Crimespace Thoughts: Day One

[Shannon Clute]

When I'm belly up to the bar, I expect the smell of bourbon on the breath and cigarette smoke in the hair. This virtual community stuff is all new to me, and I can't help but think something's missing--the dirt, the grime, the stories that only come out after the third drink. And yet, this is a damn big bar. I've only been here for about an hour and already I have ten "friends," have "met" some damn interesting people (like Robert Boris Riskin), and have learned that Duane Swierczynski's name means something like "dweller near a fir tree." Try doing all that in an hour in a real bar. Maybe virtual is where it's at.

[Burl Barer]

I spent considerable time in the McFeely Tavern when writing my PI novel, HEADLOCK. I don't drink, so I sipped Squirt and soaked up atmosphere, dialog, and enough second hand GPC smoke that I didn't have to light up my Lucky Strikes. This is a great place to justify not working by pretending this is research.
Have fun, and check out the jukebox in the corner.

Burl Barer