My first blog with Murder She Writes! I spent an absurd amount of time thinking up the perfect topic (and I’m measuring time in snacks here, so that’s two Ghirardelli chocolates, five leftover Dunkin’ Donut holes, and a 100-calorie pack of Goldfish as my token health food) and finally, I decided to go with my husband’s suggestion: “Why don’t you introduce yourself?”
Hmm… Sometimes simplicity is the best option. And I don’t have time to run off any more junk food tomorrow, so here goes:
I’m Laura Griffin, and the only thing I love more than writing romantic suspense is reading it. I’ve been hooked since my first Linda Howard novel. Writing is my passion, and I feel very privileged to get to do it for a living. I feel even more privileged to be in the company of the nine amazing ladies here at MSW. Thanks for inviting me to join you!
How did I end up in this business? I blame destiny and also a short attention span. If I had loved newspaper reporting a teensy bit more and been willing to cover education news in the Chicago suburbs just a few years longer, I might never have tried my hand at fiction writing. But I did, and here I am, writing stories for a living and being really, really grateful to have a job that I enjoy, although it can get stressful at times. I no longer live in Chicago, but Austin, where I am working on my latest project, and romantic suspense series for Pocket Books. I’m looking forward to getting to know the Murder She Writes authors and fans as the year gets underway. In the meantime, since it is the first week of January (well, not really, but it’s the first school week and as a mom, I live and breathe the school calendar) I thought I’d at least try to touch on something topical. So here it is:
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS. Do you have one? Let’s hear it, especially if it’s interesting or impressive. (Like quitting smoking! Go, Debra!) Here is mine: This year I resolve to do at least ONE THING way outside my comfort zone.
For me, this means anything that strikes fear in my heart and causes great anxiety or makes me call my sister for therapy or reach for an emergency bag of M & Ms. Last year, the thing I did outside my comfort zone was give a speech for the first time. If you’re a public speaking diva, this probably seems like no big deal, but for me it was terrifying. What is it with public speaking?? I won’t tell you how many nights of sleep I lost over it. But in the end, guess what? It was an amazing learning experience and (forgive the cliche) a character-building one, too.
So for this year… I’m not sure what the Something Way Outside My Comfort Zone will be, but I resolve to do it! And I’ll let you know when it happens. Probably.
My second New Year’s resolution is to read more books for pleasure, and in honor of this fabulous goal, I’m giving away a $20 gift card to Borders (it can be used online!) along with a signed copy of my latest book, UNTRACEABLE. If you’d like a chance to win, just leave a comment. Happy New Year and happy reading to everyone!
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Hi Laura,
Congrats on your first blog at MSW. My resolution is to be more health conscious by watching what I eat and being more active. I also want to be more positive and not let negative thoughts linger.
Hi Jane! I love the not letting negative thoughts linger part. Life’s too short! Good luck with your resolutions this year!
Hi Laura,
Congrats on your first blog for this site. I’ve read your work and you are a fantastic writer; one that I want to read again and again. My resolutions are to recommitt to writing and painting- my two passions after a break while my hubby recovered from cancer. So begins the query letters, and search for the agent savvy enough to realize he/she has a blockbuster on his.her hands.
Thanks,
Chris
Thank you for the kind words, Chris. And what wonderful goals! I enjoy painting, too, and I think it’s a great emotional release after something difficult, like the year you’ve had. Very best of luck with the writing, too.
To lose weight for health reasons.
Hey, Amy! This is an admirable goal! Good luck with it. I always have more energy when I’m exercising a lot. Now, today is super cold here so I’m using that as an excellent reason to skip the exercise and stay inside bundled in fleece. Happy new year to you!
Laura–
I added “Untraceable” to my growing TBR list a couple of weeks ago. I’ve read so many great on-line reviews about it. Congratulations on your first post here.
Hey, there! I really hope you like UNTRACEABLE! I’m glad you saw the reviews around. My TBR pile is tipping over, but I’m hoping to make a dent because of resolution number 2 (read more for pleasure).
hey Laura! I love that you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone. I think that’s a great thing to do, especially as we get a little more “mature” (speaking only for myself there) and possibly a wee tiny bit set in our ways. Last year I didn’t so much step as get rolled and shoved out of my comfort zone when an organization I belong to insisted on making me an officer. I’ve never been so scared as I was the first time I had to lead a meeting. Now – exactly twelve meetings later – I still get a little what-the-hell-am-I-doing-here thrill every time I step up to the microphone, but I’m very pleased that I took that chance.
