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| A Crafts Fair Photo by John Cummings |
Delia
James writes her magical mysteries from her home near
Ann Arbor, Michigan, assisted by her loving husband, Tim, her magnificent son,
Alex, and her vocal cat, Buffy the Vermin Slayer. A Familiar Tail is the first
of her Witch’s Cat Mysteries. Learn more about Delia and her books at her
website.
In my latest series, the Witch’s Cat Mysteries, my main character Annabelle
Britton does not start out as a witch (or as a cat for that matter.) But she is
a freelance artist. I’m a writer, not an artist, but I know full-time
freelancers and I have worked with them, and I’ve noticed a few things about
them, and, for that matter about myself.
Those of us who do arts and/or crafts (I’m a baker in my spare time, and I’ve
embroidered and cross-stitched, crocheted, knitted and quilled at various
points in time) all start from a similar place. It’s a place of love and
enjoyment. Sometimes it gets to be an insanely detailed and meticulous place
where we get deep into conversations about the minutia of materials and
techniques that leave those who love us best scratching their heads.
And for every one of us there comes a moment when the idea crosses our
minds that I could do this for money. Maybe not full time of course but…
But. Well. Maybe yes. Maybe full time. Maybe I could. With Esty and all the
other Internet venues, with fairs and Amazon and farmers markets and the strong
artist and artisan movement, why not take that love, that intense interest and
accumulated knowledge, and turn it into a living?
I am very familiar with this question. I never went there with my cookies
or bread or needlework, but twenty (very) odd years ago, I went there with my
writing. So, I can tell you in one word, the difference between the life of the
passionate amateur and the life of the professional: Hustle.
As soon as the rent, the groceries, cat food, clothes and new materials
become dependent on the money you raise from your art and your craft,
everything changes. Time speeds up. There’s a spark and intensity to what you
are doing, and it is not always a pleasant one. But, oh, when that check comes,
and it’s for the sale of the work of your heart and hands, there is nothing
like it in the world.
But is that worth the rest of it? The anxiety and the feelings of
inadequacy, and the occasional bouts of anger and exhaustion. Because that’s
part of the hustle, too, and it’s the question every amateur-turned-professional
has to ask at some point.
It’s that hustle I channel for my unlucky-in-love artist Annabelle Britton.
Anna arrives in Portsmouth with a depleted bank account, a career that’s
feeling stalled out, and wondering what she’s going to do about her own future.
She meets a magical cat, finds a corpse, and a family history she never knew
she was a part of. Her magic builds on her art, but its her understanding of
how to hustle that helps her solve the mysteries.
In order to make a living, freelancers must do their legwork. They search
out their materials, their friends and like-minded practitioners, not to
mention venues to sell their work. They are constantly learning, and constantly
striving to improve their art and their craft. They know there are answers out
there. They know there are ways to do something better, something more intricate,
more interesting, and something they’ve never tried before. They just have to
go out and find those answers and turn them into art.
No wonder they make such great sleuths.
A Familiar Tail
A Witch’s Cat Mystery
Unlucky-in-love artist Annabelle Britton decides that a visit to the
seaside town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire is the perfect way to get over her
problems. But when she stumbles upon a smoky gray cat named Alastair and
follows him into a charming cottage, Annabelle finds herself in a whole
spellbook full of trouble.
Suddenly saddled with a witch's wand and a furry familiar, Annabelle
soon meets a friendly group of women who use their spells, charms, and potions
to keep the people of Portsmouth safe. But despite their gifts, the witches
can’t prevent every wicked deed in town....
Soon, the mystery surrounding Alistair’s former owner, who died under
unusual circumstances, grows when another local turns up dead. Armed with
magic, friends, and the charmed cat who adopted her more than the other way
around, Annabelle sets out to paw through the evidence and uncover a killer.
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3 comments:
Love it! Nice description of turning a love into a stress, but it being worth it in the end.
Freelancing is a tough gig. You really have to love what you do. Sounds like a fun book, though.
I'm still chuckling over Buffy's name (smile!)
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