CHICK CHAT: What Was the First Serious Writing Project We Ever Completed?

All writers have a starting place–the first time they set down words on paper (or screen) with the intent to have it become an original finished “piece.” So the question we’re asking today is, what was the first serious (and we can each be the judge of what “serious” means) writing project that we ever actually completed? Lisa Q. Mathews I’m not exactly sure we … Continue reading CHICK CHAT: What Was the First Serious Writing Project We Ever Completed?

Leslie KarstOctober 9, 2026October 10, 202632 Comments

Cynthia Kuhn

And now what?

“Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!” ~ Through the Looking-Glass It’s been so busy and chaotic lately for many of us…feels like everything takes more effort than before for a variety of reasons. And trying to … Continue reading And now what?

Cynthia KuhnOctober 5, 2026October 5, 202632 Comments

Patricia Sargeant

The Indelible Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton died Aug. 25, 2026, from cancer. May her soul rest in peace. She was a businesswoman, a performer, an actor, an author, and a philanthropist. But, of course, her greatest impact on the world was through her songs. This is my modest tribute to a singer/song writer I admire—never past tense—so much. I hope I don’t mess this up. Continue reading The Indelible Dolly Parton

patriciasargeantAugust 28, 2026August 28, 202651 Comments

figure seated in an armchair and ottoman, watching TV.

Patricia Sargeant

Get real

Before I get started, you should know I’m omitting the names of the real people in this recount to protect myself. It’s not that I think I’m going to be doxed or anything like that. I’m just exercising an abundance of caution. Continue reading Get real

patriciasargeantJuly 24, 2026July 22, 202623 Comments

Ellen Byron

Split-Second Decisions

A couple of months ago, I was driving to GotPrint in nearby Burbank to pick up yet another batch of my infamous swag. I reached an intersection where I faced the choice of going straight or making a right turn. As the light changed, I made the split-second decision to stay in my lane and continue driving straight ahead. I crossed the intersection and suddenly … Continue reading Split-Second Decisions

Ellen ByronJune 29, 2026June 25, 202642 Comments

Patricia Sargeant

It’s routine

I’m a creature of habit. I love my routines. I think I have a ritual for everything; actions I must take when I wake up, and before I go to sleep, exercise, cook, clean, write. Conventional wisdom is routines are good for us for a variety of reasons. They keep us focused on the tasks we’re working on, which increases our productivity. I’ve also read … Continue reading It’s routine

patriciasargeantJune 19, 2026June 19, 202624 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: Ellie Alexander

Leslie Karst here, pleased to welcome the marvelous Ellie Alexander to the coop, to talk about the benefits of boredom–something we could all perhaps use a little bit more of. And she’s giving away a copy of her new mystery, A VERY NOVEL MURDER, to one lucky commenter! The Beauty of Boredom When we think about what sparks creativity, a long list might come to … Continue reading Guest Chick: Ellie Alexander

Chicks on the CaseJune 3, 2026July 1, 202627 Comments

polished stone with the word create typeset into it.

Patricia Sargeant

Character Lessons

One of the many things I love, love, love about storytelling is channeling the characters who inhabit the worlds I create. Becoming those characters during my writing sessions is like playing virtual dress-up. I can be clever, courageous and well-organized. And while I spend time in their world, my coffee mug is never empty—or at least not for long. Continue reading Character Lessons

patriciasargeantMay 15, 2026May 14, 202621 Comments

Guest Post

Guest Chick: K.D. Richards

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

Chicks on the CaseApril 29, 2026July 1, 202619 Comments

Patricia Sargeant

Will we ever learn?

Personal experience provides the best life lessons. I firmly believe that. To be clear, I’m grateful when people share their experiences with me. It shows a generosity of spirit when someone takes the time to explain a lesson they’ve learned just to spare us the same unpleasant experience. Continue reading Will we ever learn?

patriciasargeantApril 3, 2026April 29, 202627 Comments

Jennifer. J. Chow

Is Writing Really Like A Marathon?

We recently had the Los Angeles Marathon, and two of my family members (spoiler: not me) ran it! It’s been said that writing is like a marathon, but is it really? The quote is often attributed to Robert McKee, and as I combed through running pics, I reflected on this analogy. Here’s my takeaway: SIMILARITIES Mileage 26.2 miles. Friends, this is long. Runners trekked from … Continue reading Is Writing Really Like A Marathon?

Jennifer J. ChowMarch 20, 2026March 18, 202649 Comments

Patricia Sargeant

What’s so funny?

Humor is subjective. I think we can agree on that. What we each find humorous depends on a slew of things, including life experiences, mood and whether we have even one humorous bone in our bodies. Continue reading What’s so funny?

patriciasargeantMarch 6, 2026March 6, 202633 Comments