I realised recently that for me the best way towards writing a murder mystery novel is to see the whole thing as a puzzle. As the writer, I have to think of all the individual puzzle pieces: characters, motivations, subplots, locations and the things vital to any mystery story: a good murder (or two), clues … More Mystery Writing: Putting the Puzzle Together
It makes me feel worse When people around me are full of cheer It makes me wonder What it’ll take for me to love this time of year • Song: Sad Holiday. Lyrics and vocals by Niki DeMar The holiday season can be rough for many of us at the best of times. Let alone … More The Holidays: The Loneliest Time of Year
One of the reasons I know why changing from science fiction to mystery writing has absolutely been the right decision for me is because I am doing my best to be my best. This also brings home how not-right science fiction and fantasy were for me as genres to write in professionally. I will still … More This Month in Mystery Writing: Research
‘Compassion is to see beyond your own pain to see the pain of others.’- Yasmin Mogahed, scholar. Life is incredibly special, but it’s also hard. It’s great fun at times, but other times it seems to break you apart from within. That is why I firmly believe in the power of empathy and compassion. Hardships … More A World Full of Empathy and Compassion
“The theatre is a place where one has time for the problems of people to whom one would show the door if they came to one’s office for a job.” – Tennessee Williams Yesterday I wrote about the wonderful and inspirational adaptability of the cultural sector and the art that it produced during this eight … More Theatre At Home
‘There is no precedent in living memory for the challenges that Covid-19 now poses for global communities.’ – Ban Ki-moon As I look around at my friends, my family and society as a whole in these unprecedented times I see so much grief, anxiety and loneliness. When our realities first started to change in the … More It Was the Loneliest of Times, It Was the Most Resilient of Times
“In diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” – Maya Angelou I never saw myself reflected on tv. A chubby small town girl who liked to read didn’t really get much airtime on tv. Still doesn’t. Not to mention one with chronic illness. As more minorities speak up and rightfully demand their stories be … More Disability in Pop Culture
“For, above all, science fiction, as far back as Plato trying to figure out a proper society, has always been a fable teacher of morality.” – Ray Bradbury, author I readily admit, I am rather opinionated. This can be both a good and a bad thing. My morals and values make up a large part … More Morals in Fiction
‘When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ – Mr Rogers Though I don’t live in the US, my mind is there constantly. It has been since I was a child … More Post-Election Anxiety
“The most important human endeavour is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life.”- Albert Einstein For many of us, the world seems like – is – a scary place at the moment. … More Acting On Your Values
