Putting a Price on the Priceless - Trimper's Haunted House In Ocean City, Maryland - by Brandon Seidl

Many of you know of my love for the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and for Ocean City, Maryland. Through the magic of the internet, Mr. Brandon Seidl discovered my webpage which has a section dedicated to Ocean City - the old (which I'm hoping to expand, so anyone having any old Ocean City pictures they'd care to share, I'd love to have them!), and the new.

Brandon dropped me a note and it seems we share that love - especially for Old Ocean City. He's done two wonderful websites that I hope you'll take a look at. The preservation of the cultural history of things we loved as a child, which we continue to love as grown-ups, is important. It's important on a million different levels. Brandon talks about them beautifully - enjoy.

"Putting a Price on the Priceless -
Trimper's Haunted House
in
Ocean City, Maryland."

Brandon Seidl
Founder, Trimper's Haunted House Online
http://ochh.net
Co-Founder, The Bill Tracy Project
http://billtracy.net


There is always an abundance of fond memories that stick out in our minds as human beings; our first kiss, that crazy, unforgettable birthday party, and perhaps, the fun times we had at our favorite amusement park as a child. But, what about the amusement park made it so special and memorable? The sticky cotton candy we struggled to eat while waiting in long lines? The park’s mascot waving to us as we walked by the enormous Ferris wheel? Or, the eerie sights and sounds coming from the park’s star dark ride attraction? For those lucky enough to have lived in visiting distance to a classic amusement park, no summer was complete without a family visit and a trip through the park’s famous dark ride. The dark ride was often one of the highlights of the adventure, an attraction which was a staple at many parks around the country by the 1960s. That spooktacular experience was one that trumps our amusement park memories, and although many of us first entered on a dare by a friend or family member, it gave us memories that we are able to pass down to future generations, generations that will hopefully be able to experience the same thrilling attraction with their own families.

I'm a lifelong visitor of Ocean City, Maryland and its many amusement venues, and feel like it's my second home. I've always been fascinated with The Haunted House dark ride located at Trimper's Rides and Amusements on the boardwalk ever since my first introduction in the late 1980s. I was immediately attracted to the towering façade, unique effects, and frightening sounds, but being the inquisitive kid that I was, I didn't just beg my parents for another ride. I began to take note of the different features and learn more about dark rides in general.

After many summers visiting the Haunted House with my family, I started to talk with the ride’s manager and gained substantial knowledge from him, who witnessed the ride transform and grow throughout his three decades of employment at the park. In 1996, I was lucky enough to experience my first walk-through, hosted by the manager. Needless to say, it was an amazing experience, and I still think about that first trip behind the scenes to this day. For years, I took pictures and videos to document the ride, only later realizing that I was capturing slight changes that reflected the ongoing passion and dedication to the Haunted House by its employees and owners. Finally, I had the opportunity to work at the attraction during the summer of 2002 and was able to operate the ride, learn its inner workings, and help with problems as they occurred on busy summer nights. My experience working the ride and my ongoing passion for its unique history translated into an immediate desire to promote the attraction in an effort to preserve it as long as possible. As such, I began developing a website dedicated to all aspects of the attraction and in only two years, it has become one of the fastest-growing dark ride websites in existence with worldwide followers; Trimper’s Haunted House Online.

Trimper’s Rides and Amusements as it looked in 1996.

Trimper’s Rides and Amusements, located in Ocean City, Maryland, is the resort town’s flagship amusement venue and has been family-owned and operated since the late 1800s. It is home to one of the world’s oldest antique carousels, a boomerang coaster, dozens of games and thrill rides, but most notably the Haunted House attraction built in 1964 by dark ride designer Bill Tracy.

The façade of Trimper’s Haunted House as it looked in 2007

Bill Tracy, who at the time was president of his company entitled Outdoor Dimensional Display Co., Inc., also built upwards of 80 other attractions along the eastern seaboard and in various locations around the country. Only nine original Tracy attractions are left standing today, all of which are absolute pieces of Americana that will hopefully be preserved for years to come. More information about Tracy and his accomplishments can be found at The Bill Tracy Project.

Bill Tracy on the cover of his 1962 catalog entitled
“We WORK in the DARK”

The Haunted House at Trimper’s was originally built as a one-story ride, but was later expanded to a two-story attraction in 1988 thanks to Granville Trimper’s acquisition of Ghost Ship from OC’s defunct 65th street Ocean Playland Park. Ghost Ship, built in 1965 also by Bill Tracy, offered a nautical theme which fit perfectly into The Haunted House’s second story addition. Although I don’t remember the Haunted House prior to 1988, I have a pretty good idea of its layout based on first-hand accounts. I have not, however, been able to obtain any photographs of the ride’s façade before the expansion, prior to 1988.

