Mesdames of Mayhem

Authors, teachers, business-women, and so much more…

Our own Joan O’Callaghan presents a series of interviews with each of our Mesdames.

Our second, Jane Burfield, won the Bony Pete Short Story Award in 2001 for “Slow Death and Taxes”, the first short story she wrote.

Joan O’Callaghan interviews author Jane Burfield:

JO What have you written?

JB I have primarily written short stories, some of which have appeared in Blood on the Holly, Bloody Words, the Anthology and Thirteen.

JO When did you start writing ?

JB I started writing about 15 years ago, taking classes and learning the basics. I liked to read novels, the longer and juicier the better and so I was working on a novel at the time. I wrote a short story, my first, in 200I, to enter the Bony Pete contest at Bloody Words in order to cajole two writing friends to enter as well. My strategy was that one of them would win, and would be published, for in the writing world you really must be published to get published. To my absolute shock, I won. Since then, I’ve developed great respect for the short story format and the high wire balancing act it takes to craft a good story.

Writing is my fourth career. Journalism, teaching and business have all given me experience that helped to build skill and create ideas.

JO Why write mysteries?

JB Mysteries, often considered an inferior sub genre of literature, are a form of writing that gives the reader a chance to try to outwit the author. In writing mysteries, the writer must craft all the elements of ‘real’ literature and add unexpected twists on the narrative path. Not only must the author create good characters, style, setting, and plot, he must perform magic in obscuring the solution until the end. And at the end, the reader has a sense of logical progression and restored order.

I started reading mysteries with Nancy Drew and have found delight in reading the mystery genre all my life. Write what you like works for me.

JO Why do you think people like to read mysteries ?

JB See above

JO Is there a favorite place you like to write or a ritual you go through when writing ?

JB Someplace near water gets my mind working. I like to write at the cottage in the summer, and at my Florida condo in the winter. In a pinch, I find I get ideas in the shower when I am land locked.

I need a reason to write madly like a looming deadline. Otherwise, I can get lost in the planning stage of thinking, “what if ?”, or doing endless research, and take ages to get anything on paper. I like to write early in the morning when the world seems fresh and quiet and ideas flow.

JO How do you balance writing with the demands of a day job and/or family ?

JB In the last few years, job demands disappeared when I retired, and my family life became simpler. I now travel, perhaps too much, and enjoy family and friend time at home. Writing often is not a priority. I would like to change that.

JO What awards or other forms of recognition have you received for your writing ?

JB In 2001, I won the Bony Pete short story contest, and took home a delightful little articulated skeleton in his own coffin. In the next three years, I received more encouragement by placing 2nd, etc., in that contest. I’ve been published in several formats and had the fun of doing readings, and teaching creative writing.

JO What are you working on now?

JB Two short story ideas are demanding my creative attention. One may turn into a novella. I have a quarter cooked novel in my drawer which would have to be rewritten if I decide to work on it again.

JO As a writer, what is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

JB Don’t wait for the perfect plot or perfect time. Don’t wait to figure out every element of your story. Sit down, and write. Edit carefully later.

JO What do you like about being one of the Mesdames ?

JB I am honoured to be one of a group of amazing women who have accomplished so much in the writing world. Each member brings skills and knowledge. Writing can be lonely and filled with doubt. With the Mesdames a message or call away, I can ask for advice, and receive thoughtful critiquing and lots of encouragement. And they are fun at parties !

JO Is there anything you’d like to add ?

JB I am sad that Bloody Words will not happen after this year. We are losing too many bookstores, and mystery conferences, gathering spots for ideas and people who enjoy the same challenges and tastes. But I am heartened to be a small part of the mystery world in Canada that is blooming with great authors. Let’s see where this new age of writing and publishing takes us.

Jane’s story Triskaidekaphobia is included in the Crime anthology THIRTEEN by the Mesdames of Mayhem, and is available at quality book retailers, including at Amazon.

Joan O’Callaghan is the author of educational books and short stories, including Sugar ‘N’ Spice in the anthology THIRTEEN (Carrick Publishing, 2013). Her short story George is available for e-readers everywhere, including Amazon Kindle.

