Heidi McCrary

Where are the Purse Hooks?

It was 1990-something, and I set my muffin down on the small café table as I joined my husband in this cozy bakery located in the midst of The Magnificent Mile in Downtown Chicago, celebrating our wedding anniversary. As we took our seats, I hung my purse on the back of my chair. When we finished, I grabbed my handbag and noticed it was now open, no longer holding my Ralph Lauren sunglasses, a gift I received from my husband an hour earlier, or my wallet, which held a vacation-weekend full of cash and credit cards. So many credit cards.

It was the last time I ever threw my purse on the back of a chair in a restaurant.

Every woman can relate to this. No man has ever stressed over where to put his wallet when sitting down at the bar, which might explain why it’s still an issue today in the majority of eating establishments. The answer is the simple purse hook, yet, so many bars still don’t have them, and I’ve yet to see purse hooks available for tables. No woman wants to put her handbag on the floor, and tables rarely offer enough space. My sister bought me a purse hook that I now keep in my purse, and it’s a godsend.

Pictured, are purse hooks adorning a bar in The Grey Rabbit, a beautiful art gallery and lounge in Grand Rapids. I wish I could thank the woman who insisted they be installed. Because we all know, as the bar was assembled, a woman asked, “Where are the purse hooks?”

Author of Chasing North Star, and the upcoming I’m Your Person.

Heidi McCrary

The Importance of Ruthless Editing

This is the greatest story ever told, I thought to myself as I sent the first draft of my manuscript off to my editor. The best writing since Hemingway. Surely, she’ll fix a couple of typos, telling me that she is sorry, but her services are simply not needed because my writing is flawless.

Of course, it wasn’t.

But the truth is, if you’re sending off your manuscript, not thinking that the editing feedback will be minimal and kind, you’re a better person than me.

A good editor fixes typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies. A great editor rips your manuscript apart, deletes one fourth of your copy, and questions character direction, dialogue, narrative, and pacing until it feels like you’ve been beaten senselessly.

Early in my career, I had a boss give me direction on handling employees in need of guidance. “Don’t sugarcoat it. Give it to them ruthlessly, and when you think they’ve finally had enough, tell them what they’re doing right, and pat them on the back before sending them on their way.” He was on to something.

Editorial feedback is just that … feedback. As a writer, you can argue that the editor doesn’t get it, and brush off the critique as simply a difference of opinions. Or you can realize the editor’s sole job is to get the best out of you. To make you dig deeper, start over. Make you question and reevaluate every word, phrase and description.

Following is an excerpt from my own editor on the manuscript I’m currently working on…

You have the plot and structure down; you have done great work to begin mining the wonderful web of emotionality you’ve woven within that plot and between your cast of characters, and now, in revision, you’ll have the opportunity to dig even deeper to bring the true story into the light. And trust me—that’s the place where, as an author, you want to be.

And trust me, this editor was brutal. As I began writing the second draft, the edits initially felt overwhelming, but as I continued, I quickly found the rhythm of the direction, and my writing consumed me, everything in my life taking a backseat until I finished.

Do I think my revised manuscript is now the greatest writing since Hemmingway?

Of course, I do.

The Retelling of Oz…

We all thought we understood the story of “The Wizard of Oz.” After Dorothy crash lands in Munchkin Land, she is told that only The Wizard can transport her back home. When she is finally granted an interview with him, he tells her he can help, but only if she kills the Wicked Witch of the West. After Dorothy surprises everyone by actually accomplishing her quest, The Wizard tries to renege on his promise, and it’s not until Toto pulls back the curtain, that Dorothy and the rest of us realizes that The Wizard is nothing more than a huckster. If we truly think about it, this is not a story about an evil witch, but rather a tale about an evil con man convincing a young woman to kill someone.

So, it begs the question … who really is the bad guy in this story? Cue the prequel…

“Wicked” follows the heartwarming and surprising friendship formed early on between the witches of Oz, long before Dorothy skips down the yellow brick road. Actresses Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande bring tenderness to a story that flips the narrative, giving hope to a tale that inevitably will end tragically for Elphaba, the so-called Wicked Witch. Meanwhile, actor Jeff Goldblum aces the role of the charming yet diabolical Wizard of Oz.

Make no mistake, “Wicked” is written and directed for today’s audience, with colorful costumes and sets similar to Barbie World, and a storyline reminiscent of “Mean Girls.” But “Wicked” is also the retelling of an old story … now told from a perspective that turns what we thought we knew, upside down.

Like its predecessor, “Wicked” is a charming mix of storytelling, colorful imagery and music. While this is the initial installment of a 2-part story, viewers can take solace that the ending of Part 1 is a satisfying intermission until the release of Part 2, coming out November 2025.

“Wicked” is available now on Amazon Prime.

By Heidi McCrary, author of “Chasing North Star,” available online wherever books are sold. You can follow Heidi at heidi@heidimccrary.net.

Two Guys and a Pizza

Back in the early 70s, the Stafford family decided to open a restaurant down the road from us on Sixth Street in our little town of Alamo, and they christened it Staffordshire, complete with their family crest hanging on the wall and fancy white tablecloths. Never mind the cows grazing outside the windows. This was still farm country. It was the most exciting thing to come to town since the Miller IGA, which served everyone’s grocery needs until it outgrew its location at the four corners in Alamo and packed up and left for the larger little town of Cooper. At least we still had the Miller Gas station for the purchasing of Snickers bars and Marlboros.

Dan Miller and Jon Newby, taking a break so they can appease a customer and former classmate (Me).

After several successful years in business, Staffordshire closed, briefly reopening as The Shy Turtle before the restaurant changed hands again. In 1979, Fricano’s opened at this location, where their signature pizza was a mainstay in the area for 45 years. This past January, Fricano’s closed, with news that someone purchased the building, and a new restaurant would be opening soon.

If you happen to be from the Alamo area, you might remember a couple of boys from your school days. Dan Miller and Jon Newby were buddies growing up, and a few years later (Okay, many years later), they’ve joined forces again and have opened the delightfully named, Joe Shmoe’s Bar and Grill. While they offer the usual pub fare, they also have sirloin steak, traditional Italian entrees and a delicious thin pizza reminiscent of Fricano’s on the menu.

Awesome food and spirits, great surroundings, and two fabulous guys… the perfect recipe for Joe Shmoe’s. If you happen to stop in, say hi to Jon and Moose… I mean, Dan. Just a couple of great guys who grew up in Alamo and found their way back home.

Heidi McCrary

Heidi grew up in Alamo Michigan, and is the author of “Chasing North Star,” available wherever books are sold.