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

Vickie FeeJanuary 3, 2022January 2, 202237 Comments

Lisa Q. Mathews

The Big “What If?”

Remember that hilarious scene in Home Alone where the McCallister family runs around the house like crazy people before they leave for the airport and everything’s a mess? Yep, that is my house right now. And those people are me. I hope you’ll read on, but you’ve been warned… Continue reading The Big “What If?”

Lisa Q. MathewsDecember 6, 2021December 5, 202139 Comments

Leslie Karst

How Now, Brown Big Cow?

I’m guessing that, as you read the title of this post, every single one of you did a mental double-take. “No,” your brain surely rebelled (perhaps even with a shudder). “That word order is not right. It should be ‘big brown’ cow, not the other way around.” But why? Why is one wrong, the other right? And why is the “wrong” one so exceedingly disturbing … Continue reading How Now, Brown Big Cow?

Leslie KarstNovember 8, 2021November 7, 202143 Comments

Chick Pic

Time for a Chick Pic!

Chicks on the Case readers are some of the most creative folks on the planet. Come play Chick Pic with us! Who is this character? What’s their back story? Victim, murderer, nosy neighbor, innocent suspect? The more ridiculous, the better! Each comment can build on the next–or, start a new one. Writing is all about rewriting, after all. Continue reading Time for a Chick Pic!

Chicks on the CaseNovember 5, 2021October 29, 202123 Comments

Lisa Q. Mathews

Me, Myself, and My Characters

It’s said that writing is a solitary pursuit. Or is it? Continue reading Me, Myself, and My Characters

Lisa Q. MathewsNovember 1, 2021November 1, 202129 Comments

Chick Chat, Group Post

Chick Chat: Amusing Ourselves in an Alternate Universe

Ask us readers and writers what we do for fun, and we’ll probably tell you we…read. Or write. Or stream favorite shows, or cook, or take long walks, or hang with our families, friends and pets. But how do Not Us amuse ourselves in our free time? You may be surprised…

Chicks on the CaseOctober 15, 2021April 4, 202521 Comments

Lisa Q. Mathews

Through the Dark Forest: Ted Lasso for Writers

Recently I mentioned I’m a fan of the TV show Ted Lasso. Don’t worry, I won’t give anything away here, if you haven’t seen it yet. This is what you need to know: The bumbling, ever-positive Ted (played by an amusingly mustachioed Jason Sudeikis) is an American college football coach hired to coach a ragtag football (“soccer” to Americans) club across the pond. He literally knows zip about British football. But what he does have to offer is folksy advice—often unsolicited, but always on-point—to those who need a little motivation. Or a lot. Continue reading Through the Dark Forest: Ted Lasso for Writers

Lisa Q. MathewsSeptember 27, 2021September 26, 202136 Comments

Lisa Q. Mathews

Staying the Course

Early this morning I received an alert from my no-fail personal emergency broadcast system: my black cat, Lucy. Said emergency had nothing to do with the approach of Choose-Your-Category-Take-Your-Best-Guess Storm Henri. Her concern? Breakfast service, STAT. Continue reading Staying the Course

Lisa Q. MathewsAugust 23, 2021August 22, 202134 Comments

Vickie Fee

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

Vickie FeeAugust 16, 2021August 15, 202145 Comments

Lisa Q. Mathews

It Was a Dark and Stormy Morning…

If you happen to be a Peanuts fan—or a writer—you’ve probably seen the cartoon of Snoopy on top of his doghouse, hard at work on his novel. He has the perfect opening line: “It was a dark and stormy night…” Continue reading It Was a Dark and Stormy Morning…

Lisa Q. MathewsJuly 19, 2021July 18, 202134 Comments

Lisa Q. Mathews

Hey, Look–Squirrel!

While flipping through my high school yearbook recently in an odd fit of nostalgia, I reread the caption under my senior picture. Somehow, I’d forgotten I had a sort-of nickname: Squirrel. But there it was, listed first thing. Continue reading Hey, Look–Squirrel!

Lisa Q. MathewsJune 14, 2021June 13, 202128 Comments

Lisa Q. Mathews

In Defense of Spring Hygge

As I pen this post from my New Hampshire kitchen, it is a quiet Easter morning—sunny peacefulness broken only by muffled sounds of cursing outside the window. Yes, over my pitiful objections, my husband is taking down our outdoor Christmas lights from the roof. And yes, I know what you’re about to say, dear readers. APRIL? The Shock. The Horror. The Disgust. But wait, hear me out… Continue reading In Defense of Spring Hygge

Lisa Q. MathewsApril 5, 2021April 5, 202136 Comments