“Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” L. Doctorow I’ve always enjoyed Doctorow’s simile, but up until recently, I never thought it applied to me. When it comes to plotting my novels, I’ve been…
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“It’s not the idea of death that bothers me; it’s the hours.” – Woody Allen I’m not a big fan of Woody Allen, but the guy has a point. It’s hard to think about the permanence of our own mortality or worse, the death of our loved ones. While it’s true that no one gets…
Read MoreYesterday, I traveled to Cincinnati to visit Connie, my dear friend of many decades. The drive was long, but I never mind making it. Connie and I met when we were teaching fellows in the dance department at the University of Michigan. She was so incredibly gorgeous that I was sure we’d never become…
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I’m always fascinated by how gifted fiction authors who didn’t plan to become writers discover this is something they’re meant to do. In her guest blog, Lois Winston, author of the newly released Guilty as Framed, an Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery, shares her story and offers a valuable piece of writing advice. Welcome to my…
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My sister Marty, a fantastic grant writer and development professional, recently retired and has embarked on writing a memoir (which I can’t wait to read!). Recently, she asked me questions about my life as a working writer: Do I put myself on a writing schedule? Yes Do I have a preferred time of day to…
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An engaging new mystery series is always a cause for celebration! Below, S.A. Kazlo talks about her new series and teacher-turned-writer career: First off, congratulations on the release of KIBBLES AND DEATH, the first book in your Samantha Davies mystery series. Can you tell our readers a little about what inspired you to write it?…
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What a pleasure to interview an author who writes both adult mystery novels and books for kids and young adults. Below are Marilyn’s responses to my interview questions, followed by her bio and buy links. First off, congratulations on the release of Dewey Decimated, part of your Haunted Library mystery series. Can you tell our…
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I’m delighted to welcome veterinarian-turned-author Millicent Eidson as a guest contributor to my blog today. Dr. Eidson’s expertise in public health and zoonotic diseases (like COVID and monkeypox originating from animals) grounds her alphabetical series that emphasizes entertainment, education, and enlightenment. She just released her second book, Borrelia: A Microbial Mystery. Below is Dr. Eidson’s…
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Next week, I leave to spend four days in Franklin, Tennessee at Killer Nashville, which ranks as one of my all-time favorite writers’ conferences. It’s small enough to be intimate, and its founder and director, Clay Stafford, is committed to making it an encouraging, supportive experience for writers at every level. Last year, I had…
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