BOOK BITES: Knot the Usual Suspects

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Nina Mansfield

I know that Halloween is over, but I think we can really keep celebrating for another week or two, can’t we? What I am trying to say is that I am not quite done with the ghosts and ghouls here on Not Even Joking. Am I ever really done with those things on this blog? In any case, I am thrilled to welcome Molly MacRae today, author of the Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries. Molly shares a little bit about her latest book, KNOT THE USUAL SUSPECTS, a light paranormal cozy mystery, (published by NAL/Obsidian/Penguin Random House in September 2015,) along with a recipe for of Tunnel of Fudge. Did someone say FUDGE? Yum!

Who is the main character in KNOT THE USUAL SUSPECTS? What is she like?

Kath Rutledge is a textile preservation specialist – a woman steeped in the history and science of fibers – who ends up with a depressed ghost on her hands. That’s hard on Kath, because she doesn’t believe in ghosts. It doesn’t help that she’s the only one who sees and hears the ghost.

What would Kath Rutledge choose for her last meal?

Kath would go to Mel’s on Main, the best café in Blue Plum, Tennessee, and irritate Mel by having a hard time choosing what to have. Then, because you might as well go out with a full burst of flavor, calories and cholesterol, she’d have one of Mel’s fried egg and sharp cheddar grilled cheese sandwiches (on rye with horseradish and onion), crispy homemade potato chips, and a slice of tunnel of fudge cake for dessert.

How about you? What would you choose for your last meal?

Fresh, absolutely ripe strawberries topped with thick, whipped cream studded with toasted almonds and crystallized ginger – the way they only make it at Henderson’s Salad Table Restaurant in Edinburgh, Scotland. And that’s why; because I’d have to go to Scotland to have it.

Why should someone bite into KNOT THE USUAL SUSPECTS?

KNOT THE USUAL SUSPECTS, the fifth book in the Haunted Yarn Shop Mysteries, involves bagpipes, yarn bombing, and difficult relatives. It’s about solving a murder, but it’s also about loss, remembrance, resentment, and making room in our lives for new people and new stories. It came out in September, released simultaneously in mass market, e-book, and audio.

Do you have a recipe you’d like to share?

Here’s Mel’s tunnel of fudge recipe. Once you have a slice, you’ll want a piece for your last meal, too.  

Tunnel of Fudge. Photo courtesy of Molly MacRae.

Tunnel of Fudge with Crystallized Ginger

Ingredients:

Cake

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 ¾ cups butter, softened
  • 6 eggs
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 ¼ cups unbleached white flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 ½ cups chopped, crystalized ginger

Glaze

  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 4-6 tablespoons milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt or tube pan.

In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Gradually add the 2 cups of powdered sugar, blending well. Stir in flour and remaining cake ingredients. Pour batter into prepared pan. Spread evenly.

Bake at 350ºF. for 45 to 50 minutes or until top is set and edges are beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 1 ½ hours. Turn out onto serving plate and cool completely.

Combine glaze ingredients in small bowl, adding enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Spoon over top of cake, allowing some to run down sides. Store tightly covered.

Wow! That sounds (and looks) so yummy! And I am totally intrigued by your mystery series, for several reasons. First of all, I have always been fascinated by the history of textiles. Also, I really want to know more about this depressed ghost. Also, I am going to make sure I visit Henderson’s Salad Table Restaurant if I ever get to Edinburgh. It has been on my bucket list for a long time. Thank you so much for sharing with me and my readers today!

You can learn more about Molly MacRae on her website www.mollymacrae.com and you can find KNOT THE USUAL SUSPECTS on  Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at a bookstore near you.

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Killer Nashville Conference: Murder for Hire

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Nina Mansfield

I have written several times on this blog how much I love attending writing conferences. I was disappointed that I could not get to Killer Nashville this year. It’s one of those conferences that I have been hoping to go to for some time. For one, I went to school in Nashville, and would love to visit my Alma Mater. But I have also heard wonderful things about Killer Nashville over the years. I was delighted when C. Hope Clark agreed to do a guest blog about Killer Nashville here on Not Even Joking. Here it is:

Nobody loves the topic of murder better than cops, agents, psychologists, morticians, and authors, and at the Killer Nashville Conference, you find them all. On panels, in classes, and through demonstrations, you find people talking the pros and cons of how to tell crime stories in the most intriguing ways. There in Nashville, authors listen to war stories of agents, lawyers, and authors who’ve gone before them, and learn how to paint crime in its most commercially appealing and mentally incapacitating light.

