Okay, Detroiters, should I join the YMCA or the Yacht Club?

Okay, so as someone who is younger than many other people it turns out that the Yacht Club would only cost me forty dollars a month. I don't know how much the YMCA costs in Detroit, but previous experience leads me to believe that it costs around forty dollars a month.

All I want is a pool, which the yacht club has.

The yacht club also has a dining room, which I might use, and social events, which I'd probably attend in an attempt to attend more social events of any kind.

The YMCA has exercise classes, which I might use.

Does anyone have personal experience with either of these things?

Detroit Needs A Writers Room

I've been bouncing from coffee shop to coffee shop all morning, trying to find a place to write that wasn't too loud, too crowded, or too pretentious. Or all three! (I'm looking at you Astro's Coffee!)

I can't concentrate. So, I've come to the conclusion that Detroit needs a writer's room, ala, everywhere else in the universe. Seriously, writer's rooms are a thing.

Space is cheap in Detroit. Any old warehouse/office building/castle will do! We just need a couple of desks, some dedicated internet, a great coffee maker, and an industrial printer.

Questions? Comments? Anyone want to do this with me?

Aleah

So, Michigan...

What do people think about Detroit as a setting?

Seriously.

I've been doing polls around the internet, asking people what their favorite settings are. No one has mentioned Michigan. I know, shocking.

Anyone interested in reading about a couple meeting at Campus Martius for live music (like there was last night) or grabbing drinks at Grand Trunk.

I can't think of a more romantic setting than Cliff Belle's. 

Thoughts?

Pretty Amy Critique Giveaway--Or, I'm a sucker for a raffle

Okay Lisa Burstein's having a nifty giveaway (ctitiques, gift certificates, stuffed parrots) and one of the things you can do to "earn" entries is blog about it, which I'm doing.

Yeah. I'm a sucker for a raffle.

I bought ten tickets at the District 13 Michigan democrats caucus the other day. I could have won a flag, but I didn't. I could have spent the money on my own flag, but I didn't. I could have bought coffee, but instead I drank the stuff I had their. It was tragic.

Sigh.

Check out the Lisa Burstein thing: http://lisaburstein.com/Contests_.html

Reasons I love my new desk

I got an awesome desk on Monday. Woohoo! 
I got it from someone at work. She's not my boss, but she's someone's boss, and she's moving soon... so, she offered to sell me some furniture!

When we were talking about the furniture she described it as midcentury modern. I absolutely love midcentury modern, but this desk is not midcentury modern. I'd call it a midcentury craftsman knockoff, but it's made out of hardwood and it's small enough to fit in my apartment.

So, reasons I love my desk:

1. Hardwood.

2. It gives me a dedicated place to write. I will be more productive.

3. It will double (badly) as a table in my teeny-tiny apartment.

4. There are built in bookshelves on the back (hence the craftsman part). How cool is that?

and...

5. The top is smooth and only about eighteen inches wide, so when my cat tries to stretch out on it he falls off. I had some stuff on top until about an hour ago. Since I cleared the top, he's fallen off three times.

I love my cat.

And, I really love this desk.

Land in Detroit

Ok, I've had some feedback on this whole 'threatening to buy a house thing.'

People think I'm joking.

They don't realize that I live in Detroit, where houses cost less than cars.

Observe:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2440-Parker-St_Detroit_MI_48214_M30510-09774


It's not the best neighborhood, but it's walking distance to work.

If you think it's a little small there's always: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1073-Iroquois-St_Detroit_MI_48214_M48957-22566

Or:
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/20171-Wakefield-St_Detroit_MI_48221_M30602-27760?ex=MI541561969

Okay, those last two cost more than my car, but you get the idea.

Detroit, thoughts?

Come live with me in Detroit

Friends, relations, nominal readers of my blog! I know you're all wondering why I've gathered you here today.

It's because I love this great city I live in (Detroit), and I think it could use some new blood.

So, here's the deal.

You agree to move here (because you love me), and I'll buy a house. You'll pay me small rent, I'll pay the mortgage. We'll all be happy.

Take me up on this offer.

Seriously.

I'll buy a house.

Writing...or...Doing

It's a beautiful day outside. I wish I was out there. Instead, I'm in here... writing. Or, I'm supposed to be.

Sigh.

Brunch in Detroit

Detroit is known for its rockin' music and rollin' cars.

It's also known for brunch. Most restaurants have one, from the Coney Islands (ask me what a coney island is, I dare you) to Cliff Belle's (an upscale jazz club). Unfortunately, there is a down side to brunch. It doesn't open until eleven (ten thirty if you're lucky). What's a girl to do if she's awake at eight o'clock on a Sunday morning?

Make her own damn breakfast.

Sigh.

Want brunch. Want it in the morning.

Check out Too Hot to Handle's SEXY New Cover!

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/too-hot-to-handle/

Detroit: What to Say?

First off, this is a writing blog. Or a reading blog. Still not sure, but it's got books in the title.

On the other hand, the blog posts that have been viewed most often are all about Detroit. I live in Detroit. I love Detroit. I'm willing to talk about Detroit a lot. I can say things like: Slow's Barbecue, Wayne State University, United Auto Workers, Indian Village, Corktown, and Mexicantown. I can even say (gulp) People Mover.

But, while everyone's paying attention to my blog because they also love Detroit... they should totally check out my novel. Too Hot to Handle.

http://www.entangledpublishing.com/too-hot-to-handle/

Sure, it's set in Los Angeles, but it's got cars in it! Detroit! Motor City! Cars! Read the book!

Now, a question for the audience: should I write a book set in Detroit?

I Want to Be Robert B Parker

Okay, I know that I'll never be Robert B Parker.

First of all, I'm not a dead guy from Boston.

On the other hand, I could write like Robert B Parker. Crisp clean prose, literary references, and addictive mysteries.

Thoughts?