*Not all mystery writers. Not only mystery writers. Not all the time. Not without good reason. Discuss mysteries. We never tire of this subject. Read new books, then proceed to tell the author and everyone else how much we love them. See #1. Talk at length about ways to murder people–and by people, we mean characters, though this has caused startled glances more than once, … Continue reading Things Mystery Writers Do*
No doubt about it, authors experience plenty of ups and downs on the crazy roller coaster of Publishing. Sometimes it’s a thrilling ride, and sometimes it’s…less thrilling. But one thing writers can count on: We are ALWAYS busy. Here’s what some of the Chicks are working on at this very minute… Continue reading “What We’re Working on Right Now”
Greetings, Mystery Fans, from the Acela Express! Lisa here, chugging home from the annual Malice Domestic conference in Bethesda, MD. I haven’t even begun to process all the amazing events of the weekend–but here are just a few from my Chicks highlight reel. Continue reading The Chick on the Train (from Malice 2019)
Lots of authors and readers are gearing up for their annual pilgrimage to Bethesda, Maryland for Malice Domestic this week. Many have posted on social media how much they’re looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones, and how attending their first Malice was like finding their tribe. Kindred spirits. I felt that way, too. In fact, it was at my very first … Continue reading Unhappy camper, and finding your tribe
As a new author, I took to Facebook like a book nerd (which I am) in a library, but I originally resisted Twitter. It looked like a lot of gibberish to me with the abbreviated messages (remember when they could only be 140 characters instead of 280?). And all those symbols mixed in that I grew up calling pound signs looked ridiculous. My husband insisted … Continue reading Do hashtags give you a #pounding headache?
So, when you are a writer and you occasionally (daily) spend too much time on social media, you may start looking for writing wisdom and inspiration on Twitter. Unfortunately, I must not be like other writers because oftentimes these memes completely miss the mark for me. For example: You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write. … Continue reading It was the best of memes, it was the worst of memes
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
In December, my glasses broke. They didn’t come apart, mind you, they broke like a brittle bone. Not that there’s ever a good time to break your glasses, but in the middle of Christmas shopping isn’t the best time to have to suddenly shell out a few hundred bucks. But since I’d need a guide dog and a white cane to get around without them … Continue reading Buying new frames is a spectacle
The Halloween candy isn’t even stale yet and I’m already thinking about Thanksgiving. Because: I have much for which to be grateful. I love watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Miracle on 34th Street. And (who are we kidding), the annual feast! My list of Thanksgiving dinner must-haves: Turkey. I’ll admit here, somewhat red-faced, that I’ve never cooked a whole turkey by myself. My … Continue reading Thanksgiving thoughts, with all the fixin’s
It’s October, which means, well I guess it means a lot of things. But one of those things is HALLOWEEN! When I was a kid, Halloween meant roaming the neighborhood collecting candy in a sack. And by roaming the neighborhood I mean going only to those houses where my mother actually knew the people (Mama’s rules, of which there were plenty.) It also meant donning … Continue reading Dressed to Thrill
Having the same name as someone else can be a source of pride – for instance, being named after a parent or grandparent. Or a source of annoyance – if you keep getting someone else’s mail. Or confusion – like, did you write that mystery about bionic Sherlock Holmes and his mutant sidekick Whatsit? (Um, no.) It can even be kind of cool. Today the Chicks are chatting about people not related to us, both the interesting and the infamous, who happen to share our names!
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
Chicks on the Case 