This was my third Killer Nashville, and it will not be my last. Where else can a mystery author find such crazy people talking about decaying flesh, bullet caliber, poison flavors, mental ailments, and how to hide bodies? But that’s what CEO Clay Stafford wanted when he created Killer Nashville ten years ago: a place for crime fiction authors to feel at home.

Each year, he compiles the greatest list of celebrity crime writers, law enforcement and experts to help authors be the best they can be. This year, the tenth, was an exceptionally great effort. The guests of honor were:

  • John Gilstrap (NYT Bestselling Author of Against All Enemies, End Game, High Treason and more as well as Hollywood screenplay writer adapting the works of Nelson DeMille and Thomas Harris);
  • M. William Phelps (NYT Bestselling Author of 30 books and producer for television’s Investigation Discovery series Dark Minds and expert consultant for Deadly Women and Snapped); and
  • Robert K. Tanenbaum (NYT Bestselling Author of thirty nonfiction and fiction crime books, Assistant District Attorney in New York County where he ran the Homicide Bureau, and Deputy Chief Counsel for the Congressional committee investigating the JF Kennedy and Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. murders)

Jaw-dropping wisdom from these guys! Authors clamored like children after an ice cream truck to hear these men speak on how they paved their careers, how real serial killers work, how the criminal system does and doesn’t work, how to research murder and fit it into a work in progress. Heady stuff.

C. Hope Clark (middle) with fellow panelists. Photo courtesy of C. Hope Clark.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Not only did I present on a panel about how to make short fiction and nonfiction work for income and platform in between the publication of books, but I served on a panel about inserting twists in fiction, and moderated a mortician’s class where time flew by as the Q&A took over as the gentleman explained skin slippage, embalming, decay, bullet holes, and butting heads with medical examiners.

 

Photo courtesy of C. Hope Clark.

My husband, a retired federal criminal investigator, taught about non-traditional law enforcement and the cases and agencies writers don’t hear about as well as arrests he’s made and how the federal system really works. He served on a panel with other law enforcement, always a perk of this conference where Clay Stafford, wants authors to learn from the real deal.

The conference always offers unusual interim entertainment like live music, Samurai sword training, evening drink soirees, and private classes with the big names. There’s a crime scene to investigate, with the winner receiving free admission to next year’s conference. This year, the tenth anniversary of the conference, Clay Stafford introduced the BookCon for the general public, where anyone can walk in off the street and meet authors and have books signed. But the highlight that wove throughout the entire four days, was the release of Killer Nashville Noir: Cold-Blooded, a 16-story mystery anthology from Killer Nashville alumni. He carefully requested stories from the likes of Steven James, Jeffrey Deaver, Anne Perry, Donald Bain, Robert Dugoni, and Heywood Gould – big names in the industry. Then he added stories from conference alumni who are journeymen in the midst of creating their own names, like: Catriona McPherson, Eyre Price, Jaden Terrell, Maggie Toussaint, and myself. A remarkable collection that had the entire conference abuzz with everyone running around trying to find as many signatures for their copy as they could.

C. Hope Clark accepting her award. Photo courtesy of C. Hope Clark.

But as always, the conference culminated in a huge banquet with a live band, the guests of honor at the front, and the announcements of the Dupin, Claymore and Silver Falchion Awards. Remarkable competition for awards that are fast becoming known in the industry. And like a few other authors there, the highlight of Killer Nashville was walking up when my name was called to accept my award. The third in my Carolina Slade Mysteries, Palmetto Poison, won a category in the Silver Falchion Awards.

There are conferences of classes and famous speakers, then there are experiences like Killer Nashville. You network more easily at this event, and your knowledge explodes with so many resources at your disposal. These aren’t typical how-to-write or how-to-promote classes. These are how-to-be-real classes. A highly recommended event for the mystery, suspense or thriller author. And if you go, without a doubt, I’ll see you there.

Killer Nashville has hands on classes! Photo courtesy of C. Hope Clark.

 

C. Hope Clark is author of the award-winning Caroline Slade Mysteries and The Edisto Island Mysteries. Her newest release is EDISTO JINK, the second in the Edisto series. Hope speaks nationally at conferences, workshops, libraries and book clubs, and is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Southeastern Writers, and MENSA. In her spare time, she manages FundsforWriters.com, a resource for serious writers chosen by Writer’s Digest Magazine for its 101 Best Websites for Writers for the past 15 years. She lives on the banks of Lake Murray, with her husband, chickens and dachshunds, creating her stories when she isn’t strolling Edisto Beach scheming a plot. www.chopeclark.com / www.fundsforwriters.com

EDISTO JINX by C. Hope Clark

Is it a flesh and blood killer—or restless spirits?

