Malice Domestic

I hope to see some of you next week at Malice Domestic!

This convention is always fun and friendly, and of course, I love having a chance to visit the Washington D.C. area. This year's worthy honorees include Charlaine Harris, Lindsey Davis, Daniel Stashower, Peter Lovesey, and Elizabeth Foxwell. For a list of attending authors, visit this page of the Malice Website.

See you there!

Happy Birthday, Peter O'Donnell!

Today, April 11, is the 88th birthday of my greatly admired friend, Peter O'Donnell. He created Modesty Blaise and also wrote wonderful gothic adventure novels under the pen name Madeline Brent. To learn more about him, visit Modesty Blaise, Ltd.

Home again

At the end of March, Tim and I traveled to Buffalo, New York, to visit family there, and were saddened to learn that one of his aunts, the truly fabulous Jean Fancourt, was in the hospital. She died the day after we arrived. We loved her dearly, and our time with our Burke cousins was a celebration of her well-lived life.

After a few more days in Buffalo, where there was April snowfall, Tim went home and I went on to Manhattan. I made a visit to MWA headquarters, where Margery Flax is busy with both Edgar preparations and packing up the office to move to its new digs.

The next day I spent time with my editor, and with the publisher and the editor of my paperbacks. All kinds of news.

I'm happy to say that Pocket Books will be reissuing Bones.

I also learned that my next book will be out in early 2009. More details will be posted here re pub date, title, and about the book itself the next few weeks. For now, I'll tell you that this book is not part of the Irene Kelly series -- in fact, it's not crime fiction. Something new and different, but I hope you'll become as attached to these new characters as I have. Did I mention the dog? Okay -- more about all of that later.

I went from Manhattan to Pittsburgh. You've heard about some of that part of the trip in earlier posts. The Wecht Institute event was great, but I had to leave early, because one of my favorite librarians, Joyce Hensley, had asked me to be part of Literary Orange in California. So I spoke with my suitcase next to the dais, took a few questions, and hurried off to the airport. (Later I learned that Laura Lippman and I were probably wandering through the Pittsburgh Airport at about the same time. Although I missed seeing her there, fortunately Laura and I had a great afternoon together in So Cal, when she was here to sign her new book, Another Thing to Fall, at Book Carnival.)

Weather in Houston (where my flight connected) meant a delayed flight, so I didn't get into LAX until after 1 AM. But I was able to get home and to the event the next day, where I saw Patty Smiley, Naomi Hirahara, and other friends, including Joyce.

One other note about 2009 -- I'm hoping to get a new Irene Kelly novel out later that year. Working on it now. That probably means I won't be posting here on the blog quite as often as I'd like, but I hope you'll all be understanding about that.

As for future travel -- DC, Omaha, and Dallas are in the works. I'll be at Malice Domestic in April, Mayhem in the Midlands in May, and at Hardboiled Heroes & Cozy Cats 2008 in June. So if you are going to be at any of those events, please say hello!

Cyril Wecht Institute at Dusquene University

I've had a couple of radio interviews here today, including a lovely hour spent talking to lively Lynn Cullen, talk radio host on WPTT.   I was also able to talk briefly to PJ Maloney on KQV.

This is all in preparation for the 8th Annual Forensic Science and Law Conference, presented by the Cyril Wecht Institute at Duquesne University.  The theme this year is "Where Fact Meets Fiction."

If you are anywhere near Pittsburgh between now and Saturday, come to this conference!   The faculty includes writers, hosts, and producers of CSI, Criminal Minds, Monk, Forensic Files, Autopsy, 48 Hours Mysteries, Trace Evidence, Diagnosis Murder, and other television shows.  I'll be joined by writers including Robert Tannebaum, Ann Rule, Lee Goldberg, Jon Jefferson, and D.P. Lyle.  Leading forensic scientists and law enforcement experts, including Henry Lee, forensic pathologists Michael Baden and Cyril Wecht, former FBI agent and criminal profiler Mark Sarafik, law professor James Starrs, forensic psychologist Michael Welner, Judge Donald Shelton (who has studied the "CSI Effect") and many more.  There are still a few places left, so please call 412-396-1330 or register online here.  The cost is very reasonable, $35-75 depending on how many events you want to attend.

