Behind the Book: “Maria DiRico’s” Fourth Catering Hall Mystery

Welcome to “Behind the Book,” our fun new Chicks on the Case feature! Join us as we Chicks share the real stories behind our stories. Inspiration, motivation, frustration, jubilation–you’ll find them all right here… Hi, Ellen and “Maria” here! You’ll notice I didn’t include the title of Catering Hall Mystery #4 in the header. And the cover image is on the bottom of this post … Continue reading Behind the Book: “Maria DiRico’s” Fourth Catering Hall Mystery

Ellen ByronMarch 10, 2023March 7, 202335 Comments

Vickie Fee

A matter of perspective

Some things have felt a bit overwhelming for me lately, which has led me to think a lot about perspective. The church I attended as a child had a steeple atop the chapel. After worship services had long since moved into the new auditorium, a grade-school friend and I climbed through the old baptistry and into the steeple which housed the by-then silent bells. It … Continue reading A matter of perspective

Vickie FeeFebruary 27, 2023February 27, 202344 Comments

Leslie Karst

Procrastination… Is Makin’ Me Late*

* With apologies to Carly Simon. We’re all guilty of it. You’ve decided that now is the time to sit down and finally do whatever it is you’ve been putting off: those year-end taxes; that letter to your niece thanking her for a lovely birthday present; or perhaps organizing all those thousands of photos on your computer. But I’m thinking writers have to be the … Continue reading Procrastination… Is Makin’ Me Late*

Leslie KarstFebruary 6, 2023January 31, 202341 Comments

Ellen Byron

Behind the Book: Wined and Died in New Orleans

Welcome to “Behind the Book,” our fun new Chicks on the Case feature! Join us as we Chicks share the real stories behind our stories. Inspiration, motivation, frustration, jubilation–you’ll find them all right here… Hi, Ellen here, pulling back the curtain on my new Vintage Cookbook Mystery. The main plot of Wined and Died in New Orleans is twofold: 1) a valuable cache of 19th … Continue reading Behind the Book: Wined and Died in New Orleans

Ellen ByronFebruary 3, 2023January 22, 202330 Comments

Ellen Byron

The Most Inane – or Most Useful Writing Tip Ever. You decide.

Much as I despise admitting it, words don’t always come to me as quickly as they once did. There’s nothing like having a word on the tip of your tongue, then have it dart away and zip around your brain like a fly trying to dodge a swatter. Recently I endured a particularly bad bout of what-is-that-damn-word-I-had-it-a-minute-ago-and-it-went-away-and-then-came-back-and-then-went-away-again-itis. The little devil of a word taunted me, … Continue reading The Most Inane – or Most Useful Writing Tip Ever. You decide.

Ellen ByronOctober 3, 2022October 13, 202247 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Fleur Bradley and #Giveaway

Jennifer here, and I’m super happy to have Fleur Bradley on our blog again. Fleur and I met online years ago, and I always enjoy her stories for young readers. (Don’t tell the kids that I read Fleur’s books first before I pass them on!) What’s Your Daybreak? Or: My Pandemic Book By Fleur Bradley I’m a big Elly Griffiths fan and preorder all her … Continue reading Guest Chick: Fleur Bradley and #Giveaway

Jennifer J. ChowSeptember 14, 2022August 9, 202223 Comments

Jennifer. J. Chow

Little Lanterns of Hope

I’ve always loved Chinese lanterns. Maybe it was because we had one hanging up in my childhood home. Or the fact that I did a school presentation on their use in the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival. There’s something beautiful about a row of lanterns displayed together: Maybe I just like their vivid colors or the lights contained inside them. Lanterns always seem so cheerful. I once … Continue reading Little Lanterns of Hope

Jennifer J. ChowJuly 29, 2022July 27, 202233 Comments

Giveaway, Guest Post

Guest Chick: Faye Snowden (And #Giveaway)

Jennifer here, and I’m happy to welcome Faye Snowden today! Faye is offering a generous combo giveaway to one lucky winner. She’ll be sharing about how she used her bookshelf as a resource for A Killing Rain and give us some great writing self-help book recommendations. My self-help journey By Faye Snowden If you’ve listened to any of my podcast interviews or seen me on … Continue reading Guest Chick: Faye Snowden (And #Giveaway)

Jennifer J. ChowJuly 20, 2022July 14, 202238 Comments

Leslie Karst

Like a Shark

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been on a constant quest towards…something. In school, it was to get good grades. After graduation from college, I formed a rock band and the quest became one for a recording contract (alas, that never happened). Then, once I decided to go to law school, it was to do well enough on the LSAT to get into … Continue reading Like a Shark

Leslie KarstMay 2, 2022April 27, 202235 Comments

Jennifer. J. Chow

Want a Do-Over?

Happy Lunar New Year! 2022 arrived with the roar of the tiger (#yearofthetiger–see what I did there?). If, like me, you need a fresh start, here’s your chance. The Lunar New Year can also be referred to as Spring Festival, and festivities can last up to fifteen days! That’s right. You can still join in on the fun. Cue gratuitous New Year treats: These nut-embedded … Continue reading Want a Do-Over?

Jennifer J. ChowFebruary 4, 2022February 2, 202230 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