As a new author, I took to Facebook like a book nerd (which I am) in a library, but I originally resisted Twitter. It looked like a lot of gibberish to me with the abbreviated messages (remember when they could only be 140 characters instead of 280?). And all those symbols mixed in that I grew up calling pound signs looked ridiculous. My husband insisted … Continue reading Do hashtags give you a #pounding headache?
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 It was the best of memes, it was the worst of memes
In December, my glasses broke. They didn’t come apart, mind you, they broke like a brittle bone. Not that there’s ever a good time to break your glasses, but in the middle of Christmas shopping isn’t the best time to have to suddenly shell out a few hundred bucks. But since I’d need a guide dog and a white cane to get around without them … Continue reading Buying new frames is a spectacle
When our niece Molly, who is fourteen now, was about two, we gave her a bouncing Tigger doll for Christmas. While enthusiastic with the idea, my husband later became less than enamored with this gift. After I had already wrapped the box and slipped Tigger under the tree, he started bouncing—and singing. He wasn’t moving very far, but he was making quite a racket. Naturally, … Continue reading The Gifts of Christmas Past
The Halloween candy isn’t even stale yet and I’m already thinking about Thanksgiving. Because: I have much for which to be grateful. I love watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Miracle on 34th Street. And (who are we kidding), the annual feast! My list of Thanksgiving dinner must-haves: Turkey. I’ll admit here, somewhat red-faced, that I’ve never cooked a whole turkey by myself. My … Continue reading Thanksgiving thoughts, with all the fixin’s
It’s October, which means, well I guess it means a lot of things. But one of those things is HALLOWEEN! When I was a kid, Halloween meant roaming the neighborhood collecting candy in a sack. And by roaming the neighborhood I mean going only to those houses where my mother actually knew the people (Mama’s rules, of which there were plenty.) It also meant donning … Continue reading Dressed to Thrill
Since it’s Labor Day, I thought I’d reminisce about some of the jobs I’ve had over the years. Best gig: Mystery Author – even if the paydays can be a bit spread out (and paychecks, for most authors, on the thin side). I LOVE that I get to write books! Readers have been very kind, and I still get a lump in my throat when … Continue reading The best of jobs and the worst of jobs
Like so many things, the writing life is easier if you celebrate the small victories along the way. Example: I hit 1,000 words in my work in progress – Yay! Although, if you’re like me, it’s more like: I hit 1,000 words – gosh, only 79,000 more to go. It’s that feeling of stepping on the scales at Weight Watchers after being really, really strict … Continue reading Tipping the word count scale in your favor
HAPPY FOURTH FROM ALL THE CHICKS! To celebrate, I’ll be giving away a signed copy of ONE FETE IN THE GRAVE, set around July 4th, to one lucky commenter. Hey, I’ll even throw in a Chicks on the Case pin! The Fourth of July – hamburgers and hot dogs are on the grill, ice cream is on the cone, and ripe tomatoes are on the … Continue reading Ice Cream — and Fireworks, too?
Yesterday, the calendar officially flipped to “summer.” Today, the Chicks reminisce about camp and family vacations. Long, long road trips, overstuffed cars, and desperate attempts to make it home. Fun in the sun vs. sunbathing rattlesnakes. Fireflies, campfires and, on the flip side, coerced arts and crafts and cranky camp counselors. Follow us down memory lane. Continue reading “The mixed bag of summer”
I remember the very first author I friended on Facebook. It was Jess Lourey. I met her at Murder and Mayhem in Milwaukee, where she had appeared on a panel. After the session, I worked up the courage to speak to her. I told her I’d just signed a book deal and that my first book would be coming out in a little over a … Continue reading Depending on the kindness of authors—and other strangers
All the Chicks collect books, natch. And, not to brag, but several Chicks have collected nominations and awards this season. However, today we reveal our collections, what kind of stuff we gather, display, or hoard—both fun and dysfunctional. (One lucky commenter on the blog today will receive a nifty, and oh-so-collectible Chicks on the Case lapel pin!)
Chicks on the Case 