Pittsburgh Television

I'll be on WPIX's "Night Talk" show, hosted by Mike Pintek, tonight.  The program begins at 8 PM.  Viewers can call 412-333-PCNC to tell the station what you think of the topics discussed.  

This is in connection with my appearance at the Wecht Institute Conference, "Where Fact Meets Fiction."  Hope to see some of you there!

Audio Books!

Exciting News! Audio Books!

Many of you have asked me if there will ever be a book on tape or other audio version of my books. I'm pleases to announce that Recorded Books is offering the first of the Irene Kelly books in unabridged form, read by Eliza Foss.

Goodnight, Irene will be available June 30th. You can order now. The recording will be available on both cassette and CD, and can be rented or purchased. See the Recorded Books Web site for more information.

Two Oddities of the Day

A school crossing guard holding a long conversation on a cell phone.  While holding up the sign, etc....Parents, don't you feel great about that?

A teaser for a local television news broadcast.  I swear this is what they actually said:

"We'll show you where an albino moose was spotted...."

Left Coast Crime in Denver

I hope to see you at Left Coast Crime 2008, which will be held in Denver, Colorado, March 6-9. The convention is honoring Stephen White, and Elaine Viets will be the Toastmaster. Those of you who have been to mystery conventions will realize why librarian Michael Masliah is the Fan Guest of Honor. In what I believe is a first, this convention also features a Celebrity Chef, Joanne Pence, and a Celebrity Singer, Parnell Hall.

You can learn more about the convention at its Web site, http://www.leftcoastcrime.org/2008.

If you want to learn more about where I'll be appearing in the coming months, visit the Schedule page on my Web site.

Return to Me

Those of you who have read my books know that missing persons cases are of particular interest to me. They've been a part of the series from Goodnight, Irene to Kidnapped. I've known people whose family members have been missing. Some still wait. It's a particular kind of hell.

One of the best stories I've seen on this subject is "Return to Me," by Stacey Chase, which ran in yesterday's Boston Globe Sunday magazine. Like most articles about the missing, most of its focus is on missing children. (I am all for making every effort to find missing children, who are so vulnerable. I just wish missing adult cases mattered more to us — the National Center for Missing Adults also needs your help.) Chase's article is well worth reading, and I hope you'll take the time to do so.

Confession

Sometimes, I actively seek out the ridiculous. In this particular case, I have it e-mailed to me every day:

Tarzan Classics -- one of the many denizens of the funny papers available through Comics.com

Tarzan became a comic strip in 1929, about 17 years after Edgar Rice Burroughs's short story, "Tarzan of the Apes," was published. I think the current story running on Comics.com is from the 1950s. I could easily do without Tarzan killing so many animals (happens just about every week in the old strips, but I don't think the present-day storylines are quite the same) and I do hope to heaven that no one tries to learn what Africa or its people are all about by reading the strip, but I admit that I smile to myself whenever my e-mail inbox shows that one of the strips has arrived. Why? Because they are just so ridiculous!

I got hooked on them when I decided that as hilarious as Dilbert is, I needed a little less realism. So I went browsing around on the site, and saw Tarzan, which seemed to fit the bill.

Soon, I opened an email containing a Tarzan strip in which the Ape-Man and his compatriots are carried underwater, unconscious, to a great depth by sea people who live in an underwater kingdom. Everyone is alive after this journey.

That's when I knew I had to see Tarzan every single day.

In the most recent episode, Tarzan has acquired a young boy as a companion (a story which is, in itself, rife with implausibilities) and they have climbed a sheer cliff and come across — as one does — dinosaurs that are eating "blind bats" as if they were flying popcorn. Tarzan and his companion are escaping by feeding large chunks of black granite to the dinosaurs in the hope that this will give them fatal indigestion.

A few days ago, Tarzan said of the giant prehistoric lizards, "This sight would certainly be difficult to prove to the world below."

Amen, Tarzan — King of the Apes and the Understatement.
They'd think you were crazy. But that's why I read you!

Ed Hoch

I am deeply saddened by the news (learned on Sarah Weinman's blog) that Edward D. Hoch, MWA Grand Master and undoubtedly the leading mystery short story writer of our time, has passed away. Ed's name is well-known to readers of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine — the most recent issue features one of his stories on the cover, and no other contributor could have been so integral a part of the magazine as Ed was over so many years.