Giant Bat that is mounted on the façade of
Trimper’s Haunted House

Surprisingly, Trimper’s Haunted House Online has a acquired a huge following of fans who are always eager to learn of updates about the ride and browse through numerous photo galleries of the ride’s stunts; almost as if they are obsessed with the ride itself, even in the off-season. But, what about the ride makes it so appealing and nostalgic to visitors and enthusiasts such as myself? I often sit and ponder this; it’s nothing more than an old building with some wire-frame papier-mâché figures, cheesy air-operated effects, and a few fluorescent paintings. Or is it? What is it about these attractions that make us so fascinated? Why do we pay $3 to venture through a ride year after year only to find the same old stuff? And, how can we as fans and enthusiasts put a price on a classic attraction that is, for many amusement-goers, dark ride fans, or Ocean City residents and tourists, priceless?






I distinctly remember a conversation with a former Haunted House manager that took place back in the mid-90’s regarding the current value of the Haunted House. I asked him, “what do you think the ride is worth?” After a scratch of the head and a stroke of his beard, he replied, “two or three million.”

Haunted House lobby as it appeared in 1995

It would be impossible to put a value on a historical attraction such as Trimper’s Haunted House in this day, a day when fewer and fewer such nostalgic structures exist. There are simply too many factors that come into play, and too many points of view. To the average Joe, it is simply just another carnival ride with little significance or value. To a real estate agent, the value resides solely in the property. “Who cares about what is on it,” he or she might say. “We can put a condo here and sell it for 50% inflation when finished, especially since it’s ocean-front.” The value may be two or three million, but that value is in the property, not in the ride. To an enthusiast, the value is solely what is on the property—the ride itself. An enthusiast does not care about property value, but rather, the ride and its five decades of memories. An enthusiast’s concern is that the ride is running, in good shape, and is getting the proper maintenance and attention it needs to live on. Although these points of view would not be viable for dispute in the real world, because we are a money-hungry society, they would hopefully come into play in some fashion if such a sale would ever exist.

Original Coffin Car design from 1964

Today, I do not think the manager’s “two or three million” remark is adequate, nor do I believe he understood my true question. But, I may represent only a fraction of a percent of the population who feels this way. As more and more of these gems hit the landfills, the ride is, in my opinion, growing in value. Like an antique car where only five of its kind exist, when four of the five are no longer in existence, the fifth is invaluable. The Haunted House and similar attractions should be no different.

Crooked Hallway, the second room in
Trimper’s Haunted House

The true value of Trimper’s Haunted House is the smell of grease and grim, the dust collection on an age-old stunt like the Old Mill, the scribble of someone’s initials on one of the crooked timbers up Bill Tracy’s Mine Shaft, the echoing of sound effects and looping screams and groans, the bubble gum on the re-entry door to the balcony, or the multiple coats of florescent paint on the Knit Wit’s attire. These aspects, from lifelong rider’s standpoint, are what make the ride so valuable. But, how can anyone, even an enthusiast, put a price on the priceless?

One of Bill Tracy’s most famous stunts, Old Mill

It is my hope that all amusement park-goers, and in particular, those who visit Trimpers, continue to appreciate what resides on the grounds, be it a carousel, an old carnival game, or a dark ride such as the Haunted House. Ocean City boardwalk visitors of all ages have had the pleasure of enjoying Trimper's Haunted House for nearly five decades, and thanks to the dedication of Granville Trimper and the Trimper family, they will be able to enjoy it for decades to come, and continue to celebrate the attraction's true value and historical significance.

Weaving and Writing in Asheville

Any weavers out there?

Donald and I were the lucky recipients of a wonderful loom a year or so back. It's gorgeous!




I took weaving lessons many many years ago while we were still in Atlanta. At the Chastain Arts Center (a place I really love), Dream Weaver Studio (sadly - no longer in business), and from master weaver and lovely lady Betty Smith who was a long time instructor at the John C. Campbell Folk School (another place I really love). While I was taking a class with Betty, she introduced me to her friend and neighbor - another Betty Smith. Betty Smith, Musician. This is from her webpage:

Betty Smith has performed, taught and shared traditional music of the South for over thirty years in concert halls, festivals, workshops and classrooms. She combines her musical roots and talents with her skills as a communicator to present musical experiences which have been described as 'unique' and 'magical'. With her extensive collection of Southern, Appalachian and British ballads, folk songs and hymms - she takes her audience on a cultural voyage.





While trying her best to teach me to weave, we would listen to recordings of Ms. Smith's music. One of my favorites was a poem by Byron Herbert Reece, Georgia's Appalachian Poet, which Ms. Smith had put to music. The Ballad of the Weaver. These weaving lessons will remain dear to my heart for a number of reasons - Betty and her husband were lovely people to spend time with. Interesting and wonderful story tellers. I will always remember them with great fondness and be thankful for the things I learned from them - sadly, weaving didn't seem to be one of them. Oh, I tried. And I tried. Once the loom was dressed, I loved throwing the shuttle and watching fabric appear like magic. But I just never got it.

