The blessings I’ve received — and continue to receive — are more than I can recount here. Those, of course, include my family (including the extended Clemenses and Smuckers), my homes, and my church. As far as the writing world goes, here are some of the special gifts I am so grateful for:
The [...]

Somewhere along the line I got distracted by Dorothys. Several of my favorite authors share that name. Sixteen years ago I even named my cat Dorothy because of my love of all mysteries Dorothy. My mother recently began re-reading one of the series, and got me back to thinking about them. [...]

Yesterday I got to do one of the best things…I sent my completed manuscript to my editor. It’s always such a good feeling. But so much leads up to it.
The idea: The moment when I say, Aha! So that’s what this book will be about, and that person will be the [...]

At this house the grab bags are filled with a multitude of candy from trick-or-treating. Too much around to be good for anybody. So I’ll offer a literary grab bag, which is much healthier.
Another wonderful author has gone to the great writer’s retreat in the sky. Michael Crichton has left us at [...]

A reader named Fran wrote to me this week. She said she’s been reading (and enjoying!) my books, then continued on with this question:
“The problem I’m having with Stella is … is she really a woman? She never looks in a mirror, despairs of her hair, or wonders what to wear. I [...]

Okay, I admit it. I lost my temper. Just a bit. But in front of a roomful of people.
The context: Bouchercon, in Baltimore. I was a member of a panel called, Otherside, which looked at keeping amateur sleuths real. Anthony nominee William Kent Krueger was moderating. Our subject [...]

Attending mystery conventions such as Bouchercon are good for many things:
Reconnecting with author friends
Reconnecting with fans
Learning about what’s going on in the business
Getting re-motivated
and, of course, just getting out of the office.
Another thing I love about them is that I meet new people. Here are a few authors I met this week that you [...]

I’m becoming president today.
Not, thank goodness, of our country, but of Sisters in Crime. After our board meeting in Baltimore today, where I am attending Bouchercon, the annual international mystery conference, we have a special luncheon in which I will accept the seal of office. This is, in actuality, a stuffed [...]

One of the best things about being a writer is the research. Now, I’m not talking library research, although that can be interesting. I’m talking the gritty down-to-earth research in which we get to talk to people about their jobs, their hobbies, and their life experiences. This kind of research is the [...]

I’ve spent the last couple of television seasons watching House, M.D. I’m sure a lot of you have, too. I’ve watched the first two shows this season, and I have to say, I don’t really mind if I miss the next few.
Hugh Laurie is, of course, fantastic, and I still laugh out loud [...]