I suspect quite a few of you don't know me. I started the Mystery Writer's Forum about a billion years ago and after a bunch of years of moderating it, I handed it off to Bob, the only guy crazy enough to take it over. I think he probably has now moderated it longer than I did originally. Deepest respect, Bob.
So, I got an email from Byron (McAllister), a 'charter' member (which just means he's been here since near the beginning) of MWF, asking me to let people know what I've been up to.
Well, as with all people over 45, I had a few years of medical problems that went on a bit longer than they should have due to doctors being unconvinced I had problems (which resulted in a year of recovery time after rotator cuff surgery...I'll never be able to pitch in the majors!) After recovering from one problem, I had what my husband likes to refer to as "chick problems"...again, conservative medical care let things go on too long causing for a longer recovery.
On the upside, I've been to Turkey, Vietnam, Spain, Peru, Bolivia, Mexico and China...all just for fun.
Oh, and most recently I went to Burning Man. ( My blog at
http://www.travelpod.com/members/laurihart ) If you've never heard of Burning Man...well, it's a hippie art festival in the desert that has a self-reliance culture.
To support all this, I'm a CPA who works as a consultant with companies with problems. I've been doing this since I started MWF so I've been doing it for a lot of years now. My last project was working with the organizers of Burning Man...which partially explains why I went to the event when I hate the heat.
I'm between projects currently, but it looks like I'll be working with a start-up company very soon, again.
Most of my writing is done in 140 character chunks on Twitter these days (you can follow me, but be warned it is definitely "R" rated at times). And the blog entries you can find on Travelpod (as noted above).
I have one completed mystery manuscript (never shopped) and one that I still feel could use a little polish. I never shopped the first one because my father died just after I finished it and I was too devastated to deal with rejection. Polishing of the second one got lost in medical problems and the need to make money.
The problem is I make a LOT of money as a consultant. And I love to travel. So, that tends to push writing to third priority.
I haven't been to Left Coast Crime or Bouchercon since I transferred MWF to Bob. I miss it. I miss MWF. But, mystery writing... well, it just hasn't been a focus. Mystery reading, even, has been at a much lower volume....sometimes life gets that way.
I hope all of the 'charter' members are now published and those I haven't met are wildly successful, too.
Mysteriously yours,
Lauri A. Hart
former moderator of MWF