My inbox and timeline are flooded with posts following conclusion of the 2016 Bouchercon, the Granddaddy of mystery writing conferences. With over 1,500 attendees gathered in New Orleans, you’d expect a fair share of tales outlining the debauchery and hedonism in the French Quarter. While there was a conspicuous consumption of beignets and perhaps a few […]
“Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. It has been ages since my last confession.” From behind a thin curtain, I swore I heard snoring. The dim light in my confessional made it impossible to see if the Great Confessor was dead asleep, or if there was a rumbling of a small earthquake. “Father, are […]
There’s a point in my writing process when I get to that “happy place” near the end of the manuscript. I know how the story is going to end, who dies–who survives and what rubble is left behind. It should be a “happy place” with 90,000 words all tucked in and put to rest in […]
It’s that time again. The end of the four year long build up to the Olympic Games has been…well a bit underwhelming for me. The 2016 Rio Games are just fine as the games go and the host city did a great job in light of everything they’ve faced, including an impeached president, economic ruin, crumbling […]
I’m writing along, laying down the manuscript for the sequel to AT WHAT COST and the urge to pull off the path gets stronger as I go. I don’t seem to be in control of the wheel anymore and I can feel It jerk out of my hands when I try to steer it back on […]
I saw a comet last night. At least that’s what I’m supposed to think. The timing was suspicious. And the government (with a lower case g) was quick to respond to the sightings and report them as a meteor burning up in the atmosphere. Now, I ask you, when has the government ever–ever been so […]
Pssst… Come here, come closer. Look what came in the mail today! The Advance Reader’s Edition of AT WHAT COST, published by Crooked Lane Books. I felt like Steve Martin in “The Jerk.” The new phone books are here! I am somebody! Matt Martz, Sarah Pope, Heather Boak, and all the folks at Crooked Lane […]
Pardon me whilst I squeeze into my ranty pants. I don’t remember them being this tight. Ahem… This morning I had the occasion to venture out in public and join in the mass migration on the public thoroughfare. Interstate 5 is a sprawling mass of asphalt and cement, up to eight lanes wide at some points to […]
Apparently, I must have missed the memo that said that I must publically hate someone or something to fully actualize my human experience. I’m not apathetic, at least not in the usual application of the word. I do care about stuff–in my own private way. Private, in that I don’t feel the need to plaster […]
Remember the old children’s verse; sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me? Well, I’m calling bullshit on that one. One ill-chosen word has weight and is capable of inflicting a hurtful sting. String a few of these words together and lives are impacted. Last week I posted about a setting […]
James L'Etoile 