Directions to Cozyland

I’m looking for the perfect town. It can’t be too hot or too cold, too rich or too poor, too big or too small, and preferably there will be an adorable cat or dog and a plate of cookies at every house and shop. Oh, and this town must have at least one charming bookstore, multiple gourmet restaurants, a sleepy police department, and very few troublesome children. I’d like to visit the area in person, you see, but even the combined power of Google Maps, Siri and Waze can’t seem to locate it. Can you tell me how to get to Cozy Street? Continue reading Directions to Cozyland

Back in the Saddle (Again)

So it’s officially Monday and I’m at the keyboard, ready to plunge back into my manuscript-in-progress. Maybe “progress” isn’t quite the right word, but I’ve been thinking about it. And “plunge” might not be exactly the correct description, either. But I’m here, prepping to work, and that counts, right? Cue a few background bars of that inspiring oldie “Back in the Saddle Again.” On the other hand, please don’t. Continue reading Back in the Saddle (Again)

Guest Chick: Keenan Powell

Kathleen here, and I’m SO thrilled to welcome the talented, award-nominated and all-around amazing author of the Maeve Malloy Mystery series, Keenan Powell. Take it away, Keenan! Day Trip to Seward: Trains and Whales Before I started writing Hell and High Water, I had a clear picture of the first scene. Maeve’s fed up with law, so she decides to take a summer job in … Continue reading Guest Chick: Keenan Powell

thank you, next: the magic of tidying up your writer’s life

I didn’t bother making any shiny new resolutions for my writing life this year. Sure, things had gotten a little out of control lately. I’d been stuck on the same plot problem (as in, I didn’t actually have one) for months. But that was okay, because I had Important Things to Do. Like check my Twitter feed. Continue reading thank you, next: the magic of tidying up your writer’s life

And Now a Few Words from Our Inner Voices (and Former Teachers)

Everyone’s a critic–or has one. Let’s hear it (or not) for those voices we hear in our heads–the ones that whisper all kinds of not-so-helpful advice, from our second grade teachers to our very own, personal editors. Read on to find out what the Chicks hear, over and over–and maybe sneak a peek at our old report cards!
Continue reading “And Now a Few Words from Our Inner Voices (and Former Teachers)”

Directions to Cozyland

I’m looking for the perfect town. It can’t be too hot or too cold, too rich or too poor, too big or too small, and preferably there will be an adorable cat or dog and a plate of cookies at every house and shop. Oh, and this town must have at least one charming bookstore, multiple gourmet restaurants, a sleepy police department, and very few troublesome children. I’d like to visit the area in person, you see, but even the combined power of Google Maps, Siri and Waze can’t seem to locate it. Can you tell me how to get to Cozy Street? Continue reading Directions to Cozyland

National Novel Writing Month: We Switched to Sprint

T.S. Eliot was wrong. April isn’t the cruelest month. It’s November, and for good reason: Everyone is so crazy busy. For me, it brings the Crime Bake writers conference, last call for NH real estate before the snows, multiple sets of house guests, two Thanksgivings, and…my annual attempt to jam out 50,000 words on a brand new manuscript for NaNoWriMo (aka National Novel Writing Month). Continue reading National Novel Writing Month: We Switched to Sprint

The photo they didn’t want you to see.

Contrary to my ubiquitous jabbering on Facebook, I’m a little uncomfortable when it comes to actually trying to get people to buy my books. A CAJUN CHRISTMAS KILLING, the third  in my Cajun Country Mystery series, launches October 10th. I want to make my publisher happy with decent sales, which means I need to promote the hell out of the book. So I decided to … Continue reading The photo they didn’t want you to see.