Julianne Holmes aka J.A. Hennrikus and I decided to try something different – an exchange interview.  Not only is she my guest today, but I will be visiting her tomorrow on the Wicked Cozy Authors blog. http://wickedcozyauthors.com/2016/08/09/a-wicked-wecolme-to-debra-goldstein. To learn more about both of us, leave a message or a question on both blogsites. 1) You have had a career in […]

How to Write a Novel by Bill Crider I’m sure you’re read Somerset Maugham’s wise words about novel writing before, but they bear repeating, mainly because I’m going to elaborate on them for a bit.  Here they are: “There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” My first […]

Fourth of July has become synonymous with flag waving, excitement and best of all hamburgers, hotdogs, ribs, cole slaw, potato salad, watermelon and banana pudding. People also claim it commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence and America’s birth as a new nation.  Most have the food element down pat, but not the historical […]

The Art of Living by Elaine Viets I’m not a fan of most house museum tours – I don’t want to pay twenty bucks to look at rich people’s art and old furniture. There’s one exception: Fort Lauderdale’s Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. I can’t wait for you to read The Art of Murder, my […]

Jersey and Mystery, Perfect Together by Lois Winston I’m a Jersey Girl, but for many years I denied my heritage. When asked where I was from, I would say New York. Technically, I hail from what’s called the New York Metro area, but I would conveniently omit the “Metro” part. Why? Because of all the put-downs […]

How Much of Your Fiction is True? by Heather Weidner Recently, I was asked if any of my mysteries are based on real events or contained real people. I do mix in some real life in my short stories and novels. All of my city settings are actual places. I tend to set my works […]

Benjamin Franklin’s Contribution to My Mysteries by Susan Van Kirk Thanks, Debra, for allowing me to check in with your readers today. I broke the string of titles this week with the launch of a novella about my detective who has a strong role in my Endurance mysteries. Oh, I know Ben Franklin is probably […]

Creating a Fictional Town by Judy Penz Sheluk Agatha Christie was the master of creating atmosphere and place, whether she was at the English seaside, or solving a murder in Mesopotamia. I’ve never been to Minnesota, but when I sit down to read the latest John Sandford novel, I feel as if I’m returning to […]

Looking at Your MS by Carolyn Mulford Writing a book is a long, hard slog. Typing the last word of the first draft brings a moment of exultation and an evening of celebration. I go to sleep confident the plot intrigues, the characters appeal, and the language delights. The next morning reality hits. Knowing I […]

Virginia is for Mysteries – Volume II Heather Weidner and Teresa Inge are blogging today about their experience coordinating the Virginia is for Mysteries anthology series. Virginia may be for lovers, but to nineteen authors, Virginia is for Mysteries: Volume II. The anthology of nineteen short stories, set in and around the Commonwealth, features Virginia […]