Just. Never. Did. Get. It.

I rented a small loom from Betty and brought it home. After much head scratching, reading Betty's notes, reading Deborah Chandler's wonderful LEARNING TO WEAVE book, I had my loom dressed and settled in with a smile to begin the, to me, fun part of weaving. I threw the shuttle a few times and oddly, I was done. What I thought was going to be a nice long scarf, was instead a piece perhaps long enough to wear as a headband. That was it for me. But the weaving bug had grabbed Donald along the way.

The loom went back to Betty's house. My fascination with the process continued and I did manage to do a scrumptious silk boucle shawl which I still love and cherish. But this was done in the Dream Weaver's Studio with more help from the resident weavers than I should admit to. Dressing the loom just makes no sense to me. There's a good deal of math involved. NOT, by any means, a strong point for me. There's a lot, I think, mechanical aptitude needed. Certainly not a strong point of mine, but absolutely one for Donald.

Years went by and whenever the occasion might present itself at which I was able to watch someone weave, I would be totally entranced with it all.

As we all know, God works in mysterious ways. Right? And this wonderful loom found its way to us.

And it sat.

and it sat.

and it sat in our sunroom for over a year.

and it takes up a huge amount of room.



but, it's also beautiful.

Then as luck would have it, at one of our neighborhood get-togethers, the subject of weaving came up. Seems one of our neighbors also has a loom and has done some weaving in the past. He and Donald got to talking and next thing I knew a little spark found its way into Donald's always curious self and he's reading about the loom. Asking questions. Searching out things on-line.

And so we made a little trip to Asheville, NC last week.

Asheville is wonderful. There's more to Asheville than just the Biltmore Estate; although that's pretty awesome, indeed.



The downtown area, unlike many cities, is vibrant and full of lovely little restaurants with outdoor seating, funky shops and galleries and a fascinating mix of architectural styles which the city embraces and honors.

There's a great little well-known bookstore/cafe; Malaprop's, which has this fun piece of sculpture in front.



And right down the street from Malaprop's, is EarthGuild - ta DA! A place to buy missing, needed and wanted parts and supplies for The Loom. We spent a fun hour or more here. Donald found everything he needed, including knowledgeable folks to answer all his weaving questions.

And being surrounded by all the gorgeous fibers was more than I could stand.

I don't knit very often, but every once in awhile the urge will hit. How could it not in a place like this?!

Here's what I got. Won't this make a fun and sassy scarf?


And before we know it, Donald will be weaving beautiful pieces like these -






O.K. - Next stop.

Accent on Books. Artisan booksellers since 1983.

This is where the Official "Clothes Lines" Launch Party was held. And a lovely event it was. And a fine time was had by all!

Huge thanks to Byron Ballard and the entire staff for a wonderful evening.

Byron tells us about 50 people attended the launch.

Me, Celia Miles and Byron Ballard

(What's more fun than cuddlin' with your honey in a bookstore?!
Not much!!!)

This was a lovely, lovely day.

Topped off with dinner at one of our favorite restaurants - The Italian Restaurant in Pineola, NC

life is good.

Patti Abbott's "Friday's Forgotten Books"

Looking through Kaye’s wonderful archives, I see my story of coming to writing fiction late in life has been done by several other people. No sense boring you with another tale of being a latecomer. Briefly, I was born in Philadelphia, married at nineteen and moved to Michigan where my husband took a university teaching position, raised two wonderful children (Megan and Josh), did all the motherly things. One day I took a writing class, began to write poetry (awful) and then short stories (better). At this point I have published more than sixty stories in various publications and won a Derringer Award last year for a flash fiction piece. I love writing short stories and am so glad I found something I could do—even if it came late.

What I’d like to talk about on Meanderings and Muses is a project near and dear to my heart—and one I hope some of you might join. Friday’s Forgotten Books. How did it begin?

My husband and I like to spend winter Saturday afternoons scavenging in antique stores. We have no expensive collections—we just like junk. Often these shops would have cases of dusty books. And the books on their shelves were ones I remembered from my youth, the ones no one reads today. There they would sit, begging for someone to spend a dollar or two on them: A.J. Cronin, Sloan Wilson, Patricia Moyes, Nicholas Blake, John Marquand—well, you know the list if you’re of a certain age. All of them were well- regarded forty years ago but forgotten today. I wanted these books to be saved from the scrap heap. I couldn’t buy them all-or even more than a few— but I wanted to.

And then it occurred to me—I had a blog. A blog that was linked to a lot of other blogs. Maybe a few of those bloggers would join me in talking about a book they remembered but feared others had forgotten. So I asked a few people I had gotten to know a little on the Internet to write a short review. I posted links to their blogs and my own first review (Desperate Characters by Paula Fox) on my blog in April, 2008. I figured the project might last a few weeks because I would run out of people to ask for help very quickly.

