A Change is Gonna Come

Gail Sheehy said "If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living."
 

Well, I am all for "really living."

Well, okay - so I tend to exaggerate.  This kind of "really living" is too much living for me, I'm afraid.  I'm basically a weenie.  That is not me riding that wave just in case you were wondering.  Pfft.

Each of us have, I think, spent some period of time just existing, and those of us who are lucky enough to finally discover the difference between just existing and really living are the lucky ones.  But even then, it's pretty easy to allow ourselves to fall into a rut and "just live" as opposed to "really live."  There's a huge difference.  And that difference can help you find joy in life or you can just mark off the days till you're surprised to learn there aren't that many days left.

(Today's my day for quotes; here's another favorite: "We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." ~ Carlos Castaneda)

But - enough philosophy for now.  We'll do lots of that in the future.  We can have a virtual pajama party and pretend we're back in our earlier years with a bunch of friends drinking bad chianti just to be able to drip candles down those cool bottles while pondering "Life" (with a capital "L").   Speaking of which - have any of you read Keith Richards' LIFE?  I loved it.

 

Anyhooooo . . . .  

This little piece of scribbling is just to let you all know Meanderings and Muses is going to go through a little bit of change next year.  Nothing drastic.  We're still going to have guest bloggers, just not as many.

If you've been following Meanderings and Muses for awhile, you've probably seen the occasional comment from my friend Hank Phillippi Ryan when she says to me, "remember when you worried that no one would come?!"   

(wish i had thought to put on some lipstick here!  dang.  Hank, remind me next time, ok??!)

And she's right - I did.  Worried and fretted.  But, I should have known better.  (Psst!  Did you hear?!  Hank has a new series coming out next year - Yay!!!!  I "borrowed" this from her webpage:  "THE OTHER WOMAN, the first in Hank's new series, will be published next year by FORGE Books. Sequel in 2013.

A Boston reporter on the trail of an ex-governor's secret mistress...a Boston cop on the trail of a suspected serial killer. What happens when they realize they might be hunting the same person? As one character says: "You can chose your sin, but you cannot chose your consequences."'   Can't wait!!

The mystery community is every bit as generous as I've said here and all over the interwebs oh so many times.  And almost every single person I invited from that community to come play and share a little about themselves said yes.

They've written about their writing, and shared photos of where they write.  They shared photos of their pets.  They've shared personal stories that have made us laugh out loud, and some have shared some stories that made us cry.  They've made us think.  

And, if there's one thing I am so proud of I can hardly stand it, it's that we've introduced writers and readers who may not have discovered one another without the loveliness that is Meanderings and Muses.  I wish I had kept every email I received from every reader telling me thanks for that.  We're going to continue doing a lot of that, but for at least this upcoming year I'm going to scale back.

Instead of the three guests a week that we've had most weeks this year, we're going to only have one guest a week. Or, at least I hope we are!  I haven't sent out invitations yet.  Who knows, everyone might be sick to death of us and turn me down flat.  Lord - pray that isn't so, y'all!

After wondering how I could possibly choose a small group of people from the very large group of people who have been gracious enough to take the time to participate in the past is a tough one.  Very tough, to say the least.
   

So, the only fair way would be to draw some names out of The Magic Willie Nelson Baseball Cap.

But, frankly, I don't really want to do that for all the names I'd like to see on next year's schedule.  There are some folks I very much would like to have back, so I'm first going to choose names of a few people I feel especially close to  -   readers and writers.   And a few writers who always manage to ring my "Fan Girl" bell.

Like this guy!  Lee Child!  Yeah, he'll be here! (Well, okay, so that was lie.  He's probably not gonna show up here, but a girl can dream, can't she?)

Sigh.

otay - back to business . . . .

Then I'm going to separate the remaining writers from the remaining readers and draw names from those two groups so we still end up with a nice mix of both.   

All this to say - if you have ever participated as a guest blogger with Meanderings and Muses, please don't feel as though you have been purposely over-looked if you don't receive an invite.  That's just simply not the case.  Not at all.  And - who knows, the next year we may go back to the three guests a week format IF you're all willing.

But let's try this in the upcoming year.

And, just why are we making the change?

Well, I thought you'd never ask!

Simply stated, as much as I love having all the guests we've had, and as much as I have sincerely loved every single blog contributed, it's just taking up more of my time than I want to give again next year.  Most of you live in the real world of high speed technology, so you probably can't even begin to understand trying to do this over dial-up.  Sometimes I'm able to take a nap while some photos are uploading.  'Course, on the up-side - I'm able to get quite a bit of reading done while all the uploading is going on.  (With my fingers crossed that all goes well).

And there's a whole world of things I'm itching to do.

(But, not this)

I want to do a little more blogging of my own, for starters.  There's still lots and lots to talk about, after all  -  Books to share.  New authors to discover.  Recipes to share.  Things to rant about.  Things to giggle out loud about.  Memories and stories to share.

I want to do Julia Cameron's THE ARTISTS'S WAY on-line workshop.  (Any of you done this??)

