Slackeriffic

Sorry - gone a little cross-eyed and headachy with the revisions. God, is no part of this process easy?!

Oh, well. Nothing a little squirrel fight can't fix...

Happy Birthday, Mr. Hammett

The hubster just called to tell me it was a good day to be writing crime fiction. Humnawha?

Turns out it's Dashiell Hammett's b-day (as well as Tony Hillerman's). Now I know there are plenty of folks who will argue endlessly over who's the big daddy of hard-boiled crime writing, but Hammett's always been king in my book. I mean, please. The Maltese Falcon, The Glass Key, Red Harvest, The Thin Man. Mr. Hammett had it goin' on.

I think the hubster's right...it's a great day to be writing crime fiction. An even better one to break out one of Hammett's short story anthos and remind myself of what really great writing looks like!

Russel D. McLean Interview

Suspect: Russel D. McLean
Known Aliases: Badgerboy, Russ-poo, Crimey Crimerson
Occupation(s): Writer, bookseller, reviewer, columnist
Last Known Location: Dundee, Scotland

Listen in as Russel spills about Crime Scene Scotland (the original and Crime Scene Scotland Review), his love of hand-selling books and his upcoming debut novel, THE GOOD SON (coming this Fall from Five Leaves). He also gives practical sporran advice for the novice kilt-wearer, shares the best book-as-weapon story I've ever heard, and explores the perils of gastronomical upset at a mystery convention.




To listen, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up Next: Scottish author and avid reader, Donna Moore.

Steven Torres Interview

Suspect:Steven Torres
Occupation: Writer, English professor
Known Aliases: None
Last Known Location: Ellington, CT

Listen in as Steven talks about his Precinct Puerto Rico series (see, Steven...I got it right!) and his latest effort, The Concrete Maze. He shares some personal experiences that inform his writing, discusses why war is a recurring theme in his work and gives a very practical reason for wanting to spend a day with Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade.




To listen, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up Next: Scottish author (and all 'round crime fic dude) Russel McLean

I Hate Revisions

Digging around for squirrel pics is much, much more fun...

Okay, break time over. Back to "green...no, blue!" and "crap...I have to change that name" and "what the hell was I thinking?!"

Steve Mosby Interview

Suspect: Steve Mosby
Known Aliases: The Notorious B.O.M. (Boring Old Me)
Occupation: Author
Last known location: Somewhere in Leeds (that's in the U.K. for you non-Brits)

Listen in as Steve talks about his take on serial killers in The 50/50 Killer, the influence of science fiction on his writing, and his thoughts about research. Steve also reveals what's on his desk, what he was like in high school & what fictional character he'd like to hang out with for a day.

Steve's latest book, Cry for Help, is available for pre-order (release date is May 29, 2008).


To listen, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).

Up next: author Steven Torres.

Random Acts of Kindness

Seems like when I'm firmly entrenched in my 'god, people suck' attitude, something comes along to remind me that there's good stuff going on, too.

I got up early today to run some errands. I stopped to get some gas and when I went inside to pay (ouchie!), I heard one of the coolest Random Acts of Kindness stories ever. The cashier rang me up and then said, "The best thing just happened to me." She then told me that she's finishing up her degree to be a para-legal and has been completely stressed about money. This morning, a stranger came into the store and gave her $200, saying that it was "a blessing from God" and that he had to do it. She said she'd woken up wondering how she was gonna make it and a few hours later a complete stranger made her load a little lighter. I don't think she'll be a gas station/convenience store cashier much longer (and not because of the unexpected windfall). She's got 3 job interviews set up in the Phoenix area as a para-legal. I wish her the best - she's always been one of the friendlier faces at the store.

A lot of times I get stuck in the general suckiness of life. Even the good stuff seems like a chore - I'm wading through novel revisions with much gnashing of the teeth at the mo' - and I forget that there are peeps who are struggling with tougher stuff. I also forget that there are some really fab unexpected goodnesses (yeah, okay not really a word...work with me here). I'm just glad of the reminder.

David Morrell Interview

Suspect: David Morrell
Known Aliases: Rambo's Daddy
Occupation: Writer
Last Known Location: Santa Fe, NM

Listen in as David talks about his most famous creation, John Rambo, the secrets of his career longevity, and his role in the International Thriller Writers (ITW) organization. He also reveals what writer he'd most like to spend an afternoon with, what crime fiction cliche needs to be retired and talks a bit about his first holiday book, The Spy Who Came for Christmas.

Up Next: British crime writer Steve Mosby.

To listen, click on the player in the side bar, subscribe via RSS reader (button in sidebar), or subscribe through iTunes here (it will prompt you to open iTunes, then take you to the podcast subscription).