I’m back from the Writers’ Police Academy’s (WPA’s) 2019 MurderCon, a conference so packed full of forensic and investigative information I haven’t even begun to unpack everything I stuffed into my brain while there. I don’t go to a lot of writing conferences, but this one offered so much valuable information for a suspense and […]
For Sissy is a Silver Falchion Award Finalist!
It took me by surprise. I didn’t think the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award finalists would be announced until July 25. But there it was in my inbox, the announcement. I was both excited and afraid. I had been waiting for this for five months. Would my book be a finalist? I read through the […]
Readers, Vote Now!
The polls are now open for the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Readers’ Choice Awards! My terrifying thriller, For Sissy, is among the nominees! Vote for it here!
Those Bad Boys
It’s no good. I just can’t love writing a book without putting a creepy bad guy in it. “Bill Sikes and Bullseye”, an illustration by Fred Barnard As I worked my way through the draft of my latest novel, a mystery, something seemed to be missing. So, I reworked the protagonist, turning her into a […]
Here’s My Latest Update!
Click the link below to see my latest update. Don’t forget to join my updates list so you’ll never miss one! https://mailchi.mp/10435d91f0ee/exclusively-for-you-clean-neat-and-no-nonsense
A Lot of Shoveling
My writing right now is reflecting the schizophrenic and sometimes soul-sucking month of March here in the Northeastern US. In March, a sense of optimism cautiously infiltrates our world. We “spring ahead” and get that extra, delightful hour of light before the close of day, and then the vernal equinox seals the deal as […]
For Sissy Review & Article
I’m excited and appreciative to receive a five-star review for For Sissy from Melanie at Fang-Freakin-Tastic Reviews. Melanie also included me as a featured author in Uncaged Book Reviews! Check it out on page 72. Don’t forget to follow Melanie at @fangfreakin and @FangFreakinTasticReviews Follow Uncaged Book Reviews at @CyreneOlson
Playing Town
Harriet The Spy. That’s who I’m thinking about this week. It’s because I credit Harriet, the petulant lead character in a 1964 book by Louise Fitzhugh, with fueling my desire to become a novelist. If you haven’t read it, you must. But the reason I felt like Harriet this week is because she, an 11-year-old, […]
Creating a Killer
Martin Pulga is a psychopath who, at 28, is the prime age to start a career as a serial killer. The average age of serial killers was one of many data points I amassed while developing this key character for my latest novel, For Sissy. My aim was to create a villain who is believable […]
Procrastinating, er, Plotting
With For Sissy now available for readers, I’m now plotting my next book. I should say “books,” because my next work will be a series — a mystery series. I’m a planner, not a pantser, so I outline. My outlines are never proscriptive, but I do rely on them to get me to the last […]
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