According to the island psychic, beautiful Edisto Beach becomes a hotbed of troublemaking spirits every August. But when a visitor dies mysteriously during a beachhouse party, former big-city detective Callie Morgan and Edisto Beach police chief Mike Seabrook hunt for motives and suspects among the living. With tourists filling the beaches and local business owners anxious to squelch rumors of a murderer on the loose, Callie will need all the help she can get—especially once the killer’s attention turns toward her.

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Creative Minds Profile #8: MICHAEL GOLDBURG

Posted on November 1, 2015 by Nina Mansfield

Halloween was yesterday, and whenever I think of Halloween, I think of horror movies. But I will be honest, I don’t particularly like to be terrified. I much prefer to laugh. So a horror-comedy, like the short film What’s Eating Dad? is right up my alley. In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that my husband, Joel Haberli, plays the title dad in the film. But seriously, it is a really funny film, which is why I am excited to welcome the director of What’s Eating Dad?, Michael Goldburg to Not Even Joking today.

Photo courtesy of Michael Goldburg.

Michael Goldburg, an MFA graduate from NYU’s Graduate Film Program, is an award winning film maker. In addition to being the creative mind behind the horror-comedy, What’s Eating Dad?, which has screened, and continues to screen at numerous film festivals and was named one of the Top Ten Horror Shorts of 2014, he directed the prizewinning short film Happy Trails, co-directed the grand-prize winning web series Café Conversations, and directed the bleakly funny web series, Tragic Relief, which was recently featured on Funny or Die.  You can learn more about Michael at www.michaelgoldburg.com and www.whatseatingdad.com/.

Poster image design by Cyndi Conklin. Photograph by Wei Li Liang.

 

Production still from WHAT'S EATING DAD? Photo by Peter Olsen.

Thank you for joining me here today. Congratulations on the success of What’s Eating Dad?  I have seen the film a number of times now, and I feel it gets funnier and funnier each time I see it. What do you think accounts for the film’s success?

Thanks Nina! That’s great to hear. I hope What’s Eating Dad? is connecting with audiences on several levels. First off, it’s about the anxiety of meeting your significant other’s family for the first time – which is a pretty universal feeling – and also coming to terms with their shortcomings and “differences.” On another level, the film deals with family dynamics and dysfunction, particularly denial within families, that I think most of us can also relate to. And hopefully the film succeeds as a piece of zombie fiction – spoiler alert! – where it uses the genre as a backdrop for exploring some of the stronger themes mentioned above. Tonally, I think the movie works as well as it does because it’s dealing with all of these issues in a comic way in the midst of a horrifying situation. The actors are all playing everything very wonderfully straight which only makes the situation more absurd and ridiculous—and makes the audience feel for Chloe’s, the protagonist’s, bewilderment and horror even more.

Production still from WHAT'S EATING DAD? Photo by Peter Olsen. Pictured: Morgan Wright, Joel Haberli, Barbara

You have been attending quite a few film festival lately. Could you share a favorite experience?

There have been so many great experiences on the festival circuit that it’s hard to boil down to one. So I’ll quickly share three! We had the honor of screening in Paris at the Champs-Élysées Film Festival, where I got to rub shoulders with legendary filmmakers and actors like Jeremy Irons, Alan Parker, Anna Karina, Vilmos Zsigmond and others. A highlight of the year for sure! And we’ve been fortunate to screen in up and coming regional festivals, like the Chattanooga Film Festival, where the level of programming and care for the films and filmmakers was off the charts. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Indy Film Fest in Indianapolis, Indiana, which was a homecoming for me as it’s my home state, but also a stellar film festival in its own right. And the best part of all: meeting so many great people and amazing filmmakers and making a lot of new friendships and potential collaborations.

Production still from WHAT'S EATING DAD? Photo by Peter Olsen. Pictured: Morgan Wright.

Production still from WHAT'S EATING DAD? Photo by Peter Olsen. Pictured: Brennan Taylor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are you working on now?

I’m currently making my first feature film, Sure-Fire, a fast-paced crime comedy about a NYC con man having a mid-life crisis. In the vein of classic NY comedies from Woody Allen and Mel Brooks, Sure-Fire is a universal story about how it’s never too late – even for a con man – to “rewrite your life’s script.” We’re in pre-production for a spring 2016 shoot. Stay tuned for more updates at http://www.michaelgoldburg.com/.

What else gets you up in the morning? What are you passionate about? And how does this influence your creative life? (or does it?)

I’m passionate about making films; from script to production to post-production to release. That’s definitely what gets me up in the morning and keeps me busy. Right now, I’m busy promoting What’s Eating Dad?, editing another comedy short film, Rye Manhattan, I shot this summer, moving Sure-Fire into production, and developing several other feature-length screenplays as well. I’m also passionate about movies in general and try to see as many films, old and new, as I can. I also love theater, music, art and photography. When I’m not making or watching films, you’ll often find me at a museum, catching some live music, or snapping photos in Brooklyn; all of which inspires and influences me.