Bill Crider saved the project. I didn’t know it at first but he wrote a second review the next week and a third review the week after. I’d never considered that some people might be willing to write more than one review. If it weren’t for Bill, the project would have died a quick death. For eighteen months, Bill has written a review every week. And a number of other bloggers have nearly matched him in this feat. Each week, I try to find a few new people to feature on my blog and post links to the rest of the crew. We average 15- 20 reviews a week. The Rap Sheet and J. Kingston Pierce joined in with their similar project-“The Book You Have to Read” early on, too. This added some heft to the idea that we would talk about old books—every Friday. It became more than just my project.

Occasionally, we talk about short stories, or kid’s books, movies, or non-fiction, but mostly I leave the genre up to the reviewer. Once or twice, I had to scramble to find a new review to post on my blog, but on the whole, it’s been a pleasure and a joy for me. And I hope anyone reading this that hasn’t done one (or those who have) will get in touch with me. The lists of books and reviewers are available at
http://patti-fridaysforgottenbooks.blogspot.com/
And the original reviews are in my archives at http://pattinase.blogspot.com.

Thanks to Kaye for inviting me to write this. And thanks to the more than 200 people who have written a review.

It's my blog and I'll rant if I want to . . . . .

Here's the thing.

I love to rant. And that's exactly what this started out as.

But, I also try very, very hard to balance it by off-setting something I really dislike with something I like lots.

So, here's the rant I started with, but now infused with some good stuff, and a request at the end for you to play too.

I’m an imp. I’ve recently accused a friend of mine of being an imp (and she IS!), but I guess in all fairness, I should toss my hat into the circle of impdom also. But, you know – there are things loads worse than being an imp.

For instance.

There are those people who thrive on negativity. Ugh. Do they even KNOW they’re being negative? Do they have any idea how they suck the life out of everything around them? Or – very scary thought – is that their intent? Ugh. We all know some people like that, right? And sometimes we have to put up with them, but boy howdy – I’m getting pretty good about keeping them at a distance. And you know what – some of them don’t even realize they’re being kept at a distance! Pfft! That ought to show me how important I am, huh?!

Then there are the Drama Experts. God save me from these people who honestly believe their every ache, pain, illness or whatever is THE most extreme and THE worst ever. You have a headache?? Well, pafooey – the Drama Experts’ headache makes yours look like a weeny ache. And please. Do not even bother trying to discuss your broken arm/leg/finger/toe/back or skull with this person – it’s not broken in 46 beezillion places is it?! Well heavens, what’s to discuss?!

Then there are those people who possess not one iota of generosity. Share some good news with them and they “might” grudgingly say “Oh, I’m so proud of you!” in a tone that totally gives them away as being less than completely honest. Or, they manage to totally ignore the subject at all costs. And here’s where being an imp is the most fun ever. Knowing they want to pretend it doesn’t exist, put it right back on the table whenever and as often as possible. (hear the imp go Tee Hee).

The lack of generosity amongst friends is one I don’t get. Some of you may have heard this old saying – “She’d rather her drawers fall down around her ankles than say something nice about somebody.” Lordy – please don’t ever let me be that person. for real.

I’ve asked a lot of people about this recently, just 'cause its been on my mind, and learned that the phenomenon of friends not being able to share in friends' joy is a bit more widespread than we'd like to think. And I find it to be a sad thing.

One theory that some Facebook friends share is that they think those people must see the world as a "zero-sum game," meaning that someone else's success takes away from their potential to succeed. One of these friends says she prefers to think that success and happiness are as limitless as the universe, and that the more we celebrate, the more we have to celebrate. I agree and prefer to think that also – the other is too convoluted for my tired ol' brain to understand.

My friend Vickie has this quote at her Facebook page - "Whether you look for the positive in anything or look for the negative in anything, you will find it..."

I’m happy to say Vickie is one of those special people who most of the time manages to focus on the positive, and that is a lovely thing, indeed.

Another friend I've talked with about this managed to come up with a few quotes (I love quotes) that kinda hits this nail right on the head . . .


"Anyone can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend's success."--Oscar Wilde


"Friendship is not possible between two women, one of whom is very well dressed."--Laurie Colwin

" A woman, if she is really your friend, . . . always desires to be proud of you." --- Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton

and my very favorite of all . . .

"Do not save your loving speeches
For your friends until they are
dead;
Do not write them on their
tombstones,
Speak them rather now instead."
--Anna Cummins


But, you know what.

I don't want to talk about the things I don't like.

I want to talk about some things I like lots. And it just so happens that a couple of the people included in the "Things I Like Lots List" do, in fact, talk about this very thing. This thing I just purely hate. Negativity. And they do it brilliantly! I like it!

I've mentioned here before that there are some blogs out there that I try to read every day. I usually don't get to do that, but I do read them often enough that I'm able to discover true gems pretty often.

