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?
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
How do you unwind in order to get a good night’s sleep? If you said reading, you may not enjoy the same kind of books as I do. I read mysteries—cozies, traditional, police procedurals, suspense, thrillers—all of which keep me up reading way past my bed time. And don’t tell me to give up coffee. I’ll admit to being a caffeine addict. I’ve given up trying … Continue reading Falling Fast Asleep with Slow TV
In my new release, TIL DEATH DO US PARTY (the one with the pink cover), Liv and Di are in Las Vegas for Mama and Earl’s wedding and have to find the killer of an Elvis impersonator to get an aspiring Elvis impersonator, Liv’s cousin, off the hook for the murder. Meanwhile back in Dixie, Liv’s assistant is wrangling plus-size Elvis costumes for a problem-plagued Elvis-themed … Continue reading Me and Elvis
We have a lot to celebrate this week, starting with the release of Vickie Fee’s latest book, Til Death Do Us Party. This is book 4 in the Liv & Di in Dixie series, and we couldn’t be more excited! Check out the series, grab yourself a copy of the book, and join the whole Chick gang on Thursday for an online launch party. (Here’s … Continue reading Now Available: Til Death Do Us Party
Asking an author to pick her favorite book is a bit like asking a mom to pick her favorite child. An exception to the rule is my mother, because I’m obviously her favorite—but don’t get my sister and brother started on that one. Another exception is the fourth book in my Liv & Di in Dixie cozy series, TIL DEATH DO US PARTY, which comes … Continue reading 5 Reasons New Book Was a Blast to Write
Today is Valentine’s Day—and Ash Wednesday. Kind of an odd mash-up of things that don’t really match. The day we kick-off forty days of fasting and remember we are dust and unto dust we shall return combined with the day we normally celebrate romance, go out to dinner and binge on candy. (For the record, the last time Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day collided was … Continue reading Celebrating VaLENTine’s Day
Most of you may not know (or care), but tomorrow is a banner day for mostly made-up days to celebrate! Here’s a rundown: Tomorrow (January 18) is National Thesaurus Day! Pick a word, any word. It’s National Peking Duck Day! Get Chinese take-out for dinner. It’s National Michigan Day! Raise your hand if you live on the mitten (or above the mitten in the Upper … Continue reading Coffee Day, No Housework Day — What’s On Your Calendar?
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 … Continue reading All the things I’m (not) going to get done in November
In her guest post on the Chicks last week, talented author Julie Hennrikus shared some insights about moving past our fears. She posed a question that got me thinking. Do we push ourselves on a regular basis to do things we didn’t think we could do? I’m not as brave as my protagonist Liv McKay, who plans killer parties while tracking down murderers. And I’m … Continue reading Fun, Fearless Scribe?
Chicks on the Case 