And my standard teacher question:  What advice would you give to an aspiring filmmaker?

See as many films as you can – both good and bad – because you can learn a lot from both. And immerse yourself fully in your life and in other fields and pursuits, even those far flung from film, so you have a lot to draw upon in your work. And if you want to learn how to make films, you don’t necessarily have to go to film school. You can learn just by making films.

Thank you so much! I’m so glad you were able to join me here today.

Connect with Michael and learn more about What’s Eating Dad? at:

 

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BOOK BITES: The Sweet Spot

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Nina Mansfield

Back in June, I welcomed fellow author Stacy Barnett Mozer to Not Even Joking for a Creative Minds Interview. Today, I am thrilled to welcome her again, especially since it is baseball playoff time, and her middle-grade novel THE SWEET SPOT deals with America’s favorite pastime. I read THE SWEET SPOT recently, and absolutely loved it. Stacy tells us a little bit about the book today, and shares a hamburger recipe!

Who is the main character in THE SWEET SPOT? What is she like?

Same is a spunky girl who loves to play baseball. She’s a great big sister and a good best friend. She believes in herself and her favorite team, the NY Mets. And the Mets aren’t letting her  down this year.

What would Sam choose for her last meal?

Sam would definitely want a burger and fries. Her step mother is always trying to get her to eat salads and she would eat the burger on principal.

How about you? What would you choose for your last meal?

I would eat a chocolate brownie sundae with extra whipped cream because if you have to go, you might as well eat dessert.

Why should someone bite into THE SWEET SPOT?

THE SWEET SPOT is not just a book about baseball. It’s about finding your place in the world and realizing who is on your side. We each should search for the best in ourselves, the Sweet Spot of life.

Do you have a recipe you’d like to share?

Sam’s last meal would be a hamburger so here is the way I make my burgers. They are a family favorite.

1 package of chopped meat

Jason’s Breadcrumbs

1 egg

barbeque sauce

Prepare a pan with tin foil and set the stove to broil. Place the chopped meat in a bowl. Add one egg and a few squirts of barbecue sauce. Mix together and add Jason breadcrumbs a little at a time until the chopped meat becomes sticky. Take a handful of meat and roll into a ball. Press it down into the pan. 1 package makes about 5 hamburgers. Pour more barbecue sauce on top of the burgers. Use a brush to spread the sauce, shaping the patties as you go. Flip each burger and add more sauce. Broil on each side for about 15 minutes, checking for a deep brown color. Place on a bun and you are good to go.

Sounds yummy! There are some days I simply crave a burger, so I am going to have to try this recipe. And congratulations on the success of the Mets in the postseason. I know that they are both your team and Sam’s.

You can learn more about THE SWEET SPOT on Stacy Barnett Mozer’s website or on Amazon, B&N and Indie Bound. If you like baseball (or even if you don’t) you are sure to enjoy this wonderful book! You can also celebrate the  the post season by winning a copy of THE SWEET SPOT  on Goodreads. Just click HERE to enter THE SWEET SPOT Goodreads Giveaway.

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Guns in Fiction: The Moral Dilemma of a Mystery Writer

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Nina Mansfield

After the Sandy Hook School Shooting, an actor friend of mine declared on Facebook that he would never take a role on stage or on screen that involved holding a gun. I thought this was brave and absolutely the morally correct stance to take.

As a mystery writer, it would be difficult, if not impossible for me to make a similar statement.

I have been agonizing over this quite a bit lately, especially since the latest shooting in Oregon. I am a parent, a teacher, and a human being. How could I not feel deeply moved and upset by these horrible events? How could I not feel that something needs to be done? And while I strongly believe the government needs to act, isn’t it my responsibility to do something too? Does my art somehow implicitly condone gun violence?

Because my stories often involve guns. Oh sure, I write in other genres as well, and usually those plays and stories don’t involve guns. And sometimes the victims in my mysteries are strangled or killed with an ax. But sometimes even my non-mystery works involve guns. Of course, sometimes it’s just the “good guys” who carry the guns, but sometimes not.

You might have noticed I put “good guys” in quotes above. I did this because I don’t really believe that there truly are “good guys” and “bad guys.” On some level, I think every human is capable of a horrific act. Certainly, some people are more likely to commit such acts than others. And I don’t mean the mentally ill, because in this messed up society of ours, I am not even really sure what that means anymore. Human beings are fragile. We have strong emotions. We feel things passionately. What makes humanity so beautiful could also make it so ugly. There are horror stories every day about people losing control. I don’t think any of us are immune.

