Guest Post

Guest Chick: Debra Klein & #Giveaway

Jen here, and happy to host Debra, who moderated my Malice panel. Besides being a thoughtful moderator, she’s clearly a creative at heart. Check out how she uses an innovative way to kickstart her writing. Plus, she’s generous—comment below for a chance to win a physical or e-copy of Serving Up the Truth!

We All Have Those Days

We all have those days when we’ve hit a brick wall and need to take a step back.

It can be as complicated as how to stretch a paycheck when you’ve been asked to join an upcoming fun trip you don’t want to miss. Or it can be as challenging as organizing all those thousands of photos on your phone so you can find them when you want to show them off. And then there’s the trick of pulling together a dinner for three friends who will be at your home in two hours, and all have different tastes, and you have no clue what to serve.

We all have our own ways of working through to creative solutions for the challenges that hit us, whether it’s head on or inch by inch.

For myself, whenever I hit a brick wall, I head to the living room to get a creative jumpstart from my faithful piano.

Just putting my fingers on the piano’s keys makes me sit up straighter. When I start playing, it’s music to my ears, as the saying goes. I get reenergized.

An article describing how a pianist feels when tickling the ivories recently caught my attention. The premise is this: the pianist controls the sound, the tempo, and the mood. They run the show, which gives them a feeling of total accomplishment. They can do this!

Playing my piano gives me that same jumpstart. I can do this!

Now I don’t want you to think I’m a virtuoso and the Chicago Symphony is trying to recruit me for their orchestra. Same for Carnegie Hall. Neither is going to happen. In fact, I confess I never made it past John Thompson’s Modern Course for the Piano, The Third Grade Book – Something New Every Lesson. Perhaps some of you are also familiar with John Thompson’s red elementary books? The frayed, faded, taped up book in the photo has been with me for many years. Same for the Brahms and Beethoven busts that cheer me on.

I view my pile of music books and sheet music as long-time friends. Just like the TBR piles we all have that can pump us back up when we’ve hit that proverbial wall.

For myself, Serving Up the Truth, my debut cozy and first book in my Amanda Knightly series, playing the piano cleared my mind and helped me set the changing mood throughout the story.

How’s that you ask?

Amanda Knightly is a deli clerk who’s tired of the same old routine behind the counter. Playing elevator-type music, like that in the grocery store, made me visualize the scene where she’s ready to admit she needs a new start. Same for playing dark tunes, where I got a sense of an impending unpleasant surprise that I could hit Amanda with. And a fast-paced favorite charged me up for the rapid-fire ending.

Yes, creative jumpstarts can come from many places. For me, my piano is my instigator.


What’s your creative jumpstart when working through challenges?

ABOUT DEBRA

Debra Klein is a lifelong Chicagoan, which is also the setting of her debut cozy mystery, Serving Up the Truth, featuring a deli clerk who swaps slicing for sleuthing. Her Chicago-themed short story “Ghost of a Chance”, pegs the Chicago Bears against the Green Bay Packers in the Tales From The Golden State of Mind anthology. She serves on the board of her Sisters in Crime local chapter and is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Authors Guild. A reader of all genres, for Debra, walking into a book store is like stepping into a chocolate shop – she wants one of each! Stay connected with Debra through her website at: DebraKleinBooks.com 

ABOUT SERVING UP THE TRUTH

Amanda Knightly, known as the Deli Lady of Oak Hills, hustles behind the grocery deli counter in the cozy Chicago suburb, keeping her smile and her customers delighted…. except for the arrogant young woman who dithers forever before storming off in a huff.  When that same young woman is murdered, and a family friend is arrested for the crime, Amanda is shocked. Convinced he’s innocent, she swaps slicing for sleuthing and starts out on a roll.

But things get as stinky as three-week-old potato salad when Amanda gets into big trouble and her list of suspects hits way too close to home. Can Amanda serve up the truth before it’s too late?

“Klein excels in planting tantalizing tidbits throughout the story while maintaining the integrity of the world she has carefully built. When the identity of the killer is discovered, it is a genuine surprise…Fans of cozy mysteries will want to add this to their collections.”        

– Kirkus Reviews

BUY LINK

60 thoughts on “Guest Chick: Debra Klein & #Giveaway”

  1. If I’m really stuck I just stop and think about something else for awhile. Often my best ideas hit me out of the blue while doing/thinking something totally unrelated.

