I was talking with someone at Malice Domestic a couple weeks back about the use of MacGuffins in mystery novels and films and afterwards got curious about the origin of the term—and the literary device, itself. So down the research rabbit hole I went. First, I wondered, what exactly is a “MacGuffin”? Basically, it’s an object, person, or secret in a story that drives the … Continue reading A MacGuffin By Any Other Name…
I cannot cook. This malady largely stems from the fact that I do not like to cook and have put only as much effort into learning this skill as is required to keep myself and my two young’uns alive. My cooking style would most aptly be described as ‘how fast can I cook this meal’? (Insert my mom yelling “you can’t cook everything on high.”) “Fast” is a technique that doesn’t work well when cooking but it has worked for me with respect to writing. Continue reading Guest Chick: K.D. Richards
When I was a kid – a mere second-grader, to be precise — the adults in my life labeled me as “unpredictable.” These things tend to stick, of course, and I’m still teased at family gatherings. You can be the judge whether or not it’s deserved. Continue reading Guest Chick: Debra Bokur
Several years ago at a former job, I was promoted to a supervisory position. The transition was rough. Management was making stupid decisions. Direct reports were (understandably) rebelling. I was in the middle. Fun times. One morning, I was leaving for work. I turned the key in my ignition—and nothing happened. My first thought was, “OMG! Someone planted a bomb in my car!” Yes, that … Continue reading Where’s the Crime?
The Chicks on the Case are thrilled welcome author pal Leslie Budewitz to the blog. Just out this week is the seventh entry in Leslie’s Spice Shop mystery series. What Chick Jennifer J. Chow said about the book: “In Between a Wok and a Dead Place, Leslie Budewitz serves a literary feast showcasing Seattle’s Chinatown-International District—spiced with murder. A complex mystery peppered with delectable recipes, inspiring quotes, … Continue reading Guest Chick: Leslie Budewitz
A few weeks ago, I spent some time visiting my mother. This involved watching a lot of black and white movies on TCM, her favorite movie channel. During one of the duller offerings – not all of TCM’s selections qualify as “classic” – my mind wandered to a true classic, The Wizard of Oz. It occurred to me that one simple word made the movie … Continue reading The Incredible Power of a Single Word
It’s the book birthday for the sixth book in my Agatha and Lefty Award-winning Cajun Country Mystery series. I’m so excited because it revolves around Halloween! Could there be a more perfect holiday for a series set in the state that bills itself as the most haunted in the country? To celebrate, I’m doing a half-dozen virtual events with some great authors. Tonight, I’m “at” … Continue reading MURDER IN THE BAYOU BONEYARD launches today!
Kathy here. The Chicks are thrilled to welcome bestselling, prolific (seriously!), and all-around-amazing author Vicki Delany, who’s turning a classic writing axiom on its ear. Take it away, Vicki! Write What You Want to Know There is an old adage: Write what you know. I’ve never agreed with that. Frankly, what most of us know (and thus what we do in our lives) isn’t very … Continue reading Guest Chick: Vicki Delaney
It’s July, and many of us authors are packed off, some kicking and screaming, with our manuscripts to virtual Camp NaNoWriMo for a marathon month of “focus.” Lisa has fallen behind, so she is cheating by posting her required letter home from 3 years ago (with a few updates). Please cheer her on–and for the love of Fluffernutters, don’t tell her counselor! Continue reading This Summer, at Writing Camp: A Letter Home from NaNoWriMo
Five little Chickies went to Left Coast Crime. One little Chickie went on an awesome family camping trip. And the three little Chickies who stayed home went wah-wah-wah! all weekend–and did their best to keep up with all the news from afar. Continue reading What Did (NOT) Happen at Left Coast Crime
We’re excited to have funny and talented author pal Shari Randall back for a visit today as our Guest Chick! Drawn and Buttered, the third entry in her delightful Lobster Shack Mystery series, will be released February 26! And the Chicks would like to extend our congratulations to Shari on her Agatha nomination! Her debut, Curses, Boiled Again, is on the ballot for Best First Novel, which … Continue reading Guest Chick: Shari Randall
Chicks on the Case 