is most enjoyable.

    I have just reread all of Kate Martinelli in anticipation of the new book…

  26. HB on February 8, 2006 at 9:57 am

    Happy anniversary!

    “I have just reread all of Kate Martinelli in anticipation of the new book…”

    That’s what I’m going to do, too! And maybe buy new books, because the others are all tattered – so many friends have borrowed them:-)

  27. Chris on February 8, 2006 at 2:21 pm

    As with so many of the others, congrats on the first year and thank you for allowing us all to participate in this way.

    I’ll try and remember to ‘post’ this question on March 1st, but in case you pick up on it now and have a ready answer – Yesterday, A&B told me that they are not publishing The Art Of Detection in the UK…Surely not? Any update on what is to happen woukld be great!

    As ever, best wishes, and thanks.
    Chris, Edinburgh

  28. Anonymous on February 8, 2006 at 4:26 pm

    Cool and thank you very much, ms laurie.

  29. CaptMair on February 8, 2006 at 5:38 pm

    LRK, This is the only blog I read too. Keeps me up to date on a lot of things. Thanks. Am looking forward to the new Martinelli 🙂

  30. Anonymous on February 8, 2006 at 9:32 pm

    This may seem a little off the subject, but Here goes, for what it’s worth: When I was a kid, I was surprised to learn that boys didn’t like to read stories where the protagonist was a girl. Yet girls quite happily read books featuring either gender. Seems to me, refusing to read books with a gay or lesbian protagonist is just another way of distancing, of pretending we are “better”. Instead, shouldn’t we be using this opportunity to better understand the viewpoint of those with differing lifestyles? I like to read about people with different careers, different life experiences, different points of view. Seems to me, sexuality is just one of the vast array of qualities a person has, and although I don’t happen to be gay or lesbian, I don’t think that is a reason to dismiss those who are, or books that include them, out of hand. Iris Lady

  31. Ruth on February 8, 2006 at 9:46 pm

    I’d certainly like to see you continue, as I enjoy reading your thoughts.

    I’m looking foward to reading the new Martinelli, as it’ll be my post exam treat.

  32. Maer on February 9, 2006 at 1:12 am

    Oh, yes, please! I love your blog as much as I love your books. You’ve got my enthusiastic vote for as many years as you care to give us, Laurie. Thank you!

    Maer

  33. Anonymous on February 9, 2006 at 8:30 am

    Your blog is a breath of fresh air. Please keep muttering…

    And don’t ever stop writing.

  34. WDI on February 9, 2006 at 1:32 pm

    What everyone else said 🙂 I, too, thank you for your generous gift of time, thoughts, and words. I find that the blog really makes the time between new releases go by much faster, and what I learn about the writing process adds immeasurably to my enjoyment when the books come out. So please, if you can, do keep it up!

  35. AJ on February 9, 2006 at 2:49 pm

    How funny, to picture all of us out here, diligently rereading the Martinelli books in preparation for The Art of Detection (of course, I reread all the Russell’s before opening Locked Rooms.) The sheer psychic weight of all that brainpower focused on Martinelli ought to be enough to materialize her on your front steps, or at least throw a bigger tilt in the earth’s axis.

    Thanks for allowing us to eavesdrop on the thought processes behind your writing–it’s a true pleasure!

  36. 2maple on February 10, 2006 at 2:20 pm

    As with many others, this is the only blog I follow amid a myriad of other things that demand my time – for the sheer entertainment, the conversation among all the responders, and the community.

    I am glad you found it fun rather than burdensome and will keep going.

Leave a Comment