The Bar

[Daniel Hatadi]

Most forums have a post that serves as an entry point for new members, a place for them to introduce themselves. At Crimespace, that post is The Bar.

As a way of starting it off, I'll introduce myself.

My name is Daniel and my favourite colour is black. Half Romanian, half Croatian, I was born and bred in Australia, the country I've spent most of my life in. Got a degree in Computer Science and by day I'm a programmer in the shady field of gaming. Yes, I program poker machines. This does not mean I carry around a Bat-utility belt and rush over to clubs when people don't get paid. It's an office job, plain and simple. I stare at computer screens all day.

By night, and during my lunch hour, I write. Mostly crime, but I'm not afraid to venture outside the genre if the story I want to tell goes that way. Even then I'd say my fiction straddles the border between crime and other genres. I've only been writing solidly for about the last three years, the first two of which were spent on a comedic P.I. novel set in Sydney. Like many writers, that novel was my journeyman piece, in that it taught me how to write a novel (which is not to say I've stopped learning). Also like many writers, I don't think I want it to ever see the light of day.

I've since moved on to a novel that if I had to describe in one sentence, would sound something like this: "An unwilling hitman becomes part of a crime syndicate that reaches back to turn-of-the-century Sydney." Part crime thriller, part historical dream sequence, with elements of the supernatural. I'm about two thirds of the way through the first draft and I'm getting a big kick out of writing something more serious.

A few short stories of mine are floating around the net and I have a list of those on my profile page. In the interest of brevity, I'll leave it at that.

Now. Who wants a drink?

[LC Fraser]

Hi. I am kind of unsure about being in a new bar - can I pretend this is an English pub and I have known you all for years? So far only Merlot and Sandra are familiar here, although I have seen a few other faces around the place that I think I know (including my kid sister - hi Jen!). I am Lynne, my favourite colour is green like so many of the rest of you guys but mostly I wear black and cobalt blue. I am a stay at home mother with more kids than I like to admit to some days. Five. The youngest is 10 and the oldest is 21. They do not keep me busy anymore. They are pretty self sufficient except when they are sick or hurt. Or need a bath (ten year old hates baths). We also have five cats. Not sure how that happened at all. I read and play at writing but not in any kind of serious way. That would be work and I think I am allergic. Oh, and I am pure blooded Canadian which means you name it, my family background has it somewhere. That's all for now folks! Someone please hand me a drink quick!!!!

[Thomas O'Callaghan]

Ah, there you are. Not easy making out faces with my blurred vision. I left you a message with the barkeep. I think he's the guy over there with the white apron and the handlebar mustache. Or is that a guy dressed as a mummy on the handlebar of a Harley. Hard to tell. Time to switch to Jell-O shots. This tequila is killin' me.

[Regina Harvey]

Daniel - we meet again. (We sit next to each other on the Shots website right now. ) Hi to everyone else.
Uh, alcohol makes my throat close up and my lips swell like Kim Bassinger. You might think that's sexy but can I have a club soda anyway?
Besides, I have a thriller on submission right now and my stomach is a bit queasy lately. No need to add anything else.
If my daughter could see me now, she'd think her ole mum was almost as cool as she is with her Face Book page.

[Daniel Hatadi]

I thought your name was familiar! You should find a club soda in the drinks room already.

Crimespace is, like, even much more better and way cooler than those other Spaces. :)

[Ron Smyth]

My name is Ron Smyth. Favourite colour is blue. I don't write. I've tried but never produced anything I'd let anyone else see. Never was a drinker and I've quit the hard drugs. I'm a Canuck (ie. English, French, Scottish, Welsh, Irish and German). I'm afraid I'm not the most sociable of people but my love of books means I'm always searching for new (or old but new to me) authors and this looks like a great place for recommendations. I read a lot and have for many years. Love mystery fiction, especially hard boiled PI fare. I've done many jobs. Worked in the mines, cut trees, cut grass, security on movie sets, construction, sold postage stamps to collectors etc., etc. I like books where I learn something. Could be about almost anything. Gambling, First Nations culture, historic events or people. I have a mind stuffed with trivia.

[LC Fraser]

Hey you sound like we come from the same stock - only throw in a few question marks for me as well. We are not entirely sure of what the family background is and there could be almost anything in the woodpile.

What part of Canada do you hail from? I am on Lake Ontario (in a sinking ship). Very near Toronto that is.

LC (or Lynne)

[Mary Reagan]

Well I've been here for a while and somehow missed the bar. How did that happen? I never miss the bar ;-)

I'm Mary and I'm not a writer, but I do photograph writers. I have a photoblog called NYC Photo and I shoot for the wonderful CrimeSpree Magazine. Jon and Ruth keep trying to get me to write, but I keep resisting. I'm a much better photographer than I am a writer.

Born outside of Boston, grad school in Indiana, seven years in DC, then I finally found my true home in NYC.

[Thomas O'Callaghan]

Hi Mary. I've been to Boston thrice. D.C. twice. Never been or received a phone call from anyone in Indiana, so I can't say for certain it exists. (Although your attending Grad school there leads me to entertain the possibility.) Now, New York, New York. That I can relate to. Born, bred, schooled, and likewise a resident. Much of Book I was written, laptop fashion, inside Starbucks on East 17th and University Place. Give my best to Jon. He ran an unsolicited review for me. It was a surprise and greatly appreciated. Cheers!

[Dana Kaye]

Finally made it to the bar! I'm a thriller writer, freelancer, book reviewer and blogger. I live in Chicago where I was born and raised. I swim competitively and work at a health club as the swim coordinator, leaving my skin costantly smelling of chlorine.

My work can be found all over the internet, or just go to my website to read samples.

Cheers!

[Jack Quick]

My name is Jack and I am a reading addict. My habit started at age 4 when I began slobbering over the World Book Encyclopedia and as I begin to approach middle age at 60, I still felle and ongoing compulsion to get thrugh every book in print. So you talented folks, please keep writing and I'll keep reading. Thanks. Alabama Jack

[LC Fraser]

Hey Jack - good to see you here. You will find a few of the usual suspects hiding here and there. Beware of the guy offering to show his etchings. Last I heard he had lost them.

[Merrill Young]

I know where they are!