LISTEN UP by Deborah Elliott-Upton Writers are often liars, gossips and eavesdroppers. Why? Because everybody loves a good story. The best ones come from a seed of truth whether it’s found while standing in line at the bank, nuggets from sessions around the water cooler or while reading Proverbs. The idea is to pay attention, […]

THE BIG LEAP by Deborah Elliott-Upton Do you know what these movies have in common? “The Shawshank Redemption” “All About Eve” “High Noon” “Stand By Me” “Psycho” “Blow-Up” “The Fly” “It’s a Wonderful Life” “The Birds” “3:10 to Yuma” For those who’ve said they don’t enjoy short stories, I beg to differ. I bet most […]

CHALLENGES by Deborah Elliott-Upton Sunday, September 16, begins the week I am the featured writer for the Bylines 2007 Writer’s Desk Calendar. The wire bound calendar is touted as “The Essential Weekly Planner For Writers,” but it works just as well for readers who like to know more about writers. An essay accompanies a photo […]

WHO’S READING? by Deborah Elliott-Upton “I’ve never known any troubles that an hour’s reading didn’t assuage.” — Charles De Montesquieu (1689-1755) I’ve just returned from my favorite bookstore with a copy each of Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine. I’m happy to say that in both Criminal Brief is mentioned. James Lincoln […]

I HEAR IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY! by Deborah Elliott-Upton Today is a special day: it’s Michael Chiklis’ and my birthday. Not that Michael knows I celebrate his birthday concurrently with mine, but I always raise a glass to him on our shared birthday. I assume he would do the same for me if only he knew. […]

DRIVE by Deborah Elliott-Upton My dad has been racing since he was 17 years old. He is now 74 and the oldest driver at the dirt track in my home town. A news reporter asked when he would quit and he said, “Probably when I’m dead.” I understand that drive (pun intended.) I started attending […]

WRITING MAGIC by Deborah Elliott-Upton I am in awe of magicians. I suppose I should call them illusionists since no true magic takes place, only slight of hand and misdirection, but I like “magic” better. Writing is magical. An idea appearing from the ethers and taking shape on paper or a computer screen, characters coming […]