By Fran Paino, AKA F. Della Notte This was an odd morning. I got up, as usual at 4 a.m. (no kudos here – just my body clock), prepared to...

By N. M. Cedeño We’ll start with assessments: I started 2022 with the goal of getting short stories published. In aid of that goal, I set...

Why do we mystery readers read the next line? Turn to the next page? Some writers have the knack of persuading us–for example, Tony...

FRANCINE PAINO AKA F. Della Notte Thanks to Hollywood and TV-land, most of us are tired of Christmas and we aren’t even in the official...

By N. M. Cedeño The fact that the victim in my upcoming story entitled “Merry Library Murder” is a librarian is not a sign of hidden...

By Helen Currie Foster October 31, 2022 In an online ad for her Master Class, writer Margaret Atwood (oh, what a magnificent face she...

Texas mystery author Terry Shames’ latest book, Murder at the Jubilee Rally, has been reviewed on ABC News. To use a folksy phrase—Folks,...

By K.P. Gresham Yep, it’s that time of year again for NaNoWriMo. (Short for “National Novel Writing Month.) And yes, the challenge is to...

by Francine Paino  AKA F. Della Notte Depth and realism. How do authors achieve it? Great writing, of course, but research into every...

By N.M. Cedeño People like to ask writers, do you ever use details from your life in your writing? Answer: Sometimes. It depends on what...

by Helen Currie Foster A critical tool for mystery writers is creation of a gathering place. We watch desperate clients rush straight to...

by Kathy Waller My mother used to tell me I should become a lawyer. “You’re analytical,” she said. I think she meant I was argumentative,...

By K.P. Gresham Still on the research kick, I’m in the process of learning all about moonshine. No, not how to drink it. How to make it....

Francine Paino, AKA F. Della Notte Relationships between mothers, daughters, and sisters, as they relate to one another as individuals...

By N.M. Cedeño How long does it take to hear back from editors with acceptances or rejections of short stories? That depends on a number...

by Renee Kimball “Giants are not as powerful as they seem and sometimes the shepherd has a sling in his pocket.” — Malcom Gladwell David...

by Helen Currie Foster August 8, 2022 Our family’s favorite mystery quote (bolded below) appears in Strong Poison, by Dorothy Sayers,...

By K.P. Gresham In the process of writing the fifth novel in The Pastor Matt Hayden Mystery Series, I needed to find a venue for a...

by N. M. Cedeño Many writers find motivation in challenging themselves in various ways. Some attempt to write a novel length manuscript...

by Helen Currie Foster This week I’ve been in the Land of Stuck. Walking in circles around the kitchen island struggling to come up with...