Greetings Readers!

Next Thursday, April 24th, crime writers, fans and friends will gather in Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver to hear the announcement of the finalists of the 2014 Arthur awards. And the Toronto event at Indigo, Manulife Centre features no less than six of the Mesdames of Mayhem reading from their work. Mesdames Cathy Astolfo, Rosemary Aubert, M. H. Callway, Melodie Campbell, Rosemary McCracken and Joan O’Callaghan plan to steal the show!

Novellas and short stories crafted by the Mesdames are in the running. Fingers crossed for all thirteen Mesdames whose work is showcased in our inaugural anthology, Thirteen. Mme Rosemary McCracken’s chilling story, The Sweetheart Scamster, has already been recognized as a finalist in the prestigious Derringer Awards. And of course, Mme Melodie Campbell bagged the Derringer Award for Best Novella, for her hilarious caper, The Goddaughter’s Revenge.

The long list for the Arthur for Best Crime Novel is on the Crime Writers of Canada website.

Find out the names on the short-lists by following Twitter on April 24th.

THE 2014 BONY BLITHE

Another coup for the Mesdames of Mayhem: Mme Vicki Delany’s Klondike novel, Gold Web, is a finalist for this year’s Bony Blithe Award! This could prove to be the best year ever for Mme Vicki who is also this year’s Guest of Honour at Bloody Words.

The full list of short-listed novels is now up on the 2014 Bloody Words website.

Bony Blithe is a relative newcomer to the annual awards for crime fiction: this is her third birthday. She was brought into the world to recognize excellence in light crime fiction or in the words of her birth mamas: a book that makes us smile, which includes everything from laugh-out-loud to gentle humour to good old-fashioned stories with little violence or gore.

The Mesdames will be clutching their good-luck amulets and charms for Mme Vicki at when the winner is announced the Bloody Words banquet on Saturday, June 7th.

Authors, teachers, business-women, and so much more…

Our own Joan O’Callaghan presents a series of interviews with each of our Mesdames.

Our first author, Catherine Astolfo (Emily Taylor Mystery Series), is well-known in Canadian Crime writing circles. A former president of Crime Writers of Canada, retired teacher and family woman, Astolfo is no stranger to the high-energy mayhem of a writing life.

Joan O’Callaghan interviews author Catherine Astolfo:

JO: What have you written?

CA: I write anything! I have five books published, a few short stories and poems published, and I have written a television script and am working on a movie script based on one of my novels. I have this compulsion to write, even if no one reads it but my husband.

JO: When did you start writing?

CA: As soon as I could string words together and make a sentence, I started writing. I remember making up fairy tales for the kids in my class when I was seven. Even one of my former classmates from Grade Three reminded me of this! At twelve, I received my first typewriter from my grandfather, and off I went! I began to submit short stories in my twenties.

JO: Why write mysteries?

CA: I love the mystery genre because it’s so comprehensive. An author can write about injustice, tragedy, comedy, a myriad of personalities, any kind of plot or setting—it’s truly endless. There isn’t really a “formula” these days, either. So many sub-genres have popped up that it’s practically impossible to classify them all. Authors break all sort of rules when they write mystery or crime and are still very successful. There are tons of crossovers, too—we can include romance, fantasy, science fiction—and still have a solid mystery or crime at the core.

JO: Why do you think people like to read mysteries?

CA: I believe it’s a combination of our innate curiosity—that is, the desire to solve a puzzle—and the interest in evil versus good. Most mystery/crime stories result in justice being served, whereas in real life, that doesn’t always happen.

JO: Is there a favourite place you like to write or ritual you go through when writing?

CA: I have a beautiful roll-top desk that was given to me when I retired from education. That’s my favorite place to write, but I will write in the car, on a beach, with a fox in a box… As for a ritual, it’s about circling the seat, getting off the Internet, and putting those fingers to work.

JO: How do you balance writing with the demands of a day job and/or family?

CA: I stink at this. When I had a day job, I wrote very sporadically. Now that I’m retired, I still write in spurts, even after eleven years. I keep trying to make myself a schedule, but up to this point, it hasn’t worked. But it will! I will make that schedule. As soon as I’m finished doing all the other stuff.

