L.S. Hullinger's Blog

If you know someone who enjoys middle-grade paranormal mysteries, Alibi's Ghosts and Cydni Hazard are FREE this weekend.
http://amzn.to/W67FZ6
http://amzn.to/WaM16y

Alibi Vernon talks about her family and what it's like to be the daughter of a medium. http://bit.ly/10uVJXW

When I stop to think about how kind it is of someone to take time out of their day to read my book and write a review, I am ever so grateful.

Life, even with all the new technology (or maybe because of), is extra hectic these days, and for someone, a total stranger, to commit to writing a review is quite a generous act.

And when that someone writes an open and honest review, and in detail touches on just about everything a writer was hoping to get across in his or her book, the gratitude magnifies.

This recently happened to me, and shortly afterwards, I came across a blog that asked for one of an author’s favorite reviews. Here is the link: http://bit.ly/11Exk2i

Thanks to all the bloggers and reviewers who give indie authors their time and consideration. It is always greatly appreciated!

As a plot first/character second type of writer, I tend to notice random situations and ask myself, “What if this would’ve happened instead?”

I’ve always loved reading mysteries and trying to figure out who done it and why? Clue was the only board game I ever enjoyed as a child—and still as an adult. In turn I find myself asking the same questions about everyday life. I’m a born analyzer. I’m curious about why things happen and I question each and every thing. (Just ask my family. They hate it.)

My creative nature comes in when I start looking for alternative answers to my questions. Why did that elderly woman with the walker in front of me at the computer store, who could barely step up to the curb to get on the sidewalk, later drive away in a sporty white Camaro? (This really happened last week.)

Maybe that car used to be her daughter's and she passed away and the woman refused to get rid of it because of the memories connected to it. Maybe it was her grandson's and he asked her to pick up a computer game for him because he was sick or in worse shape than she was. Or maybe the woman won it in a poker game and it makes her feel young again to drive it.

"Maybe she/he"… and "what if" are the key phrases to nudge the writer’s block that haunts me on occasion.

So, whenever I find myself at a total loss for story ideas, plot scenarios, or a section of my work in progress that just won't flow, I take a drive and park my car, either at a familiar location or somewhere I’ve never been, and I sit and watch people and question; who, what, and mostly why are they doing what they’re doing. And it isn’t long before my creativity starts pushing away that block, giving me clues to what might be my next mystery.

P.s.After posting this blog my mind continued to question the woman with a walker---was she a mystery shopper dressed in costume like Robin Williams on "Mrs. Doubtfire" just trying to see how she would be treated in a computer store? Must. Find. New. Question. :-)

If you'd like to learn why I chose to write about a psychic medium's daughter and an empathic detective, please check out my new interview on "The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia's Middle Grade Challenge Blog." http://bit.ly/Xkw39f

Holiday Spirits is Spotlighted today.
http://indieauthoranonymous.com/2012/...

In honor of St. Nick's Day, All three of my books are FREE today on Kindle:

HOLIDAY SPIRITS http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Spirits...

CYDNI HAZARD,EMPATHIC DETECTIVE
http://www.amazon.com/Cydni-Hazard-Em...

ALIBI'S GHOSTS
http://www.amazon.com/Larger-Than-Lif...

Hi Everyone, I decided to publish something a little different this time: A collection of paranormal Christmas stories. If you'd like to read a sample of "Holiday Spirits," you can either go to my holiday themed website: www.lshullinger.com or click here: http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Spirits...

Happy Holidays!

Alibi's Ghosts and Cydni Hazard are both FREE today on Kindle.

Happy Friday!
L.S.

I'm sooooooo close to being on target. I've read up to 30 short stories. I have one more left to read. Hope I make it. :)