I'm going to try to start pulling out one or two every so often to share, and for today's sharing I've chosen two blogs that have been around for a long time.

One is Murderati, and one is The Lipstick Chronicles. It's no surprise that these two have stuck around for such a good while. They're what drew many of us to blogs in the first place. They're elegantly written by astute, bright people who don't mind putting their opinions, along with their feelings, out there for others to embrace. Or reject.

One of the Murderati regulars is Toni McGee Causey. This woman writes what I want to say. Over and over again, this woman writes what I feel. She writes like I would give my left foot to be able to write. She's just dazzling. And her Murderati piece of October 4th - "Positive and Negative Spaces" says worlds. Read it, please. You'll thank me. Betcha.

A member of The Lipstick Chronicles who seems to share some of my pet peeves (and temperament) is Kathy Sweeney. This is a woman I someday hope to meet. Another woman who writes what I want to say. When I read her piece of September 25th - "Time to Weed the Garden (or how to rid yourself of Toxic People)" I just squealed out loud. I wanted to find Kathy Sweeney and give her a hug. So here's another piece I'd like you all to read, please. Again - you'll thank me!

You know - this talking about things you like is fun! So here's another.

Books. Most of you are here because you love books. And you're creative. A lot of you are writers, but a lot of you are creative in totally different areas. What we do know is that creativity spawns creativity. Creativity recognizes creativity. It speaks loudly.

JT Ellison writes about this beautifully at Murderati, and here's another piece, In the Presence of Genius, I recommend. (yep - you'll thank me).

O.K. - so I meandered off my trail of thought there.

Back to what I wanted to share with you before the always brilliant JT Ellison popped into my mind . . .

Books. Don't most of us love being surrounded by books? We do.

There are never enough bookshelves in our homes, right?

Well, here's that love of books reflected in another way, and I just love it.

This is what I'll leave you with.

An image by a painter by the name of Victoria Reichelt who paints bookshelf portraits.

Tolstoi, oil on canvas, 2006, 50 x 50c

How very cool and lovely is that?


Now.

It's your turn.

Tell me what you love.

OR,

if you're in the mood to rant - tell me what you hate. But. Then you have to off-set it with something you love.

Fair?!

A Passion Pit Made Me a Novelist by Elaine Viets

Elaine Viets writes two national bestselling mystery series.

Her Dead-End Job series is a satiric look at a serious subject – the minimum-wage world. Elaine and her character, Helen Hawthorne, work a different low-paying job each book, from telemarketer to hotel maid. Publishers Weekly called her hardcover debut “wry social commentary.” Killer Cuts, set at a South Florida hair salon, is her eighth Dead-End Job.






























Elaine’s second series features St. Louis mystery shopper Josie Marcus in The Fashion Hound Murders. The debut, Dying in Style, tied with Stephen King on the Independent Mystery Booksellers bestseller list.Elaine won the Agatha, Anthony and Lefty Awards.







You can check out the first chapter of “The Fashion Hound Murders” at www.elaineviets.com To order your autographed copy of the fifth Josie Marcus mystery, go to http://tinyurl.com/yfah94w


Elaine Viets A Passion Pit Made Me a Novelist

I admit it. I owe my career as a novelist to summer nights of sex and sin. My thirteenth mystery novel is published this month. “The Fashion Hound Murders” features mystery shopper Josie Marcus. Josie gets what seems to be an easy assignment, looking at puppies. But when one store turns out to sell puppy mill pets and a helpful clerk is murdered, Josie realizes this job could bite back. I promise it’s an informative, entertaining read.

But back to the passion pit. When I was growing up, drive-in movies were evil. Preachers called them “passion pits.” The nuns at my school said that girls who went to drive-ins with boys got bad reputations.

They also got a whole lot of dates.

The more adults protested, the more fascinating drive-ins seemed to me.

In fact, I became a novelist thanks to the local drive-in movie.

If you’ve never been to one, drive-ins were big outdoor movie theaters with giant movie screens. People paid about a dollar a carload. You could cram eight or ten kids into an airless car. Then you pulled your car up to a speaker on a metal pole, and hung the speaker on the edge of the rolled-down window.

This was hot stuff. Very hot, especially in August in St. Louis. Imagine sitting in an un-air-conditioned car for hours on a summer night. You can see why drive-ins died.

The best part, sometimes better than the movie, was the trip to the concession stand for cold soda, popcorn and hot dogs.

We lived in the suburb of St. Ann when I was growing up, across from the main screen of a drive-in movie. I could see it from my room. I slept in the top bunk, which gave me a clear view of the movie screen. I couldn’t hear a word, but I could see the story in Technicolor. I saw actresses with six-foot lips smooching leading men. Mushy stuff. Cowboys galloped across the screen. Comedians did prat falls to silent laughter. Murders were committed in living color and dead silence.

Every night, I watched the soundless movies and wrote my own dialogue in my head.

Were my stories better than the actual movies?

