Valerie J. BrooksWhat Happened to This Writer in January 2023I’m sitting in a cafe drinking matcha and thinking about you, readers. I’m going full disclosure here — I’ve experienced full-blown…Jun 4, 20231Jun 4, 20231
Valerie J. BrooksI Once Turned in a Hitman — Why I Write Thrillers & NoirWhen I was sixteen, I worked as a switchboard operator for New England Tel & Tel. Back then this was a prime job for someone my age, but it…Dec 8, 2022Dec 8, 2022
Valerie J. BrooksHow Paris Became a Noir SettingIn December 2015, I stepped out of the Metro and into the working-class 15th arrondissement of Paris. The clear blue sky cast an eerie…Nov 18, 2022Nov 18, 2022
Valerie J. BrooksA Surprising Way to Improve Mental and Physical HealthA few years ago, I told my husband that I needed to improve my health with more time at the gym, walking, and taking more dance classes…Apr 11, 20201Apr 11, 20201
Valerie J. BrooksTHOUGHTS ON LOSING MY MOMHow the divine feminine offered a different way to grieveAug 6, 20192Aug 6, 20192
Valerie J. BrooksThe Tips of His SneakersIt was nine-forty-five in the morning when I pulled into a parking space across from Vero Espresso House, my place to write on Mondays and…Apr 23, 2019Apr 23, 2019
Valerie J. BrooksRevenge & Sex: is that enough?A few days before my femmes-noir thriller Revenge in 3 Parts was published, my dance instructor announced its launch at the end of class…FFeb 10, 2019Feb 10, 2019
Valerie J. BrooksSpring, the Cruelest Season: Suicide Doesn’t Happen the Way You Think It DoesSimon and Garfunkle’s “April Come She Will” has been playing in my head since April 11th, the anniversary of when we lost our pooch, Tia…Jun 10, 2018Jun 10, 2018