By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
APRIL 5, 2024 | We first heard of author Fran Stewart of Hog Mountain from an announcement about her new book, After I Die: What my Executor will need to know. That book was GwinnettForum’s “Recommendation” in the previous (April 2) edition. Then we found out she had authored 28 books, after moving to Georgia from Vermont 30 years ago.
She was born in San Rafael, Calif., to a military family, and went to college at Illinois Wesleyan and Trinity College in Vermont. She married, had two children, and 30 years ago moved to Georgia from Vermont simply because she had a cousin here, and the climate was better.
(“But soon after I moved here, we had a tornado nearby. Rain was coming at my window horizontally. I grabbed a blanket and rushed downstairs, and my cats followed.”)
When later recovering from surgery, a friend took her to a Georgia Writer’s Association “Murder and mayhem for money” workshop. Soon, she started writing a mystery at age 55, putting a body within the first five pages. From what she first wrote: “I had no idea who the narrator was, but later found out it was an orange and white tabby cat. I had put some clues in the first paragraph, like the orange cat Marmalade, who had gone to the attic for a snack. I later realized it was a mouse patrol, and the cat stepped over the leg of the dead body, where a person would walk around it.” Since then cats have been featured in her mysteries.
Stewart
Stewart comes up with new ideas easily, as her characters don’t let the author stop.
She had several series, the cat books being the (librarian) Biscuit McKee 11-book series, each having a color in the title. The first of her ScotShop series is entitled “A wee murder in my shop.”
She’s also written poetry, and other books including beekeeping books: Bees Knees (six in this series).
While her forte has been fiction, the death of the husband of one of her friends started the After I Die book. “She was left with a mountain of missing information,” Fran explains. Fran’s daughter, who lives nearby, said: “Put together a list of the five most important things I have to do after you die? I wouldn’t know where to start.” That request turned into six pages. A friend suggested putting it in book form.
After I Die is a book like no other. It’s a workbook of 146 pages of what you need to know so that your executor will have an easier time putting your affairs in order.
Fran suggests that you put down these details of your important information, bank accounts, passwords, accountant, etc., all these elements of your life…in PENCIL, so you can update it later. It’s not easy nor fast, but tackle this soon, no matter your age. You will be amazed at ideas Fran suggests to put in writing, such as how many pairs of glasses you have, and to donate them once you are gone. Or to cancel automatic payments your loved one may have started, and to terminate insurance policies (and get proceeds if any). Plus: should some of your valuable items be appraised?
Most people have realized that they need a legal and validated will when they die. But think of your future executor. This book by Fran Stewart will be of immense additional help, and give you peace of mind that your affairs are settled correctly.
Thank you, mystery writer Fran Stewart, for compiling this blank book for us to fill in to help our executors.
(Note: the paperback book is available at lulu.com for $17.95.)
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