Men, Mayhem & Mystery

On Saturday I spent most of the morning with the San Diego Chapter of the Romance Writers of America.

Thanks to my buddy, the 6'6" Alan Russell (America's tallest mystery writer and one of the best), I participated in a panel that also included Ken Kuhlken, Gene Diehl, the aforementioned Alan, and 86-year old Bob Wade. Bob contributes a monthly column to the San Diego Union-Tribune's Book Section, and his beat is mysteries.

We answered a number of interesting questions...but there was one that caused me some pause.

Did we participate in any writers' clubs or associations?

The answer was mainly "No!"

Gene posited that men are more lone wolves. I mentioned that when I do see my fellow mystery writers it usually involves food and drink. We are always interested and supportive of what the others are working on, but we don't have that "sisterhood" shared by the RWA.

And who knew? About the romance genres I mean. I met a woman who was writing historical romances where druids play a role, another who was writing pirate romances, another writing fantasy, and a guy who was writing thriller-type romances using one of those unisex first names.

Thanks to all the enthusiastic women who make RWA work, especially Sylvia Mendoza who coordinated the event.