I was recently asked the question, “Who inspires you and why?” I gave this a great deal of thought. Should I choose someone from the past, such as a family member or friend? There have been many authors such as J.K. Rowling and Sue Grafton, who have inspired me to write, but writing is only one aspect of my life.

    Deciding to go with someone from the present, I must say one of the most inspirational persons in my life is my friend and fellow author, Sue Myers. 

    I met Sue several years ago through the Sisters in Crime Chicagoland group. However, I didn’t get to know her until I joined a critique group of which she is a member and then she received a contract from the same publisher as I. We got to know one another by going to SinCC meetings together and talking extensively about our work and goals.

    Being a bit on the shy side, Sue has helped me emerge from my tendency to react like a turtle and withdraw into myself. She has fantastic marketing ideas and shares everything she learns at seminars and conferences with all who want to hear. As a critique partner, she is truthful and provides critique that stimulates me to do better.

    Aside from our writing, I have found Sue to have a very positive outlook on life in general. Negative people tend to drag me down. Fortunately, Sue has quite the opposite effect on me. This woman would do anything to help someone in need and I believe she’d literally give someone the shirt off her back if she thought he or she needed it. 

    So, I would have to say without any doubt, Sue Myers is one of the most inspirational individuals I’ve ever met. And, I’ve been around a long time!

Until next time.

    First of all, I must once more congratulate the winners of the St. Valentine's Day Contest, Tessa Johnson, Lane Bayli, and Rachel Kendall. According to our friends at the USPS, all packages were delivered. I hope all of you truly enjoy your copies of Perfidy and that Tessa and her husband enjoy something nice and hot in their new Perfidy mugs.

    Not every Valentine's Day has been full of joy and love. Leave it to a mystery writer to find the dark side. 

    Of course, no one in Chicagoland will be allowed to forget the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre of 1929.  This was the day seven men associated with the Northside Irish Gang run by Bugs Moran were executed in a garage on the city's north side. It was believed that Al Capone's gang committed these murders. All this mayhem over some booze.

    Of course those of us who lived in Illinois on February 14, 2008, will never forget the mass shooting at Northern Illinois University. Six marvelous young people died that day and I want to take this opportunity to remember them. 

    In my opinion, the most horrendous St. Valentine's Day massacre occurred on February 14, 1349, in Strasborg, Alzace (a region of today's France). Jewish persons were accused of tainting their Christian neighbors' water with the Black Death. They were tortured into confessing. The number of Jews murdered are unknown, some estimating hundreds and others estimating thousands.  Fortunately, and I kid you not, greed prevailed and saved many of the Jewish people. I encourage you to read the article at the following website for more information on this incident. http://www.haaretz.com/news/features/this-day-in-jewish-history/this-day-in-jewish-history-a-valentine-s-day-massacre-in-alzace.premium-1.503467

    Despite the misery that has fallen on this day in the past, give your sweetheart a big hug. Profess your love in whatever manner you choose. However, don't limit yourself to doing these things on Valentine's Day. It's not the candy, flowers, or jewelry that are important. It's the love.

Until next time.
    

Now that I’ve come down off my high from the Love is Murder Conference and my Lovey win, I’ve decided it’s time to get on with the business of writing. However, I’m not sure I’m really into writing about writing today. Let’s talk about something more personal. 

     I could talk about my dog, Iris. She’s beautiful, white and fluffy. Of course, most Huskies are fluffy. She has a wonderful temperament. Hmm. That’s about it, so I suppose I should think of something else.

    What about my grandchildren? No, as interesting as they are to me, my bragging might bore you. How about gun control? I think not, too controversial. Recipes? That’s been done, besides I hate to cook. Tax tips? No again, the subject gives me a headache. Work, friends, favorite vacation spots—no, no, no.

    As Detective Barnes often says–holy crap! This is like a Seinfeld episode, only instead of a show about nothin’, this is a blog about nothin’!

    Of course, sometimes nothin’ is somethin’. At times we writers sit down at our computers and all we’ve got is nothin’. That doesn’t mean we can’t write about it. Does it?

    So, here goes nothin’. I am very content in my little corner of the world today. I have wonderful friends and colleagues. My husband, children, grandchildren and I are all healthy, and of course Iris is doing well. So I guess that’s actually somethin’, isn’t it?

Until next time.

    Four years ago, this past October, I went to the Schaumburg Township Public Library for my first meeting with Sisters in Crime Chicagoland. There I met Luisa Buehler, best known for writing the Grace Marsden Series. She asked me if I’d ever heard of Love is Murder. It sounded terrific and I was ready to sign up, but I deflated quickly when she told me they were revamping the conference. I would have to wait until February 2010 to attend. 

    As is my custom, I took my disappointment and put a positive spin on it. At least now, I had the opportunity to take what I learned that day and continue to work on Perfidy so I could pitch at the Love is Murder Mystery Conference in 2010.     

