So true, isn't it Silvia? My kids are older now, and I still manage to use them as my reason for not getting things done! I'm not sure what I did when they were little, and I worked in an office 45-minutes away. Guess I was much better at organizing.

Hi Sandy,
Thanks for the invite. Have we ever met a writer who is not worried about the next deadline? How do writers find the time when they have a full-time job...say hypothetically as a high school English teacher...and say hypothetically as a mom with two kids in grade school? I love meeting all these cool people on Crimespace!

Hi all--I'm trying to train myself NOT to look at Crimespace until AFTER I get my writing for the day done. Unfortunately today my daughter wrangled me into taking her shopping for college duds. She's home three more days and then it's SERIOUS writing time. I'm with you, about summer Julie--it's just so hard. And Kathryn, my deadline is December 31. Hope I'm as far as you are in a couple of months!!! Peg is right, though. Human contact is a good thing.

I know just how you feel. I have a November first deadline and just over 200 pages written. A voice in the back of my head keep chanting like a parrot, "Gotta write! Gotta write!"

Hi Sandy,

Me, too December deadline..should be writing!

Sandy,
I think we met just after you published the first book, maybe at Magna? Anyway, thanks for the invitation. You're right that blogging takes away time from "real" writing, but we do have to have some contact with other human beings, preferably ones who read and write!

Hiya Sandy!
Thanks for the invite. Love the "Bean there..." title. And I hear you about procrastinating. I should be writing too, but y'know... summer... hard to keep at the keyboard when the weather's nice. ;-)

How about Grounds for Divorce?

Thanks for the invite, Harry! And I'll write two for you, if you write four for me tomorrow. Seems only fair, right?

Thanks, Cyndi and Lesa! And I feel the same way--it seems like FOREVER!! I changed publishers, hence the delay. And Naomi, you HAVE to let me know how myspace goes when you try--maybe I'll have to take THAT plunge, too!

Go write something! In fact, get two pages for me while you're at it.

Well, it's about time. I've been waiting for your next book. Good to see it's due out in November!

Nope, you don't need to do a thing after accepting a friend request. Some do the "thanks for the addy" thing. If you want to cultivate conversation, you can certainly do that. I'll have to do a myspace page next year for my middle-grade book so I'm getting my feet wet with crimespace. It's nice to communicate with out-of-staters, etc. I don't see crimespace as a site to actually sell my books--more for socializing.

And hey, I'm so with you on the TV show selections. I'm really missing SIX FEET UNDER. And looking forward to the new season of BROTHERS AND SISTERS. If it weren't for THE CLOSER, I wouldn't be watching TV at all this summer.

Thanks for adding me! Your books intrigue me (coffee AND murder!) and now I have to find them!

Thanks, Eric! And I agree it sure is tempting to hang out here--and on e-mail--all day.

Ah, procrastination, I know it all too well. It's the great thing about emailing writer pals in the middle of the day, you know you'll always get a quick response. Welcome to this place. It's good for procrastinating - and other stuff too.

Hi Karen--you're my first comment! Yahoo!! No, I haven't read Louise Titchener, but I'll have to put her on my list. Especially since Bouchercon will be in Baltimore next year.

Thanks much for the warm welcome.

Hi Sandra! Welcome. Don't think there's a spellcheck. I like your booklist - also wondering if you've read Louise Titchener? She's done Baltimore similar to Evanovich. I found Titchener while waiting for Evanovich's next Big One.