What’s the best point in the story to begin a book? I’ve gone through some rigorous writing exercises recently trying to figure that one out for myself! After three false starts, I think I’ve got it nailed down for my work in progress. (Fingers crossed.) With this in mind, I thought it might be fun to do a little writing exercise today on Chicks. Readers, … Continue reading Where to start?
My hometown of Memphis, Tennessee has some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, and (in my opinion) the very best pork barbecue you’ll ever taste. Memphis is famous for music from Beale Street to Sun Studios to Stax Records. Unfortunately, it’s infamous for some things, too. On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed by an assassin’s bullet while speaking from … Continue reading A day to remember — and to dream
So, when you are a writer and you occasionally (daily) spend too much time on social media, you may start looking for writing wisdom and inspiration on Twitter. Unfortunately, I must not be like other writers because oftentimes these memes completely miss the mark for me. For example: You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write. … Continue reading Writing advice that doesn’t apply to me
Like many people I start each January with a list of resolutions of all the things I’m going to accomplish during this calendar year. You know the list – ambitious, optimistic, unrealistic goals. Most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions by March and have forgotten all about them by April. Not me. I stop actively pursuing those goals by March, but I tell … Continue reading All the things I’m (not) going to get done in November
The virtual version of Bouchercon, which was originally set to be held in Sacramento, California, happens online the middle of October. I’m truly glad they’re going ahead with a virtual event, in light of the Covid-19 crisis. But, seeing the posts this week about the upcoming convention has got me feeling a bit blue about missing the in-person connections of conferences, and has me reminiscing … Continue reading Our Missing Links
Remember Macaulay Culkin, that cute little kid from the Christmas film, “Home Alone”? He just turned forty. Yep, you heard that right. Forty. If it makes you feel old, join the club. Actually, reading last week that Macaulay Culkin is forty was just the icing on my feeling-really-old pity party cake. August brought a couple of other startling milestones in my family. My youngest nephew, … Continue reading Startling milestones — I’m feeling old
Did any designers last year predict that protective face masks would become the fashion accessory of the season? Probably not. While the reason that the trend was necessitated isn’t in any way fun, I have respect for those who are able to make lemonade out of lemons. I know some folks have mad skills and are sewing their own masks, including making masks that … Continue reading A socially-distanced fashion parade
Yesterday, Father’s Day, was an emotional day for many. For some, happy and celebratory. Giving Dad a call, gifting him with (yet another) necktie and a card. For some, a day of tears, perhaps the first Father’s Day since Dad passed. For many, a mixed bag of emotions Continue reading Best Daddy in the world
On social media, people have been sharing how they are coping the changes in our daily lives brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of us have been playing board games with the spouse and kids. Some of us have been cooking – and eating – more comfort food. And many of us who generally escape into books have been binge-watching favorite TV shows. … Continue reading X marks the binge-worthy
So my husband has been working from home because of the COVID 19 shelter in place measures. Since I already work from home, it hasn’t been a huge change for me, for the most part. But, I was struck by how much technology has changed our lives. The other day, I was in the office/guest room on a video conference call at the exact same … Continue reading The tech that dreams are made of
Tomorrow, MY FAIR LATTE, the first book in my Café Cinema Mysteries, will finally be out in the world! If you’ve heard me mention the book (non-stop) the past few months, you already know a little about it: Broke, unemployed barista Halley Greer unexpectedly inherits a timeworn movie theater and reopens it with a coffee bar showing classic films. Opening night’s premiere of “My Fair … Continue reading Coffee, Films — and Family
Authors often get asked how much research we have to do for each book. So, I thought I’d share a peek into a bit of the research for MY FAIR LATTE, which comes out March 3 – one month from today. (Think *pre-orders*!) Halley Greer, my unemployed barista protagonist, unexpectedly inherits a timeworn movie theater, which after some renovations, she reopens with a coffee/wine bar … Continue reading Research, or suffering for my art