This is one of the reasons why I don’t think people should have guns.

I know that I have mystery writing colleagues who fall all over the gun-ownership spectrum. There are plenty of people I truly respect who own guns. I have a cousin who hunts regularly. I have had students tell me proudly about their hunting weekends. I have eaten venison shot by friends. I used to enjoy target practice with a pellet gun when I was a kid, and when I attended Writer’s Police Academy a few years ago, I was quick to sign up for the firearms training. (FYI, I was a really poor shot.) A fellow mystery writer recently did a very useful shooting demonstration on his blog to help answer a question I had for one of my stories. The writer in question has worked in law enforcement his entire adult life, so yeah, a responsible gun owner if there ever was one. And I have to say that I was very thankful for his demonstration and thrilled that someone would go to such lengths to help out a fellow writer.

And then the Oregon school shooting happened. And once again, I am reminded that guns kill.

I know that there are many responsible gun owners out there. I know that many of these gun owners also advocate for tougher gun laws and don’t think the answer to our nation’s mass shooting crisis is more guns. And even if they don’t share my values, the point of this blog is not to condemn anyone’s personal beliefs, but rather to examine my own. If I had my way, guns would only appear in fiction. And sometimes I wonder if they should even appear there.

This is not the first time I’ve had a moral crisis about the types of stories I write. After I gave birth to my daughter, I asked myself how I could write such gruesome murder tales.

Am I being a hypocrite by writing stories with guns while actively advocating tougher gun laws?

I honestly don’t know. But it is a question I will continue to ask myself.

Surely, Agatha Christie never wondered if she was somehow condoning poisonings. (Not that I am comparing myself to the Queen of Crime.) But she wasn’t writing in a time where mass poisonings were occurring all too often.

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BOOK BITES: Lead Me Into Danger

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Nina Mansfield

Today, I welcome fellow mystery author Daniella Bernett to Not Even Joking. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Daniella at a Mystery Writers of America event in New York. When she told me that her mystery novel LEAD ME INTO DANGER  (Black Opal Books, October 1, 2015)  involves a jewel thief and a Russian spy, I knew I wanted to know more.

Who are the main characters in LEAD ME INTO DANGER? Tell me about them?

My main characters are journalist Emmeline Kirby and jewel thief Gregory Longdon, who is a handsome and witty charmer. They’re both British. They’re former lovers who haven’t seen each other in two years, but they become embroiled in a murder and a hunt for a Russian spy in the British Foreign Office.

What would Emmeline and Gregory choose for their last meals?

Emmeline would choose Afternoon Tea as her last meal because for the British tea is a comfort and cures all ills. Gregory wants to go out in style, so his last meal would be steak with a Madeira mushroom sauce, roasted new potatoes and asparagus, accompanied by a glass of Barolo.

How about you? What would you choose for your last meal?

I would follow Emmeline’s lead and choose Afternoon Tea. I would like something soothing.

Why should someone bite into LEAD ME INTO DANGER?

LEAD ME INTO DANGER is an exciting mystery with a dash of romance that takes place in London and Venice. It was released on October 1. It is the first book in my series about Emmeline and Gregory. I will be doing a reading/book signing at the Mysterious Bookshop (58 Warren Street) in Manhattan on Friday, October 9.

Do you have a recipe you’d like to share?

Although my character’s last meal would be Afternoon Tea, I think she would also love a little dessert. Here’s a recipe for a traditional English Trifle:

http://britishfood.about.com/od/dessert/r/traditionaltrifle.htm

Thank you so much! I am really looking forward to reading your book, and I also hope to join you at the Mysterious Bookshop on October 9th!

You can find out more about Daniella Bernett at her website www.daniellabernett.com, and you can purchase LEAD ME INTO DANGER from www.blackopalbooks.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.amazon.com, the Mysterious Bookshop and wherever books are sold.

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Creative Minds Profile #7: Emily Tuckman

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Nina Mansfield

I feel like Emily Tuckman is one of those people who I was destined to meet in life, no matter what path I chose. I first met Emily when I was studying acting with Larry Singer at Michael Howard Studios. Our paths crossed again a number of years later in graduate school, when we both enrolled in the Educational Theater program at NYU. I wanted to feature Emily this month because she recently finished shooting an original web series, and as you might have noticed, I love interviewing folks who are out there creating art!

Emily is an actor, singer and producer. She is one of the creative minds behind the web series Ambience. She is also a founder of the Estraña Theatre Company. As an actor she has appeared in a wide variety of contemporary and classical plays, musicals and in film and on television. You can check out Emily’s full bio and resume on her website www.emilytuckman.com.

