by Korina Moss
Sometimes when your life’s path seems particularly up in the air, you cling onto things that might give you something to grasp onto: a Tarot card reading, a horoscope, a Magic 8-Ball. I don’t normally put a whole lot of weight into those, but when my son and I get Chinese food… Let me tell you, those fortune cookie fortunes I hold sacred.
I got this one early on in my publishing journey, so I knew the cookie fortunes were the real deal.
Once my Cheese Shop Mystery series got going, I modified Homer Simpson’s fortune.
And I even opened a fortune about my love life… but it was a bit of a curveball.
I guess it could be worse than Humphrey, my Highland cow.
The next time we went to the Chinese restaurant in July, I feared another mocking fortune cookie. However, this was the one I pulled out.
It was especially exciting! Although in a tiny corner of my mind, I did wonder if it was meant to be literal, and before the end of the month, I’d somehow end up with a glittery, broken raw egg on my lap. (At least I’d still have Humphrey.)
But this fortune did not mock me. Two days later, it actually came true in all its metaphorical glory! I was asked to be a founding faculty member and Author in Residence for Stone Lyon Society, a new online writing school focused solely on cozy and traditional mysteries. It seemed too good to be true! I met with Patrick, the founder of the school, who has a vast background in business, education, teaching, and writing. As a freelance developmental editor specializing in cozy mysteries, I work with a lot of new mystery writers, so I’ve gotten to know the common areas where they tend to fall short. Of course, being a writer myself, I also have an idea of what’s important when learning the craft. In the meeting, I was thrilled to discover that Patrick and I are so aligned in what we think mystery writers need and how to meet them where they are. As fellow New Englanders, we also got along famously. After signing some contracts, I’m now helping to shape the school’s curriculum.
I’ve said before how satisfying developmental editing has been, because I get to help mystery writers strengthen their abilities and reach their goals. But I can only work with so many clients, as each manuscript takes me a few weeks—I’m already booked through next March. To have this opportunity to now reach more writers through this program is certainly a “golden egg of opportunity.” My fortune was right on target.
Now I wonder if I should leave my foretold future on a high note and stop reading my fortunes. We could always switch to an Italian restaurant. At least if it had fortune breadsticks, it would be the same every time.
Readers: Have you ever gotten your fortune told? Do you believe in it in any of its forms?
Korina is a faculty member and Author in Residence at Stone Lyon Society, an online writing school for cozy and traditional mystery writers. She’s also a freelance developmental editor specializing in cozy mysteries. To learn more, visit her website at korinamossauthor.com.