Hi Sophie! Thanks for the encouragement. Now what happened to you is just the sort of thing I dread. I hate telling people no, particularly organizations I like! I’m glad getting roped in turned out to be a positive thing for you. I remember the back-to-school Brownie meeting where I walked in with my daughter and promised myself I wasn’t going to sign up for another committee, and somehow walked out as a co-leader of the troop. How do these things happen?
Laura, the exact same thing happened to *me* on the first day of brownies. (Daisies, actually.) I was a troop leader for six years.
But then later my husband became a boy scout leader and he’s been at it for longer than me so I no longer get to whine about it
and you’re doing fab!
That’s a great resolution. I really should do something like that since I do love my comfort zone very much. I wonder which one of the millions of things I should choose…
Hi Dolly,
If you are looking for ideas, maybe you could team up with a friend and triple-dog-dare each other to do something outlandish. Go skydiving! Eat sushi! Take up knitting! The possibilities are endless. (I’ve done all three of those, by the way, with mixed results). Good luck!
WELCOME, Laura!! So fantastic to have you join our party, and congratulations on all your success in the romantic suspense genre. I remember when I read the ARC of your first book for Pocket and I knew without a doubt you would find a solid and satisfied readership!
I love stepping outside the comfort zone. I mean, I don’t love to do it, I thrash and wail and fight and fidget. But I love it as a blog topic. I’m doing it as well this year, writing a totally different book in a different genre…just for fun. It’s definitely uncomfortable, but that’s the idea. One of my constant themes on this blog is: change is good.
This year’s MSW change is a great one, and I’m so happy to have our new voices on the blog! xo
Hi Roxanne! Thank you so much for your ongoing support! Your enthusiasm for this profession is contagious. That’s my take as a writer. But as a reader, I just want to say how happy I am that you and Allison Brennan and others are taking risks and trying new things. I love when my favorite authors push the boundaries. One author who springs to mind is Patricia Cornwell. When I read her books I simply never know what’s going to happen because she’s not afraid to color outside the lines. Really adds to the suspense. I know sometimes these risks result in criticism, but they also result in fresh, wonderful books to read! Good luck with the new series!
Hey Laura! I love this! I’ll have to think of something like that to do this year! Way cool idea!
Thanks, Debra! I’m glad you’re going to try it, too. So I’ll have to lean on you for some support when I’m in the midst of this Something Outside My Comfort Zone and I’m terrifiied. It sounds much easier than it is, I think. All the more reason to do it, right? Happy new year and hope your resolution is going well.
Hi, Laura! Congrats on your first post, my new year’s resolution is to take better care of myself! No more junk food and going on 3 hours of sleep!
Hey there, Wendy. Did you say junk food and 3 hours of sleep? You have definitely nailed my MO when I have a deadline looming. I admire you for resolving to give this up. Nothing worse than stumbling around all day exhausted and useless because you were up all night. Good luck with your resolution!
Great resolution, Laura! Last year, mine was to read a bunch of new authors and new to me authors and boy did it deliver. I discovered some wonderful writers I might not otherwise have ever read. Good luck with the resolution
Hi Tracy! I love discovering new authors. Sometimes I feel in a rut, too. I’m going to branch out this year. Let me know if you discovered any wonderful suspense stories.
Hi Laura, congratulations on your first blog at MSW! My new years resolutions are all the normal stuff: eat better, exercise more, etc. Oh, and one of my big ones is to never leave the house looking like a homeless person. That one seems like it should be easy, but I’ve got to two small kids, so even though my sweater was clean twenty minutes ago when I put it on, I now have something smeared all over me. Banana, I think. Sigh.
Hey, Emily! It’s scary to me that I can totally relate to your resolution. I do, indeed, leave the house looking like a homeless person on occassion. I blame this comfortable flannel shirt I’ve had since college that really needs to go…. Well, you have inspired me to walk past a mirror more often. Good luck!
I’m going to (gasp) cook. That is, I’m trying to make dinner at home instead of ordering takeout all the time. Probably for normal grownups this shouldn’t be out of one’s comfort zone, but I plead a) an inability to cook and b) a NY kitchen in which the dishwasher is my husband. We’ll see how long I last…
Hi Abby! Well, I think you were smart to get married before attempting this goal. Now when you reveal your ineptitude, he can’t run away. I learned to cook while I was engaged, subjecting both of us to some miserable (and potentially toxic) culinary experiences. Good luck!