I have a new Canon G12 camera that I still don't know how to use other than just "point and shoot."  And once I've learned all the features on it (and re-learned the ones Jill already tried to teach me), I'd like to take a photography class.

I took a mixed media collage class and would like to spend a little time doing more collages (and hopefully I can come up with something a little better than this which was my very first in-class attempt).  What can I say, it may not be great, but I had a great time doing it.

I have a wonderful piece of needlepoint I'd like to finish.  (I'm a little embarrassed about how many years this piece has been in my "To Be Stitched" stack!)

A delightful little piece of counted cross stitch that may dry rot if I don't finish it soon.

A scarf I'd like to finish knitting.

And I want to continue going to The Gym most days. 

My "To Be Read" stack has grown since I retired rather than diminished (especially that stack on my iPad). 

Okay, I admit it - I've just told you another little lie.  Those books you see above are not part of my TBR stack, but probably will be re-read at some point, if they haven't already.  I didn't post a picture of the "To Be Read" stack 'cause there were so many dust bunnies.  

And, finally, who knows, I may try my hand at some fiction . . . .

 I have a couple of muses who are nudging me in that direction.

I don't believe you've met Mudd.  Mudd is a "Muse" who has gotten a little overly assertive from time to time.  That's how he lost those fingers.  heh heh heh.  Mudd was a gift from one of my dearest friends ever, Michael, who is no longer with us.  It's a story I want to share at some point, but it's still hard for me to talk about - and to think about.

But, you have met SissyFriss SockMoney and LouLou Skiptoo.  Two more "Muses."  The girls are a mess, what can I say.  We'll be hearing more from them next year, for sure.  They have had some serious adventures I think you'll enjoy hearing about
.

In the meantime, I'm planning on continuing my scribblings here at Meanderings and Muses.  I hope you'll drop by and join in the conversations, the meanderings and the muses. 

 

( Want . . . )

I also want more time to spend with my mom.

 



And I want to spend more time with Donald and Harley.

I want to take more walks with them.  There's always something new and magical to be found around here, and they are usually the ones to lead me right into the middle of it.  I love that!  I'm a big fan of magic.  Sometimes we have to seek it out, but it's there for the finding.

There's a world of new things I want to try.  If I hate doing them, so be it, at least I'll feel as though I gave it a whirl.

So, that's my news.

Pretty soon, some of you will be receiving your invitation to come back and do another piece next year, and I hope you'll find it in your heart (and the time in your schedule) to say yes.  Probably I'll do that this weekend.  CORRECTION:  Why on earth would I send out invitations THIS weekend when so many people from the mystery community are kicking up their heels in St. Louis at Bouchercon?!  Oy!  I just wasn't thinking clearly, was I?  (obviously not).  So.  The new plan is that I'll send them out on Thursday, 9/22/2011, along with a schedule, so those who are interested can get back with me with the date they'd like.  The sooner the better, since we're only doing about 50 (possibly less) dates.  And since our writers have deadlines and book launches to consider, I'll send those invites out first.  And then maybe send the reader invites out the next day.  I'll post next year's schedule as soon as it's complete.

And repeating myself, those of you who have participated in the past but who might not receive an invite for next year - I hope you'll find it in your heart to understand and not misinterpret it for anything more than what it is.  

And those of you who stop by to see who's here and what they have to say - I hope you'll continue dropping by and enjoying what you find.

As you know, I truly love Meanderings and Muses and I am very proud of it.  But I'm a teeny bit burned out, I guess.  And if I can't give it my best efforts, it's time to make some changes.  I hope you agree. 

WONDER WOMAN LOSES HER CLEAVAGE by Shane Gericke

Shane Gericke is the national-bestselling author of the crime thriller TORN APART, which launches worldwide this week from Kensington Publishing. He starting writing for the local town weekly in high school, and liked it so much he never looked back. He spent 25 years in the newspaper business, most prominently as an editor at the Chicago Sun-Times, then left for the heady world of novels. 

His first, BLOWN AWAY, was named the nation's best mystery debut by RT Book Reviews (which will feature him on www.rtbookreviews.com starting July 6) and has been translated into German, Turkish, Slovakian, and two forms of Chinese: traditional and simplified. The series continued with CUT TO THE BONE, and now, TORN APART. 

Shane is chairman of ThrillerFest 2010, a founding member of International Thriller Writers, and a member of Mystery Writers of America.
 
He lives with Jerrle, his wife of 31 years, in the Chicago suburb of Naperville, where his series is set and is also home to noted crime-fighter Dick Tracy.

Shane invites you to visit him at www.shanegericke.com, where the words are hot and the drinks are cold. Albeit digital.

