The ever-entertaining and always thought-provoking Tim Halllinan tagged me last week to answer four questions on the writing process and then face the complete non-challenge of finding three amazing and inspiring writing pals to pass the questions along to for next week.  My answers are here. And for next week, I give you: current president of Sisters in Crime, the prolific and niche-busting Laura Disilverio; true-crime TV producer and yet also crazy quilt lady, the hilarious and hard-hitting Clare O'Donohue; and where all the awards went, her fabulousness Hank Phillippi Ryan.

Thank you to Kepler's Books, for hosting the Afternoon of Chaos, including the Ultimate Fighting Challenge: Mystery v Thriller. Here are:  Cara Black looking winsome; Laurie King looking magisterial; Alan Jacobson looking argumentative; Sheldon Siegel('s arms) brooking no nonsense; and me looking hot because of the reflected glare from my GOLD STAR. Many thanks to  Keith Raffel for putting this together..

With Cara Black, Rhys Bowen and Terry Shames.

What a hoot - interviewing Marion Beaton definitely one of the highlights of my year.

The famous lobster lunch in the authors' retreat at Wigtown.