Write It Anyway

My Guest Appearance in Now Write! Mysteries

2012-01-25T20:54:00.004-06:00

The other day I received a package in the mail from a New York publisher. Packages are fun!I wasn't expecting this one, but upon opening it I found two courtesy copies of Now Write! Mysteries: Suspense, Crime, Thriller, and Other Mystery Fiction Exercises from Today's Best Writer's and Teachers. In 2010 I was invited to contribute an exercise for this compilation and it was about this time last

Mystery Writers of America University: New Orleans, October 1

2011-09-20T15:36:00.002-05:00

Now a plug for my friendly neighborhood writing organization:Mystery Writers of America University (MWA-U) is a full-day, low-cost writing seminar designed to teach folks the essential skills needed to write a novel. The workshop covers everything from the idea stage to the final edits. Here, college level courses are taught by published mystery writers who are also experienced teachers. Topics

How to handle life and what to avoid in the school cafeteria, as explained by my little girl

2011-08-26T05:00:00.002-05:00

This month at the Stiletto Gang, I turned to my nine-year-old daughter for some life guidance. Kids are insightful. Also kind of funny.

Live Simply, Live Well.

2011-07-29T05:00:00.001-05:00

Today at the Stiletto Gang, I share my recent impressions about the power of paring down.

What happens when you listen to audiobook Disk 2 before Disk 1?

2011-07-25T23:22:00.003-05:00

Nothing really. Which I found remarkable.I'd never read The Devil Wears Prada (Lauren Weisberger) or seen the film, but plenty of my girlfriends have loved it, so when I saw the audiobook at the library, I picked it up. Rachel Leigh Cook did a fabulous job narrating and I was completely immersed in the story when Disk 1 ended and I reached for Disk 2, which turned out to be the real Disk 1.Huh?

Book Buzz: Dead Man's Switch by Tammy Kaehler

2011-07-05T21:28:00.003-05:00

Tammy Kaehler delivers a solid debut with Dead Man's Switch, featuring racecar driving protagonist Kate Reilly. The story opens when Kate gets a much needed chance to accelerate her racing career after veteran driver Wade Becker turns up suspiciously dead just days before the American Le Mans Series finale. Kate isn't a total rookie. She's shown her driving skill in earlier races and has made

The "Heeeyyy! Whatcha doin'?" call

2011-07-01T23:38:00.006-05:00

I never liked those calls.You know, the ones where somebody calls you up for no reason in particular. When I answer my phone, I expect 1) news or 2) a request.Example of #1: "There's a hurricane coming!"Example of #2: "Will you help me avoid my mother-in-law?"Calls like these serve a purpose and have a natural ending point.The "Heeyyy! Whatcha doin'?" phone call doesn't work for me because I have

Why I Will Survive an Alien Attack

2011-04-29T05:00:00.001-05:00

Today at the Stiletto Gang I discuss another embarrassing mind game that I play with myself. But this one is potentially useful in the event of an alien attack.In case, you know . . . you're worried about that.

Book Buzz: The Albuquerque Turkey by John Vorhaus

2011-04-21T21:48:00.003-05:00

John Vorhaus brings his personable, yet criminal, main character--Radar Hoverlander--back for some schemes-gone-wrong in his new release, The Albuquerque Turkey. Readers met con-man radar and his equally lovable and crooked new girlfriend, Allie, in the series debut, The California Roll. Now the pair is back for their toughest challenge yet: a respectable life as crime-free, upstanding citizens.

Why a first draft is like a poorly planned paint job

2011-03-25T05:00:00.001-05:00

This post has automagically uploaded today while I'm off chatting up mystery writers at the Left Coast Crime mystery convention in Santa Fe, NM.At the Stiletto Gang today, I talk about first drafts that do not behave. I hope your manuscripts are not as disobedient as my WIP.That's "work in progress" for those of you with dirty minds.Behave yourselves while I'm gone. Write lots of words, use your

Houston area writers: affordable writers' workshop near you on April 16th

2011-03-17T21:29:00.004-05:00

A little shout-out to my fellow Houston area writers. Alvin Community College is hosting a writers' workshop on April 16th. It's open to the public, and I'll be one of the speakers. Come on out and get your inspiration on. :)

What makes a good story, how GPS works, and other questions answered...by a 10-year-old.

