Friday, March 28, 2014

Just So Damn Fun


Now that I’m home from Left Coast Crime-Monterey, I’m still wondering, are all writers’ conferences so much fun or is there something about the mystery/crime gang? I try to avoid the genre wars yet it must be noted that crime fiction has a strong moralistic bent and mysteries often reveal more than who done it.

I am so drawn to the field that even in my Hollywood-India historical, The Star of India, I made sure to find the intrigue and the mystery found me. As to thrillers, we all aspire to keep the reader swiftly moving our pages, with a moment of reflection here and there as icing on the cake.

As mystery, crime and thriller writers, we are serious about our craft. But we don’t take ourselves too seriously. This is a good combination, and maybe a clue as to why Left Coast Crime conferences are just so damn fun.

I sure enjoyed my “Sex, Death & Taxes…and A Lot of Champagne” panel. Along with moderator Allison Brennan and fellow panelists Deborah Coonts, Catherine Coulter and Harley Jane Kozak, I had some good laughs and think the audience did too. We also touched on relationships and why women write better love scenes. (??? What do you think ???)
 
Front from left: Deborah Coonts, Catherine Coulter
Back from left: Diana Chambers, Allison Brennan, Harley Jane Kozak

Monterey was at its most glorious and I enjoyed several harbor walks, including an evening one to the Aquarium. The town is more manicured than it used to be and I’m not sure Steinbeck would recognize it, but there is no more lovely natural setting. And who can resist an adorable harbor seal pup? (He's the little white-faced fellow in the middle.)

Seal Pup Waking From Nap
Going home, I took the coast road and will let you in on a little secret: The drive from Santa Cruz to San Francisco is one of the world’s absolute finest. And in spring? Well, take a look! 

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, CA




Monday, March 17, 2014

Home Sweet Home


Welcome. Bienvenue. Namaste. Thanks for dropping by.

I have written a few guest blogs, but this is my first one at “home,” for my very own new site. I’ve been working hard on it with the uber-talented designer Maddee James of xuni.com and we are both very proud. Please let us know what you think.

I’m a slow writer, almost like a potter shaping clay, waiting to see what is revealed. What will happen next in my story? So it can be hard tearing myself away to blog. That’s why I tricked myself, naming this space “Postcards” to make it inviting and fun. A place to jot down thoughts and updates on my events, works in progress and, of course, travels. We have a big one coming up this summer, By Train Through Eastern Europe. Stay tuned.

This week I travel to Monterey, California for the Left Coast Crime mystery fiction conference. I’m appearing on what should be a wild and crazy panel, “Sex, Death & Taxes… and a Lot of Champagne.” Joining me are moderator Allison Brennan, Deborah Coonts, Catherine Coulter and Harley Jane Kozak. I’ll be the one laughing at all their jokes.