He was incredibly imaginative. In addition to being extremely well-written, his stories often contained intriguing information, culled from research over a wide range of subjects. He respected his readers — I can't remember reading a story of his that wasn't expertly crafted.

I was lucky enough to be able to spend time talking with Ed and his lovely wife, Patricia, in recent years, and I treasure the memory of those talks. I consider the time I spend with Ed to be one of the great privileges that have come my way in my years as a writer.

Ed had a wonderful sense of humor. He was a genuinely good man, a generous and kind person. His example of giving back to the mystery community with his time and effort is one that we would all do well to emulate.

He will be greatly missed.

That Time of Year

I have taken an informal survey among friends, and found that many of us are having moody -- if not down right cranky -- days during this run up to the holidays. So if you're feeling a little blue or irritable, your misery has plenty of company to love.

I've at least temporarily taken care of my own moodiness by going to beautiful Kaua'i. Tim and I went to celebrate the wedding of our friends Toni and Billy, who are also Tim's bandmates in Down Tight. We had a great time there and enjoyed the company and kindness of new and old friends.

You may not be able to fit a trip to Kaua'i into your plans, so I'll offer a reminder that another Christmas season tradition is available to make you laugh: the Chicago Tribune's annual "Scared of Santa" photo collection. Enjoy!

Back to the Blog

Did you miss me? Sorry to take so long to get back here to the blog.

I finished the manuscript for the new book -- it's not a work of crime fiction, so it's not an Irene Kelly book. But Irene fans, do not fear. I've already started the next Irene book.

In and around starting that new one and finishing the previous manuscript, I spent time at a couple of conferences and speaking at a Sisters in Crime meeting. Had 16 folks here for Thanksgiving (our house is no mansion, but we managed!), and that was fun.

I'm now in the process of reassembling my life. In part that's routine, because all kinds of things get put on hold each time I finish a book, but this time it's a slower process than usual because I had a kind of crazy summer. (Yes, I realize it's almost winter, but once overwhelmed, it takes time to just get back to whelmed.) So I'm afraid it has taken me far longer than expected to get back here.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your patience and support. Thanks for hanging in there!

Event Cancelled

Unfortunately, the air quality and other wildfire-related problems in San Diego County have led to the cancellation of this year's Step Out event to benefit the ADA, so we won't be in San Diego this weekend after all. I hope you'll still show your support for the organization, though. Most of all, I hope you'll become educated about diabetes and pre-diabetes, and get your blood glucose tested!

Again, to all affected by the fires, our thoughts are with you and yours.

Wildfires may affect event

Just after posting the announcement below about Step Out in San Diego, I received word that the event may be affected by the wildfires in San Diego. I'm sure there are concerns about air quality and other effects of the fires. (For those who may have wondered, although some of our family members are in evacuation areas -- and occasionally sheltering here -- Tim and I are safe, and so far, so are our loved ones. Any of you who are fire-affected areas of So Cal are in our thoughts.)

Updates and further information about the San Diego Step Out Event will be posted on the ADA Step Out Web site page for the event. I'll also try to keep you updated here.

Step Out to Fight Diabetes

I'll be walking in the Step Out to Fight Diabetes event in San Diego at 9:00 AM on Sunday, October 28 at Ingram Plaza - Liberty Station, which is located at 2750 Dewey Road, San Diego, CA 92106.


View Larger Map

This event raises money to support the important work of the American Diabetes Association.

Some quick facts about diabetes:

• There is currently no cure for diabetes.
  
• 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, have diabetes.
• About 6 million of these people are unaware they have the disease.
  
• 240 million people worldwide are living with diabetes. Within 20 years, this number is expected to grow to 380 million.
  
• Many doctors consider diabetes to be the #1 health crisis in the U.S..
• Diabetes disables and kills. Uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness, amputation, inability to fight infection and more.
• Diabetes can strike anyone of any age, weight, or ethnicity.
• In addition to the 20.8 million with diabetes, 54 million Americans have pre-diabetes, which must be treated as soon as possible to prevent this condition from leading to diabetes. Over time, the elevated blood glucose levels of pre-diabetes can also cause damage to the body, especially to the heart and circulatory system. Almost all people who develop Type 2 diabetes first have pre-diabetes.
  

The information above is from the ADA and the International Diabetes Federation.

