When I was sixteen, I almost drowned. It wasn’t a terribly traumatic experience, but it birthed a great deal of creativity.
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A Blog for Readers and Writers of Mystery, Crime, and Suspense Fiction
When I was sixteen, I almost drowned. It wasn’t a terribly traumatic experience, but it birthed a great deal of creativity.
Read moreEthical Lawyers, Really? Really, really! There are rules. Read on.
Read moreI was thrilled to ask the Miss Demeanors this absolutely original and inspired question: What are your writerly New Year[…]
Read moreToday Miss Demeanors is delighted to welcome mystery writer and teacher Jane K. Cleland, author of books on writing as well as the popular Josie Prescott Antiques mystery series. ONE LUCKY COMMENTER this month will win a signed copy of Jane’s latest book!
Read moreI was very saddened to hear of the passing of Anne Rice on December 11. Her work was hugely influential to many, and to me personally.
Read moreThis year, for the first time, I’m doing NaNoWriMo–National November Writing Month. Well, “doing” is probably a bit of an overstatement. To date I’ve written exactly 2,403 words. No medals for me. Am I doomed to failure?
Read moreI was honored to receive an advance copy of Death at Greenway annotated by the author Lori Rader-Day, which I won in a charity auction. I made myself read it slowly, savoring the experience of having the insight of the author as I read her fabulous story about Agatha Christie’s holiday home. Lori generously answered a few of my questions to share with Miss Demeanor’s readers.
Read moreRecently I spent twelve days in the hospital. One thing I discovered is that there is actually a limit to the number of Law & Orders you can watch. But, when I turned off the TV, I discovered myself awash in some of the most profound and moving stories I’d ever heard.
Read moreWhile images of James Bond and his martinis and Nero Wolfe and his beer, and apocryphal quotes about the degree of inebriation best suited to writing, come readily to mind, no one thinks as much about a character’s favorite shade of nail polish or preferred aftershave. The Missdemeanors were up to the challenge, however. I asked them, You’ve been hired to create a new cocktail, ice cream flavor, or lipstick color. You have to name it after a book, fictional character, or author. Who’s it named for and what’s it like?
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