2011-02-26T19:17:00.009-06:00

Sometimes it helps to look outside our own heads for a fresh perspective. So I went to my daughter and we had a chat.RB: When you are working on a story, what has been the hardest part?JB: The quotation marks, because I always forget to put in the "he said" and "she said" parts.RB: The tags.JB: Right. The tags.RB: Tell me why you started writing stories.JB: Because my teacher made me.RB:

Around the Interweb

2011-02-16T21:22:00.002-06:00

I'm feeling very spoiled this week because Marshal Zeringue has been kind to host me at a couple of interesting blogs, including The Page 69 Test, which is less perverse than it sounds, but no less fun, and Writers Read, in which I disclose what books I am currently courting.Today I was flattered to be invited to speak at an upcoming writer's workshop. I can't think of anything more enjoyable

Rachel Brady, Master Trickster

2011-01-28T05:00:00.001-06:00

I'm up to bat at the Stiletto Gang, talking about the head games I play with myself to get stuff done. Please stop by and chime in, but only if you're a slacker. Super heroes are banned today.

Wonderful news from Left Coast Crime

2011-01-26T23:42:00.005-06:00

Dead Lift has been nominated for a Watson, Left Coast Crime's award for the best sidekick in a mystery novel. Thanks to everyone who nominated it! Jeannie wants to buy you a round. :) I'm humbled by the company in the nominee list.At the conference in March, I'll moderate a panel called "Detectives Without Badges." Panelists are Laurie R. King, Annette Mahon, and Lawrence Light. This should

Thinking about new writers

2011-01-16T14:20:00.005-06:00

Yesterday I attended the monthly local meeting of Mystery Writers of America. Without fully understanding how it happened, I'm now serving as the chapter's vice president. This is an honor, but what scares me about it is knowing that I was recommended for this position because others believed I could infuse "new energy."You know how it goes. Complain enough and somebody eventually says, "Well, if

Rachel's Letter to Teen Me

2010-12-31T05:00:00.001-06:00

Today at the Stiletto Gang, I've posted a letter to my teen self!What would go in your letter?

Book Buzz: The Last Innocent Hour by Margot Abbott

2010-12-22T22:52:00.003-06:00

Reviews are often most useful when we're talking about new books, but new books are seldom what I read. I just finished an old book (1991) that I thoroughly loved and suspect some of you will, too--The Last Innocent Hour by Margot Abbott. Set in Berlin circa the 1930s and 40s, this novel is best described as noir meets love story meets Nazis meets journey of personal growth and recovery. Kind of

Up in Flames. Dead Lift starts a fire.

2010-12-10T21:24:00.005-06:00

My friend told me a distressing story today!She was getting ready to fry some okra when the mailman pushed her letters through the slot in her front door. The oil was heating on the stove as she stepped away to gather the mail. One of the items was a package from Amazon with her new copy of Dead Lift.But that isn't what got her attention. An envelope was wedged in the slot that had a Sprint

How fast can you reject me?

2010-12-02T20:43:00.004-06:00

This e-mail came today from my writer friend who is querying agents:I've sent a handful of queries out into the great void. Yesterday I got a response from an agent in New York dated at 2:56pm to a query I'd emailed at 3:35pm. Which means that, due to the vagaries of the internet, my query was, technically, rejected even before I submitted it!Ouch. And yes. This is exactly how much querying

Stage Fright

2010-11-29T05:38:00.002-06:00

Today I guest blog at Kaye Barley's Meanderings and Muses and discuss how you are similar to Ed Harris. One lucky commenter will win a signed copy. :) I hope you'll stop by.

Books for Banter: You Talk. I Send Books.