Howdy!
Congrats on your new blog home : )
Resolutions, hmmm . . . I think this year I’d like to find a way of exercising and keeping active that I really enjoy. Not just tolerate, but honest to god enjoy- that would be a new thing for me.
Good luck being brave this year!
Hi, Kate! When you find that form of exercise that is not just tolerable but enjoyable, too, please tell me!! And extra bonus points if it doesn’t involve installing a pull-up bar in the bedroom or squeezing into Spandex. Good luck!
Welcome to MSW! I can’t wait to read your books. I love finding a (new to me) author.
My resolution is to submit, submit, submit to agents. That is scary for me. Also, I’m going to increase the amount of writing I do each day.
Hi Holly! I absolutely love your resolution. Submit away!! It is the only way to break into the business. And don’t be discouraged by the word no. Persistence is key! I wish you the very best of luck with your writing and your queries.
Welcome Laura! I totally get the public speaking thing. I’ve had a couple of public speaking classes and still hate to speak in front of a group of people.
My goal for 2010 is to hit my goal weight and exercise at least 4 times a week. Doing really great on the weight so far and will do better on the exercise once my new elliptical machine arrives on Monday.
Hi Liza. What a great goal! And how impressive that you are putting your money where your mouth is buy getting the elliptical machine. That’s determination. I love my bad weather excuses too much to get a machine for my house. Best of luck to you!
Laura,
Love your books!
My New Year’s resolution is similar to yours–to do something new or in a new way every week. Could be try a new food, wear something different, try a new author, etc. but to do something different or in a different way every week. Hey, who says resolutions can’t be fun?
Thanks, April! And I totally agree. Why do these things have to be drudgery? Let me know if you discover anything wondeful.
Happy New Year!
My resolution is also to read more books this year than I did last year (83)!
Hi Teresa! Well, 83 is a very impressive number. More than one a week, so that’s great. It’s readers like you who are keeping authors so busy. Best of luck!
Hi Laura
Great to meet you.
New Years reso for me? Better myself every day. Not just for me, but for my husband and kids.
Next stop, your website, check out more books to read! =)
Catherine
Hi Catherine! Very altruistic resolution you have there. How wonderful! Good luck with that for your whole family.
Laura, we’re thrilled to have you here with us at MSW!
I totally know what you mean about the speech. I just didn’t a worldbuilding workshop in Dec. I always struggle with the fear of letting people down.
I love the idea of resolving to do something outside our comfort zone! I’m willing…as soon as I think of something.
Hi, Jen. Thanks for the warm welcome! Workshops are especially hard if people pay. I’m sure you feel like they need to get their money’s worth. Yikes! Pressure! I found that the first speech was very hard, but now that I’ve done one I’m not nearly as intimidated.
Laura, I’m so glad you’re here! Welcome on board.
I love your resolution — doing something outside your comfort zone. I think I will adopt that one, myself. That’s probably my worst flaw, getting too in a rut and not stepping outside myself to try new things.
There are some classes I want to take (specifically, the concealed carry class), so I want to work those into my schedule, too.
Oh, I’ve always wanted to do a concealed carry class! Now I’m inspired. Let me know how it goes. Love the idea.
Hi Laura, welcome to MSW. It’s always exciting for me to discover new authors. I’m happy to see that you’re here and can’t wait to pick up some of your books.
My resolution this year is to write 500 words a week, even if it kills me, and it could.
I don’t know how I can keep putting off doing something I love so much, but it just seems as if life keeps getting in the way. This year, I’m making it a priority.
Best of luck with your resolution and again, welcome.
Hi Erika,
You are so on the right track if you’re resolving not to let life get in the way. No one is going to write your words but you, so here’s to setting your goal and sticking to it. The fact that you love writing is a terrific sign! Good luck and keep me posted!
Resolution: To read more books
Great goal, Albert! Thanks for commenting.
Hey, Laura so glad you’re here! Last year I pushed my comfort zone by attending the Citizen’s FBI Academy. It was amazing. This year, I’m going find a way to start Kung Fu. Seriously.
