Advertise on podcast: Tart Words: Writers read. Readers bake. Bakers write.

da Hengerer talks with Christine DeSmet about her Fudge Shop Mystery Series, Belgian chocolate, writing, and creating recipes. Christine DeSmet is the author of the Fudge Shop Mystery Series and the novella series, Mischief in Moonstone Mystery Series, both set in Wisconsin. She is a writing coach as well, and spent several years as a Distinguished Faculty Associate in writing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Studies where she created the Writers' Institute conference and the Write-by-the-Lake Writers Workshop & Retreat. Christine's shelves are now lined with the books of her adult students in her past Master Classes. Christine is also an award-winning screenwriter who has optioned material. She belongs to several professional writing groups including Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Wisconsin Writers Association, and Writers Guild of America/East. Find out more at ChristineDeSmet.com. Get to know Christine - The Tart Words Baker's Dozen: 1.    Plotter or Pantser? Combo? Combo. I'm a writing coach, so my advice to myself and others is always to do whatever moves you for that story and those characters at that time. Often, we writers are both plotters and pantsers just to get one chapter completed. I sometimes outline scenes, and sometimes I just let the imagination fly to see what comes of it. 2.    Tea or Coffee? Both. 3.    Beer, Wine, or Cocktails? A nice oaky chardonnay. 4.    Snacks: Sweet or Savory? Not a snacker much, but when I do it's usually savory, such as a great Wisconsin cheese. 5.    Indie Published, Traditionally Published, or Hybrid? Traditionally published with all of my books, with large and small publishers. 6.    Strict Writing Schedule: Yes or No - Yes.  7.     Strictly Computer or Mix It Up? Computer, but make hand-written quick notes all the time when an idea strikes. 8.     Daily Goal: Yes or No - Yes, when writing a big project. I usually assign myself a scene or chapter a day. 9.     Formal Track Progress: Yes or No - I don't formally track progress. I don't look back when on a project. I'm always looking ahead. 10.  Special Writing Spot? My office. It's where I'm serious. 11.  Writer’s Block? Never had it. I have two degrees in journalism and that teaches you the secrets for meeting deadlines. 12. File of Ideas: Yes or No - Yes, many files! I love my files. I just reviewed them about two weeks ago and found gems. Now I just have to find the time to pursue these new projects. 13. Favorite Author(s)? I'm an author but also a writing coach, so my favorite author is any recent writer I worked with who finished their project in a quality way and shepherded it to publication. But when I'm reading on my own, my favorite author seems to be the last book I read, whatever that is. I read widely and enjoy all genres and age categories and love a spark of humor in whatever I'm reading.

How can television reporter Lily Atwood keep a secret private when she's in the public's eye? Find out in Her Perfect Life. Hank Phillippi Ryan speaks from personal experience as an investigative reporter about always being on when out in public, exploring standalone books versus series books, and her pandemic-inspired platform for authors, The Back Room. HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN is the USA Today bestselling author of 13 psychological thrillers, winning the genre's most prestigious awards: five Agathas, four Anthonys, and the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award. She is also an investigative reporter for Boston's WHDH-TV, winning 37 EMMYs. Book reviewers call her “a master of suspense” and a “superb and gifted storyteller.” THE FIRST TO LIE garnered a Publishers Weekly starred review and is nominated for the Anthony Award for Best Novel and Mary Higgins Clark Award. Watch for HER PERFECT LIFE on September 14, 2021, which received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, which called it "A superlative thriller." Visit Hank at her website www.hankphillippiryan.com and at The Back Room for virtual author events. Get to know Hank - The Tart Words Baker's Dozen: 1.   Plotter or Pantser? Combo? Pantser yearning to be Plotter. 2.  Tea or Coffee? Coffee! Until 5pm. Then tea. 3.  Beer, Wine, or Cocktails? Red wine. 4.  Snacks: Sweet or Savory? Savory, any day. Pizza, chips, pretzels, almonds. 5.  Indie Published, Traditionally Published, or Hybrid? Traditionally 6.  Strict Writing Schedule: Yes or No: Has schedule, yes. Keeps schedule, no. 7.  Strictly Computer or Mix It Up? Computer. 8.  Daily Goal: Yes or No: Yes. 9.  Formal Track Progress: Yes or No: Yes. On a pencil-lined legal pad. 10. Special Writing Spot? This desk. In my study. Where I used to look out at a stand of sugar maples, but now my windows are blacked out for Zoom. 11. Writer’s Block? No such thing. For me, writer's block is a fancy name for fear. 12. File of Ideas: Yes or No: Yes. However--it is empty. 13. Favorite Author(s)? Edith Wharton. Shakespeare. Hunter S. Thompson. Tom Wolfe. Contemporary authors? WAY too hard to list. But debuts to watch? I've recently loved the first novels of Wanda Morris, Yasmin Angoe, Ashley Winstead, Vera Kurian, Amanda Jayatissa, Scott Shepherd.

