There are eight very exciting days in the Maple Valley calendar year. It goes without saying that the residents of our small town each have our own favorite, but we celebrate them all as one big family. The Hands-On Father's Day Project is a happily anticipated event. Mother's Day is celebrated with equal fanfare with …
Month: June 2021
Scandal at Maple Valley Episode 7
The folks in Maple Valley are working in preparation for the start of tourist season one week from Friday. The last few repairs on the railroad line are finished and inspections led to full certification for passengers on the General. Officials from the National Railroad Safety Association left town this morning and everyone is breathing …
How to Write a Good Scandal
If you're going to include a scandal in your story, to be convincing, certain characteristics should be included. Without them you may end up with scattered details and no scandal. How can you include just enough detail without giving away too much? How many pages should it take to discover and resolve a good scandal? …
Scandal At Maple Valley Episode 6
Even though Maple Valley is a tourist destination for thousands of people each year, it is a real town where people live and it does not escape the characteristics of small town life. People know things about their neighbors they probably shouldn't know. Things the neighbors would rather keep quiet. Some people make it their …
Scandal at Maple Valley Episode 5
It is a terrible shame the word "scandal" connects to Maple Valley in any way. The citizens of this small town, completely happy to continue in the ways we know, are now, through no fault of our own, tossed together into a chopper yearning to leave nothing recognizable in its wake. The very name, Maple …
Scandal at Maple Valley Episode 4
O’Dillmotte Funeral Parlor “Where We Lay You Down Easy” is buzzing with activity. Quintin O’Dillmotte, the proud provider of burial services for the citizens of Maple Valley and all of Kertok County, has been on the phone for hours. No, Sylvia Meisner’s body has not been found, dead or alive. Quintin O’Dillmotte is chair of …
Scandal at Maple Valley Worse – Episode 3
"It was your fault!! You shoved me first!" Veronia screamed. "Liar! You're always lying!! You never stop lying! You pushed my hand away! Liar!" spewed Vernita. "Ladies, ladies, please" said the sheriff. "Oh shut up, Pete, who asked you?!" Veronia and Vernita hollered in unison. "Actually, it was Gil and Nona Merthon next door who …
Scandal at Maple Valley Grows – Episode 2
Obviously, the nature of scandal is to grow. In the history of mankind, not a single scandal germinated lacking ravenous hunger for more flesh. Think about it for a moment. What is scandal if not the fodder for gums to flap over, giving each gum owner the satisfaction of being the one with the latest …
Scandal at Maple Valley – Episode 1
Sylvia Meisner has been missing for two weeks. She lives alone in Maple Valley. Alone, but not alone. As it is with so many small towns, everyone knows everyone in Maple Valley, and there are plenty of folks who make it their business to know the business of everyone else. It is challenging enough living …
How to Avoid Writing Enemies
Let's be honest. A lack of time really isn't an enemy to writing. Literary masterpieces were written in the same amount of minutes in a day we have now. Poor use of the time is the real enemy. I am a master at finding all kinds of things to do instead of writing. It's amazing …
A Coffee State of Mind 