Hi Karin and thanks for the welcome! I can totally see you doing Kung Fu. How fun! I think about it every time I pick up a kid at martial arts lessons, but never seem to find the time. Good luck with it!
Hi Laura. Great first post. I like your resolutions. My resolution/goal is to cut out snacks between meals and eat healthier.
Thanks for the comment, Crystal! I applaud your healthy goal. I think the new Taco Bell ad campaign is directed at you. I wonder if they really think we believe it’s possible to lose 50 pounds eating tortillas and cheese. I for one am skeptical.
Hi, Laura. Welcome to MSW! I have the feeling you’re going to fit right in.
I normally don’t do resolutions, knowing I’m probably going to break off the meaningful ones. That said, I am resolved to get three…four house projects done this year, even if it means threats of banishment to the DH. I will have my master shower back by this time next year. (It’s only been…three years?). I will be moved into my new office/library space, even if the French doors and deck aren’t done. (All I need is a telephone line and cable.) I will get the ceiling in the dining room fixed so I can paint/paper. And I will get the master bedroom painted/papered.
Toni, this is all your fault! LOL
Oh, and I will get writing, editing, revisions, and marketing done in-between.
Welcome again, Laura, to this little corner of the intrawebz!
Hi Silver! Thanks for the welcome! And that’s an amazingly long list for someone who doesn’t like resolutions. I wish you luck with the bathroom one especially. Three years! That’s painful. Good luck with your house.
Hi Laura,
My resolution is to try something new each week. Happy New Year to you!
Happy New Year to you, Maureen! Each week is ambitious, so more power to you. Good luck.
I’m late to the party, but wanted to welcome Laura to MSW!! My mom is a HUGE fan and I loved the book I read as an ARC and I know she’s going to do fabulous. I don’t do new years resolutions, however.
Thank you very much for the welcome, Allison! I am counting the days until ORIGINAL SIN arrives. Can’t wait for the new series.
Congratulations on your first post!
I don’t really make resolutions anymore, but something I’ve been wanting to do is to learn American Sign Language to communicate with my hearing-impaired friends.
Hi Julie! What a great goal. I wonder if ASL is faster to learn than a spoken language? Good luck!
Great goals, Laura! My perennial goal is to declutter–I’m such a packrat, and it’s driving my husband slowly insane
It’s such a slow, tedious, painful process though, because I have such a hard time just cutting it all loose. My husband occasionally jokes about renting a dumpster, and just hucking everything out the window 
We’ll see how it goes! A new year, a new start!
Hi Fedora,
I’m a packrat, too! The rule I have is that if I haven’t used it in an entire year (a sweater, a gadget, etc.) it goes to Goodwill. Good luck with your de-cluttering.
Posting this late because I was traveling yesterday…congrats on your first post!
I don’t make resolutions either, more I pick one thing to be more “aware” of at the start of a new year. But I applaud you for stepping out of your comfort zone!
Thanks so much, Lori! Looking forward to hanging out with you guys on MSW!
Great intro, Laura! And thanks for letting us know about this blog. I’m looking forward to getting to know all the authors here.
My resolutions are: get healthy, get a new job, read at least 5 of the “classics” and read more than I did last year.
Hi Lexi,
Reading some classics is a terrific goal, I think! I’m not sure how I missed so many in school. Good luck!
I don’t really make resolutions either! If I do I don’t stick to them! My goal is to exercise more and try to get in better shape for health reason, also need to loose some weight but the exercise will do more then anything.
I love romantic suspense!
Thanks for your comment! Sounds like we have the same favorite genre.
Yeah, another new author for me to try. My goal this year is to let go. Let go of things I can’t change, of things I don’t need to worry about, of things no one stresses about but me.
So, this year some time I will drive on the freeway a long distance (any distance over 25 miles counts). I can do this!! No anxiety attacks. No chickening out.
Hi Jill! Good for you. You will probably reduce your stress by a lot.
Hi Laura. Welcome and congratulations on your new release.
With the new year it is always hard to try to resolve to hold tight to a goal. I hope to be understanding and patient with everyone.
Thanks for the welcome, Anne!
Congrats on your first post !! This year I decided to treat myslf with a short resolution list (and unfortunatly some weight losing are involved…
.
Congrats again !
Hi there, Emmanuelle. Good luck with your resolutions! The shorter the list, the more likelihood of success, I think.