Emily, thank you for joining me here today! I have seen you play a variety of acting roles. Tell me, what draws you to a particular role or character?

I love characters that have some sort of an emotional appeal, but who are also counterculture or misunderstood. I’m drawn to characters that most of society would not necessarily connect to or understand, and I love getting into those characters and making the world better understand where they are coming from.

Tell me a little bit about Ambience. What sparked the idea? Why this project now?

 I was getting frustrated auditioning over and over again for “young mom”, “lawyer”, “girlfriend” etc. I wanted to create great female roles that were layered and a story of someone complex and interesting who likely appeared to the world to be “completely normal”, but behind closed doors was a little nuts. This project in particular was fueled by wanting to create my own work, and having a complicated relationship with a certain willing pill, along with hearing about multiple friends’ weird experiences on it. 

A production still from AMBIENCE. Photo courtesey of Emily Tuckman.

Folks at home should check out this link:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ambience-the-web-series#/story

Which other projects from your past are you most proud of and why? 

I’m incredible proud of my theatre company, Estraña Theatre Company, because we strive to produce edgy, thought provoking plays that highlight strong (albeit often wounded) women:) I have also really enjoyed playing Laura in The Glass Menagerie because I love her vulnerability, and how different her character is from who I am (can you tell I love a good challenge;)?

What else gets you up in the morning? What are you passionate about? And how does this influence your creative life? (or does it?)

Working with teenagers and teaching them theatre is a huge inspiration to me. I learn so much about myself and my work through teaching them. I also love producing, and meeting the incredible talented artists I’ve had the privilege to work with. Working with some of them over and over gets me up in the morning. Also, my family is an incredible inspiration to me. Their support and love not only influences my creative life but feeds my soul. I also am powerfully influenced by the theatre I see around the city!

I know you have a great deal of experience working with children and teens. What advice would you give to a young performer who is considering a career in the biz?

My best advice would be to really look at all potential careers in theater, not just performing. I think there’s so many beautiful ways to be involved in this industry without having to addition constantly and work 1 million jobs in order to make rent. Do things that feed your soul and use it in your work. Figure out how to use your talents in ways that make you feel good about yourself. And never stop dreaming.

Connect with Emily and learn more about her projects at:

 

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CrimeCONN: Great Openings and Solving Crimes in Real Life

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Nina Mansfield

Back in August I wrote about why I attend writing conferences after attending Deadly Ink 2015 in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending CrimeCONN 2015 at the Westport Library in Westport, Connecticut. The conference was co-sponsored by Mystery Writers of America, New York Chapter.

CrimeCONN was an AMAZING CONFERENCE!!!

Seriously.

I had the honor of being on the first panel of the day, Who loves you, baby?: How to make your readers fall in love at first sight. Great openings followed by ways to keep the love alive. When I first saw the line up for the panel, I was more than a bit intimidated. Roberta Islieb (aka Lucy Burdette) has published 14 mysteries and has been short-listed for a host of mystery writing awards. Tom Straw has written numerous New York Times bestsellers under a pseudonym. But if I was the tiniest bit nervous (and I was) moderator John Valeri quickly put my fears to rest. He had fantastic questions, and he really made the panel a very enjoyable experience. You can see in the picture below just how much fun I am having!

From L to R: Roberta Isleib (aka Lucy Burdette), Tom Staw, Nina Mansfield and moderator John Valeri. Photo: Chelsey Valeri.

One of the major points that the panel touched upon was whether or not a body needs to drop in the first chapter. The consensus seemed to be no…and yes.  In other words, a metaphorical body should probably be dropping. Something needs to hook the reader. But it doesn’t have to actually be a dead body. There are many other ways to draw a reader in.

I had an equally good time attending all of the other panels on CrimeCONN. I was excited that there were two presentations devoted to the solving of actual (rather than literary) crimes. I have been lucky to attend a number of panels and trainings over the years with those who solve crimes in real life, and each time, I find I learn something new. The presentations at CrimeCONN were no different. The first was called, These are there stories: An Insider’s look at working cases from crime scene to court house, with: Michelle Clark, a Medicolegal Death Investigator; John Davenport, a Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney; and Art Weisberger, the Commander for the Crime Scene Unit of the Norwalk Police. The second presentation, ‘Cause dead flies tell no lies: A forensics expert talks about how to read a crime scene like a novel, featured Peter Valentin, a retired detective in the Major Crime Squad.  Some of the takeaways from the experts this time:

  • Some crimes are too awful for fiction.
  • It can take longer to pick a jury than to try a case.
  • It is important for those who work in law enforcement to have down time.
  • It’s not all about DNA.
  • Cases go cold because people make mistakes.

