Photo Oops

I’m shamefully bad at self-promotion. In fact I’m much more comfortable singing somebody else’s praises than I am my own − I would’ve made a lousy peacock and/or motivational speaker. I just want to sit all alone in my little room and write my little books. Then I want a magical combination of telekinesis and word-of-mouth to let the masses know that they want to read them. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. (If Pixar or Disney comes out with a motivational-speaking peacock next year, I expect a royalty check.)

 This past weekend, at the 25th anniversary of Malice Domestic, I had lots of opportunities for self-promotion. I was the moderator for a panel that included Carole Nelson Douglas (a past Malice Domestic Guest of Honor), Laurie King (this year’s Guest of Honor), Felix Francis (international best-selling author), and Joanna Campbell Slan (whose written more books than I have years, and that’s saying something). I could have had my picture taken with all of them. Did I do that? No. I had lunch with Catriona McPherson (this year’s Edgar Award winner for Best Historical Novel) and Donna Andrews (whose list of literary awards takes an afternoon to read through). Did I have my picture taken with them? No.

 Did I even think of having my picture taken with them? Yes, just now as I’m writing this.

Here I am with Felix Francis. We were so amused that we’d worn the same tie that day.

  

Here I am with Laurie King… don’t know where my head was at when I got dressed that morning.

 

And finally here I am with Catriona McPherson (she wouldn’t allow me to sit at her table, so this is as good as it gets.)

An appeal to mystery lovers…

For the past several weeks, I’ve let Dixie Hemingway lounge in her hammock with a tall, iced tea while I gear up for Malice Domestic, which takes place this year in Bethesda, Maryland, on the first weekend in May. This will be my virgin “Malice,” so I’m not sure what to expect. I’m told it is the most friendly of the mystery fiction conventions, arguably the most fun, and possibly the best opportunity for mystery fans and writers alike to rub elbows.

Well, all that sounds great. Except I’m nervous. I’ve been asked to moderate one of the feature panels: “Old Characters Never Die: Giving New Life to Another Author’s Creations,” a topic that loyal readers of this blog will immediately recognize as one that I am particularly well-suited to discuss. So why am I nervous?

Here’s who’s on the panel: Joanna Campbell Slan, Carole Nelson Douglas, Felix Francis, and Laurie R. King.

Oh, did I mention Joanna Campbell Slan is the author of several popular mystery series and numerous short stories and non-fiction books? Oh, did I mention Carole Nelson Douglas is the author of more than sixty novels and that her work has been anthologized in numerous “year’s best” anthologies? Oh, did I mention Felix Francis has successfully carried on the work of his father, Dick Francis, who penned more than forty international best-sellers? Oh, did I mention that Laurie R. King, the multiple-award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of 28 novels (and counting) is Malice Domestic’s Guest of Honor this year?

Oh, did I mention I’m nervous?

“Whatevs,” my niece would say. I’ll be fine — although I could use a little help with the topics of discussion for the panel. All these writers have in some way expanded the world and characters created by other writers. For both Carole Nelson Douglas and Laurie R. King, it’s Sherlock Holmes. For Joanna Campbell Slan, it’s Jane Eyre. For Felix Francis, it’s his father’s world of horseracing.

As a reader, I’d first like to know where they got their inspiration. As a writer, tiptoeing as I am in the awesome path of my mother’s footprints, I’d like to know how they deal with the huge expectations of their readers, and if they feel (as I do) a profound sense of responsibility to the original creator of the characters they breathe new life into.

So, what would you ask them? In the days leading up to the conference I’ll be writing about my thoughts on this particular topic, and of course I’ll write about the panel afterwards. If there’s anything you’ve ever wanted to know about these four fantastic writers, now’s your chance. In other words, comments please!

Meanwhile, I’ll be rewriting my bio… I’m adding that I am the author of more than 120 international, best-selling novels, all of which have been translated into more than 20 languages (I know because I did the translations myself). Oh, also I’m a supermodel.

Nifty screen cleaning tool

I usually keep one of those micro-fiber towels near my computer – they’re perfect for removing fingerprints and smudges from the screen, but occasionally I need something with a little more muscle behind it. That’s when I just click here:  http://www.sanger.dk

It works like a charm! (you can thank me later)

 

Would you like one, or two kitties with your tea?

There’s a project underway on the popular crowd-funding site Indiegogo to help fund a cafe in London that serves coffee and tea. You’d think London wouldn’t need another cafe, but this one has a CATch. GET IT? Sorry, I couldn’t stop myself… Anyway, this one’s modeled on similar cafes popular in Taiwan and Japan, and on this beautiful, sunny morning I can’t think of a better idea.

There’s only one thing better than sitting in a cafe with a good book and a cup of tea, and that’s sitting in a cafe with a good book, a cup of tea, and a cat snoozing in your lap. 

Click here to see a video about the cafe.

A poem by Blaize Clement

I often think of this poem of my mother’s… so I thought I’d share it here on Valentine’s Day. It was originally published in Nature’s Echoes, The International Library of Poetry, Fall 2000.

Protection Racket

To get to my heart
you have to drive a
stake through its eye
and drain its juice
before you whack it
hard
with a hammer
pry apart its hairy shell
jagged edges
clawing to protect
its wet sweet glistening
flesh
laid out raw and hopeful
curving in a feigned attempt
to pull itself
together
even when it knows
it knows it knows
its purpose is to be
peeled shredded flaked
all its life squeezed out
burned out dried out
for love.

Try my all-natural antidepressant!

Egyptian Deli Kittens!!

While my friends Dana and Mike have been galavanting around Egypt for the last month or so, I’ve been suffering through the unforgiving, unrelenting, un-anything good Northeast winter. But I’m not bitter. 

It’s been a blast — mainly because Dana and Mike left their dog Torres with me. Like her namesake, Olympic champion Dara Torres, she’s a world-class swimmer, which served her well growing up wild on a remote Costa Rican beach. She’s a good pup, with just enough of a lingering wild streak to keep you on your toes, and she’s been a good playmate for my own pup. She’s going back home today and we’ll miss her.

Meanwhile, I’ve been living vicariously through the photos and videos that Dana and Mike have been sending back, and I thought all the Dixie Hemingway fans might enjoy this one. It’s a neighborhood deli in Dahab, a small town on the Gulf of Aqaba. I could put it on a loop and watch it all day long.