My dad loves to say that my job is writing slogans and jingles. Although I have only jingled on a few occasions (or if we’re being fancy, written “song-beds with sing-out”—and I’m not making that up), slogans are bread and butter for copywriters like me. And honestly? I’m here for it. The verbal equivalent of a logo, a slogan (a.k.a. tagline) reflects a brand’s promise, … Continue reading Tag!
Jen here, and I’m happy to have Delia on the blog. We’re now imprint sisters at St. Martin’s, and I love the wealth of knowledge she’ll be sharing today. Delia has been able to switch voices in her writing with great skill. Check out her tips below! Switching Voices Delia Pitts When I started writing my latest mystery, Trouble in Queenstown, the voice of private … Continue reading Guest Chick: Delia Pitts
We don’t have any little ones on our gift list this year, and I miss shopping for them. When our niece Molly, who is nineteen now, was about two, we gave her a bouncing Tigger doll for Christmas. While enthusiastic with the idea, my husband later became less than enamored with this gift. After I had already wrapped the box and slipped Tigger under the … Continue reading The joy of Christmas shopping
I’m not talking about Cascade pods, though those keep my dishes clean. Or coffee pods (#TeamTea here, and I use bags or loose leaf). I’m referring to dolphins. Over Thanksgiving weekend, my extended family went whale watching. The last time we tried (at a different location), the kids were young, and one of them did not enjoy the rocky ride. Alas, that previous experience had … Continue reading Why I Love Pods
Ellen here, happy to host Maya Corrigan, author of the always entertaining Five-Ingredient Mysteries. She’s talking about the genesis of her super fun cozy mystery titles. Take it away, Maya! Thank you so much for hosting me, Ellen. I’m happy to be here visiting the Chicks. I’ve gotten to know several of you at mystery conventions and hope to meet all of you at future … Continue reading Guest Chick: Maya Corrigan
A few years ago, my cousin Marie and I met up for lunch at some trendy Manhattan restaurant. I don’t remember what we were talking about, but she suddenly went, “You’re a Californian.” My jaw dropped. I was appalled. I quickly corrected her. “No, no, no. I’m a New Yorker who lives in California.” I’m sure my instant reaction comes as no surprise. New York’s … Continue reading A cover reveal and a change of heart.
Fabulous author Marla Bradeen has returned for a visit and brought some very special guests along–warmest welcome, one and all! Thank you so much to the wonderful Cynthia Kuhn for inviting me to guest post again! Last time I visited, I came solo. Today, I’ve brought along some of my fellow Malice, Matrimony, and Murder authors. What is Malice, Matrimony, and Murder? I’m glad you … Continue reading Malice, Matrimony, and Murder
Mysteries happen all the time. Even to mild-mannered college professors. At work. (This is a true story.) After class one day, I went to my office to catch up on some grading. On the floor in the hallway, there was a small, saucer-shaped pod with what looked like a puddle of oil underneath. I yelped at the sight of it, and my neighboring colleague came … Continue reading Mysteries Everywhere
PROLOGUE… When Becky’s power went out, she and her hubs realized their battery back-up for their important stuff wasn’t working. Hubs got a new one and hooked it all up before leaving for work one morning. ACT ONE BECKY ENTERS, a look of befuddlement fixes to her face, and remains for an uncomfortably long time. Why? Because while she is finishing her morning’s work, the … Continue reading The Teriyaki Salmon Saga
[No money or consideration changed hands for the kind and generous words Brooke bestowed upon Becky and her book. But only because Brooke didn’t ask for any, and Becky is cheap. So very cheap.] Pantser or Plotter? If you asked me, I’d say I was a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of girl. As a completely solo parent of two lovely, sometimes challenging, mostly adult children, you might … Continue reading Guest Chick: Brooke Craig
James Joyce famously declared of Ulysses, his masterpiece love-letter to Dublin, that if that city “one day suddenly disappeared from the Earth it could be reconstructed out of my book.” But what’s fascinating is that, although Ulysses was written between 1914 and 1921, the last time Joyce actually set foot in Dublin was two years before he started writing, in 1912, after which he never … Continue reading Writing From Afar
Today is Becky’s 39th wedding anniversary, so instead of talking mysteries, we’re talking romance. But because it’s Becky, it’s light on the romance and heavy on the comedy. Weigh in with your favorite RomCom movie. And tell us, do you lean more toward the rom or the com?
Continue reading “Chick Chat: Favorite Romantic Comedy”
Chicks on the Case 