May 4, 2014

Louisiana Versatility with Author and Artist Silvia Rochester



Come on down!  Whatever your interest, you’re sure to find it in Louisiana.  Savor New Orleans and enjoy the flavor of Europe.  Spend days rambling through the famous French Quarter.  Soak in the sights and sounds of this ancient city as music fills the air.  And by all means, leave your diet behind.  The menus are to die for.  Be adventurous.  Take one of several ghost tours or cruise the Mississippi aboard a paddle wheeler.

Don’t forget to take a walk through the famous cemeteries and visit the grave of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen.  Yes, a world of mystery and mystic await you.  And above all, plan a trip around Mardi Gras.  It’s a once in a life time experience.  Anything goes!

A few miles west of New Orleans you’ll find Cajun country.   It holds a special spot in my heart. I lived on Bayou Corne for ten years and ran the bayous in my boat like most of you run the roads.  As a writer and artist, it provided inspiration and a constant source of subject matter.

Most of my books are set in Louisiana, and from the Civil War to the present, I offer the reader a first-hand taste of this rich state.  I’m currently working on a cozy series, The Bawdy Boutique Mysteries.  Set in the fictitious town of Palmetto, Louisiana, murder and mayhem reign as two unlikely heroines attempt to solve murders.  Book II – The Corpse Wore Cashmere was released in February.  It’s every bit as entertaining as Book I – Disrobed for Death.  The action never stops, and I promise to keep you guessing to the very end.
 
A native of Baton Rouge and long-time resident of Bayou Corne, I moved to Hammond in May, 2012 to be closer to two sons and seven grandsons. While I miss the beauty of the bayous, Hammond offers new subjects to explore. I recently joined the Creative Minds Writers, Hammond Art Guild, and the Hammond Regional Art Center. 

Juggling my time between writing and painting is difficult, but without both, I’d feel like half a person. When I’m not at the easel or the computer, I’m with my family. I also share my home with two cats that graciously let me sleep on one side of the bed. 

See all my work at www.sylviarochester.com.
(Pictures provided by author)

20 comments:

  1. Silvia, enjoyed having you entice more visitors to our state. I live in Thibodaux and last night filled my belly with crayfish from the area you left. You'll get your fill of fresh strawberries out there. Have a wonderful time being around your family.

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  2. Hi, Silvia,

    Louisiana is such a fascinating state! Your novels sound like great reads.

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  3. Love the fact that you express your creativity in more ways than one. You paint a good picture of Louisiana and your book titles are exciting.Your life sounds wonderful.

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  4. I loved your post! I've never been to Louisiana, but if I ever make it there, you've given me lots of great ideas. Your cozy series sounds great, and I'll check it out. I also love the name Palmetto! Best wishes.

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  5. Good summary of the state's enticement, Sylvia. I know they are many.

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  6. SO jealous that you can be creative in 2 mediums! I'm at home with words, but not so much with visuals. I sew and crochet, but as in cooking/baking, I ALWAYS follow a recipe. My only real creative outlet is my books.

    I've been to New Orleans, but not since I was a pre-teen, which is a WHOLE lotta years! I remember it as being very hot and sticky all of the while we were there. And I was way too young to enjoy bars or the music places. I'd love to get back as an adult to experience more of its delights.

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  7. I loved visiting new Orleans a number of years ago (before Katrina) and traveled through the state on a cross country trip 2 years ago. Very much enjoyed it.
    And, Sylvia, your titles are certainly catchy!

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  8. Howdy, neighbor! I love Louisiana and will be in New Orleans next week for the RT convention. Can't wait to revisit the Quarter. You did a great job touting your state!

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  9. Sylvia RochesterMay 05, 2014

    Thanks for posting June. I just passed through your town on my way back from Leeville and fishing in the marsh. Had a wonderful time.

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  10. Sylvia RochesterMay 05, 2014

    Hi, Jacqueline. Hope you get a chance to read some of my books. I appreciate your comment.

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  11. Sylvia RochesterMay 05, 2014

    Mary, I'd love for you to visit my website and see my gallery. I try to capture the beauty of Louisiana in paintings and in my books. Thanks for commenting.

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  12. Sylvia RochesterMay 05, 2014

    Hi, Amy, I do hope you get to visit Louisiana and also hope you get to give my books a try. If you do, please email me and let me hear from you.

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  13. Sylvia RochesterMay 05, 2014

    John, good to hear from you. Glad you like my state. When and if you're down this way, give me a heads up.

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  14. Sylvia RochesterMay 05, 2014

    Fiona, I admire your talent to sew. I can't sew on a button. LOL By all means do come visit again. It'll still be hot, but you probably won't notice because you'll be having so much fun.

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  15. Sylvia RochesterMay 05, 2014

    Heidi, thanks for stopping by. New Orleans has really come back since Katrina. You'd love the redo. Glad you like the titles. The stories are a hoot, too.

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  16. Sylvia RochesterMay 05, 2014

    Melanie, so good to hear from you. You know you have a stop over here if you need it for RT. Have a blast--I know you will.

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  17. Louisiana as I remember it from a couple of trips several years back! Thanks, and thanks for novels set there--I love books taking me to a specific (real) area for a visit.
    Radine

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  18. I have family in Raceland. Love LA.

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  19. Sylvia RochesterMay 08, 2014

    Radine, thanks for visiting. Hope you get a chance to visit Louisiana for real, as well as in my books.

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  20. Sylvia RochesterMay 08, 2014

    Hi, Stephen. I just passed through Raceland. Went fishing in Leeville over the weekend. Wonderful trip. Thanks for stopping by.

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