March Writing Method Through the Basketball Madness

by Paula Gail Benson

I’ve been right there with you watching the brackets and speculating on the final four, but this year, I found March was a time to delve into writing method as much as basketball madness.

Sally Handley and Debra H. Goldstein

Early in the month, I had the opportunity to attend the Upstate Sisters in Crime meeting in Greenville, S.C., to enjoy supper with the group and hear Debra H. Goldstein talk about her journey to publication. Debra understands the writing business and has approached it as she did her legal career: thoughtfully, conscientiously, and courteously. I’m constantly amazed at all that she is able to accomplish (including simultaneously being President of the online Sisters in Crime Chapter known as “the Guppies” as well as President of Southeast Chapter of Mystery Writers of America plus promoting her new series and writing/revising the next novel). She is phenomenal.

I’m tremendously grateful that Sally Handley, President of Upstate Sisters in Crime, played host to both of us. Following the program, Sally, Debra, and I went to her condo and spent a good portion of the evening talking. What is more enjoyable than authors being able to compare notes? Well, maybe a musical theater production, but they are close! I’m also grateful to have seen Sally’s garden, which made me appreciate the inspiration for her gardening series.

Maggie Toussaint, Raegan Teller, PGB, Roger Johns, Sasscer Hill,
and David Burnsworth

Near the end of the month, I had the wonderful opportunity to moderate a panel at a local literary festival known as Deckle Edge, after the feathered texture found on pages in handmade books. This year, the festival took applications and I was very pleased they accepted one for a Detective in the South discussion. The panelists were David Burnsworth, who writes two series about Charleston private eyes (and has been recently interviewed here at WWK); Sasscer Hill, the Agatha nominated author of books about the horse racing industry, who has been compared to Dick Francis; Roger Johns, who now lives in Atlanta, but writes about a female police detective based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Raegan Teller, from Columbia, whose reporter character Enid Blackwell finds that small Southern towns have their own secrets; and Maggie Toussaint, who combines paranormal abilities with police procedurals in the low country near Savannah, Georgia. With only an hour, we barely had time to scratch the surface, but it was a rousing conversation.

In addition, I had the chance to interview Jo Watson Hackl at Deckle Edge. Jo writes middle grade mysteries that involve outdoor settings. Her own background, growing up in a ghost town and avidly listening to storytellers in her family and community, led her to create a delightfully plucky heroine, Cricket, who goes looking for her missing mother with a cricket named Charlene and a poetry loving dog. I really enjoyed hearing about Jo’s life story as well as how she juggles her writing with a career as an attorney.

Jo Watson Hackl

So, many thanks to my March final four of Debra H. Goldstein, Sally Handley, a fabulous panel on the Detective in the South, and Jo Watson Hackl. I highly recommend their work and encourage you to go hear them if they are speaking near you.

What writer presentations have you seen lately and what are you looking forward to? Tell me more about Sleuthfest, Left Coast Crime, and anticipation for Malice!

Celebrating Readers and Writers

by Paula Gail Benson

KN Court Procedures Panel

The end of August and beginning of September turned out to be a banner time for indulging in my favorite activities -- travel and spending time with authors. Last year, at Killer Nashville, the wonderful Carol Wright proposed that a group of us, including Debra H. Goldstein, Bill Hopkins, and Carol’s husband, Bruce Murphy, present a panel about courtroom procedure at the next KN.

KN Thriller Panel

We all signed on and I planned to go a little early to spend some extra time in the area and have another chance to hear Jeffrey Deaver’s marvelous presentation about writing.

As usual, KN was a terrific experience. I always advise people, if you want to leave a conference with a boost to your writing, then go to Killer Nashville. The event is very open -- facilitating communication among the participants. The encouragement and support comes in welcome waves. The sharing of information about the publishing industry is invaluable as are the discussions about craft and the forensic presentations. I had the privilege of serving on three panels: (1) the court procedure one I mentioned, (2) a consideration of legal and political thrillers, and (3) a conversation among short story writers. Not only did I learn a lot, but I made and renewed some terrific friendships.

KN Short Stories Panel

Also, and I’ve admitted this to KN’s founder Clay Stafford and his lovely wife, Jacqueline, I did something I usually don’t do at a writing conference: I played hooky. On Saturday, I wasn’t scheduled for any panels, so I took the opportunity to explore nearby Franklin, Tennessee, and visit its farmers’ market. It was an amazing experience. Musicians entertained those who purchased their breakfast from food trucks. I met a lady who sold chess pies based on a family recipe. I also had some incredible seafood, fresh from the Gulf.

Franklin, TN, Famers' Market

In the evening, I had dinner at a wonderful French restaurant with Debra H. Goldstein, who I convinced to play hooky with me. Then, we went to Garth Brooks’ late show at the Grand Ole Opry. Watching the audience was as interesting as the performances. Garth was truly magnificent, returning to play a half hour encore.

Garth Brooks

I was preparing to leave Killer Nashville, thinking this has been a great trip, when I noticed that Madeline Miller was appearing at the Decatur Book Festival, a premiere event held each year on Labor Day weekend near Atlanta, Georgia. While the Dragon Con folks storm Georgia’s capitol city, the bibliophiles take over the smaller bedroom community. Between the heat and the crowds, you have to be resilient.

Madeleine Miller

But, if you’ve read Miller’s Song of Achilles and Circe (I blogged about them earlier this year), then you know why I couldn’t miss this opportunity to see my new writing hero.

I arrived early, and can you believe, Miller came into the venue right behind me. I stood gawking like a true fangirl as I heard the event coordinators talking with her about her leaving soon after the presentation to catch a flight. When they asked if she would like to sign books in advance, I spoke up, asking if I could follow, holding up my copies, then babbling, “You’re the reason I’ve come. I love your work!” The most gracious Ms. Miller offered to sign mine on the spot, so I was able to get a seat up front while she signed for others.

Later, I returned to the same venue to hear Karin Slaughter, who drew a crowd of about 400. I had not heard her speak before, but she was captivating and seeing her in Decatur made up for the fact that I wouldn’t be attending Bouchercon in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she was one of the honorees.

Karin Slaughter

Another great advantage to attending the Decatur Book Festival and Killer Nashville was seeing my friends from the Atlanta Chapter of Sisters in Crime. Their booth this year was featured with a listed schedule in the festival program. I also loved having time to catch up with Dorothy McFalls/Dorothy St. James (we always seem to meet outside our resident state) and new friend Roger Johns. Both of them have some great new books recently released. Also, while with Dorothy, I had the opportunity to see Nicole Seitz and hear about her new anthology of memories about Pat Conroy.

Then, on the way home, I got to spend time with two of my favorite retired booksellers, Fran and Don Bush. There’s no better way to enjoy time with readers and authors!

What conferences and festivals have you attended and which ones do you recommend?