WONDER WOMAN LOSES HER CLEAVAGE

 by Shane Gericke

Thanks for inviting me into your digital home, Kaye. It's a privilege to be here. Because of the erudition and intelligence of the people who read you, I thought I'd begin my essay with a detailed analysis of the past pluperfect gerunds found in Tolstoy's grand romp through the absurdities of Czarist politics, SNOW JOB, DA. Then, if I had space, I thought we'd all diagram this sentence from James Joyce's ULYSSES:

"In ward wary the watcher hearing come that man mildhearted eft rising with swire ywimpled to him her gate wide undid. Lo, levin leaping lightens in eyeblink Ireland's westward welkin. Full she dread that God the Wreaker all mankind would fordo with water for his evil sins. Christ's rood made she on breastbone and him drew that he would rathe infare under her thatch. That man her will wotting worthful went in Horne's house."

Fun! Particularly the "Christ's rood on her thatch" part, which sounds deliciously naughty but is surely a literary allusion to the Bible or Stonehenge or something.

But then I thought, "Aw, #$%^&, who am I fooling? We wanna talk about Wonder Woman!"

And so . . .

Did you hear they've changed Wonder Woman's looks? It's true. In the latest edition of the long-running comic-book series (No. 600, for those keeping track), young huntress Diana Prince--aka, Wonder Woman, shazam!--loses her cannonball cleavage and butt-huggin' shorts. Instead, she's remade into Corporate Woman, kablam! Complete with long, black tights, a blue-black jacket, contrasting yellow accessories, and sensible navy shoes instead of the thigh-high red boots of old. No more red-white-and-blue lingerie for the world's most recognizable female crime-fighter!

Not only recognizable, but long-lasting. The DC Comics superheroine first appeared in December, 1941--right about the time Japan bombed Pearl Harbor--in All Star Comics No. 8. She's one of only three DC superheroes to be continuously published since DC began, the other two being Superman and Batman. (For a fuller discussion of her roots and symbolism, click on this Wikipedia entry.) She's worn the same outfit since the beginning, so the change was overdue.

But I sigh nonetheless. I loved Wonder Woman growing up, and not just for the (lack of) clothing. She was a feminist long before Helen Reddy sang "I Am Woman, Here Me Roar." She kicked bad-guy booty all over the world. She was strong and tough and powerful and had that golden lasso that forced people to tell the truth. She was smart and gutsy and rolled with the punches. She talked back to authority. She took crap from no one. Everything that women of the era were not allowed to do.

Yeah, her getup was sexist--in a 2006 interview about her work on the series, the novelist Jodi Picoult said: “One of the first things I did was ask if we could give her breast-reduction surgery, because as a woman, I know you wouldn’t fight crime in a bustier. But I was somehow shot down by DC.” Uh, yeah, no kidding. It's comic books, not Proust! Nothing about comics is PC. Superman had that big ol' bulge Down There. Batman lived with his, uh, "young ward" Robin--boy wonder indeed!  WW's attire grabbed millions of eyeballs, which sold lots of comics, which was the entire point of the drill. The great side benefit was that generations of children saw that girls could do great superhero-y things just like boys. And it was Good.

Bad lingerie included. Uber-feminist Gloria Steinem liked the getup so much--it symbolized Something Important, she said, though I don't recall what--that when DC tried to alter the costume back in the '80s, Steinem raised enough hell through her Ms. magazine that they changed it back to the Frederick's of Hollywood look we all worshipped.

But time marches on and sensibilities grow too urgent to deny. Thus, the makeover:

“She’s been locked into pretty much the exact same outfit since her debut in 1941,” J. Michael Straczynski, the new writer of the series, told the New York Times. He also altered her birth history, from Amazonian to something more modern. “If you’re going to make a statement about bringing Wonder Woman into the 21st century, you need to be bold and you need to make it visual. I wanted to toughen her up, and give her a modern sensibility.”

Exit, undies.

He's right, of course. This change is sensible, and good, and way overdue. We beat the Nazis and and Japan and the Commies so the red-white-blue scheme is a fossil (albeit sexy!) of Cold War muscle-flexing. And La Wonder will still kick bad-guy booty all over the universe. 

But the little Shane inside me still sighs for the bowling-ball chest and tighty-tights.

MY NEWEST THRILLER:    TORN APART
(and the gentlemen who were kind enough to blurb  about it - Jeffery Deaver and Lee Child; two of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet).

The proprietress of this space has been very kind in telling folks on the Internet that that my new thriller, TORN APART, launches worldwide this week.

It's the third in my cops-vs.-psychos series starring tough cops Emily Thompson (my own little Wonder Woman, but in police blue, not red-white-and) and Martin Benedetti. I really liked how this story turned out. It's exciting as hell, and the romance between Em and Marty is balanced nicely by the crashing mayhem of the murders, explosions, car chases, kidnaps, aircraft crashes, bombs, bullets and knives. The bad guys are real bastards, and you'll enjoy how Emily and Marty deal with them. And, there's cop jokes! I put an excerpt on my website, www.shanegericke.com, and I invite y'all to come over and read. Buying links are there too, and I'd be pleased if you bought a copy at the recession-friendly price of $6.99. It's also available as an e-book: Kindle, Nook and more.

