THE WIDOW'S GUIDE TO SEX & DATING by Carole Radziwill

Former ABC News reporter Carole Radziwill's first novel centers on thirty-two-year-old writer Claire Byrne, suddenly widowed when a bronze sculpture falls out a window, onto her husband of ten years, renowned sexologist Charlie Byrne.

The Widow's Guide to Sex & Dating (February 11) is not my usual crime fiction beat, but the title intrigued me enough to request a review copy from Henry Holt. I wanted a light, bawdy, Valentine's read, and the book is one in some respects. However, Claire doesn't take her philandering husband's death as a chance to go bed-hopping.

Nevertheless, she does have to move on, to rebuild her identity without Charlie. As a writer, I was moved by Claire's epiphany, in which she crystalizes her friends and her relationship with Charlie in terms of punctuation. Radziwill lends Claire her own experience losing husband Anthony, while her choice of storytelling voice—witty and impartial—keeps things from getting overly dark.

BONES Renewed for Season 10

With the announcement yesterday, Zap2it's Laurel Brown asked if there are really more stories to tell. Series face this question every season. Bones has unfolded quite organically. Its most conventional seasons were 1-3. The WGA strike of 2007 shortened Season 3, leading Eric Millegan's character, Zack Addy, to be written off. This has allowed the show's tone to change week to week as different interns rotate into the mix.

Jack Hodgins has gone from a confrontational conspiracy theorist to a fitting love interest for Angela and an older brother figure to the interns. Angela has gone from a live-for-the-moment free spirit to someone comfortable enough to give Hodgins a place above the rest.

In Season 1, Booth was the instinctual man-of-action to Brennan's methodical woman of science. As early as Season 2, his inner character was explored through psychotherapy. I thought this would lead to incongruous revelations, but the process has been facilitated gradually by Drs. Wyatt (Stephen Fry) and Sweets, and Booth is now one of the most nuanced action characters on television.

Finally, Brennan's progress has been as carefully marked and pondered as you'd expect, yet, as with all the characters, I couldn't have predicted how she developed. That's why I watch the show. Each twist has been diligently woven into the series' fabric so it appears consistent and natural. A writer would say, "That's what I do."

At The 5-2: "Literati" by H.B. Ussach

This week, professor H.B. Ussach eavesdrops on the buzz at a college town cafe:



I'm now seeking an original poem by an Irish poet or about Irish crime to be published the week of St. Patrick's Day. I'm also seeking poems for April, National Poetry Month. Submit today.

62

Last night, Carmelo Anthony scored 62 points against the Charlotte Bobcats at Madison Square Garden, topping Kobe Bryant's 2009 Garden record of 61, reclaiming for the Knicks a record that, before Bryant, belonged to the beloved Bernard King (60).

More impressive to me than the point total was that the total was amassed in the flow of the offense. Mike Woodson lifted Carmelo from the game with 7:18 remaining and the Knicks up 109-72 or Anthony could have scored more. The Knicks may not make the playoffs this season, and Anthony may leave after this season, but it was one magical night.

Heroes

For Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Jungle Red Writers, the Reds discussed heroes, asking who should be remembered as hero in future generations. As I commented, I hesitate to call anyone a hero because the term is so loaded. After some thought, I put in a word for Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger of U.S. Airways Flight 1549, January 15, 2009. Despite emergency-landing in the Hudson River, all 155 passengers and crew aboard survived.

Since the incident, Sullenberger hasn't sought to cash in on his fame, maintaining that he and his crew followed emergency procedure while emergencies typically cause people to panic and go against procedure. Commemorating Flight 1549's fifth anniversary, Sullenberger said he couldn't celebrate the occasion if even one life had been lost.

When people are called heroes, we may look for the same heroism in all aspects of their lives and not find it. Then again, any display of good judgment when needed most—even just one in a checkered lifetime—can't be dismissed. Each of us has strengths and weaknesses. Anyone who inspires others to good judgment or selfless acts is, in a sense, also a hero.

