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| Sunny Sunday in Seattle |
Hello Everyone,
How many of you have thought you were going to have a vacation, and found that you didn't seem to? I am not giving up, mind you, but this last week hasn't turned out to be one laugh riot after a lovely lunch after a movie after a shopping trip to the Goodwill after all. . .
I forgot about the Income Tax thing, so I did that--with the help of my very kind and competent CPA. The way I figure it, I get to keep about 15% and the rest goes to the government. I wouldn't even mind that so much if I could say what it was supposed to be used for: medical care and research; the greening-again of America; help for the poor; education, and, yes, enough armor and other safety devices for our young men and women who have found themselves in Iraq AND now learn they have to say even longer! But, oddly, no one has asked me where I want my tax money to go!
After I did my taxes and helped some of my kids do theirs, I had to spend about three days proving to the Reader's Digest that I did accurate research for Too Late to Say Goodbye! They are excerpting it in their June issue, which is very nice, but their fact-checkers wanted to me to furnish contact information for everyone I had talked to as I worked on this book over the past 2-1/2 years! Every book that I write has to be "vetted" with a publishing lawyer page-by-page before it is ready to go to the printer, and I already did that several weeks ago. I tell the attorney where I found my information, and what documentation I have. This is really important when you write non-fiction. It's a lot easier to make up stories in your head because it all comes out of your imagination (With research on the places you write about and basic information that gives your novels credibility) But I don't WRITE novels; I write fact. Having already vetted my book wasn't enough for the RD fact-checkers--so I had to reach an agreement that I would furnish my sources (WITH their permission) who were actually mentioned in the 3500 word excerpt. I love the Reader's Digest, and I cut my reading teeth on it way back when I was growing up in Michigan, but, oh my goodness folks, I needed a week or two not thinking about this book! I love this book, I'm proud of it, and I think it will honor the victims and tell the truth from start to finish--but this was supposed to have been my week to frolic and forget about being a writer. Sigh.
Ahh well. Maybe this upcoming week. On Friday, I fly to Philadelphia, and I will be speaking Saturday, April 21st at 3 p.m. at the Free Library of Philadelphia Book Festival at the Montgomnery Auditorium at 1901 Vine Street there. Maybe some of you in that area can attend? I went to high school in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, so this will be kind of a nostalgic trip.
My actual book tour begins in New York City on June 4th with the CBS Early Show. On June 5th, I will be speaking and sighing at Barnes and Noble Store #2017 at 396 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan at 7:30 p.m. There will possibly be some other signings in that area. If there are, my webmaster will post them on the Homepage of this website.
I will be in Atlanta on June 7th with a sighing at B & N in Buford, Georgia. On June 12th, I'll be speaking at Powell's on West Burnside in Portland, Oregon. On June 14th, I'll be speaking and signing at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Thereafter, I will be signing books, and doing some talks around the Washington State Area, and we'll have all these places on the homepage well before they happen.
As you know, I also have to finish Smoke, Mirrors and Murder: Ann Rule's True Crime Files #12 this summer. But IN BETWEEN, I will be sitting on my deck, planting flowers, and also taking some short trips JUST FOR FUN! Whoopee!
I wish that I could go to every city in America, meet all of you, and have time to write two books a year, too. But I just can't manage it, especially when there's at least one trial a year--someplace--where I need to be.
I am worried about those of you on the east coast today. The storms sound very scary, and I hope you are all o.k.? Please post and check in so that those of us in other parts of the country will have our minds eased?
We at Pocket Books will be re-releasing The Stranger Beside Me in a few months, a new edition, and I'll be writing yet another update. I never thought when I first signed a contract to write this--my first book--way back in May, 1975--that I would be writing about someone I already knew: Ted Bundy, OR that I would be adding the the book periodically for at least 32 more years! I still hear from women who think that Ted tried to abduct them, and I believe that about a third of those memories of terror DID involve Ted Bundy. I think that he probably approached a few dozen women for each one he managed to get in his car, and that is a scary thought. Ted has been dead since 1989, but this story of a man whom I thought I knew--who turned out to be the "poster boy" for serial killers--is one every teenage girl and young woman should be familiar with because there are "Teds" out there, who are charming, handsome, persuasive, and dangerous. To be forewarned is to be armed against someone who could hurt you. So I'll keep preaching, and I will add new information to "Stranger" each time it is updated.