If you haven't had your fasting blood glucose tested within the past year, please call your doctor today to make an appointment to do so.

And please generously support the work of the ADA -- look for a Step Out event in your area.

Where I've been, where I'll be

I've been kept busy and away from the blog by real life and writing, but here are a couple of places I hope to see some of you soon!

Surrey International Writers Conference, October 19-21 (in British Columbia).

Sisters in Crime's Forensic University in St. Louis, November 1-4.


Just got back from travel with my folks to watching one my nephews play football. Sheldon's nine. He lives in Texas, and I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a place that takes the game more seriously. That said, everyone seemed to remember to have fun, too!

Kidnapped

Kidnapped is now out in paperback!

For those of you who've waited for the paperback edition, it's out now. I hope you'll enjoy this most recent Irene Kelly book.

I hope to see some of you in Santa Barbara this Saturday at the book festival.

You've all been extremely patient with me this month, and I appreciate that. I have a lot to tell you about, but for various reasons, I need to wait a day or two to post again. Meanwhile, know that I am truly thankful for my readers!

Yours,
Jan

Calling All Californians -- Urgent Help Needed for Our Labs

Did you know that in the State of California, there are more minimum requirements set by the state for the training of the person who cuts your hair than there are for those who examine evidence in murder cases?

If you live in California (or are willing to contact a friend or relative there to ask for help for crime labs, please fell free to forward this message):

Legislation to help California crime labs is now on the governor's desk. Assembly Bill 1079 would create a task force to conduct a much-needed review of the state of forensic science labs in the state. AB1079 was passed in the State Senate and Assembly, but Governor Schwarzenegger has thus far refused to sign it into law. We hope to avoid a veto of this important bill, and your help is urgently needed!

Please call, fax, e-mail or write a letter to the governor as soon as possible!

Here's the contact info:

The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor of California
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
E-mail via http://gov.ca.gov/interact

Here is a sample letter:

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,

I am writing to express my strong support for AB1079, which would create the Crime Laboratory Review Task Force.

California's eleven state and nineteen local crime labs provide a wide range of forensic science services. However, there are no universal standards for certification for criminalists in California nor is there a mandatory requirement that all crime laboratories meet minimum standards. These labs evolved over decades without any statewide planning, review, or coordination to maximize their capabilities and effectiveness.

Our labs play a critical role in law enforcement, justice, and public health and safety. I urge you to sign AB1079 so that we may make the best use of this invaluable asset to our state.


Yours,

[include your name, address and phone number when signing.]

************
Thank you! Please send a copy of your letter or e-mail message to
"contact [[@ ]] crime lab project.com"
(remove all brackets and spaces in anything between the quotation marks, and don't include the quotation marks, either.)

If you want to read the legislation itself, please click here to see the original version -- or to see it as amended, click here and search by Bill Number for AB1079.

Slowly but surely

I'm way, way, behind on all kinds of things. Posting here, for one.

But I'm trying to catch up, and slowly but surely I'm making progress.

For the moment, I want to respond to some comments left here, and decided it would be easiest to do that in one post rather than hope that people see my reply back in the archives of the blog.

So with apologies for the delay, I want to reply

to Mike, who is now already down in San Diego (and I hope you are enjoying that lovely city!), I can only hope you've already gone to Thornton's Irish Pub in nearby El Cajon and discovered that they have lots of parking, great entertainment, and wonderful food.

to Joyce, I can think of few ways to better waste time than 30 minutes of icanhascheezburger.com -- laughter is the best medicine, as they say.

to Louise, yes -- if you had told me a few years ago that I would be a big fan of an alligator, I don't think I'd have believed you. There you have it.

to Sharon, with thanks for asking, yes, Bloodlines is the next Irene Kelly book. Kidnapped after that. You can see the list of books in order on my Web site. The books with numbers as titles (Nine and Eighteen) are the only two not related to the series, although Eighteen (in some booksellers computers as 18) has two Irene short stories in it.

to Bill, thank you! I'm so glad you liked Kidnapped! I appreciate your taking the time to let me know -- hearing kind words from readers helps me through the days when I think my keyboard could be put to better use.