JO: What awards or other forms of recognition have you received for your writing?

CA: I have received a Brampton Arts Award (novel), a Bony Pete (short story), and an Arthur Ellis Award (short story).

JO: What are you working on now?

CA: I’ve got three projects on the go, which I do NOT recommend for anyone. I think I’ve developed old age attention deficit. An adult novel tentatively titled Up Chit Creek is a black comedy-mystery; a young adult mystery set in the Florida everglades; and a movie script based on my fourth Emily Taylor mystery, Seventh Fire.

JO: As a writer, what is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

CA: I know that I would write, no matter whether anyone read it or not, but being a published author is a different story, as they say. The best advice I received on being the latter is to be persistent and, in that persistence, to have faith in yourself and your talent. It’s a hard thing, sometimes, to be proud and assertive, but that’s what it takes. So I fake it a lot of the time and push myself to “sell” my writing to others.

JO: What do you like about being one of the Mesdames?

CA: Mostly, I am absolutely in love with these women. They are strong, smart, talented, fun, and hard working. Being part of this group gives me confidence, networking, opportunities, and support.

JO: Is there anything you’d like to add?

CA: Writers, especially if you have a desire to share and be published, really need a group of like-minded people who can give you advice, assistance and camaraderie. Go find your group!

Catherine’s latest novel, Sweet Karoline, (Imajin Books, July 14, 2013) is available at quality book retailers, including at Amazon.

Joan O’Callaghan is the author of educational books and short stories, including Sugar ‘N’ Spice in the anthology THIRTEEN (Carrick Publishing, 2013). Her short story George is available for e-readers everywhere, including Amazon Kindle.

REPRINTED WITH THE KIND PERMISSION OF THE OBSERVER

On a cold, snowy winter day, a group of six gathers in a cozy East York café to share stories of murder, mystery, sensuality, romance, revenge and humour. They’re stories that grab your attention, wrapping themselves around the crevices and corners of your mind, leaving your fingers anxiously waiting to turn the page — themes that the Crime Writers of Canada are no strangers to.

Eager patrons grab their coffee and gluten-free cookies and pull up a chair at Du Café on O’Connor Drive. They listen attentively to live readings of excerpts from seasoned writers, many of whom are journalists-turned-authors.

Hosted by Sharon A. Crawford, author of Beyond the Tripping Point, readers at a recent session included Rosemary McCracken, a Toronto-based freelance journalist and author of Safe Harbour; Catherine Dunphy, Ryerson print journalism and magazine professor and author of Morgentaler: A Difficult Hero; Madeleine Harris-Callway, award-winning mystery author and contributor for Thirteen: An Anthology of Crime Stories by Mesdames of Mayhem; Karen Blake-Hall, author of Nefarious North: A Collection of Crime Short Stories; and Steve Shrott, an award-winning comedy writer and author of Audition for Death.

“I really hate reading out loud,” said romantic suspense author Blake-Hall. “It’s the worst part of writing.”

Since opening its doors almost a year ago, Du Café has been involved in helping and providing a venue for the events put on by the Crime Writers of Canada, such as Murder and Mayhem.

“It’s a little community within the community,” said Crystal Holmes, owner of Du Café.

Crawford approached Holmes in September with the idea of hosting the events.

Mesdames of Mayhem is a group of 15 female Canadian crime writers. Founded by Harris-Callway in 2013, Thirteen is their first anthology, consisting of 13 of the 15 authors.

Harris-Callway said they have been working together a very long time.

“When Madeleine had this wonderful idea, I just thought, we have to support her,” McCracken said. “I love writing. I always wanted to be a fiction writer.”

So, why are women intrigued by mystery?

“I think the reason so many journalists have segued into mystery writing is because the ultimate mystery is ‘who the heck are we?’” Dunphy said. “It’s motivation. It’s character study.”

Shrott, who has written jokes for Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers, found his niche by combining comedy with mystery.

Crawford said one of the greatest rewards of being a writer is having people read your work.

Organized by Nate Henley, Crime Writers of Canada Books and Beverages takes place once a month, with the exception of December, each at a different venue.