I’m a creature of habit. I love my routines. I think I have a ritual for everything; actions I must take when I wake up, and before I go to sleep, exercise, cook, clean, write. Conventional wisdom is routines are good for us for a variety of reasons. They keep us focused on the tasks we’re working on, which increases our productivity. I’ve also read … Continue reading It’s routine
Jen here, and happy to host Debra, who moderated my Malice panel. Besides being a thoughtful moderator, she’s clearly a creative at heart. Check out how she uses an innovative way to kickstart her writing. Plus, she’s generous—comment below for a chance to win a physical or e-copy of Serving Up the Truth! We All Have Those Days We all have those days when we’ve … Continue reading Guest Chick: Debra Klein & #Giveaway
I’m a Baby Boomer, I admit it. Born in 1956 with two older brothers to influence me, I fall squarely within the generation of Captain Kangaroo, Hula Hoops and Slinkies, Sputnik, the Sears Catalogue, JFK, Scholastic Book Fairs, and long-play record albums (aka LPs). my childhood lunchbox The digital age arrived when I was in my late twenties—I was 28 when Apple released its first … Continue reading An Analog Gal
Writing is a lot of hard work, but sometimes luck plays a part in our success too. What are some lucky breaks you’ve caught as an author? Maybe it was in the writing, or inspiration, or on your path to publication. Perhaps it affected your sales after the fact. Tell us about one of your unexpected wins. Readers, please share your lucky breaks with us … Continue reading Chick Chat: What’s luck got to do with it?
Lisa here, chirping the happy news that fabulous author and Chicks close friend Diane Vallere is our guest today! Not only is Diane here to tell us about her latest Madison Night mystery, My Nightmare is Yours, but she’s offering insights into how she discovers new books! Continue reading Guest Chick: Diane Vallere
Lisa here, breathless after a whirlwind library tour. Well, maybe that’s a wee bit of hyperbole, but here’s her report from 3 bookish events—and 2 very different New England libraries… Continue reading A Tale of Two Libraries
June is wedding month — and I have thoughts! But first things first: In honor of the most popular month for weddings (allegedly) I’m doing my very first sale! The ebook of TERROR IN TAFFETA — book one in the Destination Wedding Mysteries — is on sale through Sunday for only $0.99. So, exciting news: Next week, I’m going to a destination wedding! Kind of … Continue reading Wedding Season, but make it cozy
Leslie Karst here, pleased to welcome the marvelous Ellie Alexander to the coop, to talk about the benefits of boredom–something we could all perhaps use a little bit more of. And she’s giving away a copy of her new mystery, A VERY NOVEL MURDER, to one lucky commenter! The Beauty of Boredom When we think about what sparks creativity, a long list might come to … Continue reading Guest Chick: Ellie Alexander
Newsroom controversies can arise in unexpected places. For instance, the Oxford comma, sometimes referred to as the Harvard comma, is a coma placed after the penultimate term in a list (just before the conjunction) when writing out three or more terms. For example, a list of three countries might be punctuated with the Oxford comma as “France, Spain, and Italy.” The Oxford comma, or Harvard … Continue reading The case of the Oxford comma
I was on a panel the other day and had to answer a question about deliberateness—that is, do I insert particular messages and themes? I answered that I’m an organic writer, but upon reflection, I do incorporate intentional elements: family, community, justice, self-discovery… And now as I’m working on my current draft, I’ve been more mindful about word choice and contemporary issues—not to the extent … Continue reading Practicing Mindfulness
Congratulations to Mary Garback and Sally Fortney, winners in this week’s giveaway! Marla here! Leslie and I ran into the awesome Carmela Dutra at Left Coast Crime this year, and as Chicks, we couldn’t help but notice her adorable chicken-themed swag. So of course we invited her to come visit the blog! Carmela’s Food Truck Mysteries feature twins who run the “Kluckin’ Good” food truck. … Continue reading “Twins, Fried Chicken, and a Lifetime of Mysteries” — by Guest Chick Carmela Dutra (Giveaway!)
Help the Chicks celebrate book release day twins Ellen Byron and Patricia Sargeant (writing as Olivia Matthews). Continue reading Book Release Day Twins
Chicks on the Case 