Other Than That, Mrs. Lincoln, Did You Enjoy The Play? I am, for the most part, an upbeat person. I don’t get hysterical–well maybe just a little when I see a spider or a creepy, crawly, bug–but I’m pretty even-tempered. Sure I have some down days, but usually I’m a happy camper. If you’ll refer to …
This is my latest book. As you can see, its title is Raising Ruby. The little girl on the front cover is my mother, Ruby Ellen Scott when she was about 8 years old. On the back cover is a photo from about 1938 when she was working at the Paris Coffee Shop in Fort …
I assume most folks reading this blog are either writers, want-to-be writers, mystery fans, fans of writers in general, or someone who might be looking for a life. The dream of becoming a published writer can be a fun thing to entertain–especially if you don’t know any actual writers. Your imagination can go anywhere, picturing …
I know that “Governmental Accountability” is an oxymoron. The bureaucracy is so massive, and the incentive for excellence so small, the public is simply in the position of being at their mercy. But today’s government “screwup” would seem to beg for upper-level management to consult someone in the trenches who actually knows what the H*** …
When I’m working on a project–in this case, let’s say writing a book (which is the project I just finished)–my world becomes that project. The characters in my books talk to me, hoping I’ll give them more screen time. When I’m soaping up in the shower, ideas pop into my head. If I’ve stalled out …
Cleaning up cluttered surfaces is hard work. It’s not so much physical as mental. I see articles, emails, or programs from something I attended. Do I really need to keep them? Why don’t I just toss them when I come in the door from the event. Good questions. I pick up something out of a …
Back in May 2019 I experienced an unusual day. It was notable for the number of people I knew who died. I know, I know. Across the world, many people die every day. But I’ve noticed that the older I get, the more often it happens to those I know. Sometimes, we’re not even talking …
Several years ago, way before I was a published writer, I did the smart thing. I started attending writers’ conferences as often as I could. I was lucky. I connected with a very talented woman who had already been published several times over. Margaret Tessler invited me to join her writers’ critique group and suggested …
(Author’s Note: I’m appalled that I left this post in the ‘draft’ file! While it was composed almost two years ago, the content is still very relevant!) Yes, that sounds stilted, and yet how else would you say it and not dangle your preposition. Of course these days, it’s no longer a problem (according to …
I received this wonderful review from writer Amber Foxx a few weeks ago. At last, I have time to share it with you. Amber Foxx is a mystery writer herself, and someone whose opinion I respect. It’s always such a joy to have her read my work and review it. She has a lovely …
