A little piece I did for The ASJA Word. How to deal with time and life when you’re about to blow. Right here.

Lots of literary events coming up in the next month, so if you’re in the area or planning to be in the area, try to make one.

On March 29 is Ladies of Intrigue. Here‘s the website.

Here’s the panel lineup
PROGRAM
8:00 A.M. – 8:45 A.M. REGISTRATION A time to purchase books by the authors
Coffee, tea and muffins
8:45 A.M. – 9:00 A.M. INTRODUCTION of Sisters in Crime Authors
President Gayle Carline
9:00 A.M. – 9:45 A.M. DOWN A DARK ALLEY How Setting Shapes Story
Panelists: Jan Burke; Naomi Hirahara; Jeri Westerson; Patricia Wynn. Moderator: Patricia Smiley
9:45 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. TOUGH COOKIES Strong Female Characters
Panelists: Jill Amadio; Carol Higgins Clark; Tammy
Kaehler; Sheila Lowe. Moderator: Terri Nolan
10:30 A.M. – 10:45 A.M. BREAK
10:45 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. FEATURED SPEAKER CAROLYN HART
11:30 A.M. – 12:30 A.M. ROUNDTABLE BOOK SIGNINGS for speakers and
panelists. BOOK SALES
12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M. LUNCH
1:30 P.M. – 2:15 P.M. PASSPORT REQUIRED Mystery Goes International
Panelists: Cara Black; Lisa Brackmann; Kim Fay;
Jeannie Matthews. Moderator: Aileen Baron
2:15 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. FEATURED SPEAKER RHYS BOWEN
3:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. BOOK SIGNINGS AND BOOK SALES
CONCLUSION OF PROGRAM

On April 5 is Literary Orange.
I have a memoir panel at 11:00 with Lori Duron, Alison Singh Gee, Reyna Grande.
Here’s the website.

And on April 12-13 is the Los Angeles Festival of Books. My panel is Sunday, noon, with Jillian Cantor, Scott O’Connor, Marisa Silver, and Zachary Lazar. Here’s the website.

Here’s a recent Q&A I did with true crime writer Caitin Rother for The ASJA Monthly (asjamonthly.org), which I edit. Here it is. Her current book will be of special interest to the denizens of Orange County, CA, because it’s about a local murder that was much publicized in the news. In this Q&A, Rother talks about how she picks her subjects, how she does research, and how she writes.

So happy to post this link to my story, just out in The Big Click. If you read “Crazy for You” in USA noir: Best of the Akashic Noir Series, this story takes place at the same converted motel as “Crazy for You.” New characters, same place, for a interconnected short story collection. Thanks to editor Seth Cadin for taking no time at all to decide he wanted it, and thanks to you for taking a look.

I’ve been trolling about, looking for online bits about creating characters and found this site that has a ton of good (and free) information. If you’ve found a site that’s helped you with your writing, post it here.

I am often asked what I think of MFAs and whether that’s the next natural step for writers who are serious about writing. This guy says it better than just about anyone (and thank you Ariella Jochai for sending me the link). Some will no doubt disagree with him (and me). MFAs are not what they use to be. If you can involve yourself with a writing community that you trust and have your work regularly critiqued, if you take part in literary events, and write a lot, and read a lot, you’ll basically be doing what you need to do to progress along the writing path. But don’t listen to me. Read Chris Brecheen’s blog. If you feel like it, post a comment here and let me know what you think.