At The 5-2: "Advice for the Modern Mass Killer" by William G. Rector

This week, physician and poet Bill Rector offers "Advice for the Modern Mass Killer":



If you'd like to blog about 5-2 poetry in April, National Poetry Month, join our blog tour, 30 Days of The 5-2.

Bones: "Big in the Philippines"

The case of the week concerned the death of a country singer who struggled in the U.S., but who was due a fortune in royalties from sales in the Philippines. In a subplot that grew more compelling than the main plot, intern Wendell Bray (Michael Grant Terry) showed up to work with a broken arm, a hockey injury. He was quick to brush it off, but Brennan recognized the impact wouldn't usually result in the injury he sustained. Looking at Wendell's x-rays, Brennan suspected Ewing's sarcoma (bone cancer), which was later confirmed by a specialist.

The news hit hard because we've gotten to know Wendell over the past five seasons. He's the most down-to-earth intern while being no less brilliant than the rest. He's goodhearted, befriending Hodgins and Angela and remaining friends during and after his relationship with Angela. He plays club hockey with Booth. How would each character react?

Uncharacteristically, Brennan couldn't compartmentalize her affection and break the news to Wendell clinically. Booth had to be the one to tell him he had cancer. There was no indication anyone had told Hodgins and Angela.

As engaging, if not more, was Wendell's reaction. I wanted him to fight because he's a fighter at heart, but like anyone given such news, he had to choose to fight on his own, and in his own way. Given the low chance of long-term survival, he thought about living for now, seeing the world, sleeping with exotic women. He quit the Jeffersonian and drove off, but, in the final moments, showed up at Booth and Brennan's house, resolved to fight.

How much of Wendell's fight will be shown? Is Michael Grant Terry leaving Bones before its anticipated renewal for a tenth and final season? Whatever the future holds, I'm glad Wendell stayed true to his better nature in the moment.

NCIS: "Double Back"

Picking up from last week's "Kill Chain", the team continues pursuing Benham Parsa as McGee reacts to Delilah's injuries. Actually, for much of the episode, McGee showed no reaction, diving into work instead of processing his emotions. By the end, he began to come to terms, visiting paralyzed Delilah's bedside.

I hope we haven't seen the last of Delilah. To end Season 7 of JAG, Bud Roberts (Patrick Labyorteaux) lost a leg to a land mine. Season 8 and the rest of the series admirably showed his emotional and physical recovery. Though Bud's Navy career stalled, Admiral Chegwidden's last act before retirement was to promote Bud to Lieutenant Commander. I'd like to see McGee stay committed to Delilah, helping her recover until she can return to work despite her disability.

UPDATE (4:45 P.M.): From today's Television Critics Association press tour panel for CBS drama showrunners, Zap2it.com's Andrea Reiher quoted NCIS's Gary Glasberg:

The intent is to show an individual, a really smart individual, take control of her life and rise up after what she's been through. That's all the stuff that's coming down the road. We're excited about the arc of what that character is going to face as someone in a wheelchair and how that's going to be portrayed.

My Approach to Promotion

Yesterday on Jungle Red Writers, sophomore novelist Terry Shames pondered how much promotion is too much. I commented:

Hi, Terry and all.

I've just come from discussing promotion on Twitter. Given its 140-character limit, Twitter doesn't seem well suited to promotion, but I think the better readers get to know you, the more willing they are to put up with promotional posts now and then.

The key is to be true to yourself and your voice. For example, if you are genuinely moved by good news, let that come through when you share it.

There's also something to be said for believing your work will do most of the selling for you. Over-promotion in any medium makes you seem desperate for buyers, which of course repulses buyers. I simply offer readers a sample of my work and say, "If you'd like more, feel free to buy my book." The choice is always theirs.

I have no data to show that my approach works; it's just the way I'd appreciate being treated as a consumer.

At The 5-2: "The Demon Hoodie" by Robert Cooperman

Bob Cooperman's confrontational verse returns to The 5-2, read by Deshant Paul:



If you've enjoyed 5-2 poetry, consider joining our April blog tour.

Success

A fellow member of Shortmystery, the forum of the Short Mystery Fiction Society, posted last night lamenting the expenses of contemporary writing life, calling it "a rich person's hobby". There is some truth to this. In On Becoming a Novelist, one of John C. Gardner's words of advice is, "Marry a rich spouse."

