books

How Bored Do We Have to Be?

Some time ago I read an article by a man who was vastly in favor of AI, especially for writers. “It’s just a tool,” he claimed, “the same as a pen or a typewriter”. Pardon me while I stop laughing. I have this image of a typewriter taking every word ever typed on it and…Read more How Bored Do We Have to Be?

‘Tis the Season (for murder)

In the spirit of October, I'm posting an old poem of mine from seasons past (sung to the tune of "My Favorite Things"): Mysteries in millions And novels with corpses Bright copper daggers And all the pale horses Brown paper packages dripping with gore These are my favorites So let’s have some more! Cream-colored cupcakes…Read more ‘Tis the Season (for murder)

I’m here!

This has been a very busy spring. Among other things, I got to read an advance copy of "Death of a Diplomat", the 6th volume of B.M. Allsop's mystery series set in the beautiful islands of the Republic of Fiji, and starring her lovable cop Joe Horseman. I've enjoyed this series since the beginning, and…Read more I’m here!

Rejection, anyone?

Rejection: a fact of life for writers. Recently in the Short Mystery Fiction Society, someone asked what was our worst rejection. In my long life as a struggling writer, I've been lucky with tactful, encouraging rejections. The only bad one I ever got wasn't really a "rejection", at least not of a finished work. Long…Read more Rejection, anyone?

One of the best ways to spend a winter day in Vermont.

I'm not a winter sort of person. I used to live in Southern California. If I heard about an outdoor venue where I could promote and sell my books, it was an easy decision. Drive out, set up a table or share one, and sit back to enjoy whatever happened. At the very least, I…Read more One of the best ways to spend a winter day in Vermont.

A quick one:

I wrote this 100-word story from the following picture prompt, posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for the Friday Fictioneers. What struck me was that the room seemed so empty, so I wrote a story that is along the lines of "be careful what you wish for": The Children's Room Monica simply wished Joey would stop jumping…Read more A quick one: