A Nice Surprise

Over the weekend I received a nice surprise from Robin Rivera and Heather Jackson from Write On, Sisters! They were just nominated for the Real Neat Blog Award, something they deserve in spades! So, I’m reading along, learning more about these talented authors, when I see my name. They nominated me, too!

I’m always so honored by these awards. For one, it tells me that I’m not just talking to myself, even though some days it feels like I am. And secondly, someone thought enough of me and my site to take the time to nominate me. That’s really cool. So, if you have a minute check out their blog. You can find them listed on the sidebar, in the menu, and in my Crime Writer’s Resource, or go here. It’s an excellent blog devoted mainly to craft.

To accept this award I must answer five original questions that Robin and Heather thought up specifically for this nomination. Here they are with my answers…

What book, show, or movie do you wish you’d written?

There are so many. If I need to pick just one I’d say Silence of the Lambs. Do I really need to explain why? This book, then adapted to film, paved the way for the serial killer thriller. Its intricate plotline, characters, and an antagonist you couldn’t help but like — even if he was a cannibal — upped the stakes and made it nearly impossible to put down.

If you wrote fan fiction, what would you write for and why? If you already write fan fiction just say why.

Hannibal, the TV series. The murder scenes alone are some of the most creative I’ve ever seen. But, I doubt I could ever do it justice. I just don’t see how it could be improved, or changed in a way that would warrant attention.

What famous author (living or dead) would you most want to team up with to write a book?

This one’s easy. Larry Brooks. He’s a master storyteller and one of the nicest, most generous people I’ve ever known. Maybe someday, eh?

If you could have one day to use a time machine to go forward or backward in time, where would you go and why?

Forward. To the day my début novel hits the shelf so I know how much longer I have to wait and which novel it will be. Ha! Sad but true.

Have you ever written anything that you wish you hadn’t?

Oh, absolutely! A short story that I posted on this site AND on Prose & Cons. Nightmare! Thank God for the delete button. I’d also say my first novel, but that really wouldn’t be accurate because I was learning the craft and if wasn’t for that novel I wouldn’t know half of what I know today. Would I ever want the public to read it? Hell no! Hey, we all have to start somewhere, right?

So, that’s it. Now comes the part when I nominate other bloggers. Which is not my favorite thing to do. Because I follow hundreds of blogs it’s difficult to choose just a few. So, I’m going to cheat a little here and nominate some upcoming guests instead. Ben Wallace, Adam from Law Enforcement Technical Advisor, and Lucy from Blondewritemore. Incidentally, Robin Rivera will be joining us next month, too, so keep an eye out for that.

And here are your questions…

1. What is your all-time favorite book and why?

2. If you were a serial killer what fictional character would you be (books, TV, or movies)? 

3.  What is the best and worst piece of writing or blogging advice you’ve ever received, and why?

4. What’s the best thing about blogging for you?

5. (Barbara Walters question — confession time!) What’s your guilty pleasure social media site and how long do you spend goofing off there when you should be working? 

I can’t wait to read your answers!

I also nominate all of you. My blog would not be where it is if it weren’t for awesome people like yourselves. So, for anyone who wants this award, consider yourself nominated. Grab the award, say who nominated you — moi — and answer the questions. And don’t forget to tell me about it in the comments so I can read your answers. I’m laser-focused on my WIP now so I’m behind in reading posts… again.

Next up for murder blog: A guest post by a homicide detective who still works in the Major Crimes Unit. This promises to be an exciting, informative post that you won’t want to miss.

As always, if you haven’t received your copy of 50 Ways To Murder Your Fictional Characters go here, or read a sample here.