Hi, Dawn. I really had a rough time, but I seem to be on the way back now. Thanks for checking on me. I hope you're feeling better soon.

Thanks for the well-wishes. I need all I can get. This one has gotten even tough old me down.

Hi Dawn, thanks but no, I can't draw worth a lick -- I created the avatar at faceyourmanga dot com.

Dawn:
Sorry I'm slow in responding--my workshops have kept me traveling a great deal--more than 9500 miles so far this year. I love it!
Did you ever hear authors suggest that folks NOT buy one of their books? I'm about to do the unheard of: If you expect my two titles to be totally different from each other, let me say that the advice in DON'T SABOTAGE YOUR SUBMISSION is almost identical to that in DON'T MURDER YOUR MYSTERY. If you write mystery, I recommend the latter, because the later title, DON'T SABOTAGE... is for all genres. One hundred of the examples in both books are also identical -- and I don't want writers to be disappointed on discovering the similarities after buying both.
Thank you so much for your comments. Chris

North Carolina, especially the Piedmont, is great for year-round living, though I do miss family and friends throughout New York, New Jersey, and New England. I just got back from a two-week workshop tour of Southern California and I love being in the foothills. Met many fine people and eager-to-learn mystery writers. One day at homee and I'm about to set out for Nashville, TN, and the Killer Nashville Conference.
Chris

Thanks, Dawn. There's a Yorkie in my 3rd novel. He just plays a minor role, though. The dog stars of my books appear in alphabetical order: Airedale, beagle, corgi, Dalmatian, English setter, fox terrier.

My next book will feature a greyhound.

LCK

It is a delicate balance. Part of my guilt (about the time I spend writing instead of taking care of Mom) is based in other people's perceptions that writing isn't real work. So I do it first thing everyday before I get sidetracked with other commitments. Hang in there with your writing. It is important!
Lj

Ha ha! It's only been there for about a year or so ... but you have to thank Sandra Ruttan for all the hard work on it. ;)

Dawn, I think you might enjoy my "Antiguan Memories" story on Amazon Shorts. Just go there and type in "Antiguan Memories." It's about a disillusioned Anglican priest, a mute Antiguan boy, and the spirit of a murdered slave girl. Each is seeking release and redemption from their current circumstances.
Although it is set in 1934, shortly after the Edwardian era, and its on the Caribbean island. Also, I'll write you off Crimespace to see about getting together.

Best as always,

Pat

Take care

Hey girlie,
OMG your puppy is SO cute!!!
What's the name of the book you were talking about?
Yeah, I finally got around to posting some of my drawings, sorry it took so long. I've been working on animals and started some fantasy figures.
How are things going with you?

Hey, Dawn,

Thanks for the contact. I hope you enjoy my books. They've got lots and lots of dogs, and even some training tips!

LCK

Hi Dawn. I'm so pleased that you're enjoying the book. Please stay in touch!

Hi, Dawn,

I'm actually going to Antigua on the 13th of June and returning on the 6th of July. I know, I'm lucky. I sure want to hear how your trip with your grandmother went. Egypt! Sounds really wonderful. And we have to get together to do the race track thing, too. Talk to you soon.

Pat

Now I'm curious. Whose website?
The subject matter of THE SEX CLUB involves teen sex, access to birth control, statutory rape, and abortion. But the only minor complaints I've heard are about the characterization of the antagonist as a fundamentalist Christian.

Hi, Dawn

I don't go to comics conventions any more, not since I stopped being a full-time professional in the field.

Melissa and I attended the Boston Comic and Pop Culture Spectacular this past February as guests...it was the first comics convention we've been to in well over a decade.

It was pretty unsatisfactory experience all the way around. I doubt we'll be attending any more of them, even with more graphic novel projects in the offing.

I planned to accompany my friend Jim Mooney to the San Diego Con in 2006 but I broke my ankle.

Thanks for the comment, Dawn! ;o)

Hi. I'll soon be posting some of my cartoons for my virtual friends to view. Been a tough year: I'm working about an extra work day every work week in OT. I'm salary, so I don't get paid extra and am diluting my hourly wage. I'm trying not to get frustrated as negative emotions sap your strength. It's important to me to live up to my responsibilities, but sometimes I wonder if I am allowing myself to be taken advantage of.

I got some free and unexpected advertising from an anthropomorphic newsletter called, Infurnation, for my "Winkie & Nibbles" comic strip that I post at my company website, www.Pun-and-Oink.com. (My company is Pun & Oink (r) Graphics). Problem is, due to taxes and all the OT, I haven't updated it since February. Great timing for free promotion! Gotta get that done tonight. My goal is to get a book of cartoons together to sell, maybe a comic book of "Winkie & Nibbles". In other words, somehow I MUST work less OT.

By the way, I got a 93-year-old grannie. I spent last Thursday night after work running over to ER; turns out she is OK. But shows you just cannot predict your future even that same day. I was planning on working on my Cattle Capers (tm) short story that night; I did do some edits in the ER. I've got to cut about 450 words. I tend to write long short stories. At least readers will get their money's worth. But I did not turn on my computer when I finally got home after all that trauma.

Take care, everyone! Talk to you in another week.
Dawn

Hi Dawn, seems you're not the only one freaked out by my little picture there! lol! it's a weavel from the show Torchwood.

You gave excellent advice and I am going to a writer's conference this weekend, so i'll be getting away from NY and hopefully get a little peace of mind.

i'm glad you got your taxes done and got some rest. how's everything else going? I hope you have a good weekend!

Hi Dawn. Thanks for the kind words. Hey, where is Maple Valley? We used to live just north of Seattle, in Bothell.