Terry Shames's Blog: 7 Criminal Minds, page 118

First Lines from the Lefty Historical shortlist. By Catriona

Catriona writes: this job is never thankless – we get rounds of applause, actual stars beside reviews, bouquets of flowers, sweet emails, free books and royalties. And then there are days like today when Jim’s and my “job” is to welcome the other Historical Lefty nominees -  Susanna Calkins, Dianne Freeman, Laurie R King, and Ann Parker - to the Thursday blog. And the questions we decided to answer* are about first lines.

 

(*“decided to answer” or “Catriona mixed up the weeks” – you tell me.)

To ...

Speaking of which... by Cathy Ace

What is one interview question that you wish someone would ask you but rarely, if ever, has? What’s the answer?

Q: “How does it feel to have had a book topping both the NY Times and the UK's Sunday Times bestseller lists for the past month?”

A: “The first time it happened I couldn't believe it - and this third time is just as wonderful.”  

Ah well, back to reality.

To be honest, I’m not sure I’m terribly good at interviews. If they’re written interviews (where the questioner sends you written ques...

Let Me Ask You This...

What is one interview question that you wish someone would ask you but rarely, if ever, has? What’s the answer?

From Frank

Sayeth the Interviewer: "You retired after a twenty-year career in law enforcement?"

I reply: "I did."

Q: "One would think you have a positive view towards your colleagues?"

A:"I did, and I do. They're men and women who are bravely dedicated to doing a job that is increasingly more difficult and critical to our society."

Q: "So here's my question: if that's the case, why have you ...

You're Too Kind, I Am Humbled

 What is one interview question that you wish someone would ask you but rarely, if ever, has? What’s the answer?

- from Susan

 

 

NPR INTERVIEWER: “How does it feel to be a New York Times bestselling author and to have your book being made into a Netflix film with Lily James starring?”

 

SUSAN SHEA: “I adore Lily. We met over tea in New York last week, and she really understands my protagonist, who is young, spirited, and lovely just like Lily. And to have Janelle Monae playing her co-investigator is ...

Festival Fever

 by AbirIt’s your first writer’s conference after the Covid-19 crisis has been contained – what are the first three things you do after checking in to the hotel?

Now this is a wonderful question. Unexpected, and at the same time, joy-inducing. Looking forward to the days when this global nightmare is behind us has helped put a smile on my face. It’s been so long now that part of me has forgotten the simple pleasures of rocking up at a writer’s conference and getting rat-arsed blind drunk to know ...

We’ll Meet Again... from James W. Ziskin

It’s your first writer’s conference after the Covid-19 crisis has been contained – what are the first three things you do after checking in to the hotel?

1. Go to my room.

2. Unpack.

3. Change clothes.

Now that the fascinating stuff is out of the way... 

If it’s not too late, I’ll go downstairs to to pick up my badge. Then I’ll stop by the bar. Just for a while. No more than several hours, really. Five or six. Maybe seven. Certainly not past closing time. Come on, I’m not desperate. Plus I always hav...

Bouchercon or bust

This week I’ve asked Dana King, a friend and a very talented author, to sit in and tackle this week’s question. 

For the few who may not be familiar with his work, Dana’s the author of the awesome Penns River and Nick Forte series, as well as the standalone Wild Bill and numerous short stories. He has twice been nominated for a Private Eye Writers of America Shamus Award, in 2014 for Best Independently Published Novel ( A Small Sacrifice ); and in 2016 for Best Paperback Original ( The Man in the Wi...

I'll be There!

Terry Shames here. This is our question for this week: It’s your first writer’s conference after the Covid-19 crisis has been contained – what are the first three things you do after checking in to the hotel? 
 I crossed my fingers last week and signed up for Bouchercon in New Orleans, hoping that by then there will be enough people vaccinated to have a live conference. I’m almost paralyzed with the excitement of what I will do when I first get there. 
First, let me say a few things I won’t do:...

Terry Shames here. This is our question for this week: I...

Terry Shames here. This is our question for this week: It’s your first writer’s conference after the Covid-19 crisis has been contained – what are the first three things you do after checking in to the hotel? 
 I crossed my fingers last week and signed up for Bouchercon in New Orleans, hoping that by then there will be enough people vaccinated to have a live conference. I’m almost paralyzed with the excitement of what I will do when I first get there. 
First, let me say a few things I won’t do:...

The Next Great Writer's Conference ....

 

It’s your first writer’s conference after the Covid-19 crisis has been contained – what are the first three things you do after checking in to the hotel?

Brenda Chapman here.

It's difficult to believe in attending another writer's conference in person as the pandemic drags on into its second year. I've just begun rebooking our holiday to France for the second time because this September is not looking like a healthy time yet to travel overseas. But a girl can dream of better days.

I've been to sev...