Top Ten Ways to Welcome a New Year from a Suspense Writer’s Viewpoint, Carol Stewar

10. Bring out the FIREWORKS, or, create your own!
9. Have a CLUE marathon. An evening with Colonel Mustard in the library can’t be all bad, can it?
8. Drive over the river and through a blizzard to you in-law’s home. Okay, I am driving to my mother-in-law’s house for New Years but this time there is no blizzard. Not that I haven’t driven through my share of blizzards to get just about anywhere. I’m too old and wise to do that now. Last Christmas we were determined to trek from Colorado to Arizona to spend the week with our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, but there was a storm in the forecast, so rather than skidding right though the middle of it, we went South to Mexico, then back up to Phoenix. It was a very impressive storm, which we saw the dark gray clouds to our West the entire drive South, and saw the remaining 4 to 5 feet of snow on our way home a week later.
007. Stir up a little suspense - watch a James Bond Marathon with some popcorn and your favorite drink, shaken, not stirred. Which is your favorite Bond? Mine top favorite will always be Sean Connery, followed by Pierce Brosnan.
6. Ride Along with your local police officer. You’ll be surprised to find out what all happens in your hometown, but don’t forget your “WRITER” body armor, like my favorite new TV star, Richard Castle.
5. Attend a WhoDunnit Party. Or if you’re feeling VERY brave, plot your own. Dress up like a favorite fictional character.
4. Fall asleep writing your next novel zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Dream up some new ideas for those future books as long as your dozing. Just don’t forget them when you wake up.
3. Invite your writer friends over for a brainstorming party. Come up with crazy new scene ideas or Act out scenes from your book, exactly like you’ve written it, just to see if your scenes are accurate. Be ready to laugh until you cry!
2. Take your “Pink Lady” out for some target practice. (The “Pink Lady” is a pink Titanium Smith and Wesson 45 caliber hand gun.) Until Santa takes the hint that I’m serious about putting this on my list, I’m going to have to take my dad’s Colt out instead. Hey, we authors need to do our research the old fashioned way.
1. Cozy up by the fireplace with a cup of cocoa and a book by your favorite author. Just do it!