I feel guilty saying that it is a perfect day in Seattle, but remember we had our storms last winter. I still remember how spooky it was to be without any electrical poser for 9 days in December, and to spend those days all alone with my dogs and cats. Short, short days as far as daylight was concerned--and being so frustrated because I needed to be writing, and I had a dead computer, no phone most of the time, no stove, precious little heat. Now, it's a bad memory and I am so grateful when my lights and computer turn on! But I have a generator and I know how to use it if next winter has similar storms. I learned something through several tragedies in Seattle, though. NEVER use a generator in the house or the garage. You could die of carbon monoxide poisoning in your sleep!
I rented some movies from NetFlix and I'm going to go watch them now, starting with "Must Like Dogs!" Next, I'm going to rent Talladega Nights (not very slow to get to that!) and I'm going to buy "Mary Hartman! Mary Hartman1" to re-live the afternoons I rushed home from the police departments to watch. If you have never seen this satire on soap operas, you are in for a treat. If you watched Mary Hartman the first time around, I think you will want to see it again.
I don't want to get a fight going on the guestbook, but I have to ask why any woman would shoot a polar bear--unless it was going to eat her? Some people do hunt for food, and some of us do eat beef or pork or chicken. But polar bears? Frankly I think someone is pulling our legs or jerking our chains . . .What do you think? Please comment only on whether you believe this is a true post or someone who put it there to raise our ire?
Love to all,
Ann
Sunday night
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| Posted by Ann on Sunday, April 15, 2007 at 17:33 |
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| Second thoughts |
I wanted to add a little bit. Donna's sister, Diane, had her surgery last Wednesday--a complete hysterectomy. As far as we know, the cancer was confined to her uterus, so that's hopeful. She also has tongue cancer, which seems to be a different kind of cancer--and they are going to treat that first. In the midst of all that, her husband was rushed to the hospital with heart problems, and two other members of her immediate family have cancer, too, so they are going through such a hard time. Diane and her husband live in Alaska, but they're kind of stuck down in Sacramento because they were down there for a visit with their daughter when all the health problems came up, and it would be very hard to go home now. They need good thoughts and prayers.
I haven't heard about Miss Marian in Georgia, but I am so hoping that the infection that came after her back surgery is cleared up forever. Her husband is one of the good, good guys in my new book--and they are just about the most romantic couple I've met in a long time. Sometimes we lose faith in marriage when we see those that fail, but then you meet someone like Jack and Marian and you realize what a marriage should be. I hope they have many, many more years together to enjoy each other and their grandchildren.
Donna, my best friend, and were saying just yesterday how much power there is in prayer--especially when you pray for someone else--and how much we have appreciated all the good prayers that come from our guestbook! I know I wasn't one bit worried before either of my surgeries last month because I felt all of you holding me close in your thoughts and prayers. That's a really good feeling.
I've been wanting to put more photos on my website, but everytime I reach over to scan them to Rainey, my webmaster, my big old ornery cat, Bunnie, is sleeping on the scanner. He's either there or on my printer. He likes them because they are warm.
O.K. I think I've remembered everything now.
Ann |
| Posted by Ann on Monday, April 09, 2007 at 20:11 |
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| Learn More About Me |
Well, here's the form I filled out that is almost identical to the one I put on our guestbook. I had to leave a few questions out there because we only get 2,000 words or characters, or whatever.
I've found our posters' answers so interesting. Notice how many women consider themselves strong--emotionally if not physically. That says a lot for the self-esteem of our gals! Some of our tastes and preferences are very much alike, and some are so different.
I'm not going to re-think my answers that I sent to my friend--who is an airline pilot. He's the one that first sent me this quiz. It really is fun, and it's a way to get to know each other that kind of goes beyond our posts.
I'm officially on vacation, so this is the easy way out for me.
1. FIRST NAME: Ann
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My Grandmother Hansen, whose name was Anna.
.3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Yesterday
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT ? Beef Baloney
6. MORNING OR NIGHT? I'm definitely not a morning person--not before about 10 a.m. I guess I'd say I enjoy 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. the most.
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so. I'm a pretty good friend, and I cherish my friends.
8. HAVE A JOURNAL? no
9. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? no
10. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No way!
11. UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope, I usually slip them off, and then squeeze back into them.
12. FAVORITE SONG AT THE MOMENT? True Love Ways by Buddy Holly
13. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I'm still here, and I've weathered some pretty big storms in my life. Physically, I'm not as strong as I used to be.
14. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? French Vanilla
15. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? If they are warm and welcoming, and I guess I notice if they're attractive, shallow as that makes me.
16. RED OR PINK? Red
17. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING? Self-involved, prejudiced people who don't like animals.
18. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? So many people who are gone forever from this life--my parents, old friends, old lovers.
19. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Sure I do!
20. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? orange
21. THE LAST THING YOU ATE? chili I made myself
22. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Songs from the fifties (before I was born, of course)
23. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Yellow.
24. FAVORITE SMELL? lilacs, babies, bread baking
25. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My best friend, Donna
26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU ? Sure do!
27. FAVORITE DRINK ? Vodka martini
28. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? Basketball
29. HAIR COLOR? Started out auburn. It's kind of ash blonde with reddish highlights now. Tomorrow? Who knows?
30. EYE COLOR? Brown
31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No
32. FAVORITE FOOD? Chilled poached salmon, sliced fresh tomatoes, asparagus, Black Olives, and crunchy French bread
33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Scary--if they're well done--like Hitchcock--but not the Halloweens or the Freddy Kruger ones.
34. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Must Love Dogs
35. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Pale lavender.
36. SUMMER OR WINTER? Probably summer--but definitely Fall.
37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Strawberry shortcake
38. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I can't even guess.
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? Several--one in every room in my house-mostly biographies.
40. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? A picture of me and my dog, Willow, and the covers of all 27 of my books. Buy one for $8.50 and I give all of that to Another Chance Pet Adoption in Des Moines, WA.(Blatant plug here!)
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Dateline
42. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles
43. FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? London and Dublin
44. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can write, paint, and grow flowers.
45. LEAST LIKELY TO SEND THIS BACK? Don't know
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Lowell, Michigan
On another subject, I am absolutely shocked by Don Imus's remarks about "nappy-headed ho's!"
How could he accidentally say something so ugly and prejudiced and think it was funny? I know he does good things for sick kids, but I've never liked his show, and he has really disgraced himself.
Went out yesterday and bought tons of bedding plants, and when I came out of the store, the sunshine was gone and it was cold and rainy. Still is. Shopped too soon, I guess. But Spring will come someday. It has to!
Found a place to get free manure on Craig's List! Whoopee!
I'm always so sad to tune in to the guestbook and see that someone has lost a pet. Just breaks our hearts to hear that.
I'll try to write something tomorrow, and I'm really enjoying all of your responses!
Ann
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| Posted by Ann on Monday, April 09, 2007 at 19:47 |
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| Possessive Men |
We are already getting responses on the Stalker/DV topic. Here are some good tips that seem to echo what I wrote in the last post here.
I sincerely hope that some of our ARFs who are just meeting a new man will consider these as you move into or choose to stay out of a relationship. Men who may well become stalkers follow this pattern:
1. PUSHES FOR QUICK INVOLVEMENT: Comes on strong, claiming, "I've never felt loved like this by anyone." Pressures the new partner for an exclusive commitment almost immediately.
2. JEALOUS: Excessively possessive; calls constantly or visits unexpectedly. Prevents you from going to work because "you might meet someone"; checks the mileage on your car.
3. CONTROLLING: Interrogates you intensely (especially if you are late) about whom you talked to and where you were; keeps all the money; insists you ask permission to go anywhere or do anything.
4. UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS: Expects you to be the perfect mate and meet his or her every need.
5. ISOLATION: Tries to cut you off from family and friends; accuses people who support you of "causing trouble." May deprive you of a phone or car, or try to prevent you from holding a job.
6. BLAMES OTHERS FOR PROBLEMS OR MISTAKES: It's always someone else's fault if something goes wrong.
7. MAKES OTHERS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS OR HER FEELINGS: Says, "You make me angry," instead of, "I am angry," or says, "You're hurting me by not doing what I tell you."
8. HYPERSENSITIVITY: Is easily insulted, claiming hurt feelings when he or she is really mad. Rants about the injustice of things that are just part of life.
9. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OR CHILDREN: Kills or punishes animals brutally. May expect children to do things far beyond their ability (whips a 3-year-old for wetting a diaper) or teases them until they cry. Sixty-five percent of abusers who beat their partner will also abuse children.
