I got this little list in an unattributed e-mail from my friend Brian Darovic. It seems to be making the e-mail rounds, but I thought a couple were funny, so I'll list them here. Put yourself in Zen mode.

Zen Sarcasm



1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me the hell alone.



2. The journey of a thousand miles…

Wow! Just saw the artwork of the cover of my latest book (out in March, 2008). Not only did my publisher take my suggestions and use the artwork I suggested; they made it better.

Check it out on my page. Tell me what you think.

Thanks, Mike

Did you ever wonder who does all the cool stuff on the Internet that makes it so much fun? I do.

I know a few names. Daniel Arenson, the author of a fantasy novel called FIREFLY ISLAND, helps other Five Star authors by posting their info on the MySpace Five Star site, with a cool revolving thingie that shows each author's latest cover every few minutes. Now I could never do that in a million years (well, maybe I could, but it's kind of like the monkeys with the typewriter…

Posted by Sheila Connolly

Since I live in Massachusetts and love old things, for the past few years I have gone to the Brimfield Antique Show, which bills itself as the largest outdoor antique show in the country. I'll believe it–three times a year hundreds of vendors take over an entire town and spread over acres. If you can't find the weird antique item you're looking for there, it probably doesn't exist.

When I go, I try to have a plan–a list of things I'm…

Hello friends and fellow crime/suspense lovers!



It's been far too long since I've been in the neighborhood-- so long I feel more like a newbie, than an old foggie. :)

I have missed hanging out in this thriving community, reading lots of great books and meeting wonderful people. I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm back and I look forward to getting back into the swing of things... Slowly but surely things are…

Just sent off two book proposals to my publishers. If accepted, they’ll provide the starting points for the next two Poke Rafferty novels.

I hate writing book proposals. What publishers usually want is a synopsis of the plot, and at this stage I have no idea whatsoever what the plot of either book is going to be.

Plotting is something I let my characters do, so to speak. I come up

with a situation that needs to be…

I tried my hand at a YA story. It's kind of quirky, but Mark at Story Station liked it enough to take it.

http://www.viatouch.com/learn/Storystation/Stories/friendship_balm.jsp

Cliff

Sisters in Crime/LA is proud to present a panel of mystery writers

featuring Lori Wolf, Mari Sloan, Christa Faust, and Kate Thornton, with

moderator Gay Degani. Whether you want to be terrified or thrilled,

these authors will talk about keeping their readers on the edge of

their seats.



The event will be held at the Burbank Library on October 20, from 2 -…

Posted By Leann Sweeney

Maddison Grace Sweeney arrived by C-section last Friday night and I can now call myself Grandma. Yahoo! The troubles that went before, not being there, all those selfish things didn't matter a twit once she arrived. A baby is a miracle for so many more reasons than I ever imagined before she came. You might say can't do anything but cry, eat, pee, poop and sleep, but there is so much more. She can unite a family in instant love. She can bring a smile…

Publishing is fraught with danger for the uninitiated. (I've always wanted to use the word FRAUGHT!) As a new writer, one must navigate a minefield of offers to "publish your book today." Most of us learn to resist the obvious scams, but some are more subtle and therefore more tempting. I once sent a query to an agent in Texas who wrote back with glowing compliments about my great characters and said she would be thrilled to represent an author as talented as I am. Luckily, even then I knew…

Where to draw the line when it comes to research is always and issue for me. A lot of it doesn’t go in — in the end. But it does help me shape character, setting and plot … and adds texture. It also gives me confidence in writing. I can get carried away though

(That’s one of our local Whistler Mounties in the…