What Kaye didn't tell you because she's too modest is that I named a character after her. That's right, our own Kaye Barley is a crime-fightin' radio dispatcher. She appears in a number of important scenes, complete with that adorable haircut and those dangly-thingies she loves to put on her ears.

I did this to honor one of the world's most avid and erudite lovers and bloggers of books, one who is so supportive of us everyday writers that it tickles me to be mentioned in the same space as her. So Wonder Woman, this character's for you! May you kick bad-guy booty wherever you go.

To the rest of you, thanks for reading this essay, and I hope you like my book.

Now get cracking on diagramming that James Joyce sentence. Call me when you're done . . .

Shane

P.S. To celebrate the launch of TORN APART, I've created a contest starring our very own writer of fine Irish crime fiction, Ken Bruen! He's a dear friend, and as supportive of fellow writers as anyone could possibly ask. This is my salute to Ken and his marvelous style of writing: Prose so tight and lean that it fairly drips with poetry.

Here's how the contest works: I wrote one entire chapter in Ken's dark, highly poetic style. You can't miss it; the style is very different from my norm. (But fits the mood of the chapter perfectly.) I'll award an Advance Reader Copy of TORN APART to the first reader who sends me the correct chapter number. Then, I'll draw four names  from everyone who sent in the correct chapter number, and send those four people ARCs too. It's a cool prize; only 100 of these full-color Advance Review Copies exist on Planet Earth. I had them printed special, for magazine reviewers whose long lead times require copies of the book months before my publisher hooks them on the printing press. When these ARCs are gone, there ain't no more nowhere except the ones in your hot little hands. So buy the book, find the chapter, send me the chapter number--it's right there on top of the chapter--and you could win something cool. I'll even sign to you personally.  Send your answer via my website, www.shanegericke.com; my contact page is right there on the home page. Here's hoping you win! 

Employees of Shane Gericke Worldwide are not eligible to enter. Which means, uh, me, since I'm the only one. Makes me sound important, though, that "Worldwide," doesn't it? 

Bouchercon 2009

I was the teeniest bit concerned that this year’s Bouchercon might prove to be a bit of a disappointment. After last year’s event in Baltimore, I guess I thought it would just have to be a bit of a let down. That little worry coupled with the fact that some of my favorite writers weren’t going to be attending niggled at me a bit.

Honeys.

I was frettin’ over nothing.

The organizers and volunteers did a fantastic job. It was a terrific event! Well and lovingly planned with the exacting care to detail that this convention has become known for. And an event Jim, Mike, and all the other people involved can be quite proud of.

And I'd like to thank each of them.

and I send them each a huge virtual hug.

It was wonderful.



Donald and Harley dropped me off at the Greensboro Airport with a hug (Donald) and a lick (Harley) on Wednesday morning and I met up with B’Con Traveling Buddy Extraordinaire – BG Ritts. I really don’t enjoy flying any more, so it was nice to have someone to chat and giggle with from Greensboro to Atlanta and then Atlanta on to Indianapolis.

As I said, I'm not a fan of flying, and not a big fan of most airports - but the Indianapolis Airport was a surprise. Not overly congested and in possession, apparently, of a sense of whimsy and humor as shown by some of their furniture art, which made me smile.





Meeting up with Molly Weston, Karen Kiley and Vicki Lane (who I am so very proud of for her Anthony nomination!!) we hopped into a limo and arrived at our hotels in style, I must say.
















And the Welcome Wagon was in fine form as soon as we arrived at the Hyatt. We were collecting hugs from Judy Bobalik and Emily Bronstein before we even got checked in, and were immediately whisked off to the second floor B’Con Registration table. And so it began.














Roomie Mary Jane Maffini arrived just as I was collecting extra coffee and extra hangars. I explained to our housekeeper that we’d be living on a lot of coffee and we’d need a lot of hangars ‘cause – well, ‘cause we’re women. Women who would be living in the hotel for the next four and a half days and would be changing clothes (and shoes!) at least once a day. Sometimes twice a day. Actually, I told her we needed them ‘cause Mary Jane always travels with a lot of prom gowns, but she acted as though she didn’t quite believe my tale. (imagine that). But. It made me and Mary Jane giggle and that giggle seemed to continue until the minute we got on different airplanes to return home. One long giggle broken up only by an occasional snort. Very lady-like snorts, mind you.

















We met Liz and Sandy and Caryn and Vicki and Molly and Karen for
dinner at Buca di Beppo for a fun family style Italian dinner, topped off with some more hugs and giggles in the hotel bar. This was a bar which opened into the hotel lobby which had a lot of little conversation areas with comfy chairs and sofas, so there seemed to be plenty of room for everyone. You didn’t have to get into the crush of the actual bar if you didn’t want, but could still feel a part of the crowd. And, once again – a few attendees learned that you don’t have to have a drink to enjoy the camaraderie of the B’con bar.

My Thursday started off with a 6:30 a.m. breakfast with my friend Judy, who turned into my Fairy Godmother. I can thank Judy for some truly magical B’Con moments. And darn if she didn’t conjure one up before we even stepped into the restaurant for breakfast.