10. "PLAYFUL" USE OF FORCE DURING SEX: Enjoys throwing you down or holding you down against your will during sex; finds the idea of rape exciting.
11. VERBAL ABUSE: Constantly criticizes or says blatantly cruel things; degrades, curses, calls you ugly names. This may involve sleep deprivation, waking you with relentless verbal abuse.
12. RIGID GENDER ROLES: Expects you to serve, obey, remain at home.
13. SUDDEN MOOD SWINGS: Switches from sweet to violent in minutes.
14. PAST BATTERING: Admits to hitting a mate in the past, but says the person "made" him (or her) do it.
15. THREATS OF VIOLENCE: Says things like, "I'll break your neck" or "I'll kill you, " then dismisses them with, "Everybody talks that way" or "I didn't really mean it."
Think about it.
Ann |
| Posted by Ann on Thursday, April 05, 2007 at 22:58 |
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| Stalking and Domestic Violence |
Hi Everyone,
I’m writing this blog in WORD and not on-line, so it won’t disappear on me like the last one did! I’m very happy to say that my cataract surgery was a smashing success, and I can see better every day—better than I ever had in my life. If any of you are scheduled for this surgery or hesitant about moving ahead, please don’t be. Today’s medical advances are truly amazing!
Technically, I’m on vacation, but there’s always something to do. Email, of course, and I’m trying to get through a few hundred, although I urge everyone to read my blogs and my posts on this website. I will try to answer questions that come in from so many people on the same subject here. And I keep reminding new posters that there are many sections on this website, where lots of them address oft-answered questions. In about 10 days, I will be back to writing books, working on Smoke, Mirrors, and Murder, my True Crime Files #12. I am really enthusiastic about this new book—scheduled to arrive around Christmas. You know I always have a “Christmas book.” I have some engrossing older cases, and some that are as fresh as the headlines in today’s newspapers. One case involves a man who lived under the very common name of John Williams in the town of Gig Harbor, Washington. He has lived under many names, among them John Branden of Oregon, and probably there a dozen more aliases. “Williams” killed the woman he had lived with for years—and then committed suicide—this week. If these names are familiar to anyone of you, I would like to hear about them. He was wanted in Oregon under “Branden” for kidnapping, rape, and attempted murder in 1999. He may have been a chiropractor, a naturopath, or some other medically-connected occupation. One woman, who considered herself lucky to survive his threats and attacks, has been in hiding eight years. If you knew him, please write to me at AnnieR37@aol.com
Tenn Bev, “The Old Bat” as she is fondly referred to on my guestbook, will be attending the Mary Winkler trial in Tennessee as my “eyes and ears,” and, depending on the outcome of Winkler’s trial for shooting and killing her preacher husband, I will probably include that puzzling case in Smoke, Mirrors and . . .
As I said last week, I want to try introducing some topics we can discuss on the Guestbook, topics that are directly connected to true crime writing, criminal behavior, detective work, forensic investigative tools, and other aspects of the stories I write. This won’t be stuffy or boring—I HOPE—but will focus more on why I find true crime writing so fascinating!
Before I began the subject that follows, let me say that I truly like men. I had a wonderful father, uncles, grandfathers, and I have three great sons. I don’t advocate divorce, but sometimes it’s necessary. After the tragedy in Seattle this week of a lovely young woman who was shot and killed when her ex-lover hunted her down in her office at the University of Washington, and then killed himself, I want to talk about stalking.
Stalking is one of the problems that I see over and over again in emails and letters from readers. I always wish there was more I could do to help women who are living in fear of men they once loved and trusted, and, yes, some men are being stalked by women. The latter situation isn’t nearly as common, but it happens. I appreciate those of you who have shared your own stories of being harassed, hassled, terrorized, followed, threatened and physically hurt by someone you no longer wanted to be with. I cannot count the number of women who, after reading EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE, wrote to me to tell me that I might be writing about them one day—because they were caught in scary situations very much like Sheila Bellush was. And when you look at the subjects of many of my books, you will find that the revenge of husbands or lovers who would not let go appears as the motive far too often: EMPTY PROMISES, DEAD BY SUNSET, AND NEVER LET HER GO, TOO LATE TO SAY GOODBYE, and A FEVER IN THE HEART are just a few of the titles.
I wish that I could tell women who are frightened just how to proceed so that they will be safe, but what works for one woman may not work for another.