I doubt it. They always put me to sleep.

But my latest Josie Marcus novel should keep you awake all night – reading, of course.

Launch Party for Clothes Lines - You're Invited ! !

Launch Party for

"Clothes Lines"

At

Accent on Books

854 Merrimon Avenue
Asheville, NC
828/252-6255
info@accentonbooks.com

November 13, 2009

6:00 p.m.

On Friday, November 13, 6 p.m. there will be a reception honoring "Clothes Lines" from 75 Western North Carolina women writers; edited by Celia Miles and Nancy Dillingham .

Several of the contributors will be doing readings.

Celia and Nancy will discuss the process of collecting the pieces and editing the book.

This event is free, open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.

Come if you can!

GOING VIRAL by Robin Burcell

Robin Burcell, an FBI-trained forensic artist, has worked in law enforcement for over two decades as a police officer, detective and hostage negotiator. Her thriller about an FBI forensic artist, Face of a Killer, debuted November 2008 with a starred review from Library Journal. The Bone Chamber is the sequel, due out in December. She is the two-time Anthony Award-winning author of four previous novels featuring SFPD Homicide Inspector Kate Gillespie: Every Move She Makes, Fatal Truth, Deadly Legacy and Cold Case. You can visit her website at:
www.robinburcell.com/





GOING VIRAL by Robin Burcell

And no, I’m not talking about the latest flu vaccine. I’m talking about my new book trailer video for THE BONE CHAMBER that appears on the face page of my website. I happen to think it’s a great book trailer and I am wondering if it is possible to make a video go viral on word of mouth alone.

I thought about trying the Microsoft-is-gonna-make-you-a-millionaire approach. You’ve probably seen it in an old e-mail, the one that tells you that every person you send this link to, and so on and so on, Microsoft will send you a buck. If people believe that and send an e-mail out a gazillion times, causing it to go viral, why not my video?

Hmmm… I’m thinking that the mystery-reading world is much more savvy than that.

Okay, what about Plan B? What if I use part of the plot from my book in hopes it will generate some interest in a takeoff of the old 419 Nigerian scam?

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing to you from Italy to let you know that I have recently found the sum of US 35.4 million dollars buried in a bone chamber in Naples. The money is in trust for the heirs of Prince Raimondo di Sangro, who was deposed by the last band of pirates masquerading as Templar Knights who attempted to wrest the darkest secrets from the Vatican. Due to civil unrest and the deterioration of the bone chamber, the money must be deposited in a safe account. If you consent, my firm will be willing to pay you half the funds in payment for the use of your account to hold said funds until it can be returned to di Sangro’s heirs when they are located.

Please view THE BONE CHAMBER video so that you can determine that what I am saying about the pirates who attempted to wrest secrets from the Vatican is true. After you view the link, please pass it to two or more people then forward to me your bank account numbers so that I can deposit the money into your account for safekeeping.

Sincerely,
Mr. Carlo Adami
Crime boss… er, make that Solicitor to heirs of di Sangro

Unfortunately if my e-mail does go viral, I might actually get someone who forwards their bank account numbers, when what I really want is for them to go out and buy the darned book… Plan C is clearly needed…

Wait. I’ve got it… You know that spam you get, the sort that advertises careers via e-mails? Become a nurse! Become a cop! How about this one:

BECOME A SPY. You too can become a spy for a top secret covert government organization. Work for ATLAS from your home and earn top dollars. Simply view THE BONE CHAMBER video and learn how you can serve your government and save the world without ever leaving the safety of your own home!

So what do you think? Any chance of these going viral? Any better ideas? What is your favorite spam and how could you possibly link it to THE BONE CHAMBER video ??? Come up with something good (or even bad for that matter. This is all about fun) and your name (be sure you include your email address!!!!) will be entered into a drawing for a free ARC of THE BONE CHAMBER (which comes out this December). You could try sending the link to two of your friends, and telling them to send a link to two of their friends to see if Bill Gates really does send money, but I think your odds of winning a book in a drawing by simply making a comment here are much better.

Hallopalooza - Halloween Blog Scavenger Hunt Hosted by The Stiletto Gang

Welcome to Hallopalooza! You've arrived at Stop #3 in the contest being sponsored by The Stiletto Gang.

- quoting Evelyn David.

Do you have plans for Halloween? How about an on-line mystery Scavenger Hunt with free prizes?

On Oct. 30, 2009 at 8 AM, the 1st Annual Stiletto Gang Hallopalooza begins. Or at
least we hope it's going to be an annual event. Everything depends on you, our
readers!

What is Hallopalooza? It's an on-line mystery scavenger hunt. Twenty-three
of the best, most interesting, coolest blogs on the net have agreed to participate. There will be lots of great prizes! Lots of fun! Lots of clues!

Yes, clues. The Stiletto Gang has written a short story - did I mention it's a murder mystery - just for the event?

