WICKED WEDNESDAYS

Friends & community!




I spent several hours last night in the delightful company of a group of slightly wacky and totally wonderful friends. We call ourselves PBS -- the Pink Bra Society and guess what we're expected to wear to each gathering! Along with other clothes, of course!

We started out as a group of four, all from the book world, and at that point were known as WDGOM (We Don't Get Out Much), although we found that finding a free evening in common was becoming increasingly more difficult so the name had to go.

As we added more members, mostly again from publishing, we came up with PBS, in honour of one of our own, a breast cancer survivor. Also, because none of us are quite ready to join the Red Hat ladies.

So, we sat out on the deck in the heat and humidity but saved by a nice breeze, shared lots of food and wine and our lives. We all love laughing; we're there to listen and support each other; and, we're great friends.

That's a real life community. I write about a fictional community of friends who together, read books and fight crime. That may be putting it a bit strongly...they read and sleuth. But it's the friendship and community that are integral to the Ashton Corners Book Club mysteries.

The majority of cosy mysteries revolve around friendship and although the crimes can be as devastating as in a harder boiled mystery, it's the manner in which the crimes are described and solved that mark the difference. Friendship, community counts in a cosy.

As in real life!

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase

A KILLER READ
Berkley Prime Crime, now available
READ & BURIED, coming Dec., 2012
www.erikachase.com

MAYHEM ON MONDAYS

With a little help from my friends!

I've noticed several bloggers this past week have focused on the help given them by fellow mystery writers. It's true. This is a very supportive community. Perhaps more so than in mainstream fiction. I say 'perhaps' because I'm not part of that group so can't say for certain.

But in the world of mystery writers, there's always someone ready to give helpful advice, offer suggestions based on what's worked for them, share promo ideas, link a writer with an agent, and spread the word be it by Facebook, Twitter, a 'Like' here and there.

That's what we do. Sure, there's competition for the 'Best' award in the various Arthur Ellis categories from Crime Writers of Canada. But there's no lobbying, no negative speeches or ads, no buying of votes. It's all very congenial and the winner is showered with good wishes by one and all.

Think of the many critiquing groups across the country -- writers helping each other. Think of the many associations. I belong to Capital Crime Writers, Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime. At one time, I joined Mystery Writers of America. And there are more. They all offer that critical item -- support, be it with workshops, newsletters, marketing information. And it's all shared among members.

There are also numerous blogs where mystery authors share their ideas and suggestions. Many of those authors appear here on Mystery Maven Canada at various times. I, or rather Erika, has a blog spot each month on Killer Characters, which is mainly US writers, a lot of us with the same publisher, and all very eager about supporting and sharing.

It's a wonderful community to be a part of...one with so many people who write about betrayal, rejection and death but who are loyal, welcoming and sustaining. Thanks to all of you for all of that!

Linda Wiken/Erika Chase
A Killer Read coming April, 2012
from Berkley Prime Crime
www.erikachase.com