Generally, I believe that the men who stalk are extremely insecure—about themselves, about money, about who they appear to those around them. And some of them are, let’s face it, totally insane and paranoid. If they weren’t inadequate, they would not need to control another human being so completely. And when a woman tries to leave one of these guys, she reinforces their panic when they lose control.
I think it’s important to remember that assaults on the frail egos of stalking men are likely to make them even more dangerous. And fighting them over money or property also seems to enrage them. Although everything in you may want to tell them off, expose them to ridicule, and get the money that you deserve, I think you will be much safer to swallow your thoughts. You don’t want to tip them over the edge of reason. When children are involved, the problem becomes much more complicated and fraught with danger.
If I ruled the world, I would require every woman (and man) to make an effort to find out about a new steady date’s background before she commits. If this person who comes into your life doesn’t want to talk about his history, beware. Be careful if there is not path to follow back, no friends or relatives who are still in your date’s life. Listen for information that doesn’t quite jibe with other things he has told you. He should be willing to talk about where he has lived, what jobs he’s had, if he’s ever been married or seriously involved, if he has children. If you can meet someone from his life before you, that’s great. If you are quite a bit older than he is, richer than he is, and wonder why he chose to date you, it’s not totally unromantic to check on the Internet or through a private detective to see if he has a criminal record, or a long string of marriages that didn’t work out. With men—as it is with most things in life—if he seems too good to be true, he probably isn’t. What I’m trying to say is “Please be curious, and be a little bit of a detective.” Even though he seems wonderful and you want to believe everything he says, don’t let his wonderfulness cloud your natural good judgment.
One of the real danger signs of a controlling man who may become a stalker is when he sets about cutting you off from your family and your friends. It might seem romantic at first that he wants to spend all his time with you, and vice versa—but it quickly becomes confining. He may have liked your clothes and your make-up, but men like this soon insist that their girlfriends or wives wear ridiculously modest clothes, and stop wearing make-up. He might want you to call him frequently, or insist that you be home or instantly reachable if he calls you. Another behavior that I have seen time and time again in men I’ve written about—when they were on trial or in prison—was that they began to chip away at the self-confidence of the women in their lives, making them feel ugly, dumb, inadequate, worthless. It’s all part of the control issues. And then they become physically abusive. They’re always sorry afterwards and beg for forgiveness. But the next time they hit a woman, they hit her harder.
When all these warning flags are present or threatened, I don’t think it’s ever too soon to leave. The longer you stay, the more likely you are to bring children into the sick relationship, and to lose your own identity because you begin to believe what he tells you about how stupid you are. Please remember. It’s not about you; it’s about him. He is the sick one.
I’ve heard it said that an abused woman has to leave seven times before she really stays away. It’s hard to leave. Many women don’t have the financial resources to rent their own home, buy groceries, maintain a car, pay doctor bills for themselves or their children. When I knew that there was no way out of my situation but a divorce, I spent a couple of years writing down budgets, trying to figure out a way to support four children on my own. And I know many women have done that. Women with a job can build a nest-egg, a private bank account. But, even if you have to live in a furnished room, take a bus, and scrimp on groceries, it’s better than to remain in a situation where you are being abused emotionally and physically. I think that it’s necessary to plan if you are going to leave. Have that nest-egg, have bags packed with the immediate necessities you (and your children) will need: clothes, medicine, phone numbers you will need, toiletries. You can leave this with a girlfriend you trust. And please search on the Internet under DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ahead of time so that you know the shelters that are nearest to you. Many of them offer free or low-cost counseling or groups where you can talk about your fears and your hopes. If you’re frightened and don’t know where to turn, you need back-up, and the DV shelters are there for you.
You can get a restraining order by going to the police or sheriff where you live. But it is only a piece of paper that says if your stalker comes to close, he can be arrested. Some of them don’t care and they will still stalk you—but you will have one weapon that will protect you a little.
If you can afford it, live in a place where you can have a big dog and burglar alarm system. Locked windows and doors. Rent or buy under another name if you can. The Internet makes it too easy to find people today. I don’t know what to say about your having a weapon. If you do, be careful that it cannot be turned on you. Personally, I could never shoot anyone unless my life or the life of someone I loved was threatened. Studies show that women who have killed stalkers they were once close to suffer profound emotional damage—but they are alive. It is something to think about.
Sometimes, a move far away will work. Just feel sorry for the next woman who is fooled by the attention your ex is paying her.