I walked into the hotel lobby at 6:35 Thursday morning all ready to apologize for being late only to spy Judy, Charlaine Harris and Reed Farrel Coleman sitting on a sofa looking about as relaxed as any three people could be. Y’all. Getting to spend a few minutes chatting and sharing a hug with Charlaine Harris and Reed Farrel Coleman at 6:30 in the morning the first morning of the convention was a bit mind boggling. Mind boggling, and oh so lovely. They were both just delightful. I did, however, feel as though my name might just be Alice and I had perhaps tumbled down the rabbit hole. Seeing a white rabbit dash by muttering words about being late would not have been any more astounding. Little did I know it was just setting the tone for what turned into a few days of pure and lovely magic.


After breakfast, at which BG joined us, I dashed off to find Hank Phillippi Ryan’s “Bouchercon 101” room. This was a perfect introduction to this particular convention and to the lovely city of Indianapolis. Hank, in addition to being gorgeous, sweet, kind and funny, is intelligent, articulate and one very smart cookie. She let everyone know that if this was their first Bouchercon they could rest assured that they would experience at least one magical B’Con moment. I must say I’d have to agree whole heartedly with Hank’s promise. I cannot imagine anyone finishing up the convention and going home without having experienced some magic. Bouchercon Magic is a phrase firmly planted in my lexicon, and in my heart.

My magic moments seemed never ending and I’ll be reliving them all for a long time to come.

While I was standing in the hotel corridor after Hank's presentation, pondering all my choices - panels, the hospitality room (which was so much more than just a room), the book room or just a seat to do some people watching, Ms. Fairy Godmother Bobalik appeared in a “poof” and whisked me into a room to share in the experience of S. J. Rozan.

Oh my.

I’m not going to try to explain what happened to me in this room other than to say it was the beginning of some embarrassing emotional puddles that seemed to hit at the damndest times. Just out of nowhere I’d have a flash of “I cannot believe I’m a part of this.” And up would pop the tears. The first happened while I sat in that room with a small handful of people and listened to one of the mystery community’s finest members share thoughts about her work and the process she goes through to give us beautiful stories. I fell in love with S. J. Rozan and came to understand what many people have known for years – that she is a treasure and to be cherished.

AND she’s funny as hell.

And real.



There’s no artifice when it comes to Ms. Rozan, I don’t believe. What you see is always what you’re going to get. A refreshingly honest, shoot straight from the hip woman in possession of a huge talent.

While still floating from all this, I scampered to meet up with a couple of my family members. WendySis and Jonathan; on-line friends for enough years for us to have experienced many ups and downs, happy times and sad times, and become family. We’ve experienced the same kinds of times that we all experience with our friends - even though we happen to be three friends who had never met face to face before this get together. After some loud squeals, some hops about, and yes, yes – of course, a few more tears, we settled in and had a lovely lunch, and actually very quickly it felt as though we’d been doing this all our lives. And along the way we snatched up Shelley Costa Bloomfield. I just adore Shelley Costa Bloomfield. I seem to have the wonderful luck of being able to make friends with smart people who love to laugh. Shelley loves to laugh and what on earth is more fun than spending time with people who can laugh from their very souls? Life is too short to not be able to spend a good bit of it engaged in laughter.

O.K. – here’s another magic moment.

After lunch we all toodled off in different directions. There were panels to sit in on. Hospitality rooms to visit. Book rooms to browse. People to meet. Pictures to snap.

I happened to be crossing a fairly deserted lobby and who did I see but Lee Child at the Registration Desk. By now, it’s no secret to most of you that I happen to be one of the 42 beezillion people who has a crush on Lee Child.

Luckily, none of them were around right then.

Just me.

Heh heh heh.

I’m going to stick to my story that he remembered my name (I’m absolutely sure it had nothing to do with the B’con name tag hanging around my neck). We shook hands and he gave me a little bitty peck on the cheek and we chatted for just a minute. I then floated off to a corner to grin and gloat. It wasn’t until sometime later that I casually reached up to brush my face that I realized I had a little piece of pizza stuck to my cheek. Not the cheek Mr. Child had given me a little peck on, thank GOD, but the other one which he surely must have noticed and just blithely ignored. So – do you love the man for being a gentleman and not mentioning the fact that you’re walking around the hotel with food on your face, or run find him and kick him in the shin?! Pfft. You laugh about it and just don’t worry about it. It surely could always be worse. Right?! So, okay – maybe it doesn’t belong in the “Magic Moments” column, but in the “O.K. – so you’re also gonna have some embarrassing moments at B’con column.” Whatever. We’re all about stories here, right?

