I believe we should all chase our dreams. But, I’ve come to believe that when your dreams start chasing you, it’s time to stop running. Most of my life I dreamed of being a published author. I’d long had articles regularly published in suburban newspapers ringing Memphis, Tennessee, where I worked the better part of 20 years as a reporter. But I desperately wanted to … Continue reading When dreams chase you
The Chicks are attending More Than Malice (July 14-17)! Some of us will be at the Author Speed Dating events, and our own Ellen Byron is nominated for an Agatha Award (Best Contemporary Novel)–huge congratulations and cheers!–and you can watch the recorded nominee panels here. The More Than Malice schedule offers information about the many wonderful panels happening this week if you are attending. Also, if you … Continue reading Gone to Malice 2021
As you’re reading this, I’m likely sitting at home propped up on pillows with an ice pack, or limping across the room hanging onto a walker. With my patient husband’s attention, and the aid of painkillers, I should be doing okay. I had hip replacement surgery on Thursday. Since I posted this before I checked into the hospital, I can only speculate about how I’m … Continue reading Bad to the bone
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