If your ex has visitation rights with your children, you are often stuck. I don’t know how to work this out. Maybe some of the posters on this website can speak from experience. Remember the doctor who was willing to go to prison so that her ex—whom she believed was sexually molesting their daughter—could not find the daughter? The doctor’s parents took the little girl to another country, and didn’t come back until the suspect husband died. I guess many of us would do what we had to to protect our children.
Although it sounds frivolous, I have advised women to make themselves as unattractive physically as they can—forego make-up, good haircuts, put on some weight—or dress as if you have. The stalker may decide that you aren’t that desirable after all. And this is a time when you don’t want to look desirable. You just want him to go away and leave you alone.
Don’t flaunt another man in front of a stalker. That’s like throwing gasoline on a fire. Take some time before you begin a new relationship.
If you can possibly make it on your own, don’t get into a vicious court fight over money. It’s better to be free and safe than to further enrage someone who already feels—however mistakenly—that he has been robbed, and that a woman who wants to leave him is taking his money, too.
Don’t call him denigrating names, or say really cruel things to a man who isn’t dealing with a full deck. Your aim is to make him less crazy than he seems to be, and less inadequate. You want to get away from him; you don’t need to be right or triumphant.
So far, I’ve been talking about stalkers that women have been close to in an earlier relationship. There are, of course, stalkers who fixate on someone they don’t even know. This is the time to warn women about giving out too much information on the Internet or anywhere else. Try to keep your phone number private, your address private, and don’t have a vanity plate on your car! Some of the most dangerous men around can appear absolutely handsome and charming, and they may have just walked out of the state mental hospital or the county jail. I think restraining orders may be more effective against stranger-stalkers than stalkers with whom you have a history.
I think a lot of you will have some good suggestions and possible solutions, and I’ll open up the guestbook to your ideas. I may be off on some of my theories, but I hope some of them may help. There are worse things than not having any man who loves you. It’s far worse to have a man who “loves” you too much, and won’t let you go.
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I wish you all a Happy Easter or Passover, and I’m sorry it’s so cold and snowy on the East Coast. For the moment, it’s lovely in the Northwest, and Heather of MV and I will surely be out planting things. I hope the DEA guys didn’t have the temerity to mess with her Dahlia tubers! Pity the poor fool who does. My dahlias and cannas made it through the winter after all.
I’m signing off to continue my vacation. I went to the Goodwill yesterday and got some great things—curtain material for my writing cottage, some blue glass stuff, six glasses that match (!) and some sheets with bunches of violets on them. Plus a great print of nothing but doors, all kinds of interesting doors that matches my purple living room wall where I hang my paintings and prints. Have my neighbors were shopping there yesterday, so we made it a social event, too.
All my best, ARFS!
Ann
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| Posted by Ann on Thursday, April 05, 2007 at 19:43 |
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| Neils |
Oh, I forgot. I remember a Neil in the Northwest at least--in the music world. It was Neil Heftie. Not sure if I am spelling it correctly.
Ann |
| Posted by Ann on Monday, March 19, 2007 at 19:34 |
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| Some Rainy Night Thoughts |
Monday night,
I'm writing to tell you all that I am sincerely trying to be on vacation, although I must admit that I still feel kind of guilty that I'm not writing--book-writing-writing. I figure if I give it another couple of days, I'll become totally guilt free. THIS kind of writing I enjoy, and it's good to have some time to blog a little bit! This isn't a big, whoopy long vacation--because the final stage of Too Late to Say Goodbye comes back to me on Friday. This is the one where I read every single word and do my very best to spot any typos or egregious errors that I made and didn't notice before! It's ironic that three days after I begin this is when I have my cataract surgery on my right eye. My surgeon called today and asked just what I hoped for as a result, and I said, "Well, to see long-distance just fine with my left eye and to see for reading just fine with my right eye." And he said that was what he figured. So, God willing, AFTER I finish the proof-reading I will have a wonderful ability to read everything clearly. In the meantime, I'll cover my left eye and squint with my right. Sigh. I'm one of those people, and I know there are tons of us--especially really serious readers--who have been nearsighted since we were in grade school. I always believed that it got worse because I read the Albert Payson Terhune books about collies and the Booth Tarkington books about Penrod and Penrod and Sam while I had German measles, when everyone said children with measles should be kept in a dim room and not read at all. I think that's since been found to be an old wives' tale. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the surgery--or, at least, the aftermath.
