Say What?

Some people say stupid things. Some people say hurtful things. Some people say offensive things. Some people say things they think are funny but are not. Some people say disgusting things. Some people say annoying things. Some people say outrageous things. Some people say things they shouldn’t say. Some people say things that piss youContinue reading “Say What?”

Not Convinced

Over the weekend I decided to read a short book for my Sunday vacation. The choice was Ed McBain’s 60s novel, “Doll.” McBain, who died in 2008, is a Grand Master celebrated by the Mystery Writers of America. He wrote over 50 books in his 87th Precinct series, which is considered by the MWA asContinue reading “Not Convinced”

Conventional Wisdom

I have returned from the Killer Nashville convention in Franklin, Tennessee. I was nominated, for the third year in a row, for a Claymore Award (given to an unpublished manuscript). For the third year I went down to defeat. Sigh. But awards are unpredictable. Last year my comic novel, “The Return of Edsel Eddie,” lostContinue reading “Conventional Wisdom”

Jane’s World

When Jane Austen died in 1817, her novels were soon forgotten. They were considered too tame, too normal. All they did was reflect her time, her society, her friends and neighbors. Not like the dramatic novels of, say, Dumas (of Three Musketeers fame) or Sir Walter Scott. No knights in armor, no swordfights. No carContinue reading “Jane’s World”

Stinky Humans

“You’re wrong about humans. Yeah, they may be stinky, greedy, stupid, foolish, dangerous and…uh, what was I saying?” “That humans are stinky.” “Yeah, they’re the worst…” That bit of dialogue has never found its way into one of my stories, but I think about humanity and all its perfidy quite often. As a mystery writer,Continue reading “Stinky Humans”