Astronomers believe in something they cannot see. In that belief, in their discovery, there are lessons for all fiction readers and writers. Based on the gravitational effects [...]
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Queen Isabella Did you see the recent list of  the top 10 girls' names? Jennifer and Jessica have given way to Isabella and Emma.  I always read these lists, not because I'm namin [...]
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"Writers write." This should be engraved on every writer's computer keyboard and legal pad. Not only is this two-word sentence true, it's terse. "Writers write." Subject [...]
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I know it's a bit peculiar to be comparing Juliet Kono's new novel Anshū to an Agatha Christie mystery novel, but the two books kind of landed in [...]
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Detective sidekicks, anyone? For the past few weeks I’ve been preparing, off and on, for a workshop I’m leading this week for the Sisters in Crime chapter in Honolulu.

It’s set for Wednesday, September 15, at Makiki Community Library (1527 Keeaumoku Street, Honolulu).  The Sisters in Crime meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., and the workshop at 7:00 p.m.  Visitors are welcome.

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What do the following have in common?  Not to put any pressure on you to answer this question, gentle reader, because after all it is summer, and the dog days are here, and our bodies [...]
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In part 1 of this rant, or musing, I began to explore the idea of the creative mind as a dream machine. If the mind of a fiction writer or poet is a blender that rec [...]
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When you see the words "dream machine," what image pops into your head? Maybe you think of the London space rock band with that name.  Or perhaps a psychedelic poster [...]
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Why did England goalie Robert Green let that easy ball roll in for the only USA goal in the 1-1 tie at the World Cup?  I believe I may have the answer. Wa [...]
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My friend Richie from up the street asks me, “When do you find time to write?”

“Late at night is the second best time,” I tell him, “for me anyway.” He waits for the rest of my answer.  ”But my favorite time is before sunrise.  Five a.m.  While you’re still sleeping.”

Richie cringes just at the sound of  ”five a.m.”  ”You set your alarm?” he asks.

“No, I just wake up some mornings and know it’s time to write. I awake the hound (Simone, our Italian greyhound) and we go downstairs together. She goes back to sleep on the sofa and I pour a large mug of Kona coffee and head for the keyboard.

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