It seems as though whenever I read back through a new bunch of posts--and see how many very welcome new posters we have--there will be a few of the regular questions. I try to repeat the answers in my posts or blogs, but please remember also that many of these questions are answered in other spots on my website. If you have time, please go to my Newsletter and the Updates inside there, to my Frequently Asked Questions, and to my Bio. Also, there are several pages that list all my books, their titles and show their covers. AND we do have have a photo gallery. When I have a little more time off between books, I will be adding to those and updating other sections. And regulars, please feel free to jump in and fill new posters in on how many sections there are among my website pages?
Many of you are reading some of my earlier books for the first time, and you are, naturally, very curious about the people in those earlier books. I do try to keep up with all of them and you should find that on my update pages. I try not to invade the privacy of people who have gone on with their lives, though. For one thing, I have deliberately avoided knowing where Ted Bundy's former wife (Carol Ann Boone Bundy) and their now-grown daughter are. If I don't know, I can't accidentally slip and tell anyone how to find them. As I said, I hope to talk with Cinnamon Brown in the next week or so, and, with her permission, will bring you up to date on her. Diane Downs's surviving children, Christie and Danny, are grown up now and doing fine. It's been 10 years since Anne Marie Fahey died, and it seems as though it happened last year. Whenever I see the actress, Amanda Peet, I am reminded that she was my personal choice to play Anne Marie in our miniseries called And Never Let Her Go. Sheila Blackthorne Bellush's two daughters, Daryl and Stevie, are grown up, too. Every so often, I hear from someone who has a close connection to the people in my books, and it's so interesting for me to hear from them--but I ask their permission before I pass on what they have to say.
Today, I was sitting in the attic of my writing cottage, listening to the rain pounding down on the skylight over my head, and going through bins of yellowing letters and notes. There were dozens of rejection letters and slips from the days before anyone wanted to buy what I wrote, letters from dear sheriffs and detectives who are gone now, and some of my own earliest writings--going way back to my college days.I'm glad I saved it all. I think I'd better put these pages in plastic sleeves though or on DVDs before they crumble. I found the first letter from an editor of INSIDE DETECTIVE telling me to go ahead and write up the story of an alcohol revenooer who was killed in the line of duty, blamed for it, and vindicated decades later. I was so thrilled when I got that letter and I ran all over my neighborhood telling everyone. But, in the end, they didn't print my article because I couldn't get the proper releases signed. There are so many rejections, baby steps, hoped-for assignments, $35 articles, etc before any book authors ever get to the point where someone wants us to write a book! Every day, I get emails from people who want to start out right now writing true crime books and who want my explicit directions on how to do it. And it would take forever for me to go back over my three decades of writing, hoping, getting over rejections, learning, writing, hoping, and then finally getting one toe in the door. It CAN be done, but, boy it demands that the would-be writer becomes a detective who figures out how to do it herself (himself). The first step is, I think, going to a trial, taking notes, keeping your eyes open, learning how the justice system works. At the same time, beginning writers should be reading every true-crime book they can to see what needs to be included and which writing styles you like best and then figuring out how YOU would do it. And, as always, I recommend Sherri Bykofsky's book THE COMPLETE IDIOT's GUIDE TO GETTING PUBLISHED. Sherri is my daughter Leslie's literary agent in New York, and she gives such good basic nuts and bolts advice to those who have no idea how to proceed.
And remember, the Ann Rule Rule: "If you can stick with it for three pages, you can write the history of the world! Don't keep re-writing your beginning. You can always fix that later. You need to prime the pump and prove to yourself that you CAN write three pages."
Yes, I know there is that quickie paperback book out by John Glatt on the Dr. Bart Corbin case, which is the subject of my new book: TOO LATE TO SAY GOODBYE. All I can say is that my book is 545 pages long in manuscript, has over 60 photos in it, and has taken up the last two years of my life in research. Glatt didn't talk to anyone connected with the case as far as I know, and he has a falsely sensational slant on what really happened--which is very sad for those left behind. Every case that is at all well-known tends to have a few books written on it, and I will stand behind mine as the real story, and the stories behind the story.
It should be on sale right after the first of June. And I will be in NYC, Atlanta, Augusta, Kansas City, Phoenix, Portland and Seattle signing books. I am still going to speak at the author's fair in Philadelphia in April, too. I don't have the dates yet--but I'll put them on my homepage here ASAP.