Although I had intended to attend a couple of panel sessions on Thursday afternoon, the simple truth of the matter is that I just sorta walked around, collected a lot of hugs from people I hadn’t seen since Baltimore, had some lovely visits, enjoyed the hospitality at the pretty spectacular Hospitality Room, which – like the bar, extended well out onto the balcony surrounding the atrium of the hotel, and browsed the book room. And snapped a few more pictures.








































































Then I did attend the “O,Canada” panel and laughed till my sides hurt. I also ate well. They brought wonderful goodies – NOT just their fun headgear; but some yummies, snackies and baked goods that are representative of their Canadian culture. This was a fun group which included R. J. Harlick, Anthony Bidulka, Vicki Delany, Barbara Fradkin and Mary Jane Maffini . I got to sit with Neil Plakcy and have a bit of a visit. And I got to take some fun pictures. And I learned some stuff. If there are any American publishers reading this I have a little something I’d like to share. Please don’t assume that American readers aren’t interested in mysteries which are set in Canada. Au Contraire and shame on you. You’re underestimating your reading (and buying) public. You’re missing out on a group of very talented writers.





Then another fun dinner with yet another fun group of folks – Mary Jane, Shelley, Wendy, Jonathan and my friend and fellow North Carolinian – Linda Gerber. We had a lovely dinner at McCormick and Schmick’s, but it ran a little longer than we anticipated and we missed getting to the Extravaganza. But I didn’t miss having my evening cup of coffee in the bar with good friends.

Friday morning I meant to attend the Bouchercon 101 sponsored by William Morrow and Avon Books so I could get a few ARCs from a few of my favorite writers. But. I slept right through it. Sooner or later you just have to catch up a little bit on your sleep, I guess. I had not intended that to happen, but it did. Not exactly a magic moment, but certainly not one to pitch a hissy over.

But then – guess what.

Magic moments over breakfast.

How lovely it was to enjoy the view I had while having my breakfast in the hotel restaurant.












Mystery writer Mary Jane Maffini across the table from me.













Mystery writer Craig Johnson at the table to my right.














Mystery writer Laurie King at the table directly in front of me.



Mystery writer Louise Penny at the table to my left (is there anyone here who isn't aware of how much i love Louise Penny?! Adore her books, and adore her. I think she's one of the best writers writing right now, and she is one of the nicest, most sincere people you'll ever hope to meet. Being able to spend a few minutes with her and getting a hug was a Mega Magic Moment.).

All heroes of mine.

I ask you – how much better can a breakfast get than that?!

Then it was time to get myself to the lobby in time to greet my friend Jen Forbus who would be attending her very first Bouchercon. Understandably, she was a tad nervous. I know exactly how she was feeling, and know that it can be very intimidating to walk into a convention of this size where you know you’re going to be bumping into people you admire and look up to and who, frankly, are legendary. I knew something Jen had not learned yet. That all these people would embrace her. Most of them already knew her through her terrific blog, where so many of them have been reviewed and or interviewed, and where so many have participated in her Six Word Memoir project which has been a HUGE hit.

After hugs and squeals, we rode up the escalator to the 2nd floor and up again to the 3rd floor so she could get a feel for the lay of the land and before she knew it she was officially a member of the tribe. And she’s had more hugs and pictures and magic moments than any young woman could possibly imagine. I was over the moon tickled to have been the first person to welcome our Jen to B’Con 2009.

This seemed to be my “too pooped to pop” day and I just stuck close to home. Drifted up to my room fairly often for little R&R breaks and quiet time. And it turned out to be a good day for little quiet sit downs or stand- arounds with friends over coffee in the Hospitality Room, and the book room.




It was also a day of magic moments. You just never know who you might bump into in the corridors, or who might be having an unannounced signing in the book room. Like maybe S.J. Rozan and Louise Penny. Now how very lovely is that?!

Those wonderful little opportunities just pop up unbidden at B’con and there you are – walking through the best of times sprinkled in fairy dust with a gentle quiet nod at whatever good things you’ve done in your life that allows such bounty.

And Friday evening was truly one of the most memorable magic moments ever.

Last year at my first Bouchercon I did not attend the Shamus Awards Banquet. This is a banquet which isn’t an official part of Bouchercon, but is held as a concurrent event with Bouchercon every year. Pretty special event, and one I don’t ever intend to miss whenever I’m attending a B’Con.

Fairy Godmother Bobalik invited me as her date. Donald allows me this sort of date with smiles and good will and blessings. Donald Barley is a dream husband. Truly. Every day, twice a day, he listened with the greatest possible patience as I told him detail by minute detail what I was doing and what had made me laugh out loud, or puddle up. He did laugh a little louder and longer than necessary, I thought, about the pizza on my cheek . . . . . .

This year’s Shamus Awards Banquet was held at The Slippery Noodle. What a terrific place this is! Love it, love it, love it. From the website: "The Slippery Noodle Inn was originally founded in 1850 as the Tremont House. It is Indiana's oldest, continually operated bar in the original building. The Noodle is listed in the National Register of Historic Places." It was the perfect spot for this dinner. Randy Randisi and Christine Matthews know how to throw one heck of a party. I can’t imagine it being any more perfect.