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    1. Alicia – Besides heading to my piano, just like you, stopping what I’m doing and thinking about something else also gets my brain going in another direction. And then BINGO – the answer hits me.

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  2. Hello! Usually when I am working through a challenge (most often at work) I take a walk and try to think about nothing in particular. That lets the solution “float” to the surface. Congratulations on your new release and the start of a new series!

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    1. Totally agree that taking a walk can ignite solutions. It works for me too!

      Thanks for the congratulations on my debut novel. It continues to be an incredible journey.

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      1. Hi Debbie!

        Great post! There’s nothing like walking (or in my case, getting dragged around the neighborhood by my dog) to get those juices flowing!

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        1. Robin – so good to hear from you after meeting at Malice. I totally understand dog walking gives a boost to the pace of your walk. You both get great exercise – it’s a win/win!

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  3. Over the years I have found 3 ways to jumpstart my creative juices, a long walk, especially near water (I live in the desert, so this can be a challenge!), working on the most mundane but necessary tasks I can find, and then there is a deadline. Now that has an incredible ability to get me charged and moving forward. I do like your method better though! (I had Beethoven and Chopin busts!) Congrats on the new book. Sounds like a fun read!

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    1. makennedyinaz – You have a three great jumpstart options. And yes, I totally agree the dreaded deadline can be the showstopper. There’s nothing like the date/time dangling over your head that puts the “metal to the pedal” as the saying goes. Although it sounds like you might be leaning toward the piano method. Bonus is that Beethoven and Chopin could be cheering you on.

      Thanks for the congrats on my debut novel. I’m still walking on air.

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  4. Debra!!! Welcome to the Coop! Thank you so very much for visiting with us today. Huge congratulations on your debut novel. Best wishes for continued great success. I love the premise of Serving up the Truth. And I love the cover. Oh, my word! Perfect. When I’m stuck, walking helps me brainstorm my way away from the wall. As someone mentioned, walking near water especially helps. Water is very calming. Showers are great, too. And dancing! I love dancing to help open the creative door. Lately, I’ve been dancing to Shakira’s Zoo. LOL!

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    1. Thank you, Patricia! I’m thrilled to be a Guest Chick. And thank you for the compliments on my debut novel. I get a lot of positive feedback on the cover. And I had fun writing it, even though it took eight years to get it finished and launched. Yep – I was doing a lot of piano playing.

      I agree that walking is a kick starter. And I’m totally with you on dancing. I love to crank up my favorite tunes and boogie on down. I admit I’m into the oldies but goodies – give me Motown and I’m in heaven. I’ll have to check out Shakira’s Zoo!

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        2. Patricia – Thank you so much for the suggestion. I’m bouncing to Shakira’s Zoo as I’m writing this reply. Now I have to see the movie!

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  5. I love this, Debra. I like to say that music is one of the few things that can clear the human brain of all that background noise and allow us to be truly in the moment. (And I had that same John Thompson piano book as a kid!)

    But for jump-starting creative challenges, I’d say that going on a bike ride is my go-to activity. Lots of time to simply think and solve those pesky plot holes as you pump up those steep hills.

    Thanks so much for visiting the Chicks today, and congrats on SERVING UP THE TRUTH–it looks terrific!

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    2. Leslie – Always good to find a fellow John Thompson student from way back in the days when it was THE book to learn from. But bike rides will definitely get more blood pumping than twinkling the ivories with your fingers. And you ride on steep hills. I’m impressed!

      Thanks for the congrats on my book. It’s been quite the journey.

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    2. Jen – you can learn to play the piano at any age. Don’t hold back if you are really interested.

      And thanks for the sticky note tip as part of brainstorming. Always good to try new ways.

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    1. Mary C- Meditation is something I never considered. Will definitely think about looking into it. Thanks for the suggestion!

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  8. If I can, I step away. But working in accounting, it’s not a creative block I’m usually facing. Instead, it’s usually something not balancing like I want it to. For me, often getting someone else to look at it is the best way. Either, I figure it out while explaining it or they see what I’m missing.

    (Yes, please enter me in the giveaway.)

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    1. Mark – I totally understand the “not balancing” feeling. I was in IT and call it being “not logical”, but its the same idea. You want that second pair of eyes for validation.

      I’ll make sure you’re entered in the giveaway.

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  9. Debra, congratulations! And a rave from Kirkus – wow, that’s fantastic.