I admit to being contemplative having marked my tenth anniversary blogging, but I replied:

Hello, all.

At 13, I dreamed of being the next great spy novelist. It was early enough that I geared high school and college and grad school toward that goal, and when I was done, I was an adjunct teaching first-year college composition and writing poetry.

Despite all my efforts to direct my talent, I broke into print with a poem. I've placed a hundred more poems since then, and I could spend all I've made from poetry on one slightly indulgent meal at Red Lobster.

I still write poetry because to not do it would only dull my ear for it. I write fiction and nonfiction at the same time because to not write them would only needlessly limit my opportunities. One aspect of writing that will never change is its solitary nature. When one is actually writing, not talking about writing, one does it alone. This lends itself to pursuing one's own idea of success.

For some, success is being name-checked in another author's book. For others, it's self-publishing an opus. For me, success is seeing an idea through to polished work on the page, work I'm proud to submit to an editor, and then move on to my next project.

If your idea of success is money, I may never have enough success for you, but I have had work published that represents me well and expresses what I've had to say as an individual. If all I did for the rest of my life was have work published that represented me well and expressed what I had to say, I might not be wealthy, but I'd be satisfied.

Ten Years!

Ten years ago today, I started this blog with the title "If You Want to Know About My Life", intending to get off my chest whatever kept me from writing fiction or poetry. That's still my approach. I can't think of how to sum up the decade, but I don't have to. That's what archives are for.

Blogging has been declared dead for at least half as long as I've been at it. There are faster, flashier ways to communicate, sure, but blogs are still here because enough people appreciate them, and I still blog because I still care. I suspect the same will be true of paper books for at least the next ten years. Readers will read them, and publishers will publish them.

Until next time.

NCIS: "Kill Chain"

Navy UAV pilot Daniel Coyne is lured to a park where he himself is killed by a drone. NCIS figures out that season-long terrorist Benham Parsa is targeting those responsible for a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan, including Department of Defense personnel like McGee's girlfriend, Delilah Fielding (Margo Harshman). Meanwhile, McGee is unsure of himself as his relationship with Delilah verges on growing more serious or ending.

Clearly, McGee and Delilah's future was dangled for dramatic purposes, only to be jeopardized by an enemy drone strike. Recognizing the plot device, I thought of the many times I've distanced myself from characters likely to leave or die, just as it would have been emotionally safer for McGee to break up with Delilah.

Gibbs's working with Hollis Mann (Susanna Thompson) again after six years also asked which was better, going ahead on the chance of happiness or backing off (as Mann had) before anyone got hurt? Though Holly stands out from Gibbs's ex-wives for backing off, I would've gladly watched her and Gibbs move toward marriage in Season 5.

I come down on the side of making relationships. Though Delilah wasn't physically with McGee when the drone struck, I'm sure being emotionally closer to him was some comfort. And though McGee is devastated by Delilah's being hurt, he'd feel worse if they'd broken up, he hadn't attended the gala with her, and she had died from her injuries.


UNRELATED BUT FUN TO IMAGINE: Last week, The Big Bang Theory used a clip of NCIS with the premise that Penny's bit part on the show had been cut. Big Bang could have played it to the hilt using a clip of Margo Harshman on NCIS and having someone say, "Isn't that Alex?"

UPDATE: The January 14 episode "Double Back" covers the aftermath of the drone strike.

At The 5-2: "Chalk Dust" by Angel Zapata

Angel returns for The 5-2's first poem of 2014:



Would you like to spread the word about The 5-2 in April, National Poetry Month? Join our blog tour.

Submit for the 2014 Derringer Awards

The Short Mystery Fiction Society's Derringer Awards annually recognize excellence in the genre. SMFS members and editor/publishers of short mystery fiction may submit stories first published in 2013 for consideration for this year's awards. The submission deadline is 11:59 P.M. on Friday, January 31.

Blazing New Trails

Happy new year, everyone. I hope my first blog background of 2014 encourages you to set out for new territory. Good luck to us all.