2010-11-26T05:00:00.009-06:00

"PI Richard Cole puts Emily Locke on a case that gives her a real workout in Brady's well-crafted second mystery to feature the 33-year-old single mom (after 2009's Final Approach). Brady's wry look at fashionista spa life and the spirited, down-to-earth Emily mark this as a series to watch." —Publishers WeeklyWin free copies ~ November 26th - December 4th.DEAD LIFT is here!

Celebrate the Small Stuff

2010-11-11T21:00:00.000-06:00

A good friend of mine was fond of reminding me to celebrate all the small things in life. I finally made it to a place where I remember to do this on my own.For me, once the book is written and turned in, there are three events in the journey that feel really good:1. When the editor finally says the revisions are over. "We're moving to production."2. The first time I see the cover art.3. And this

Popping up around the Interweb

2010-11-08T21:25:00.005-06:00

Friend and librarian Terry Jacobsen was kind enough to include me in her Bouchercon write-up for Library Journal. When I read her piece, I got exhausted from Bouchercon all over again. Thanks for the kind words, Terry!Today I was delighted to see this favorable review of Dead Lift from Lenore Howard at Fresh Fiction. Thank you, Lenore!I'm making my way through a short work week, gearing up for

Greater than the Sum of the Parts

2010-10-29T05:00:00.001-05:00

Today at the Stiletto Gang, a little story about my day job...

Ships in Harbor

2010-10-18T16:07:00.003-05:00

Mystery author Dennis Palumbo gave a memorable talk at Bouchercon last weekend. In addition to writing, he works as a psychotherapist. When he said that most of his clients were writers, I laughed. Considering the audience, I assumed it was a joke.It wasn't.His talk focused on writer's block, what it is, and why it happens. I'll summarize his points here in a sec, but after thinking about his

Bizzy Schmizzy

2010-09-24T05:00:00.001-05:00

Today at the Stiletto Gang, I go all introspective and evaluate the meaning of life. Mine, anyway.

Good news today from Publisher's Weekly

2010-09-21T13:08:00.003-05:00

Getting book reviews is a crap shoot. There is no guarantee that any given book will be reviewed in the first place, and if it is . . . well, you just hold your breath and hope it's favorable. Today I was happy to learn that Publisher's Weekly not only gave Dead Lift a look (which feels like a miracle), but a nod (even better):Dead Lift: An Emily Locke Mystery Rachel Brady, Poisoned Pen, $24.95 (

Book Buzz: Ice Cold by Tess Gerritsen

2010-08-31T20:14:00.004-05:00

Outstanding! This isn't the first in Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli & Isles series, but it's the first one I've read. Keeping up with the story was no problem because the pertinent back story was all filled in nicely. After thoroughly enjoying Ice Cold, I'll pick up the others in this series, too.Boston Medical Examiner Maura Isles travels to a Wyoming medical conference in the middle of a very harsh

Excerpt Friday: Dead Lift

2010-08-27T05:00:00.001-05:00

Stiletto Gang authors are running a series of excerpts, and today I'm up. There's a sneak peek at the opening pages of Dead Lift over there. Hope you'll stop by. :)

Book Buzz: The Queen of Patpong by Timothy Hallinan

2010-08-14T00:03:00.004-05:00

It's no secret that I'm a big Tim Hallinan fan. I've said so here and here and here and here. His latest Poke Raffery thriller, The Queen of Patpong, comes out on Tuesday! I had the good luck to read an early copy, so right now I feel kind of like I do when there's a dessert in the kitchen and I tell my kids to let Mom have the first bite to make sure the cookies aren't spoiled or anything. This

Dance (and write?) Like Nobody's Watching

2010-07-30T05:00:00.001-05:00

Today at the Stiletto Gang: how good friends prevent a writer from looking stoopid.

How many words is a picture worth?

2010-07-18T18:39:00.007-05:00

I set aside time this morning to drive around a neighboring community and work on my book--in pictures.I've done this for all of my books. I drive around a new area and take photos and notes, then weave those details into the work in progress. It started as a way to enhance setting. Now it helps with mood.Look at the details we can capture by exploring this way. I wouldn't have been able to

Book Buzz: Mean Mothers by Peg Streep

2010-07-16T16:24:00.000-05:00