    I did just that. In 2010, I pitched to four publishers, all of whom requested the manuscript. Then I was fortunate enough for one of them to offer me a contact and Perfidy became a reality in November 2012.

    February 1-3, 2013, I attended my third Love is Murder Mystery Conference. This wonderful conference is a great place to network and make new friends. Compared to other conferences, it is the most financially feasible conference around. 

    The meals are included in the cost of the conference and held in the dining room, giving attendees the chance to sit anywhere and network with others. Each day, except for mealtimes, attendees are treated to a choice menu of classes and panels. The only extra expenses derive from pitch sessions and Master Classes. If you don’t want to participate in the meals or you can only attend one day, there are less expensive options to fit into any budget.

    This year I was more excited than ever. This time I was going as a published author. As a volunteer, I helped assemble the goody bags and let our speakers know when it was getting close to wrap up time. 

    I was privileged to be on the Sisters in Crime Chicagoland panel, “A Group of One’s Own” Friday afternoon with David J. Walker (Company Orders) as our guest. He has been a member of this organization for 20 years. Other members on the panel were Gale Borger (The Miller Sisters Mystery Series), D. M. Pirrone (No Less in Blood), Frances McNamara (Emily Cabet Mysteries), and Emily Clark Victorson (Allium Press). It was great to be able to let people know how beneficial this organization is to women in the mystery genre. After our panel discussion, Frances took over and interviewed David for the audience.

    During the cocktail hour on Friday evening, published authors sat in alphabetical order at the book signing tables so fans could find their favorite author easily. Ironically, I sat between D. I. Marriott (SoulJourner) and August McLaughlin (In Her Shadow). All three of us were nominated for the Lovey for Best First Novel. It was such a pleasure sitting between these two wonderful authors, getting to know them as people. They did such a good job of “pitching” their books to me; I couldn’t help but buy them both. I can’t wait to read them and will definitely review them for you at a later date.

    Saturday morning I along with seven other first time writers, were on the—you guessed it—First Time Authors Panel. My friend, Allan Ansorge (Bay Harbor Mysteries), moderated this panel. It was a little scary for me because this was my first “on the spot” panel where I would answer questions without previous knowledge of what would be asked. I think I did pretty well at holding my own. Actually, everyone was great.

    The rest of the day was packed with workshops on do it yourself publishing; CSI effect; polygraphs, Graphology and more. Panels discussed writing about the past; new directions for traditional mysteries; keeping amateurs plausible; thrillers; paranormals; and romance. By the time we met for afternoon tea our heads were spinning with knowledge and new ideas. 

    Another round of book signing came just before the Lovey Award Banquet. The M’s were again at the back of the room, but at least we were right in front of the bar. No one was going to miss seeing us. Especially since everyone was given a red ticket for one free drink.

    Then came the banquet and the awards. Our host, Allan Ansorge and a few volunteers laid out the red carpet for the winners. If you have looked at my Home Page, you already know that I was honored with the 2013 Lovey for Best First Book. Here are the rest of the winners of the 2013 Loveys.

            Best Short Story – Luisa Buehler, Harry’s Fall from Grace

            Best Series – William Kent Krueger, Tricksters Point

            Best Historical – Robert Goldsborough, Archie Meets Nero Wolf

            Best Suspense – Libby Fischer Hellman, A Bitter Veil

            Best Paranormal/Sci-Fi – Molly MacRae, Last Wool and Testament

            Best Thriller – David J. Walker, Company Orders

            Best PI/Police Procedural – Rob Riley, Portrait of Murder

            Best Traditional/Amateur Sleuth – Kathleen Ernst, The Lightkeeper’s Legacy

    When they called out Perfidy as Best New Novel, I turned to my friend, Sue Myers (Deception coming in 2014) and asked if they’d said Perfidy. She said, “Yes, get up.” It was wonderful to share that moment with her. Sue has been such an inspiration and help to me. In addition, to receive the award from Allan, who was so encouraging when he found me in the hallway at the 2010 LIM Conference fretting over my pitch, made it even more special.

    Sunday can be a little sad. We only have until noon with all of our new friends. One thing Sue Myers taught me and I would encourage others to do, was to pick up several business cards, bookmarks, and bookmarks from fellow authors. Give them to other readers to spread the word. August McLaughlin for example, lives in Los Angeles. Now I will make sure people in the Midwest become aware of her. 

    The one thing I take with me every year is a feeling of camaraderie, not competition. Authors help one another to grow through classes such as the Master Classes presented at LIM; the Mentor Program sponsored by Mystery Writers of America; and professionals who speak at Sisters in Crime meetings. That is why I am so proud to be an author and to associate with such wonderful people. I’m also thrilled to have been asked to participate on the 2014 Love is Murder Committee. I’m looking forward to another year of great reading and writing.

Until Next Time