Judy and I sat with her friends Reed Farrel Coleman, Michael Wiley and Jason Pinter. I must say – this little group managed to make me feel like I was THE most special person on God’s green earth. Seriously – this could have, with a different group of people, easily turned into a situation of me becoming totally invisible, or feeling as though I had intruded into a group where I was just not accepted, and not a good fit. Instead, I was included with grace and great charm.

There wasn’t a person who entered the restaurant that this lovely group didn’t make sure I was introduced to and able to have a photo snapped with. Including Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky.















Unbelievable.

Star Struck? Me? Pfft. You better believe it.


S. J. Rozan joined our table for awhile and when Judy and I shared with her how goofy emotional I’d been she had the perfect line and the perfect solution. Looking me dead in the eye with a smile on her face she simply said.

“Chill, dude.”

It was exactly right. Exactly the right tone. Exactly the right thing to say to a woman who could not, for love nor money, get a grip.

This entire group was simply graciousness personified and I will be forever smitten with the whole bunch of them.

Can I tell you how awesome it was to be sitting next to the man who was awarded the Shamus for best hardcover novel of the year? That would be our Mr. Coleman. He’s a writer whose work I only discovered this year after meeting him briefly last year in Baltimore. I quickly became a Moe Praeger fan and hope there are many more Moe’s to come. However. Whatever Mr. Coleman writes, it will be quickly swooped up as an “auto-buy” and brought home with my mind totally free of doubt that it might be a book that won’t be my cup of tea. He’s a master of words with the perfect touch of poetry beautifully blended into the mix. If you haven’t read the recent collaboration between Mr. Coleman and Mr. Ken Bruen – I urge you to run run run to your nearest bookstore and grab TOWER. 'Tis a thing of beauty, is TOWER. Not one which will be an easy read for some, but I loved it boundlessly, and I just know many of you will also.

So.

What on earth could possibly be left that might be considered a magic moment?!

You would think they’ve about run themselves out by now, wouldn’t you? But – nooooo – not so. We have many more to come.

I walked back to the hotel from The Slippery Noodle with Judy, Gary Phillips (‘cause he was scared and needed us to protect him), Libby Fischer Hellmann, William Kent Krueger, Carl Brookins, Karen Olson, and Sara Paretsky. As we got closer to the hotel there was someone standing on the corner playing saxophone and it seemed to be the perfect touch to a perfect evening. It reminded Kent Krueger of a short story which he told me about and which I intend to track down. I adore short stories and this one sounds like the perfect little gem that short stories are, in my mind, supposed to be. Then when we got into the hotel I got to watch Sara Paretsky whisk Libby into a brisk little dance across the lobby. Magic moments.




On Saturday, I started my day with having books signed by Lee Child and by Deborah Crombie. Having another of my literary heroes remember my name and stand up for a hug and make a joke about a picture we had taken in Baltimore like Deborah Crombie did just made my head spin and my heart swell. I adore these people, and this community. I wish I knew the words to express how much.





I shared a giggle with Lee Child and didn’t even try to resist the urge to give him a kiss on the top of his head. Aside from being dishy and sexy, he’s just nice. Nice. And I like him. I think he’s kind, and generous to the newer writers coming up, and decent and funny and smart. And I just like him loads.

AND

I was lucky enough to be one of the winners of the essay contest which the Midwest Chapter of Mystery Writers of America sponsored for The Bouchercon Hot Ticket event for Mr. Child. Magic Moment.

I joined a few other people in the same room I had enjoyed the S. J. Rozan Hot Ticket event, and I sat in the very same chair. Except this time, sitting in the chair immediately to my right was Lee Child. While we enjoyed prime rib, little new potatoes, asparagus, carrots, a salad and a cup of soup, followed by a yummy piece of chocolate cake (calories be damned this day), we listened to Mr. Child talk to us about his writing, about Reacher, and a wealth of other topics. He asked questions and we asked questions. He was warm and welcoming and gently humorous and put everyone immediately at ease.

I have already said lots and lots about our Mr. Child. He, like S.J. Rozan, is another of the mystery community’s treasures. To be cherished. And I must say – it was during this conversation that my crush turned from crush to a deep abiding respect for a man I do indeed like lots. Not to say he’s not still dishy and sexy – but there’s lots more to Mr. Child that that pretty face.

There was one little unexpected happening at our Hot Ticket Event. Mr. Child was aware that it was going to happen, and I was sorta aware – but not fully. My buddy BG Ritts (Queen of the Imps!) worked up a little Wanted Poster and a note of warning for Mr. Child to beware of sweet faced, white haired ladies. He seemed to enjoy it thoroughly and had a good chuckle about it. As the event was coming to a close, he showed it to me and asked me to sign it. Now, that was a kick!












(aren't these a HOOT?!)

