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Guest Post

by Heather Weidner

Thank you so much for letting me visit today. I write mystery novels and short stories. I’ve been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew.

I write just about anywhere. I use pen and paper for the first draft, so I can move around. At home, my favorite place to write is at my desk. It faces the sunny side of the house, and each of my crazy Jack Russell terriers have an office bed on either side of the desk. They keep me company during hours of writing and revising. They also let me know when it’s time to get up and play.

My kitchen table is also a favorite place. It faces the French doors, and I can watch our two crazy dogs romp around the yard. They keep us safe from squirrels, birds, rabbits, and the occasional jogger.

I still work full-time, so I write when and where I can. I often write or revise at a quiet table at my company’s cafeteria. It’s on a hill high above downtown Richmond and the James River. I have a great view of the skyline and the river. The Virginia War Memorial and the Tredegar Ironworks are nearby.

I like to write when we go on short trips and vacations. My two favorite spots are the beach and the mountains. I grew up in Virginia Beach, so I’m always attracted to the coast. Our favorite spot these days is North Carolina’s Outer Banks. I love it during off season. We live in Central Virginia, so we’re a couple of hours away from the beach and the mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway is incredibly beautiful. We stayed in a bed in breakfast last month in Pearisburg, Virginia. The bedroom’s deck overlooked the New River and the mountains. What a peaceful place to write!

EXCERPT

Delanie finished filing a broken nail before she reached for the jangling office phone. “Hey, Robbie,” she said, balancing the headset on her shoulder while continuing to file. “’Bout time you called your baby sister.” Robbie, a bouncer at the trendy Club Echo, kept different hours than the rest of the world.

“Sorry, but you know I work six days a week, and I met someone recently.” It sounded to Delanie that he was calling from his car with the windows down.

“So, do I get to meet this one or is she another Miss Right Now?”

“Very funny. You’re one to talk. Are you dating anyone, or are your dates still pretend because you’re stalking them?”

“Hey, I stalk for a living,” she said, working on the nails on the other hand.

“Okay, so what’s new with you? Anything fun or has it been just all work?” asked Robbie, the athletic sibling. He had a baseball stint in the minor leagues until he blew out his knee, ruining his chances of ever being called up to the MLB.

“One of my new clients is a neighbor of yours, and I wanted to get the buzz on him. His name is Charles Wellington Smith, the third.”

“Oh, Chaz. Run away fast. He’s an idiot. Whatever you do, don’t take the job. He’s been in and out of jail since high school. He’s a trust-fund baby who tries to be a big shot. But I’m guessing, you’ve already taken the job, haven’t you?”

“Uh huh. He seemed okay. He’s having trouble getting permits from the city for the new business he wants to open.”

“It’s a strip club he wants to put in the middle of the Museum district. He’s not popular with respectable folks. Most people avoid him like the plague.” Before Delanie could comment, her brother continued. “He thinks he’s a badass. He throws money around and always has to be the center of attention. He got that stupid face tattoo when he was in juvie jail. I don’t think he ever killed anyone. He’s just trying to look tough and to gain street cred without having to do anything. Be careful. He doesn’t bring out the best in others.”

“I will. You worry too much. It seems like an interesting job, but I’ll be doubly careful.”

“When he goes downtown, he always shows up with a posse. They drive around in a caravan, led by that tacky Hummer. He always travels in a pack, and he likes to make a scene.”

“He seems like a colorful guy.”

“Just remember that I’m the cool brother. If Steve finds out you’re working for Chaz, you’ll never hear the end of it.”

AMAZON

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AUTHOR Bio

Heather Weidner’s short stories appear in Virginia is for Mysteries and Virginia is for Mysteries Volume II. Currently, she is President of Sisters in Crime – Central Virginia, and a member of Guppies and Lethal Ladies Write. Secret Lives and Private Eyes is her debut novel.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.

Heather earned her BA in English from Virginia Wesleyan College and her MA in American literature from the University of Richmond. Through the years, she has been a technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager.

Contact Information

Website and Blog: http://www.heatherweidner.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherWeidner1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherWeidnerAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather_mystery_writer/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8121854.Heather_Weidner

Amazon Authors: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HOYR0MQ

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/HeatherBWeidner/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-weidner-0064b233?trk=hp-identity-name