I wrote my first cozy mystery in about a year. It added up to seventy-eight thousand three hundred words, two hundred seventy-nine pages, twenty-three chapters and five original songs. It was fun but also hard work, and I was rather…

Feb 22 2022
Writing My First Cozy Mystery: What's in a Name?
How do I choose a name for the main character in my first book?
That's the question I wrestled with as the ideas that eventually coalesced into a cozy mystery rattled around in my head.
Stephanie Plum, Claire Malloy…
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Feb 20 2022
Writing my First Cozy Mystery: Seven Musical Events that helped me design the festival setting for my cozy
I wanted each book in my series of cozy mysteries to be steeped in music, infused with the sounds and experience of music making. So, what better location for the first murder than a music festival?
In creating the Oak…
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Feb 17 2022
Writing My First Cozy Mystery: 6 Ways a Writer's Group Can be Helpful
Just about the time I finished the second chapter of my cozy mystery, the opportunity arose to join a writer's group facilitated by Pauline Hahn, an amazing writer, actress and teacher. Members of the group included a poet, a…
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Feb 15 2022
Writing my first Cozy Mystery: Six Reasons to Write About Murder
I told my mother I was writing a book.
"What's it about?" she asked.
I said it was a murder mystery.
"Oh," she said, unable to hide her disappointment, "why would you want to write about murder?"
Why indeed.
The…
Read moreApr 12 2020
Pesach Musings
Pesach Musings
I am not playing much music lately. There are plenty of musicians who are. I can’t bring myself to pick up the guitar most days. So I am posting some thoughts here instead.
Passover is one of the…
Read moreNov 30 2017
It's been a while...
It's been a while since I've made music for anyone but myself; 2017 has been a very tough year.
I've been living with Rheumatoid Arthritis since 2000, and I had a few good years of playing my guitar every…
Read moreSep 1 2015
Hanukkah 2015 is almost here!
It's hard to believe that Hanukkah is less than 100 days away! It seems like it was yesterday that we were hustling to finish recording and release "With This Flame" for Hanukkah 2014!
I have begun a campaign…Read more
I have begun a campaign…Read more
Jun 7 2015
Musical Goings On
Seems like the first open mic at the Eastern Asian Bistro last Thursday - hosted by me - was so well received - with so many people happy to have a place to play - that there will be another…Read more
Dec 4 2014
The CDs are in the mail
UPS tracking says the first batch of "With This Flame" CDs will be delivered by end of day tomorrow. I can't wait to see them - and send them out to you!
Sep 29 2014
New music for Hanukkah!
I am so excited to tell you that I am hard at work on my album of Hanukkah music! I have written eight brand new songs for Hanukkah, including three children's songs, and I have enlisted the help of many…Read more
Feb 13 2014
When Life Gives You Lemons - Part II
I haven't touched the guitar for more than five minutes at a time for months and months. My connection to the music is unbreakable, though. I need to make music. So...new directions. I am re-learning my piano skills, thanks to…Read more