Tag: writing inspiration

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. Mathews36 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 Fee45 Comments
Leslie Karst

Where Do You Get Your Ideas?

This is probably the most common question asked of me by folks hearing for the first time that I write mystery novels. And my go-to answer is generally, “Why, everywhere!” But the other day, when a neighbor—who’s just now reading through my Sally Solari series—asked me this question, after providing the same stock answer as usual (with the addition of, “Hey, you might end up … Continue reading Where Do You Get Your Ideas?

Leslie Karst42 Comments
Guest Post

Guest Chick: Cherie Claire

Ellen here, and I’m thrilled to welcome my friend Cherie Claire to the Chicks for the first time. Cherie, who also writes as Chere Coen, has become a good friend through our mutual Louisiana appearances and fascination with the state. (She gets to live there; I only get to visit.) Today, she shares some wonderful words of writing wisdom. A Few Words on Writing I … Continue reading Guest Chick: Cherie Claire

Chicks on the Case11 Comments
Vickie Fee

Just a Cupful of Inspiration

Mystery writers often get asked, “Where do your ideas (for books, murders, characters) come from?” This is a question I field at pretty much every presentation and every interview I do. Since doing the cover reveal last week on social media for the new series I have coming out early next year, some people have asked, “Where did you get the idea for this series?” … Continue reading Just a Cupful of Inspiration

Vickie Fee34 Comments
Lisa Q. Mathews

This Summer, at Writing Camp: A Letter Home from NaNoWriMo

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

Lisa Q. Mathews17 Comments
Lisa Q. Mathews

Writer vs. Muse: A Twisted Tail

By now we’re two weeks into the New Year. The balloons have deflated and the party hats and horns and champagne glasses are packed up or recycled. Every other writer I know is officially back to work, committed to ambitious daily word counts. But me? I have to wait until January 28th, the dawn of the Chinese New Year. Here’s why. Long before the popular call to abolish 2016, it … Continue reading Writer vs. Muse: A Twisted Tail

Lisa Q. Mathews12 Comments