I couldn’t resist the challenge: a call for humorous short stories featuring a resourceful woman dealing with a bad day.

For me, short stories pop into the brain almost whole. Nothing popped, but I’d toyed with a vague idea for a new mystery series. I decided to test it in a short story.

A lot of writers turn a chapter into a short story. I hadn’t written a chapter. Instead I developed a protagonist and a setting in backstory—what happens before the mystery begins. I submitted that short story, “Leftovers,” to Mozark Press for consideration for A Bad Hair Day, the third in the A Shaker of Margaritas series.  

Mozark accepted my story and 23 others from the Heartland and around the country. The paperback and e-book editions are now available.

With the cooperation of Mozark Press publisher Linda Fisher, I’ve arranged for the Columbia Branch of the American Association of University Women to sell the book as a fundraiser tied to the international Half the Sky Movement. Until the end of 2012, our Raising Our Half the Sky Committee and other members will sell the anthology. Our profits will go to Women for Women International.

I’ll be signing A Shaker of Margaritas: A Bad Hair Day and The Feedsack Dress from 1 to 5 p.m. November 23 and 24 in the historic Community Hall, Rocheport, Missouri.

The story convinced me that I would enjoy writing the series. In spare moments, I’ll come up with character bios, fiddle with plot ideas, and gather background information. Putting chapters on paper will have to wait until after I complete another book in my Show Me series.