Old Fluffbutt, my 19-1/2 your old cat is hanging in there. He has a fine appetite, and manages to follow me up and downstairs because he wants to nap next to me and the dogs. I let him do that because I think it's good for him to keep his blood circulating a bit and his muscles a little bit active. He looks a little like Andy Rooney now, with his old man cat eyebrows all ruffled up from sleeping so much. I've been reading cat food and dog food can labels very carefully, as I guess we all have. The dry food is supposed to be o.k., but Fluff's teeth aren't very strong for dry food.
It seems as though when you have animals, there's always something. We have new neighbors--who have called me regularly to complain that my dogs defecate on the street near where they park, and that they step in it. Sigh. I've done some shoveling in the rain, although I haven't demanded DNA testing to see whether it's my dogs or the other 60 dogs who walk by there every day. I bought a big hunk of property--three lots--so my dogs could run relatively freely on the beach and in the wild park next door, but now I've had to fence it in to avoid the phone calls. I'm sorry to say that I lost my temper the other day with the latest phone call, but I apologized later. With finishing the book, an IRS audit (which turned out just fine), the surgery, two dental surgeries, and other things on my mind, I guess I wasn't in the mood for complaints about dog droppings. Priorities vary with people, and some strike me as having not much to worry about. I really want to get along with my neighbors, and I have to salute Heather in MV for her benevolent attitude toward the parade of "grotesques" that populate her neighborhood. (If you wonder about my use of "grotesques," read Winesburg, Ohio, a classic book that describes those folks who march to a different drummer that are to be found in every town.) Heather seems to have more than her share, and it is so interesting to hear about them. I would be impatient if someone picked the flowers I tend so carefully, and I can see why she needed to build a fence, too. Mostly, I have lovely neighbors, and I cherish them.
I would ask a prayer chain here--or, with this group who have very good connections--several prayer chains' help for my friend Diane in California. She is having some pretty scary tests right now that will affect her future.
Went to shop at Valu-Village yesterday, and it was fun! I got six plates that are the exact purple and green of my downstairs area. I didn't need any more plates, but these were just right. That's the charm of second-hand stores, isn't it? You don't always realize what it his you need.
It's time to go watch my movies from Netflix. I was so busy in January and February that I never did get to see the movies I rented. I finally just sent them back, unseen.
No, I am not going to write about the Grant Case in Michigan, or Scott Peterson or the Pig Man in Vancouver B.C., or any of the recent cases to hit the headlines. I have several "sleepers" on the back burner, and I'm about to choose one of them to be the lead story in Smoke, Mirrors and Murder. But that's next week. This week is just for lollygagging.
My best to all of you, and I'll try to answer more specific questions next time I blog.
Ann
P.S. I am about 270 emails behind now, and I know I won't be able to catch up. If you write to me and I don't answer, it's not that I don't care; I just plain run out of time. I try to answer on this blog or in the Guestbook itself. I hope you understand. I read all your suggestions for possible books, but sometimes I can't write back and explain why a particular case won't work for me or meet my publisher's guidelines. |
| Posted by Ann on Monday, March 19, 2007 at 19:26 |
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| Specific petfood names |
Recalled Dog Product Information
Recall Information 1-866-895-2708
Americas Choice, Preferred Pets
Authority
Award
Best Choice
Big Bet
Big Red
Bloom
Bruiser
Cadillac
Companion
Demoulas Market Basket
Eukanuba
Food Lion
Giant Companion
Great Choice
Hannaford
Hill Country Fare
Hy-Vee
Iams
Key Food
Laura Lynn
Loving Meals
Meijers Main Choice
Mixables
Nutriplan
Nutro Max
Nutro Natural Choice
Nutro
Ol'Roy Canada
Ol'Roy US
Paws
Pet Essentials
Pet Pride - Good n Meaty
Presidents Choice
Price Chopper
Priority
Publix
Roche Bros
Save-A-Lot
Schnucks
Shep Dog
Springsfield Prize
Sprout
Stater Bros
Total Pet, My True Friend
Western Family
White Rose
Winn Dixie
Your Pet
The cat food names are almost the same. Please check the cans on your pantry shelves before you feed your pets!
Love to all,
Ann
Recalled Cat Product Information
Recall Information 1-866-895-2708
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| Posted by Ann on Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 16:30 |
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