Interestingly, one comment by Art Weisgerber made me think that there are a number of parallels between writing and solving actual crimes. He mentioned how he will often have a breakthrough idea that will help him solve a case while doing something like mowing the lawn. I find that is true of writing as well. The solutions to my stories often come when I am doing some repetitive chore.

I could seriously go on and on about how wonderful this conference was. I am Not Even Joking! I met fabulous people and discovered new authors. I have added a number of new titles to my “To Read” list.  I feel a renewed sense of inspiration to keep writing.

And I am already looking forward to next year’s CrimeCONN!

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BOOK BITES: Populatti

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Nina Mansfield

I am excited to host Jackie Nastri Bardenwerper here for a second time. You might recall, Jackie shared about her debut novel ON THE LINE and a fabulous recipe for a fried fish sandwich back in July. Now that school is back in session, I thought it would be a great time to ask Jackie back to share about her second  second  young adult novel, POPULATTI (Tautog Press, October 2014).  And this time, a recipe for pizza! Yum!

Who is the main character in Populatti? What is she like?

Livi Stanley loves Cherry Coke, melon lip gloss and that gorgeous boy who she’s been eyeing for years – pastel-perfect Brandon Dash. She’s also a co-founder of Populatti.com, a secret club that grants Livi access to parties, the website, and of course, B-Dash. Yet with membership dependent on the approval ratings of her peers, Livi often finds herself torn between what her conscience tells her is right and what the numbers say on the screen.

What would Livi choose for her last meal?

New Haven style pizza, known better as “Apizza.” After Livi tries it with Brandon, it’s love at first bite.

I know I asked you this before, but what would  you choose for your last meal?

You know, last time when my book ON THE LINE was featured I said chicken fajitas and I’m sticking with that answer. But New Haven apizza is definitely up there. I think I could live off just fajitas and pizza and be happy for years!

Why should someone bite into POPULATTI?

Because POPULATTI is more than just another book on popularity. It takes a real look at friendship, social media, and how to stay true to yourself. Oh and because it’s a lot of fun. Did I mention they throw fabulous parties?

Do you have a recipe you’d like to share?

Livi’s New Haven-Style Apizza

Pizza Stone and Peel (optional)

Few handfuls of corn mean (if using peel)

1lb pizza dough warmed to room temperature (you can make your own, but here I usually cheat and pick this up from a local pizza restaurant. Store-bought works too!)

1 can crushed tomatoes

2 garlic cloves, chopped

4-5 fresh basil leaves, torn

1 tablespoon virgin olive oil

1 cup mozzarella cheese

Grated Parmesan and Romano cheese

Assorted toppings, to taste!

Adjust oven so lower rack is on the lowest setting. Move top rack to the highest so it is out of the way. If using a pizza stone, place the stone on the low rack while the oven is cool. Set the oven to 550 degrees, or as high as it goes, and let oven warm for at least an hour.

While the oven is warming, cover peel with a thin layer of corn meal. Then spread dough over the peel, making sure there are no thin spots or holes (if not using a peel, spread dough onto pizza pan). Next, spread the olive oil and chopped garlic onto the dough until covered with a thin layer. Then add a thin layer of crushed tomatoes almost to the edge of the dough. Once adding the tomatoes, sprinkle a thin layer of grated cheese, then add the mozzarella. Last, add on the torn basil along with any other toppings you may like!

Once the oven is warm, either place your pizza pan into the oven, or if using a peel, inspect the sides to make sure there are no areas where the dough is sticking. If you find any, add more corn meal underneath the dough. Then slide the pizza into the oven by placing the top tip of the peel onto the far edge of the pizza stone and then quickly sliding it out from under the dough (this takes practice!).

Let pizza cook for about 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling and crust is brown.

That sounds really incredible. I’ve been meaning to start making my own pizza again. And thank you for sharing about POPULATTI! I think the novel deal with so many important issues that teens today face.

You can learn more about Jackie Nastri Bardenwerper on her website www.jnbwrite.com. And you can find out more about POPULATTI at www.populatti.com  and on Amazon.

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Writer’s Play: Theorizing (Quite Seriously!) Toys and Picture Books

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Nina Mansfield

I am delighted to welcome fellow mystery writer Maia Chance to Not Even Joking today! I asked Maia to discuss motherhood and writing and inspiration… subjects that are very close to my heart. And be sure to check out the info below on Maia’s latest novel, Come Hell or Highball. I’ve already added it to my Goodreads “To Read” list.

Thank you for having me as a guest on your wonderful blog, Nina!