How do you make a versatile filling for little rolled sandwiches, tea sandwiches, danish, or to use as a spread?

What is a set piece and where can I get one?

Linda Hengerer talks with author Barbara Barrett. To avoid a midlife crisis, Barbara Barrett wrote fiction at night while still employed in human resources for Iowa State Government. After releasing eleven full-length romance novels and two novellas, she turned to the cozy mystery genre, having discovered it years before when pregnant with her first child. She used one of her retirement pastimes, the game of mah jongg, as her inspiration. Her next book, Courtesy Call, to be released August 31, 2021, is the ninth in the Mah Jongg Mysteries series and is available now. Barbara spends her winters in Florida and summers in her home state of Iowa. Subscribe to her newsletter subscription at www.subscribepage.com/BBCozies or check out her website at www.barbarabarrettbooks.com to find out more about her books and upcoming releases. Courtesy Call - available now! Get to know Barbara - The Tart Words Baker's Dozen: 1.   Plotter or Pantser? Combo?  Combo 2.   Tea or Coffee?  Coffee  (More like Diet Coke or Water) 3.   Beer, Wine, or Cocktails?  Wine 4.   Snacks: Sweet or Savory?   Sweet 5.   Indie Published, Traditionally Published, or Hybrid?  Hybrid 6.   Strict Writing Schedule: Yes or No  No 7.    Strictly Computer or Mix It Up? Strictly computer 8.    Daily Goal: Yes or No   No 9.    Formal Track Progress: Yes or no  No 10.  Special Writing Spot?  Yes 11.   Writer’s Block?  Not often 12.   File of Ideas: Yes or No  Just in my head 13.   Favorite Author(s)?   Lucy Lakestone, Mary Lee Ashford, Sparkle Abbey, Ellery Adams

What are the two ingredients for a tasty treat?

What do writers need to consider about Setting for their story?

What jobs has Hannah Dennison had that inspired cozy mystery series? British-born, Hannah Dennison originally moved to Los Angeles to pursue screenwriting. She has been an obituary reporter, antique dealer, private jet flight attendant, and Hollywood story analyst. Hannah has served on numerous judging committees for Mystery Writers of America and teaches mystery writing workshops for the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program now on Zoom. After twenty-five years living on the West Coast, Hannah returned to the UK where she shares her life with two high-spirited Hungarian Vizslas.  Hannah writes the Island Sisters Mysteries (Minotaur), the Honeychurch Hall Mysteries (Constable), and the Vicky Hill Mysteries (Constable). Visit Hannah’s website www.hannahdennison.com to find out more about Hannah’s books and where to buy them. You can also sign up for her very rare newsletter on her website’s home page. Her latest book, Danger at the Cove: An Island Sisters Mystery (The Island Sisters Book 2) is available now and releases August 17, 2021. Listeners can buy it here for US and here for UK. Get to know Hannah - The Tart Words Baker's Dozen:  1. Plotter or Pantser? Combo? Combo - plot until the midpoint and then fly by my pants to the ending (which I know) 2.   Tea or Coffee? Coffee - from my Keurig machine 3.   Beer, Wine, or Cocktails? Pinot Noir (I'm very specific!)  4.   Snacks: Sweet or Savory? I'm a chocoholic  5.   Indie Published, Traditionally Published, or Hybrid? Traditionally published by Minotaur and Constable  6.   Strict Writing Schedule: Yes or No Yes - every morning 7.    Strictly Computer or Mix It Up? Computer now - my handwriting is illegible these days 8.    Daily Goal: Yes or No Yes - between and 2 and 3 hours a day when not on deadline.  9.    Formal Track Progress: Yes or no Yes - I keep charts! 10.  Special Writing Spot? I can write anywhere - even in the departure lounge 11.   Writer’s Block? No - if I am stuck it means I don't know my characters well enough 12.   File of Ideas: Yes or No Yes. It's huge. 13.   Favorite Author(s)? M.M. Kaye (rediscovered), Mary Stewart, Anthony Horowitz, Barbara Pym, Rhys Bowen, Kate Carlisle - I could keep going. 