How do you play?

Let's start with when you play - the Scavenger Hunt starts at 8 AM Eastern on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. It ends at 5 PM Eastern on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. Winners will be announced at noon eastern on Monday, Nov. 2, 2009.

What are you hunting? A killer! Okay, really you'll be hunting clues to the killer's identity and motive. You will move from blog to blog reading the mystery and gathering clues. Each blog will give you a link to the next blog in the Scavenger Hunt line-up.

You will start at The Stiletto Gang, then move to the next blog. There are 23 blogs in the chain. The winner is not the one who finishes first, just the one who finishes by the deadline with the correct answer. So you can come and go as you please during the three days of the event. Go Trick or Treating! Toilet paper a house! Party with goblins and witches! Then come back and celebrate with us.

What are the prizes? The Stiletto Gang is offering a grand prize of a $50 U.S. gift certificate to the bookstore of your choice - on-line or bricks & mortar. If you're not in the U.S., we'll send you an Amazon gift certificate and let you figure out how to use it.

If more than one person qualifies for the Grand Prize, then all winners will be put into a drawing for the $50 gift certificate. Runners-up will win an autographed book from a Stiletto Gang author, including Evelyn David's new book, Murder Takes the Cake. We will award up to a maximum of ten books. If there are more winners than books, we'll have a drawing among the Runners-up for the books.

And, here's the special part - you can win prizes on the individual blogs during the hunt too! The participating blogs will have contests/drawings for great stuff! Autographed books, promo items, and other "I won! I won!" things to make all your friends envious.

There is no charge to play or win. You don't have to buy anything. You just have to participate, solve the mystery, and tell us about it using the comment feature on The Stiletto Gang blog site or by sending an email to the Stiletto Gang at stilettogang@gmail.com.

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Happy Halloween! Here's your clue, and the link to the next stop. Then, continue reading to discover my giveaways for this event. Have Fun and Good luck!




Meanderings & Muses – post #3 http://meanderingsandmuses.blogspot.com/



"And you are?" Milla was conducting her second interview in the well-appointed kitchen of Millionaire G. Winston Howard. The young twenty-something woman sitting across from her was athletic and over six foot tall. Her long blonde hair hung in a braid down to the middle of her back. She was dressed like an old fashioned zookeeper; beige pit helmet, khaki shorts and vest, black knee socks.



"Alana Carter. I take care of the mansion grounds and the conservatory."



Conservatory! That was the word Milla had been searching for earlier. Carla Jordan had been killed in the Howard conservatory, not a plain old greenhouse.



"You found the body at what time?" Milla had the details in her notes but she wanted to hear about the discovery directly from the gardener.



"Just after 2:00 a.m."



"You make a habit of going into the conservatory at that time of night?"



"No. My date and I had wandered out by the pool. We saw a light. The conservatory was off limits to the guests. Mr. Howard owns some very expensive, fragile specimens. He'd blame me if someone got in there and damaged anything."



"What did you see when you entered the conservatory?"



The gardener looked towards the kitchen door, then lowered her voice. "I saw

Mr. Howard. He was talking with someone."



According to Fletcher's notes, this was information the gardener hadn't disclosed in her first interview with the police. "You saw him with Miss Jordan? The victim?"



"No. I only found Carla, uh Miss Jordan, after they left. When I saw that it was

Mr. Howard in the conservatory, I stepped back outside and waited. When they left, I went in to turn off the lights and lock the doors. That's when I saw the body."



"Who was this other person? The one talking to Mr. Howard?"



The gardener shook her head. "I don't know. He or, I guess it could have been a tall woman…he was wearing a long black, hooded cape with a witch's mask."



Next Clue Location: http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/


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In celebration of Hallopalooza I'm giving away one book to one lucky winner. In Their Blood by Sharon Potts. Winning is simple. Leave a comment here WITH your email address. I'll email the winner the evening of Nov. 1. Have fun!!

Announcing Guests for 2010

Has it been a whole year?!

It has!

Champagne, everyone!

Meanderings and Muses was launched October 15th of last year with my post about Bouchercon 2008, along with two guest blogs I had done earlier with Murderati and The Stiletto Gang. The first blogs I ever did. and now, Lord help us - you can't shut me up.

It does not feel like a whole year has gone by, does it?! 'Course, I have to say, now that I'm "of a certain age," I've come to learn that time does seem to pass more quickly than it did when we were growing up and summer vacations seemed to be slow, leisurely and almost never ending.

But. It has been a very good year. Meanderings and Muses has been a fun and fulfilling thing for me. It has been made much more meaningful due, in no small part, to the guests who have been a part of it. The guests, AND those of you who drop by to leave a comment or send me an email about something you've read here. You have all graced my life and I thank you.

