sosmystery

     Not long ago I had the opportunity to visit some old stomping grounds of mine when I traveled to Randolph County for a book signing. 

     Five years ago (has it really been that long?) I was working at the High Point Enterprise and my beat was Randolph County.  My job included some tough duties, such as covering the North Carolina Zoological Park and the Seagrove Pottery Festival.  In addition, I reported on the activities of the Archdale and Trinity City Councils, the Randolph County Commissioners, and the Randolph County Board of Education.

     Covering Randolph County was a joy and I was fortunate enough to make some great friends while I was there. A book signing at the Wet Whistle gave me the chance to visit with old friends and to make some new friends. 

     The Wet Whistle may be small, but it is definitely a “happening” place in Archdale. A wine tasting by Rag Apple Lassie Vineyards and a jewelry show brought in additional people to the book signing. Soon, as is the way in this community, we were all finding connections to each other and laughing like old friends.

      I think all book signings should be like this and am looking forward to the next one at the Wilmington Azalea Festival.

 

A couple of weeks ago I spent a delightful afternoon at Brunswick Community College with a room full of students.

I went to the college for a book signing, but ended up talking about my experiences as a writer and the difficulties in getting published.  The students were studying dialogue in their English classes and wanted to know how I created conversations between characters.

I told them that my years as a reporter helped me to pick interesting quotes, which in turn has helped me create dialogue.

And, I am a shameless eavesdropper.

 I confessed to it during the afternoon session with the students. I’m always listening to people talk, whether it’s in the line at the post office, the movie theater or anywhere else.  My youngest daughter can always tell when I’m listening to someone else’s conversation because my head tilts slightly to one side and I get a look of intense concentration on my face. She used to get annoyed by this behavior, but she has resigned herself to it now.

The other day I was in the office of a co-worker while she was finishing up a conversation with a friend.

“She’s much better now, though she still is a little snotty nosed,” she said. “But I don’t worry about her – she’s man enough to keep on going.”

I’m sure I’ll find a place for that in a future book.