Edith here, writing from windy Chicago.
Yes, I’m in the windy city! I flew halfway across the country Friday to attend Murder and Mayhem Chicago, a one day conference put on by Lori Rader-Day and Dana Kaye, supported by Sisters in Crime Chicagoland and the MWA Midwest chapter.
It’s good to head out and meet new readers and writers. I thought I could let midwestern attendees know about my series set two hundred miles to the south in Indiana. And it was a chance to visit with my sister Barbara, a big mystery fan who drove up from central Indiana for the weekend. I got to see Wicked Sherry, too!
Murder and Mayhem was a well-organized conference with about two hundred fans and aspiring or published writers listening to every session. Sherry and I were on a fun panel called “Kinder Gentler Murder,” with other authors who write either cozy mysteries or gentler ones.
But the two highlights were the keynote speakers (neither of whose books I have read, I am chagrined to admit): Sophie Hannah and Scott Turow. These rock stars have sold millions of copies, been translated into many languages, and are ongoing thriving working authors.
So it also broadened my horizons to hear what they had to say. Susanna Calkins interviewed Sophie for her keynote, mostly about how the Christie family offered her the chance to continue Agatha’s Poirot mysteries. Then Patricia Skalka, the president of the Chicagoland Sisters in Crime chapter, interviewed Sophie at the SINC lunch.
Sophie is hugely entertaining and had us all laughing at every turn.
Scott was more subdued but had a lot to share. To hear how these authors got their starts and persisted until they made it was inspiring. They both admitted to not a little luck in their careers. I believe most of the time luck doesn’t hit you unless you are prepared to make good use of it, and both Sophie and Scott were.
Yesterday I widened my horizons in a different direction – all over downtown Chicago! I’d never toured it, so Barbara and I took a two-hour walking tour with a knowledgeable guide. We started at the Chicago Theater, wandered all over the Loop, checked out several amazing ceilings, and ended up at the “Bean” in Millenium Park, the most amazing bean-shaped piece of reflective public art.
We then sat down with a piece of deep-dish pizza before heading out on an architectural boat tour up and down the Chicago River. Various friends had recommended it and I’m glad we didn’t miss the trip, especially since we had another deep-pockets-of-facts tour guide who kept up his patter for an hour. Fabulous!
After we’d logged 15,000 steps for the day, Barbara drove back to Indiana. I poured a glass of wine, put my feet up, and set in to write this. Today I plan to hit the American Writers Museum and the Chicago Cultural Center, which has the largest Tiffany glass dome in the world, before I head home.
All in all, I’ve widened many horizons in four short days. Tomorrow I’ll be ready to send in Nacho Average Murder, my 21st novel, and prepare to launch Charity’s Burden, my 17th. The special giveaway for those US readers who have preordered the book is still open until March 31 – preorder here and enter the contest here!
Readers, which of your horizons have you widened lately?
We saw a bit of Chicago when we took The Girl there for an Accepted Student day at DePaul University last year (she didn’t end up going there). We tried to find The Bean, but couldn’t. That ceiling looks amazing!
I’ve done the three marketing webinars with Dana. Since I’m pretty much a noob when it comes to marketing, I’d have to say that’s my horizon-expansion for the year!
Those webinars have been fabulous! I missed the last one – must go check out the material.
Love photography and you a great eye for it. I’ve widened my horizons by learning more about what my camera will do. Hubby takes awesome photos, but I’ve always been a point and shoot person. Now I’m trying to get better and experiment with settings even if I do stick with a smaller camera. Just can’t take the weight of a larger camera due to the muscle trouble.
As for destinations, we are taking an awesome trip in June back to Yellowstone. This year though we are going on up to Glacier and then over to the Badlands and Mt. Rushmore. All places we have never been before. Love exploring more parts of this great nation that we haven’t seen before.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Thanks! That trip sounds like the best.
I love that Chicago boat tour!
I’m so glad we took it!
My horizons have narrowed as I get older. Rheumatoid arthritis has limited me and my movement but at least I can still read books. Through books my horizons are widened.
For sure!
Oh, sounds wonderful – I’ve not been to Chicago, perhaps the next time I widen, I’ll do it in that direction!
I only dented the surface of things to do and see (and eat…)!
Chicago is a great place to visit. Anytime we are there, we always visit the Art Institute. A must. The Bean is near-by.
Just went to the musical “Once”. Unlike anything I had ever seen. Wasn’t sure I liked it at first, but now I”m so glad I went. Definitely mind-expanding as far as theatre is concerned. I’m always looking for things that expand my horizon. Will be visiting our daughter in Phoenix next month and I’m sure we will find more interesting things to see and do there and/or on the way to/from. I know we will be attending a Valparaiso University orchestra concert because we have a friend who plays the cymbals. Always so many new and interesting things to do.
Is it based on the movie, a lovely flick about two lovers who meet through music? In Ireland, I think, or maybe he was Irish.
Yes, that’s the one.
Sounds like a fabulous weekend!
You bet, Mark!
Sounds like a wonderful conference and a great time for you. I really like Chicago. Although it looks like it was a little chilly on that tour, LOL!
It was chilly and damp, but the rain held off – a blessing! The conf was fabulous – but now I’ll be feeling left out next weekend…
It was great to see you and what a wonderful conference!
Likewise, Sherry!
Wow i loved reading about your conference. Chicago is my hometown. I grew up in a nearby suburb and my first job was downtown in the 60s. Your tour was so great to see. All the familiar places. Sure wish i was back there. Living in Toledo Ohio area now but i go back home often. My brother still lives in the area. Actually Glenview and his whole career was in advertising at a big agency downtown. The Bean is so much fun to see. All of downtown is an adventure. So glad you had time to tour. Im excitedvto read your books. Thank you.
Great, Bonnie. Toledo isn’t that far from Chi town.