Clicking Our Heels-Reflections on Being a Member of the Stiletto Gang As we begin a new year as the Stiletto Gang, we took the time to reflect on what we each like best about being part of the gang. We also wonder what you, our readers, like best about the Stiletto Gang? Barbara J. Eikmeier […]
Linda Rodriguez – Before the pandemic, we used to gather at my house–in later years, my sister’s house–for a feast and extended-family get-together. We haven’t started anything back up since. I suspect my youngest son, who now lives 3 minutes away, will spend the holidays with us. Bethany Maines – Panic about presents and then […]
Holiday Reflections in Advance by Debra H. Goldstein The holidays are about to overwhelm us. The TV will be taken over by warm and fuzzy advertisements. Catalogs of things I must have or give will fill my mailbox. At my local CVS, one staff member was moving Halloween candy to a sale rack and packing […]
Dru Ann Love – I’m reading UNDER THE COCOON MOON by Kathleen Bailey. It’s the third book in her Olivia Penn cozy mystery series. I like her work and writing. Lynn McPherson/Sydney Leigh – I’m reading A FATAL GROOVE by Olivia Blacke. The Record Shop Mystery series is so much fun! Kathryn Lane – THE AMERICAN […]
Reflections on the Passing of Time by Debra H. Goldstein Despite the temperatures being in the high 80’s and 90’s for the past few weeks, we’ve had just enough of a temperature drop that the leaves are beginning to change colors. It’s a sign of Autumn. The calendar even says Fall has begun. The big […]
Authors are divided on how to handle the pandemic in their writing. Kathy Reichs chose to write a book that referred to it in past tense but played on its fears (The Bone Code), Elizabeth Strout embraced the emotional and behaviors it arose head on, (Lucy by the Sea), while Ann Patchett incorporated it by […]
Reviews that Sink Authors by Debra H. Goldstein Traditionally, authors are told to ignore their reviews. Maybe some can, but most can’t. In fact, many writers can’t help focusing on anything except the bad ones. I read reviews. Sometimes I totally agree and learn from the point being made, but more often, I’d love to […]
At some time, every writer has to kill his/her darlings. Here’s how different members of The Stiletto Gang deal with this onerous task. Dru Ann Love – Luckily, I don’t have to deal with that, but as a reader, I’m not a happy camper when a main protagonist or favorite secondary character is killed. I’ve […]
Lynn McPherson – If it makes me laugh, I like to think it could make someone else laugh, too. Gay Yellen – If it makes me laugh, or feel sad, or touches me in the way I want it to touch readers, I’m guessing it will work. Lois Winston – Having previously spent more than […]
‘Tis the Season – The Voting Rather than the Holiday One by Debra H. Goldstein Have you ever noticed the increase in your emails or in list serv postings during the period before nominations are turned in for writing awards? Some requests are blatant – please vote for me. Others are more subtle – noting […]