Preparation For Sisters in Crime Meets Hollywood!

I'm attending the Sisters in Crime Adapting to Hollywood conference here in Los Angeles on April 1-3.  It's at the Universal Hilton, which isn't far from where I live, so of course I have to go! 

This week, I was asked to send a blurb for a story I might want to pitch.  I had to think about it, since I write, and have written, several mystery series that I think could make fun movies or even TV shows.  I've had occasional nibbles about them from screenwriters and others, but nothing has materialized, which doesn't surprise me. 

I decided to send a blurb about LOST UNDER A LADDER, my first Superstition Mystery, since I think it would be a fun background for a film, and producers could get a kick out of putting together its location, Destiny, California, which is all about superstitions. 

Of course I really like Knobcone Heights, California, too--the home of my Barkery & Biscuits Mysteries, which feature a barkery and bakery next door to one another. 

And then there are my Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mysteries and their spinoff Pet Rescue Mysteries.  They took place right here, in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley.  The Pet-Sitter Mysteries feature pets of different kinds, not just dogs--and I know those animals can be trained to be movie stars since I visited Universal Studios last week to see the new Harry Potter exhibits and also attended the Animal Actors show.  It featured not only dogs and cats but birds and pigs and guinea pigs... 

Okay, realistically, I know I'll have a lot of competition from the other Sisters in Crime who attend, as well as the existing competition from all other fiction writers, including those who write film scripts for a living.  But, heck, it won't hurt to learn more.

And, after all, it is kind of in my own backyard.

Anticipation

As my blog sister Betty Hechtman mentioned, I’m on her upcoming panel at Malice Domestic about mysteries set in the film industry.  We’ve received questions from our panel moderator, and my mind has been working on the best way to respond to them.   

For one thing, it helps to live in Hollywood!  For another, the inspiration for my Pet Rescue Mystery set in the film industry, OODLES OF POODLES, was my driving by the American Humane Association’s local office often.  Since they’re the ones that give the coveted “No Animals Were Harmed”® certification to movies and TV shows, it was a natural jump for me to include them in a story.

I’ve attended Malice frequently in the last few years, and I’m really looking forward to it.

After Malice, I’ll be heading to the Festival of Mystery in Oakmont, PA.   I’ve also participated in this event often and am looking forward to it, too.

My dogs understand suitcases and know that someone is leaving home.  Fortunately, not everyone is and they’ll do fine without me.  But I’ll miss them!

How about you--any fun travel plans?  Any business-related conferences?