to Elizabeth, thank you. No need to feel guilt over the pleasure, though! ;-)
I can't really help people individually with their manuscripts or research problems -- I'm writing my own books, running the Crime Lab Project and the Crime Lab Project Foundation, and busy in other ways as well. You didn't tell me the nature of your questions, but if they are about writing a mystery, start with the MWA Handbook, Writing Mysteries.
If you can attend Sisters in Crime's Forensic University of St. Louis, go! It's a great opportunity. I'll be there, and that would be a great place to catch me to ask specific questions. I'll also be at the Surrey International Writers Conference. That's another good place to ask questions.
If you can't go to those events, and your questions are about police procedure, get Lee Lofland's new book. Questions about forensic science, read Doug Lyle's Forensics for Dummies and his new book, Forensics and Fiction. He also has a good course available on DVD. Hope this helps -- best of luck!


Photo of tortoise above used courtesy of bigal101 (Allan Lee), through morguefile.com

Getting the Big Picture re DNA and Cold Cases

Those who learn forensic science from TV may be shocked to hear that simply having a DNA match does not necessarily solve a case or lead to a conviction.

An article in yesterday's San Francisco Chronicle tells how the hard work of a cold case unit in San Jose paid off in solving the 1980 rape and murder of Bettina Sailer, a young German woman who was traveling and working in the U.S. before her death. It gives a good look at how DNA helped -- but was only part of what was needed to bring an accused to trial.

The article presents a solid case for the need for local jurisdictions to commit to investigation beyond the leads that DNA can provide. Funding DNA is important. However, your local lab can come up with DNA cold hits, but if no resources are devoted to assigning homicide detectives to do further investigation in these cases, convictions are unlikely.

That's our super gator!

Those of you who read my post in May about Reggie the Gator, then our most famous local wild thing, may already know that he was captured shortly after that, and taken to the LA Zoo. I had nothing to do with it, but on the list of why I love LA: The motorcade was actually televised.

On August 10, he made his first public appearance at the zoo, all cleaned up and greeted by 150 cheering fans, according to this story in the LA Times.

Less than a week later, our remarkable Houdini gator has shown that he is no slave to celebrity! Read this story by Donna Littlejohn in today's Long Beach Press-Telegram -- "Reggie makes a moonlit run for freedom."

Still on the face of the Earth

although it may seem as if I've dropped off. This has been one wild month. And I'm still trying to finish writing a book....

So, you may not see much of me here for another week or two, but I'll be back, as the governor of this state once said in a movie.

In the meantime, if you want something extremely silly to look at (especially if you are a cat-lover), cheer yourself up here.

Among the many, many evil things

Voldemort has done, one of the worst has been ripping off Joe Satriani's look. Don't believe me? Check out true guitar wizard Satch's photo on the cover of this month's Guitar World.

Lots to catch up on

I'm way behind in posting news to you, and responding to comments -- a combination of post-travel discombobulation and working on finishing a book.

Which doesn't mean I'm short on news! It has been a great week! As some of you know, Kidnapped has been nominated for an Anthony Award for Best Novel, which will be voted on and given at Bouchercon. I know people joke about this, but really, it is an honor to be nominated, and this year I find myself in fine company. You can see the full list of nominees here.

The Summer 2007 issue of CLUES: A Journal of Detection is just out. Ed Gorman has posted some kind comments about my essay in it on his blog. I wrote about Charlotte Armstrong, and like Ed, I hope a small press will reissue some of her best books — she was a master of suspense.

Some of you have mentioned that it is now hard to find a photo of my dog Britches on my Web site. Cappy's on the cover of the books -- his one brown, one blue eye face always appeals to photographers more than Britches, who not only fails to sit still for them, he disappears into his own dark fur. So above, I've posted (or tried to -- Blogger seems not to be cooperating) a photo I took a while ago of him -- "helping" Tim to do a push-up.

More soon!

Looking forward to

1) The Down Tight gig at The Starting Gate next weekend.*

2) Getting my copy of the final installment of Harry Potter's adventures at midnight. I will NOT spoil the book for the rest of you, so don't be afraid to read the blog after today. ;-) I can't tell you how many Web sites and television broadcasts I've been avoiding this week.

3) Going to the NIJ Annual Conference next week!

4) The appearance (on July 22) of a post I wrote at the request of Rhys Bowen for The Lady Killers blog. They've been gathering posts from friends on the theme of "wish you were here/wish I was there."

*Sorry about the mix-up -- I had the wrong date up here for a few hours!