I was enchanted by the fact that Nina takes the time to discuss motherhood here on her blog.  Lots of writers are moms but we don’t talk about it much, except to commiserate about how strapped for bandwidth we are.  Or sometimes, how weird it is to look your kid’s kindergarten teacher in the eye when you’re daydreaming about how to murder someone.  However, I’m going to admit something a little—perhaps—peculiar.  I get inspired as a writer by my kids’ toys and picture books.

As a cozy mystery writer, my daily work involves manipulating characters within microcosmic communities.  I often reflect, as my eyes drift around the child-colonized rooms I work in, that playing with a Playmobil or Brio train set also amounts to manipulating characters within microcosmic communities.  My kids stage dramas in the dollhouse with Calico Critters chipmunks, Lightning McQueen, and a plastic Tyrannosaurus Rex. . .and this is the cozy mystery genre.  I mean, what is the English country house setting of classic whodunits but a dollhouse?  (And I didn’t want to mention it, but doesn’t Hercule Poirot look like one of those bald Little People guys?)  Those brightly-painted toy play sets, and the way my kids go at them, remind me that writing, too, should have that same spontaneous and even wacky flow.

One of the writers I’ve worked with a great deal in my academic work, Nathaniel Hawthorne, was fascinated with the connection between toys and the imagination (he was devoted to his kids).  In “The Custom-House,” a preface to The Scarlet Letter, the narrator describes a boundary-space of inspiration:

“A child’s show; the doll, seated in her little wicker carriage; the hobby-horse; —whatever, in a word, has been used or played with during the day, is now invested with a quality of strangeness and remoteness . . . the floor of our familiar room has become a neutral territory, somewhere between the real world and fairy-land, where the Actual and the Imaginary may meet.”

Interesting that this imaginative boundary-space is occupied by toys, isn’t it?  I think Hawthorne is getting at how toys take us to an Other space that is alive with possibility, ripe for manipulation and imaginative investment, but never totally ownable.  Words are also like this.  Words are, in a way, toys.

And the kid’s books.  Oh, the kid’s books.  I often think these are THE perfect art form.  I adore everything Maurice Sendak ever breathed life into, and I also never tire of Richard Scarry and William Steig.  Novelists can only envy the magic of a picture book: that synergy that arises in the space between the words and the illustrations.  I wonder if there is something to be learned there, something about not overwriting the story, about allowing unnarrated images to speak for themselves.

I notice that the picture books I enjoy the most are those with inky black outlined images filled in with vibrant color.  (Those blurry Madeline books never really did it for me.)  Something about crisp cartoony images resonates with my private vision of storytelling.  Critical theorists write about how naming things with words pulls them forth from the undifferentiated mass of the universe; naming things with words makes the world.  I wonder if a black-outlined cartoon image works in a similar fashion, clarifying, differentiating, making.  Richard Scarry’s cartoon pigs in trousers, his watermelon trucks and rabbit dentists all in stark outline, they don’t apologize for their own vivid absurdity.  Scarry made a world.

It’s no mystery why children’s picture books and toys inspire and refresh me so much as a writer.  They provided my first experiences with narrative, drama, mystery, and adventure.  And even now I love them dearly—except for those tiny Lego pieces I always seem to step on when I’m barefoot, of course.

Maia Chance writes historical mystery novels that are rife with absurd predicaments and romantic adventure.  She is the author of the Fairy Tale Fatal and The Discreet Retrieval Agency series.  Her first mystery, Snow White Red-Handed, was a national bestseller.  Her latest releases are Cinderella Six Feet Under and Come Hell or Highball.

Visit Maia on the web on her website maiachance.com, or her Facebook Page, on Goodreads or on Twitter.

COME HELL OR HIGHBALL

 31-year-old society matron Lola Woodby has survived her loveless marriage with an unholy mixture of highballs, detective novels, and chocolate layer cake, until, her husband dies suddenly, leaving her his fortune…or so Lola thought. As it turns out, all she inherits from Alfie is a big pile of debt. Pretty soon, Lola and her stalwart Swedish cook, Berta, are reduced to hiding out in the secret love nest Alfie kept in New York City. But when rent comes due, Lola and Berta have no choice but to accept an offer made by one of Alfie’s girls-on-the-side: in exchange for a handsome sum of money, the girl wants Lola to retrieve a mysterious reel of film for her. It sounds like an easy enough way to earn the rent money. But Lola and Berta realize they’re in way over their heads when, before they can retrieve it, the man currently in possession of the film reel is murdered, and the reel disappears. On a quest to retrieve the reel and solve the murder before the killer comes after them next, Lola and Berta find themselves navigating one wacky situation after another in high style and low company.

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