Out with the old, in with the new hip — and accepting progress over perfection

The start of a new year is typically a time to make resolutions and plans. My resolutions are more like wish lists, because if I were truly resolved I’d be thin and have an immaculate and organized home by now. I started last year with a very definite plan and even followed through on my part. But, best laid plans…yada yada. I planned to have … Continue reading Out with the old, in with the new hip — and accepting progress over perfection

It’s not a mystery

“How did you end up writing murder mysteries?” Implication being, “Why would a nice woman like you write about murderers?” I’ve been asked this question more than a few times. It started innocently enough for me. See if any of the telltale signs apply to you. You might be a mystery writer if: While driving you work out scenes, saying the dialogue out loud. At … Continue reading It’s not a mystery

School daze

I’ve been enjoying all the first day of school posts lately on Facebook of my friends’ kids and grandkids. Standing on the front porch are smiling youngsters holding a sign that says: “Duncan – First Grade” or “Natalie – Kindergarten.” When my sister’s oldest child started kindergarten, the teacher gave the parents little care packages to take home. (One way to get the lingerers to … Continue reading School daze

When dreams chase you

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

Gone to Malice 2021

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

A day to remember — and to dream

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

Writing advice that doesn’t apply to me

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

All the things I’m (not) going to get done in November

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