by Pari Noskin Taichert

An idea is precious, more valuable than gold.

But if forced, new quickly descends into old.

The most brilliant spark can lose its glow

When edited too much, when pushed where it doesn't want to flow.

Work each day, sit at the computer.

Grab and observe like an emotional looter.

Characters demand their stories be told.

The writer transforms into mother,…

It's done. I gave the full-day workshop on "Think 'Published' to Get Published," at Anne Hillerman's home in Santa Fe (Yes, she's one of Tony's daughters). Eleven people attended and by the end we were all exhausted; I gave them so much information I could see their heads swelling. I also made them do all kinds of writing exercises so that they'd have several places to start on their search for publication, AND also did quite a bit of psychological…

Lord, save me from book raisers.

Stay their hands.

Lay their volumes upon the table . . . flat.

If nothing else works, let the pages of their books fly unto the ground like ginko leaves in autumn.

Protect me from panelists who put down cohorts to raise self worth.

Still their snipes.

Silence too-frequent references to their own…

In the summertime, during New Mexico's highest fire risk, I have dark fantasies. Most often, they're sparked by some young woman who throws her still smoldering cigarette butt out of a car window. In spite of my fury, I've never imagined murder -- not in real life -- not with the kids in the car.

I do think about murder when I'm writing, though. The method and the why of it are part of the big puzzle, the challenge in coming up with a "compelling" novel.

And yet, in…

This bar is getting mighty cozy, isn't it? I step away for a minute to top off the O'Ban and come back to a slew of new revelers. It know it's a tad early for a second shot, so, I'll just sit back and enjoy the show.

Having so many "friends" is quite the ego-rush, isn't it?

Just about everyone I know has told me that Crimespace is the place to be. So, here I am. It'll probably take me a couple of days to figure out the finer points . . . but I have managed to keep a blog going, I should be able to handle a communicating in a community of like-minded folks.

Today, I'm working on my next Murderati post for Monday. Can't decide if it should be "Motive for Murder" or "Million-Dollar Market." Also working on Book # 4 in the Sasha series and have made progress…