I’ve spent a good portion of my life obsessed with Peter Pan and Neverland. When I was little, I fantasized about Peter materializing at my window, holding out his hand, and flying me off to his magical island. Then one night, I discovered a real magical island much closer to home. We lived in Queens at the time, on a street that happened to be … Continue reading Neverland in New York
Due to a scheduling snafu, the world woke up to no post from us here at Chicks. Gasp!! THE HORROR! I bravely jumped in and said, “Don’t worry, Chicks. I’ll fill the gap!” But… with what? I shared my New Orleans Do’s and Don’ts all over the internet for anyone who might be visiting the city, especially for the upcoming Bouchercon mystery convention. I wrote … Continue reading Please enjoy these pictures of our dog
I began writing in journals when I was thirteen. I was inspired by a late-night adventure I had with friends that no one would have thought twice about in the early 70s but would have given me a heart attack if my daughter had taken a similar jaunt when in middle school. Anyhoo, a few weeks ago I was in such desperate need of a … Continue reading 20+ Years of Angsty Journals
Got ya with the title, didn’t I? It’s a good one. A really good one. The trouble is, that’s all I’ve got. At least, so far… Recently, for the first time in six years, I suddenly found myself between projects. Free time meant I had no excuse not to go through the twenty-plus years of accumulation that make our house look like it belongs in … Continue reading Eight Ways to Die
(Before I begin my post, congratulations to Merri Matalon, who won a copy of Laura Jensen Walker’s new book, Hope, Faith, and a Corpse!) Due to the pandemic, I put off seeing my mother for over a year. She just turned 94 and I didn’t want to risk bringing so much as a cold home to her. Then she was rushed to the hospital in … Continue reading Finding my “Calm.”
No parades. No balls. No bars. No hordes of visitors reveling in iconic Mardi Gras celebrations. You’d think that would plunge a city into a deep depression. Well, not if that city is New Orleans. Don’t get me wrong, there was depression. How could there not be? But then some of New Orleans’ many creative types came up with a way to celebrate in a … Continue reading Mardi Gras becomes Yardi Gras
My mother spent Christmas in the hospital due to a sudden, extremely painful condition. She’s home now and slowly getting better. But I figured, what better time to share a post from our wonderful, last pre-Covid visit? When my mother told me that the daughter of her old friend Adia would be speaking at the Orsogna Mutual Aid Society’s Women’s Day luncheon, and that Adia … Continue reading Mama mia, what a mama!
When I was twelve years old, my mother announced that we would no longer have a Christmas tree. The family was suffering from financial troubles and Mom and Dad were in the dumps. My reaction – “Give up the family Christmas tree?! Oh, hell to the no.” I told my parents if they bought one, I’d take over decorating and un-decorating it. They agreed to … Continue reading When Crafts and Christmas Collide
Ever since I began writing the Cajun Country Mysteries, a highlight of publication has been my annual panel appearance at the Louisiana Book Festival, which takes place in Baton Rouge either the last Saturday in October or first in November. I always combine the trip with a visit to New Orleans, especially now that our daughter has followed my path and is attending college there. … Continue reading A New Orleans Halloween
Yes, it’s another post about virtual appearances. But this one has pictures! And links! Because… if you’re promoting a book these days, it’s gonna be an online experience. Which can actually offer some great opportunities from the comfort of your own home, in pajamas from the waist down. (Then again, I’ve been wearing men’s pajama bottoms as pants for ten years, so I was ahead … Continue reading Virtually Yours, Ellen…
Despite the fact that I’m on the internet so much it probably looks like I live there, I’ve never been completely comfortable trumpeting my own work. But I have to. All authors do. Publishing economics dictate we handle the majority of our own promotion these days. So, to publicize a new release in a way I could live with, I decided I needed to call … Continue reading Shameless Shilling, Byron Style
When you write mysteries, you tend to gravitate toward the macabre, which is how I ended up on the Creole Mourning Tour offered by St. Joseph Plantation in Louisiana. Continue reading What I “Borrowed” From a Creole Mourning Tour
Chicks on the Case 