There are lots of great things about being a mystery writer, but one of the best is watching people’s reactions when you tell them that you kill people for fun. Most mystery lovers are in on the joke, but it’s fun when someone’s eyes go wide as they wonder whether or not you’re actually dangerous. The good news is, you don’t have to write a mystery … Continue reading How to Cultivate an Air of Mystery
One of the reasons I love writing the Destination Wedding Planner Mysteries is that each book lets me spend time in a new location. I don’t just mean literally, like during research trips, but also mentally, like a mini-vacation every time I sit down to write. I can spend the day pretending I’m in a beautiful Mexican village or having a picnic in the wine country, … Continue reading What I Did(n’t Do) on My Summer Vacation
Last month I went on a road trip with one of my favorite people in the world. Along the way, I realized it was the perfect metaphor for the whole plotting vs. pantsing debate. So which am I? Both, as it turns out! Continue reading Plotter? Pantser? Or Road Tripper?
When I wrote about my visit to San Quentin prison with my NorCal Sisters in Crime chapter, I had a hard time keeping my story from sprawling on for pages and pages. I focused on one specific aspect of the story — meeting the prisoners — but didn’t get a chance to talk about the tour itself. A couple of people suggested I write a followup, so here goes! Continue reading “Doing Time, Part 2”
Last Thursday, my local Sisters in Crime chapter visited San Quentin State Prison. It wasn’t exactly what I expected; it was actually way better. I may never use it as “material” for one of my novels. But I definitely wanted to share it with you guys. Continue reading “Doing Time with my Sisters in Crime”
I was hoping she’d work out the kinks in my shoulders. Instead, she gave me some good material for a crime novel. Was it relaxing? Or was it an assault? I’m still not entirely sure… Continue reading Death by Masseuse
MARLA COOPER: Today on Chicks on the Case, I’m excited to introduce hilarious mystery author and all-around awesome person, Cindy Brown. When I met Cindy three years ago at Left Coast Crime, we were both at the exact same spot in our writing careers: We’d both just finished our first manuscript, neither of us had an agent, and we were both trying to figure out … Continue reading Guest Chick: Cindy Brown
When I was writing the second book in the Kelsey McKenna Destination Wedding Series, I attended a wedding fair in downtown San Francisco, and one thing that stood out to me was the idea of having a signature cocktail at a wedding. I ended up using that in the book, but instead of being at a wedding, the signature cocktail ended up being served at … Continue reading Make it a double: Two signature cocktail recipes for Dying on the Vine
So…. I may or may not come from circus folk. Find out about that time I was researching my ancestors and learned the incredibly true but somewhat exaggerated story of Oscar Kraus, The Kansas Giant, and his ongoing quest for true love. Continue reading “Circus Freak” Seeks Same: A Tall Tale
I’m fresh off the plane from Left Coast Crime, and it was held in Honolulu this year—which, in case you’re wondering, does not suck at all. Herein, a recap. Continue reading Honolulu Havoc: Left Coast Crime
UPDATE: The response was so great that I decided to give away all five books! Congratulations to the following winners. Send your address to marlacooperauthor @ gmail.com to collect your prize. Green Stripey. Kathy Gonzales Red Literary. Marcy Konecny Japanese. Katharine Kan Be filled with joy. Kim McMahan Davis The Kiss. Beth Peters Lately, we’ve been trying to reduce our household book collection to only what will fit on four … Continue reading Win a Free Book Filled with Nothing
Just before Christmas, my husband and I were browsing in an antique shop in Healdsburg, California, when we saw a life-size skeleton hanging out in the corner by some old traffic signs. Of course, my first thought was, “YES, we need a skeleton,” because what mystery writer doesn’t? But then my second thought was, “Whoa, now, slow down a second,” because whether to get a skeleton … Continue reading Introducing: The Skeleton in my Closet
Chicks on the Case 