The Writer's Club

THE WRITER’S CLUB

Christine E. Collier

Mystery and Suspense Press

San Jose New York Lincoln Shanghai

The Writer’s Club

All Rights Reserved © 2002 by Christine E. Collier

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher.

Mystery and Suspense Press an imprint of iUniverse, Inc.

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Any resemblance to actual people and events is purely coincidental. This is a work of fiction.

ISBN: 0-595-24335-5

ISBN: 978-1-4620-4748-2 (e)

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

THE WRITER’S CLUB

THE WEEKEND

THE WITHERED ROSE

THE BABY MONITOR

THE WREN’S NEST

HONEYMOON AT INKWELL

INN

THE WRITING DESK

THE WRITER’S CLUB MEET AGAIN

About the Author

THE WRITER’S CLUB

Amy Collins rushed around her house like a madwoman. Rachel, don’t forget your lunch and your sneakers! Benjamin, what will you do after soccer practice? Amy stopped to hear her son’s reply.

I am going home with the Grants, Mom; Dad will pick me up at their house after work.

Okay, good, come on both of you, into the car.

Mom, why do you have to go to this dumb writer’s thing? Rachel whined.

It’s not dumb, it’s my writer’s group meeting and I can’t wait.

Amy had met several writers in a chat room online and became such good friends that they decided to meet. They met at a weekend writing conference and it was there The Writer’s Club was born. Amy and Jenna lived in New York; Taylor in Massachusetts and Lily in Vermont. After much debate they decided to meet again in Vermont the following fall. Lily worked in a book store that specialized in rare and out of print books. People often left vacation brochures. One brochure told of a place writers loved to go named Weekend Escape. It was a rustic writer’s retreat with cabins randomly scattered about the woods. A peaceful surrounding with a lake and walking paths created an inspiring place to write. The plan was to help each other with their writing and to have a short vacation.

As soon as Amy dropped the kids off at school, she picked up Jenna and they were on their way. They saw each other from time to time and attended another writers’ group meeting every two months.

As Amy’s Explorer traveled the highway they munched on apples and cheese and the two friends caught up on news.

Jenna, what’s new? Have you met Mr. Right yet? she said with a smile as she took a big bite of the apple.

Not yet, but the wait will be worth it, Jenna replied. "I’m writing for MatchMaker and reading the articles about dating has really made me stop and think."

You’re a smart woman, Amy answered.

Meanwhile Taylor was traveling to Vermont in her sleek Audi. Taylor’s father had died the year before and left his car to his beloved daughter.

Taylor glanced down at her dress slacks. They were a perfect fit. Since the Writer’s Club had last met Taylor had lost thirty pounds and couldn’t wait to see her friends’ reaction.

Taylor rolled down the window and her brown, curly hair blew in the wind. She began daydreaming about her professor, Evan Lawson. He taught the creative writing course she took at the community college. One evening after class they had gone for coffee. They had talked of Evan’s novel and his late wife.

Lily turned into the driveway of the main office at Weekend Escape. She confirmed her reservations, got the keys, and drove down the dirt road. Their cabin was set in a grove of sugar maples and the view took your breath away. Lily was dressed in a casual plaid dress, as she often was. Her long auburn hair was pulled loosely back. The color of her hair was striking with her green eyes and most considered her beautiful.

She unlocked the cabin door to find a clean room with fireplace, a small country kitchen and bathroom. Two bedrooms and a loft were above. A huge picture window framed the woods beyond. Fall leaves were drifting from the trees and covering the ground like a harvest colored carpet. Soon, she was unloading her van and making the cabin welcome for her friends.

She placed one pot of chili on the stove and a fresh apple pie on the counter. A car drove up and a car door shut. It was Amy and Jenna.

Lily hurried to the door to hug them and help with suitcases.

Oh what is that heavenly smell? We’re starved; we drove for hours with only some apples and cheese to munch on. I love chili, Amy exclaimed.

Would you like a piece of homemade bread? Lily coaxed.

Make that a slab of bread, oh no, not apple pie too! This is wonderful; you didn’t have to bring all this food. Amy apologized as she took a huge spoonful of chili.

It’s no big deal for me. I love to cook and plan to write a cookbook someday.

I didn’t know you wanted to write a cook book, Amy said.

I want it to be more than a cook book. I’d like to add recipes and little known food interests about writers. For example, did Jane Austen like tea and crumpets? Did Louisa May Alcott like Boston Brown Bread? Lily winked as she dished out some chili. I also want to include foods that have been used by writers as a story line. For instance, a mystery writer using food that masks poison and thus uses food as the weapon. I even have a tentative title for that chapter, Is That Chicken I Taste?"

Sounds like a clever idea, Lily. Jenna took the hot bowl and set it down quickly.

How is your job going at the book store?

Oh, it’s the same. My boss has the room upstairs environmentally controlled for all the old books. We can’t leave the door open to that room for a minute. It makes you wonder how the old books made it this far. I love working there though. Maybe I’ll meet my future husband, Lily smirked. What’s new with you Amy? Lily asked.

Oh, we’ve been remodeling our old house. We love living in the country and enjoy the barn and pond very much. Clay spends most of his time cutting firewood for the two fireplaces. He’s right in his glory.

Hey, is that Taylor driving the Audi? She looks fabulous, lost a bunch of weight, Jenna exclaimed.

All four women met at the front door, hugged, laughed and talked loudly as they came into the cabin.

Gorgeous cabin, Taylor announced, What’s that smell? Whatever it is, I don’t want any.

They spent the next hour bringing everyone up to date on the past year. Everyone agreed that the most changed person was Taylor. She had a quiet assurance and peace about her that had been missing the past year. Her smile was huge as they all congratulated her on the weight loss.

They ate in front of the fire, happy chattering women, different but with so many things in common.

Okay, who is writing what? Taylor asked her friends.

Creeeeeeeakkkk

What was that? Amy asked.

Beats me, Lily answered. It’s just the wind rustling through the trees and making the cabin shake. This cabin is the perfect setting for a mystery.

I wish I could write a mystery, but nothing ever happens to me, Amy said.

The next day was filled with shopping at a local antique store, eating at a quaint little diner and shopping for old books at the Wren’s Nest where Lily worked.

That evening Taylor shared with her friends about her writing. Her article about the loss of a parent had recently been published and the magazine wanted another about grief.

It’s moving and honest, Amy said as she read the article.

Okay, Amy, Jenna, what are you writing? Lily asked.

I’m writing a middle grade fiction book, Amy said as she grabbed some hot cookies from the cookie sheet. "It’s a story about a family that buys an old house and all the adventures the nine year old boy gets into. He and his friend discover gold dollars in an old shed in the back yard. I’ve named it Apple Orchard Road."

Sounds great Amy, do you need any help? Taylor asked.

Yes, the gold is found with a letter. The owner of the house said she has left other things in the house as well. I need ideas for places to find hidden objects.

Well she has to hide something in the attic or the basement. That’s a given, Jenna grinned.

Yes, it’s a stone wall basement and Ethan is already afraid to go down there.

Have any markets yet?

Nothing definite, the usual ones you think of for kids magazines.

Good luck. Taylor smiled as she bit into a cookie.

Jen? Amy asked. I know your latest project but the rest might not.

"Well, I’m writing my second article for MatchMaker."

Great, when will the first one come out? Taylor