Flatulence

Yes, that’s right—flatulence. I’m working on my next novel, and I find myself researching synonyms and descriptions for, well, farts. I’m sure it seems as if I’m seeking out bathroom humor on purpose (first the underwear in Airball, and now this), but I promise, when I started this book, intestinal gas was the furthest thing from my mind. Now, however, it has become essential to the story. It’s called The Adventures of Beanboy, after all, so ignoring the flatulence factor would be like ignoring the six-ton elephant in the corner.

Anyway, this is what I’ve come up:

gas
fart
toot
wind

It’s not much of a list. I can’t keep typing “toot” over and over. So if anybody has any suggestions, I’d love to hear them.

Also, I haven’t forgotten to post more about my Piper visit, the Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave, and, now, the terrific book fair I participated in at Prairie Elementary in Prairie Village, Kansas. As soon as I get a handle on this flatulence problem (soon, I hope), I’ll write more about them, and also about some award news I’ve gotten recently.

LPL (Longer Post Later)

I haven’t been able to post anything about my visit to Piper Middle School on Thursday because right afterward I had to pack so I could leave at 6:00 Friday morning for the Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave. I’ve just arrived home again, and I wanted to quickly say that I had a wonderful time at Piper. The students were delightful, attentive, and full of great questions, and the faculty and staff treated me like a celebrity.

I also had a great time (as usual) at the Conclave and wholeheartedly recommend this conference to all mystery lovers—readers as well as writers. Over the next few days I’ll post more about my Piper visit, including photos, as well as about the Conclave.

Off to Piper

I’ve been horribly remiss in keeping up with my blog. I blame it on lots of writing and drawing (fun), celebrating Halloween (fattening but fun), getting a tooth crowned (not so fun), and preparing for some upcoming writing-related events (fun and exciting).

One such event is my school visit tomorrow at Piper Middle School. I think I’m ready. I have my presentations tweaked, my visual aids packed, and my clothes laid out. I’m eager to meet the Piper students and faculty, talk to them about writing, and sign some books.

Piper, here I come!