When Age is More than a State of MInd

By. Elaine L. Orr

I wrote plays, short stories, and novellas for years before I started publishing books in 2010. Most people have busy lives, and other things were higher priorities. I'm glad I lived long enough to not only write but publish. I do not intend to stop.

At almost 73, I do notice changes in my memory and concentration. If I stop writing for a few days, when I go back to a book I am either pleased to see what I wrote or I think it's bunk. Either way, it's only a vague memory until I reread it. 

A recent study (if I find it later, I'll quote it) talked about older people taking longer to recall things because there is simply more stored in our brains. The suggestion was to think of sorting through file cabinets to find a memory or piece of information. I'll take it.

Concentration is also harder. If I go to the library or a coffee shop to write, I want to be done in a couple of hours. In the past, I was known to close down Starbucks as I neared the end of a book. Maybe it means I should write in shorter chunks.

Why am I thinking about this? I watched the presidential debate a few days ago. I NEVER talk politics on this blog, so I'm going out on a limb here. President Biden has done a lot for our nation, over many years. But why should he -- or anyone -- be as sharp at 81 as, say, 61? Personally, I don't think anyone can retain 100% of their complex thinking capabilities as they get to 80+.

My opinion counts for nothing in the question of who should stay in the presidential race. But here it goes: President Biden, it's time to trust someone else with the reins. Your service as senator and president has been exemplary. Do some writing, campaign for your preferred successor. 

Take a deep breath and take a rest.

Thank you.

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Phoning in a Murder Poses Cell Phone Questions

By Elaine L. Orr

The 14th Jolie Gentil cozy mystery is on the shelves and in ereaders. Phoning in a Murder has the same mix of friends, humor, and crime-solving as the other books in the series, but it adds a subject that drives me bonkers -- cell phone use in schools.

Genre fiction can't preach, but it can highlight an issue, place, or subject. If you've read the books (and I hope you have!) you'll note Jolie runs a food pantry. I don't say, "Feed the hungry" -- instead she and friends plan silly fundraisers and occasionally work behind the counter. Maybe a reader will put a couple extra cans of food in the next food drive. 

Many of the books also have a U.S. military veteran named Max, whose traumatic brain injury limits his abilities -- but not his sometimes humorous take on life or desire to help. Another character, Lester, is often irritated by Max, and Jolie (or her four-year old daughter) remind him to be kind. As my dad said, you don't have to support a war to support the veterans.

Why cell phones? As a substitute teacher, they drive me nuts. It's not just that some students insist on surreptitiously trying to use them during class. That's simple rudeness. Most kids aren't rude, but you have to accept that some will be on occasion. It's what I think they're missing by keeping their noses in phones. There's a lot less chatter as high school students enter a classroom. Chatter is fun. 

In Phoning in a Murder, cell phone use and conversations about it don't dominate discussions or actions. But the murder victim's irritation with them does fuel the plot. Just something to think about. For the record, I use my cell phone, maybe as much as half an hour a day or an hour if there's some big news story. Fortunately, there are always plenty of other things to do.

I wrote Phoning in a Murder over six months, which is too long to write a relatively short  book. (I had a lot of 'stuff' going on.) I'm about to start either the 15th book in the Jolie series or the sixth family history mystery. My commitment to myself is to be done before school starts. Talk about a homework assignment.

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When a Book Meets Pop Culture

By Elaine L. Orr

I'm not sure pop culture is the accurate word for the debate about cell phones in high schools, but it's a topic that has interested me for a couple of years. 

As a fairly regular substitute teacher, I appreciate having access to the outside world. However, I don't appreciate kids hiding cell phones behind books they are supposedly reading or staring into their laps for a minute or more at a time. And try explaining to students why they should read in study hall rather than play games on a phone.

I probably sound like a curmudgeon, but I actually feel sorry for kids whose worlds seem to revolve around posting comments on a photo someone else took or taking photos of themselves with their tonsils showing. Boring, boring, boring. Plus, think of all the bullying that takes place on phones. Who needs that?

Sure, some kids (and adults) create interesting travel logs or talk about more than shoes to buy (athletic or spike heels). Most just scroll and comment and resent it when teachers have a wall hanging with slots to deposit phones as students arrive in class.

So when I was figuring out who to kill for the 14th Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery, I first thought of creating an older student who annoyed the...daylights out of teachers with his/her phone use. Then a teacher snaps and a high school senior ends up stuffed in the janitor's closet. That would lead to lots of syrupy statement about a life ending before fulfilling its promise and good business for the local florist.

But, killing kids (no matter how annoying) would not set a good example. And some PTA could lead a boycott of the book -- though that might increase sales.

Instead, I created Henry O'Halloran, a high school band teacher who has had it up to his ears with cell phones going off during rehearsals or -- horrors -- when playing the national anthem on the football field. Everyone is up in arms after Henry cancels band practice the week before a big competition. At a hastily called meeting, families say they spend a lot of money renting instruments and ferrying kids to practice or concerts. 

Henry will not apologize or commit to holding practice. As expected (in a mystery) he's soon six feet under. Or at least on the band room floor with a hole in his neck. Check out Phoning in a Murder to see whodunnit.

Tongue in cheek, I would say great minds think alike. The Los Angeles School District just banned cell phones in class as of January 2025. Some think it will aid in learning and some think it's a security risk. (See an article on pros and cons.) No doubt there will be several dozen lawsuits that will eventually be consolidated and in 2029 will make it through the courts.

In the meantime, the only reason I can see to have phones in the classroom is to address fear in this age of school shootings. That doesn't mean the phones need to be in students' pockets. They can be in shoe organizers on the wall -- designated slots for each student, perhaps the organizers in two places in the classroom for easy access in the event of an emergency.

Any school activity that can be done with a phone can be done on a laptop. Rather than complain about keeping phones out of classrooms, perhaps parents and students can help raise money for schools in economically disadvantaged areas to have a laptop for every student. It would give people something to do besides post pictures of their tonsils.

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