About a month ago, I noticed a dead armadillo by the side of the road. He was a big guy, flat on his back, his legs punctuating the sky.I wanted that armadillo. I'd seen a stuffed armadillo holding a beer bottle on display in a local shop, but it wasn't for sale. I can't explain it, but that silly piece of taxidermy caught my imagination. I thought it was "way cool."Each time I drove past that dead armadillo on the road, I thought, "Gee, what a … [Read more...] about Me and My Armadillo–When the Creative Urge Turns to Roadkill
Murder in the Magic City
Can Murder Make Us Laugh? was the name of our panel, the last panel of the day in Birmingham, Alabama, where Margaret Fenton and her friends made all of us authors feel real Southern hospitality.The verdict? Well, you bet it can! Sue Ann Jaffarian was our moderator. I appeared with Rosemary Harris and Chris Grabenstein.Ask me about my dead armadillo. Go ahead. Ask me...I guess I was making a point.From left to right, starting in the front: Mary … [Read more...] about Murder in the Magic City
Humans Are More Alike Than Different: An Interview With Michael Dymmoch
Michael Allen Dymmoch will be the Local Guest of Honor for Love Is Murder 2011, held in Chicago, on Feb. 4-6. For more information, go to Love Is Murder. 1. I know that Michael Allen isn't your given name. Tell us about why you decided to create your own identity and how that influences you as a writer who creates identities on paper.I prefer not to answer questions about my name beyond saying that your real name is the one you make for … [Read more...] about Humans Are More Alike Than Different: An Interview With Michael Dymmoch
Directions for Making a Shell Mirror
Start with a mirror, of course, but don't do as I did. I bought a mirror in a frame with a beveled edge. That meant an uneven surface for gluing shells. Buy a flat frame. Glue on the shells. Yes, it's that easy. Here are a few tips. (Learn from my mistakes!)1. Sort your shells in advance. I rinse mine with tap water and set them on paper towels to dry. Then I sort them into plastic baggies with ziplock tops. Having them sorted makes it much … [Read more...] about Directions for Making a Shell Mirror
I Start Knowing Nothing: An Interview with Rhys Bowen
Rhys Bowen will be appearing at the Love Is Murder Conference in Chicago, Feb. 4-6, 2011. For more information go to www.loveismurder.net 1. Murphy's Law starts with a wonderful first sentence: "That mouth of yours will be getting you into big trouble one day." In fact, all of your books start with a super first line. Any hints about how you make that happen? I spend a lot of time thinking about the first line. I think it's so important where … [Read more...] about I Start Knowing Nothing: An Interview with Rhys Bowen
The Christmas Eve That Changed Him–and a Free Book Giveaway
Note: Doug Brendel and I have been friends now for nearly forty years. He's one of the smartest, kindest people I know. He might also be the bravest. For years now, he and his wife have been traveling to Belarus to minister to people. His newest book is called, "Why I Quit the Church." I asked him to share a post with us, and I think you'll be impressed by what you read. Doug's honesty comes through, shining like a star atop a Christmas tree. His … [Read more...] about The Christmas Eve That Changed Him–and a Free Book Giveaway