By this time in the convention, I think I had pretty much just given up on panels. I kept meaning to get to them, and never quite making it, so my routine by now was to find out who was on which panels at what time, so that I could scamper into the book room and be early in line to have them sign their books for me. Last year in my B’Con blog I mentioned a fellow fan I kept ending up in the same lines with. William. Well, wouldn’t you know it. William and I met up yet again and had time for a nice chat. And here’s a small world story for you. William lives in California. I live in Boone, NC – which William noticed from my name tag. He asked if I worked at the University and then asked if I just might, just maybe, perhaps might know a man he knows. Pfft. Yep. Sure did.
Our mutual friend happens to be one of my faculty members and I see him at work every day.


















Saturday evening was Anthony Awards Ceremony time. The ceremony was held in the beautiful and historic Hilbert Circle Theater, with a reception afterwards. It was a lovely venue and it was a well done affair which I thoroughly enjoyed. Michael Connelly was gracious and mentioned that it felt wonderful to be back with family. I thought the ceremony was just right. And truthfully -the other winners, people I know a little better than I'll ever know Mr. Connelly, of course, were exactly what you'd expect - humbled, gracious and well deserving; every one of them. But Julie Hyzy. Oh my. If you weren't moved by Julie's joy then you're just not human. She is a lovely, sweet woman and I join everyone else in this community with nothing but good wishes for a continuing bright and shiney future. I was quite moved and gladdened to see Sean Chercover step up to the podium also. He's a very special person and remains "himself" with all the accolades he continues to receive - and he deserves them each and every one.

Then a group of us including Wendy, Shelley, Mary Jane, R.J. and Barbara had a nice dinner and then attended the B’Con Charity Auction in the Artsgarden.

Mercy Mercy Mercy.

If you EVER have an opportunity to watch Chris Grabenstein and Donna Andrews handle the B’Con Charity Auction, please don’t miss it. I thought I had already laughed as much as one person could possibly laugh at one convention.. Wrong. A charity auction just should not be this much fun. As many of you already know - Chris Grabenstein used to do stand-up comedy before his very successful writing career. Well, I am here to tell you. He hasn’t lost his talent for stand up comedy. Not one whit. This is the funniest man I have EVER known. He’s also one of the nicest. Another one of the mystery community’s treasures.

It is, indeed, a community full of treasures.


Then after the auction it was back to the bar, kids! With my cup of coffee. The last night most of us would have together till the next convention. This was also the night of the Reacher Creature party and once again – I missed it. I just seem to be entirely too tuckered out by the end of this convention to be able to do the whole party thing. But who knows – one of these days I’m going to attend that “do,” and I know I’ll be over the moon that I did.

Sunday morning was the Book Bazaar and then lunch, checking out of the hotel, some last minute hugs and goodbyes and then catch the limo to the airport time. And this was the day I ran into some people who I had not had the pleasure of seeing the entire convention. Sandra Ruttan made a comment last year which stuck with me - that there must be two parallel conventions going on. Otherwise, how on earth do you explain going all those days without ever once laying eyes on some people you know are there? And at the same time bumping into some of the same people at every turn. 'Tis a mystery.


There were some people I most especially hoped to see and it did indeed make my heart sing with it happened.

And I’ll bet you thought the magic moments had come to an end by now .

Oh no. Not yet.

After the con a bunch of us rented a limo to get to the airport, and it was a fun thing.


After hanging around with these crazy adorable women for awhile at the airport, the time came to make our way to separate gates. Well. Glory be. Guess who I spotted on my way to my gate.

But of course.

Who else could it possibly have been other than Mr. Lee Child, along with his wonderful assistant Maggie and some other people I did not know sitting at a table in a restaurant just off the concourse. Mr. Child asked where I was headed and we had just the shortest of conversations, but quite pleasant, and it made me smile to know I didn't all of a sudden become invisible to one very famous writer after the convention ended.

Then, lo and behold, when I arrived at my gate there sat Charlaine Harris and Dana Cameron and a gentleman I believe was Dana's husband, and again – everyone shared a pleasant hello. Then comes S. J. Rozan, who once again proved herself to be the epitome of grace - hugs all around, nice conversation, and big smiles. She & BG had interesting things to share with one another and S.J. said BG was the woman she herself would go to to double check things from her own books. Graciousness. Personified.

I would very much encourage new, young writers - and heck - even some of the old guard who have been around for awhile - to follow a page out of the books of two of our legends - Mr. Child and Ms. Rozan. It means worlds to your readers to be treated just as nicely outside the confines of a conference hotel as it does inside that hotel. Most of you will always be that nice, which is exactly what I think makes the mystery community the lovely and special place it is.

The trip home was long, and it was tiring. I think BG and I were in full agreement that being in our own beds sounded OH so lovely.

It was beyond lovely to see my Donald and be welcomed home with a big loving and comforting hug. Equally lovely was getting to the car and seeing Harley. Having Harley welcome me with sloppy kisses let me know I was truly home. Dorothy had it just right - there's no place like home.

Looking back, I do have one regret.

Looking at these pictures as I'm loading them I'm struck by how goofy I look in some of them. big sigh. The goofiness can't be helped I'm afraid, so that's not my regret - I've learned to live with that (kinda). But I could have at least tried to remember to put on a little bit of lipstick from time to time!!!