So, warm hugs to each of you. Many of you who were guests this past year will be back for 2010 and that is just a kick! You have made Meanderings and Muses what it is, and for that I am extraordinarily proud. And grateful. I am also very proud to have each of you as a part of my life, some in a much larger way than I ever could have dreamed. I made a few boo-boo's here last year, and I appreciate you pretending they didn't happen, or that you didn't notice, and trust me enough to try again.

Here's next year's line-up, as it stands right now. There will, of course, be changes, additions and drops. Trying to schedule for an entire year can be a bit daunting, but surprisingly enough - this has been a breeze! That said - if any of you notice that your schedule and my schedule don't jive, let me know and we'll get it fixed.

One more thing!!!

A note to guests. This is just an idea - let me know what you think, please.

Many of you are familiar with the book by Jill Krementz - THE WRITER'S DESK. There are other books and articles of a similar nature. Snapshots of where a writer does his or her work. I'd like to try to do something similar this year. Not limited to our writers, and not limited to where you work. I'd like to include with everyone's post, a photo of a favorite spot; either where you work or where you read, or a spot that fills you with that special feeling of peace. Or, the place you seem to feel the most creative. The photos we included last year were terrific, and we'll continue with that - absolutely! This new idea for the "special place" photo is something I hope you'll also consider sharing. (many thanks to Jan Kozlowski who posted about this book recently at DorothyL and reminded me how much I love it).

O.K. - here we go.

Meanderings and Muses 2010 Guests

January 7 - Wendy Barlett

January 11 - Liz Zelvin

January 14 - L. J. Sellers

January 18 - Sandra Ruttan

January 21 - Rob Walker

January 25 - Toni L. P. Kelner

January 28 - Lou Allin

February 1 - Kelli Stanley

February 4 - Morgan Mandel

February 8 - Jenny Milchman

February 11 - Melinda Wells

February 15 - Robin Burcell

February 18 - Hank Phillippi Ryan

February 22 - JT Ellison

February 25 - Sandra Parshall

March 1 - Clea Simon

March 4 - Marilyn Meredith

March 8 - Jen Forbus

March 11 - Cornelia Read

March 15 - Mary Welk

March 18 - Earl Staggs

March 22 - Karen Olson

March 25 - Libby Fischer Hellmann

March 29 - Kris Neri

April 1 - Lesa Holstine

April 5 - Bo Parker

April 8 - Alan Orloff

April 12 - Jane Cleland

April 15 - Patricia Neely-Dorsey

April 19 - Vicki Delany

April 22 - Chester Campbell

April 26 - Barbara Fister

April 29 - Mary Reed

May 3 - Elaine Viets

May 6 - Larry Karp

May 10 - Suzanne Adair

May 13 - Kathryn Wall

May 17 - Laura Childs

May 20 - Jeff Cohen

May 24 - Meredith Cole

May 27 - Chris Grabenstein

May 31 - Elizabeth Spann Craig

June 3 - Alexandra Sokoloff

June 7 - Marcia Talley

June 10 - Julie Hyzy

June 14 - Julia Buckley

June 17 - Carola Dunn

June 21 - Bill Cameron

June 24 - Sarah Byrne

June 28 - Ben Small

July 1 - Mary Jane Maffini

July 5 - Shane Gericke

July 8 - Radine Trees Nehring

July 12 - Molly Weston

July 15 - Evelyn David

July 19 - Patty Andersen

July 22 - Pat Browning

July 26 - Lonnie Cruse

July 29 - Cathy Lee Carper

August 2 - Dean James

August 5 - Mike Orenduff

August 9 - Neil Plakcy

August 12 - Toni L. P. Kelner

August 16 - Bill Crider

August 19 - Toni McGee Causey

August 23 - Shirley Wetzel

August 26 - Robert Fate

August 30 - Jennifer Stanley

September 2 - Nancy Dillingham

September 6 - Ellery Adams

September 9 - Beth Groundwater

September 13 - Gary Corby

September 16 - NJ Lindquist

September 20 - Nikki Strandskov

September 23 - Kenneth R. Lewis

September 27 - Vicki Lane

September 30 - P.J. Coldren

October 4 - Jonathan Quist

October 7 - Jeri Westerson

October 11 - Barbara Fradkin

October 21 - Alan Cook

October 25 - Robin Minnick

October 28 - Louise Penny

November 1 - Margaret Maron

November 4 - Tony Burton

November 8 - Chris Roerden

November 11 - Sharon Wildwind

November 15 - Mark Coggins

November 18 - Lillian Stewart Carl

November 22 - Irene Fleming

November 29 - Caryn St. Clair

December 2 - Maggie Barbieri

December 6 - Twist Phelan

December 9 - Nancy Means Wright

December 13 - Gillian Roberts

December 16 - Shelley Costa Bloomfield

December 20 - Deni Dietz

December 23 - R. J. Harlick

Note: To everyone reading this - if you happen to bump into Mr. Lee Child - would you mention to him please that we're saving him a spot . . .

any excuse to post this picture one more time . . .