Beth Dolgner, Writer and Editor

I am by no means a food expert, and you will never catch me referring to myself as a foodie. I’m usually just as happy to dive into a basket of tots and a gyro wrap at the Flatiron here in East Atlanta as I am to dine at a “nice” restaurant.

But there are exceptions to every rule. Our favorite Brazilian restaurant (which got a new name recently, and for the life of me I can’t remember what it is), Capitol Grill, and Mario Batali’s restaurant CarneVino in Las Vegas are a few that stand out in my mind.

On Friday, Ed and I drove down to Savannah to celebrate an early Christmas with Mom. She knows the head chef at 17Hundred90, so she suggested that we go there for dinner. I’ve stayed at that historic inn a few times over the years, and I’ve visited their bar, but somehow I’d never managed to eat in their little restaurant. Ed and I quickly agreed to the suggestion: 17Hundred90 is a historic building and home of the ghost story about a maid named Anna. I’ve heard half a dozen variations about Anna, but it has to be one of the most popular ghost stories about Savannah…and if you’ve ever been to Savannah, you know that’s saying a lot.

In short, dinner was an excellent experience from start to finish. John, the chef, came out to chat with us, and he surprised us by sending out goat cheese salads and carpaccio for all of us to get things started. When I eat raw beef of my own free will, you know it must be good. I had a filet mignon with veggies for my entree, and loved every bite.

The service was great, as well. Our server mentioned to us that Savannah Paranormal Investigators were there that evening, preparing to do a bit of ghost hunting in room 204, which is said to have been Anna’s room. Of course the subject of my book came up, and before long our server was leading me into the bar to introduce me to the investigation team. It was a neat opportunity for me, and a cool coincidence that we were there at the same time as them. If you get a chance to go to Savannah, definitely check out 17Hundred90 for a meal. If you’re a fan of ghost stories, that’s even more reason to eat there.

I’m telling everyone I know that I’ve finished the first draft of my fiction novel. Of course, in doing this, I’ve discovered that half of those people didn’t even know I was working on a novel. The manuscript is printed and currently fermenting in a desk drawer. I’m going with the Stephen King Method for this first novel of mine: I’ll let it hide in the dark for about six weeks, so when I pull it back out I’ll be getting a fresh look at it. Once I go through and edit (and I know there are a long list of errors), a few kind souls have volunteered to read it for me. And then…it’s time to find an agent. I have a feeling that writing the story was the easy part compared to finding an agent and actually getting the book published.

If you’re in that half of people I know who haven’t heard me gush about my book and the characters I’m so enamored with, have no fear. I’m always ready to talk about it! The premise centers around a young woman named Betty “Boo” Boorman, and she’s a paranormal investigator in Savannah. The story, which I ultimately want to turn into a series, follows Betty’s adventures, from strange investigations to her budding relationship with a guy who introduces himself simply as “Maxwell, Demon.”

The idea came about when I was doing research for my book of Georgia ghost stories, which introduced me to a lot of ghost hunters throughout the state. With the popularity of ghost hunter shows on TV right now, I figured, “Why not a book?” And so Betty Boo was born.

Maxwell (who is, of course, drop-dead gorgeous) got an odd beginning: he was originally inspired by a mural of a train. Those of you who have been to Pleasure Island at Disney World (may it rest in peace… Kungaloosh!), might remember a huge mural of a locomotive that used to grace the side of Mannequins. The train’s name was Maxwell’s Demon, and the “back story” for the club was that it was once a roundhouse for this amazing train. My mom and I were discussing the old mural after our Pleasure Island Farewell Tour in August of 2008 when I got the idea for a character by the same name. Maxwell, Demon was born, but he still needed a face. I wrote down my description of him – pale blue eyes, dark hair styled perfectly so that it looks messy, dramatic cheekbones – before trying to describe him to Mom. Finally she asked, “If they made a movie of your book, who would play him?” Cillian Murphy, I decided. I did a Google search to find a picture of him to email Mom, and one image I stumbled across made me think, “Oh, that’s Maxwell!”

And just what lies in store for Betty Boo and Maxwell, Demon? Well, you know…you’ll just have to read the book!

I’m trying to get into the habit of posting blog entries, really. You’d think that someone as used to deadlines as me would be better about putting up fresh content. So, instead of heading downstairs for lunch, I’m here typing away while Velma (the tiniest of our five cats) sleeps soundly on my lap.

The work cycle never ceases to amaze me. At this time of year, with my race team finished for the season, I can have entire weeks with nothing on my to-do list. But then I get one call, then another… and suddenly I’m busy. Why does it always come at once? Mind you, I’m not complaining. The work is most welcome, especially with Christmas just a few weeks away! And what kind of work have I been doing? Here’s a brief run-down of this week’s to-do list:

-Two freelance articles for motorcycle magazines.

-Editing the galley for my book about Georgia ghosts. It is so exciting to already be at this step in the process. The next version I see will be the layout copy, and after that’s approved, it’s time to print it!

-Complete a marketing survey for the new book I’ve been assigned to write for Schiffer Publishing: “Practical Voodoo in the Home and Workplace.” Yes, a second book! No, I don’t know much about voodoo, but I’m excited about getting started on the research.

-And, finally, FINISH MY FICTION MANUSCRIPT. I am so close to wrapping up the very first adventure for Betty Boo, Ghost Hunter. It’s also my first novel, and once I get it edited, I’ll be on the hunt for an agent who’s willing to take a chance on little ol’ me.

It doesn’t seem like a lot, does it? But consider that yesterday I wrote 3,500 words and edited 25 pages of my galley, and suddenly it seems like a pretty big stack. Luckily for me, I’m enjoying every minute of it.