    I step away and do something mindless. I find it helps clear my brain. But I’m also a big needlepointer, so that’s an escape similar to your taking a break at the piano.

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    1. Ellen – Needlepoint sounds like a great escape. Something I need to investigate.

      Thanks for the congrats. I’m still pinching myself that I’m a real author.

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  10. This is a wonderful piece and a great way to jiggle the creative juices loose, Debra. I don’t have a go-to jiggler, but walking is a favorit. So is “making.” I love to dabble in media of all kinds – paper, cardboard, makers, fabric and fibers, paint, anything edible, clay, sand at the beach – you name it and I’ll be happy playing with it. Acorns and glue! I already have your wonderful book so need to enter me in the giveaway.

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    1. Molly – Thanks for your thumbs up! “Me and My Piano” have a long friendship. Hmmm… could be the start of a new series.

      “Acorns and Glue” could be the start of a new series for you. 🤗

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  11. My method to overcome a stuck project is to do something entirely different for a while (grabbing an item from the mending pile that won’t take too long to fix has worked).

    Thanks for running the giveaway; print books are the best prizes!

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    1. Mary – I like your totally different approach. Taking on a quick diversion that’s productive and yet doesn’t get you sucked in too much can get you back on track with your writing in no time. Smart solution!

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  12. Congratulations on publishing your first book Debra! You make a good argument for playing the piano to get unstuck. Since my musical talents are limited to turning on the radio or stereo my favorite way to get creativity flowing is walking outside at a nearby park. I love the big trees and beautiful flowers.

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    1. Sue – Thanks for the congratulations. It’s been an unbelievable journey. I’m with you that turning on the radio or stereo is a great diversion. I love to listen to MetvFM radio that plays those oldie but goodies that no one else plays. It gets my brain and feet moving!

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  13. I find baking serves as a creative outlet. It is therapeutic as well and allows me to relax enough to be able to go back to working on tasks that require more intensive thinking.

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    1. Liz – What a great way to unwind and recharge at the end of the day with your piano. I play as much as I’m able to, but like the idea of making it a daily practice, even if only for a short time. FYI…I was surprised to find a new John Thompson third grade book is available on Amazon, along with the first, second and fourth grades. They’re timeless!

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    1. Lizza – you made me chuckle. You nailed it that Amanda would love this post. And so glad she’s so real to you. She’s real for me too. And is currently bugging me to get the second book in the series moving along. 🙂

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  19. First, congratulations Debra on Serving Up the Truth. It’s now in my TBR pile, and I can’t wait to meet Amanda! Reading is one of the ways I work through challenges, especially when I’m stuck with my own writing and need to get out of my own head.

    My main jump start is to take a walk. I was a grant writer for 30 years, and when I’d get stuck (especially with the deadline looming), getting out of the office often helped to knock down the blocks. Walking still gives me new ideas, whether it’s something I’m writing or life in general.

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    1. Laurie – Totally agree that taking a break from writing and heading towards the TBR pile gets me revived. Thanks for the congrats. Enjoy the fun read with Amanda. I welcome feedback!!

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  20. Debra, my apologies for chiming in so late (I was on the road), but I wanted to say hello and thank you for guesting with us Chicks. Loved this post, and also of course your debut cozy, Serving Up the Truth! Can’t wait for Book 2. I didn’t know that you played piano during your writing process, wow. When I’m stuck, I sometimes turn to music, too–from my playlists. But a no-fail for me is going to the movies–works every time! (Popcorn and Snowcaps help.)

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    1. Lisa – No apologies needed. Thanks for popping in and saying hello. I love the idea of going to the movies to get refocused. Hmmm….Movie popcorn must have magical ingredients to also kick-start the brain, along with the added butter, of course.(wink) Snowcaps sounds like they must have the same (wink wink).

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  21. Congratulations on your debut! If I come across some challenges, I would try to break the challenges into a few smaller pieces and will tackle them pieces by piece. I’ll take a break doing something that is relaxing and calming in between..Hence, I won’t be too overwhelmed..

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  22. Hi, Deb! Enjoying your blog.

    My creative best is in the morning after a cup of coffee or tea. Being retired, i don’t have to rush off to work but can think my own thoughts. The night hours have cleared the old thinking cap and the brain gets moving on what i wish to put down on paper.

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    1. Lou – I’m so glad you enjoyed my blog. Like you, my creative juices get a kick start with morning coffee after a good night’s rest. Then it’s on to writing!

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