Photo above courtesy of Scott Liddell (hotblack), from Morguefile.com

Please do this now -- you'll help crime labs

As many of you know, I'm concerned about the many problems created by the lack of funding for public forensic science in the United States.

I've just received this message from Beth Lavach, lobbyist for the Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations, about pending legislation that would help fund forensic science in the U.S. -- please lend your immediate support! Responding only takes a few minutes, and you can do a great deal of good by helping out.



As a result of the strong support and efforts of Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Richard Shelby (R-AL), the forensics community has an opportunity to expand and improve its technology, training and facilities. Senator Mikulski is the Chair of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator Shelby is the Ranking Member.

Because both Senators recognize the importance and value of forensic sciences in the advancement of justice for all citizens, they have approved appropriations of $40 million for Coverdell grants and $151 million for DNA testing and backlog in the Senate Appropriations Bill. The proposed Coverdell funds are more than twice as much as has ever been included in the nation's budget. The DNA figure represents an increase as well.

It is even more encouraging to learn that Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE), a longtime supporter of forensics has joined with Senators Mikulski and Shelby to include additional funding in the authorization bill and, just as important, make the grant application and management process easier for state and local agencies.

While we in the forensics community have much to be pleased about, the real effort has just begun. It's time now to develop a grassroots effort to insure these welcomed beginning steps are made into law and will be just the first steps in an ongoing program.

Forensics needs your help. Each and every one of you!

Step One - contact these Senators and express your appreciation for their support.

Step Two - we need to get these bills through the House of Representatives before they become part of the final spending package. Contact Rep. Alan, Mollohan (D-WV) the Chairman of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. His support and vote are absolutely essential and you can play a major role in making him aware of the need for backing this funding proposal. Time is critical. This legislation is making its way through Congress as we speak. Get on the phone and or e-mail these legislators. Do all three and urge your colleagues to do the same. Do it now. It's up to the members of the community to make this happen. Thank the Senators for the work they have done and ask Congressman Mollohan to fund at the same level or above!

Sen. Barbara Mikulski
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Ph: 202-224-4654
Fax: 202-224-8858
Mikulski.senate.gov


Sen. Richard Shelby
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Ph: 202-224-5744
Fax: 202-224-3416
Shelby.senate.gov


Sen. Joseph Biden
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Ph: 202-224-5042
Fax: 202-224-0139
Biden.senate.gov


The Honorable Alan B. Mollohan
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Ph: 202-225-4172
Fax: 202-225-7564
www.house.gov/mollohan

Getting back in gear

Thanks for your patience! I'm back home from a family reunion, the last day of the class was yesterday, and while there are any number of irons still in the fire, I'm probably going to be able to post here more often now.

A friend of mine sent a link to Ursula K. LeGuin's commentary, "On Serious Literature," which I am adding to a long list of reasons to cherish LeGuin.

Medical Examiners and Coroners Offices

I'll talk more about this after I finish up with the class I'm teaching, but...

In case you missed the news, the Bureau of Justice Statistics just issued a report on a study of Medical Examiners and Coroners Offices in the US, based on the year 2004.

News releases noted that there are over 13,500 unidentified human remains on record in those offices.

The report is also another resource for those who want to see numbers on how overworked public forensic science providers are these days.

One great thing about teaching

is that it forces you to look at what the heck you're doing, and to think about the basics. You think about what helped you to understand those basics.

I don't know how long I would have floundered without Lawrence Block's books on writing. For my money, they're still hard to beat. I wrote a letter to him when Goodnight, Irene was sold, thanking him for helping me to understand what went into writing a novel. I'm far from the only writer who read and reread his books before setting out on this adventure, nor am I the only author who goes back to them every now and then.

There are other fine books on writing — Oakley Hall's Art & Craft of Novel Writing and Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird come to mind. But Block's straightforward and insightful explanations of the essentials show that this four-time Edgar-winner and MWA Grand Master also has a gift for teaching. His writing books should be in every new writer's library.

The ones that helped me to get started:
Spider, Spin Me A Web
Writing the Novel From Plot to Print
Telling Lies for Fun and Profit

what is otherwise occupying my time

aside from writing, is teaching. The class has nearly completed its first week, so I'm just getting the hang of balancing this among all other objects juggled. May not see me here quite so often as a result!