Sweet cherries and a cherry liqueur-infused custard make a summery dish.

What makes the eggy custard climb the sides of the baking dish? Can it be...magic?

In this episode, Linda Hengerer talks with Amy Vansant about her two upcoming releases. Find out what "Meat Bingo" is and what it has to do with Pineapple Cruise, and how Pineapple Circus came to have a circus setting. USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Amy Vansant has written over 20 books, including the fun, thrilling Shee McQueen series, the rollicking, twisty Pineapple Port Mysteries, and the action-packed Kilty urban fantasies. Throw in a couple romances and a YA fantasy for her nieces... Amy specializes in fun, exciting reads with plenty of laughs and action -- she tried to write serious books, but they always ended up full of jokes, so she gave up. Amy lives in Jupiter, Florida with her muse/husband and a goony Bordoodle named Archer. Visit Amy at www.AmyVansant.com to sign up for her newsletter and find out more about her books. If you're a reader who loves free or discounted books or an author who wants to reach avid readers, visit www.AuthorsXP.com. Get to know Amy - The Tart Words Baker's Dozen: 1.   Plotter or Pantser? Combo? 100% Pantser. Rarely have any idea where I’m going when I start... 2.   Tea or Coffee? Coffee, but tea is a close second. 3.   Beer, Wine, or Cocktails? Yes please. Oh, you mean which do I prefer… Wine and cocktails. Not a beer fan. 4.   Snacks: Sweet or Savory? If I could eat anything any time without worrying about weight or health, I would eat donuts from dawn to dusk. 5.   Indie Published, Traditionally Published, or Hybrid? Indie. 6.   Strict Writing Schedule: Yes or No I try to do it every day but nothing terribly strict about it. 7.    Strictly Computer or Mix It Up? There are people who handwrite books?? I’m not even sure I remember how to use a pen. 8.    Daily Goal: Yes or No Yes and no. I try to write one chapter and edit another, but try not to make myself miserable sticking to it. 9.    Formal Track Progress: Yes or no No. The only thing formal about me was my jr. prom. I even got chickenpox for the senior one and couldn’t go. 10.  Special Writing Spot? My desk in front of a 65” television I use as my monitor so I don’t have to wear reading glasses.. 11.   Writer’s Block? Occasionally get stuck on a plot point or a direction to go, but a good shower will usually shake it loose. 12.   File of Ideas: Yes or No I got an iwatch to keep notes that pop into my head because I kept forgetting them. I transcribe them to Trello and paw through them when I need an idea. 13.   Favorite Author(s)? It’s been so long since I actually had time to read I don’t even know anymore. I’ve gone through Vonnegut phases, Carl Hiaasen, Michael Chabon, Julie Smith, Laura Lippman, a lot of nonfiction -- I like to feel like I’m learning something or growing as a writer when I do get a chance to read. Though the last thing I read was “written” by the cartoon character “Archer” --- so maybe not trying to learn EVERY time...

Settle in for a good read, a hot cuppa, and these delicious Russian spice cookies!