Without getting sappy or maudlin about this (okay - we actually are gonna be sappy and maudlin), we've decided that FO has run it's course and we've decided that we'd like to go out while we're on top. We're just not sure what we're on top of. But after half a decade, we've decided that it's time to say goodbye. So, without further ado...
NEIL: I came to this
party late, so I feel a lot like Sammy Hagar joining Van Halen (or, as Jeff
said, "like that nobody replacing that gay dude in Judas
Priest"). Not to say that Bryon is in any way David Lee
Roth-like. Noooooo. No no no. Nope. Ain't happening.
I also came in with three books under my belt. So
instead of a First anything, I was (ahem) "experienced" (am I right,
ladies?)
Once I took a shot, asked if I could join, and passed the
audition (God, I hope there's no videotape of that hanging around), what I
expected was to completely turn the collective stomach of the other four's fan
base. I'm talking firing off angry emails, a lot of "How dare
you!" and "Fire that guy and bring back sweet, sweet Bryon!"
Turned out all of you readers actually dig the nasty language and punk
attitude. You think "douchefucker" is a cool word. You
like violence and the messy consequences. You're all a bunch of sick
pervs. I'm ashamed of you. Please, hide your sins and beg to be
cured of your filthy habits, you fuckers.
What I didn't expect, though, was that there was more to
being an First Offender than simply posting on your assigned day. There
were nearly daily emails bouncing back and forth between all these cats, and I
got to play along with that. Some of the funniest and filthiest jokes by
all of us never made the blog, but I'm sure their somewhere in my Gmail
archives. Ah, it was nice to be part of the band, even if all I did was
play bass.
I wish Lori, Karen, Jeff, and Alison all the best, and I'm
sure we'll still pass the emails around, keep the conversation going. The
only difference is we'll keep it to ourselves and let the rest of you get on
with your lives.
So it's not you, it's us. And, by the way, we're keeping all the cool CDs you left at our place.
KAREN: Words can't
say how much I've enjoyed this blog and the company here. From the get-go,
we've had loads of fun and drawn you into our conversations and lives, hearing
about yours and making new, lasting friendships. Considering that we decided to
do this about 2 in the morning at Bouchercon in
ALISON: Back when I first met Jeff, Karen and Lori at Bouchercon, I had no idea how to pronounce Bouchercon. It's amazing to me how much all of our lives have changed since then, yet this blog – dreamed up over one too many drinks and initially titled “Feels Like the First Time” – remains. Well, until now. After five years of girly music video-posting, Jim Born-insulting, cussing, song lyrics-debating, doggie pinups-admiring, glorious randomness (with occasional forays into talking about writing), Jeff, Lori, Karen, Neil and I are calling it quits. I’m sad. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. But as Lori’s favorite musical artist Bruce Springsteen once said, “Good times got a way of coming to an end.” And these, I have to say, were some mighty good times.
LORI: Things end. It’s a fact of life. Sometimes by choice, sometimes by unforeseen circumstances, sometimes with great resistance. I admit I’m not a big fan of change in most cases. So coming to the group decision to end the First Offenders blog after an almost five year run wasn’t an easy one.
For me, things have changed drastically since the inception of this blog. In 2005 I had one book out. I had just signed another contract for the second book in the Julie Collins series and I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. I was the only one of my newbie writer “blog” friends who didn’t have an agent. And my alter ego, Lorelei James, hadn’t been born, so to speak, but was merely another aspect of my storytelling side that I hoped to explore “someday” – Now, in 2010, I have five published mysteries under my belt, another one in edits for publication in 2011, and I’ve finished, in one form or another, sixteen erotic romances, with numbers seventeen and eighteen scheduled for the remainder of 2010. So yes, my focus has shifted, and once that happened, I knew other changes were inevitable.
It goes without saying that Jeff, Alison, Karen and I have gotten extremely close over the years (and Neil in the last year) and I know those friendships will continue offline. I’ve been humbled by the people/readers/writers/fans/industry professionals who’ve visited our little blog, whether or not they left comments. Invariably at some point during any writer’s conference I heard – “I love your guys’ blog—it’s a must read.” For the last five years I’ve checked the comments daily. I’ve laughed and cried and gotten pissed off, and busted my buttons with pride. We were one of the first mystery blog groups, and part of me is sad that’s ending. But with the constantly changing social media options, it’s gotten harder to sustain a weekly blog audience, while it’s gotten much easier—albeit more time consuming—to maintain an accessible web presence.
So farewell, FOFOs. And I leave you with the wise words of the great ‘80s pseudo-metal band Def Leppard – “It’s better to burn out…than fade away.”
And while I won’t miss the Viagra spam or messing with Typepad on a regular basis, I will miss all of you and your opinions and your humor and your questions and your irreverence and your laughing at my Jim Born jokes and your friendship more than I can adequately explain. This blog has lasted as long as it has not because of the five faces at the top, but because of the people who showed up here regularly and told a friend or two. For all of that, we thank you. We really thank you.
And
to my four friends up there next to me on the masthead – your friendship is the
most rewarding thing publishing has given me.
Thank you to each of you for so many different things.
Now wipe your tears, FOFOs. Waste your time elsewhere. And remember – we’ll always have the Internet.
Aw . . . I'll miss you guys. Thanks for the ride!
Posted by: Clair | April 25, 2010 at 11:23 PM
The laughter and the teeeeears
The shadows of misty yesteryears
The good times and the bad you've seen
And all the others in between
Remember, do you rememberrrrr
The times of your liiiiife?
Thanks for everything, you guys.
Posted by: JD Rhoades | April 26, 2010 at 07:28 AM
I was looking to see if this was another of those April Fool's jokes, but it appears that it is not...
So...let me just say thank you for the entertainment. You will be missed!
Posted by: John | April 26, 2010 at 09:31 AM
Good luck to all of you. You have provided me with some great insight into your writing and your lives.
All the best to all of you!
Posted by: Docqualizer | April 26, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Well, hell.
I'm really going to miss this blog.
I understand the decision, mostly because I think my own blog has more than run its course, but I've enjoyed reading all of the posts.
Best of luck to all of you! Lori, see you very soon.
Posted by: Mary Stella | April 26, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Boooooooooo. Screw you all. This sucks. I understand it, but still.
And Neil will always be the original Steve Perry while I content myself to be the new Asian guy in Journey.
Fuck, I posted the first pics of my first kid on this blog. That's history baby.
Posted by: Bryon Quertermous | April 26, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Well, I will truly miss you guys. I wish you all the best in your writing endeavors (and in your teaching endeavor, Shelby...can't wait to mock you for having to deal with the same shit I do! HA!).
At the very least, I feel like I am a little more comfortable in my own skin as I bounce around the net and hope to someday wind up working my way into a fulltime writing gig. God bless all of you, and if I ever see any of you five out there, the first drink's on me (if I can afford it, and the wife says it's okay, and I'm not too tired to stay up and drink with you, and...ah screw it, buy your own shit).
Posted by: Jake Nantz | April 26, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Oh, damn, all my favorite group blogs keep closing up shop. So long, FOs, and thanks for all the fish.
Posted by: Charlene Teglia | April 26, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Wow. I didn't expect this. It's like a girlfriend starting off the date with, "It's not you, it's me," when you know goddamn well it's you.
I've written some of my finest one-liners here. I'll miss that.
But I'll miss the very different personalites here, with voices so clear I knew who was writing even without a signature.
Damn, guys. You've been a part of my day for almost 5 years (I was late to the party).
I'll miss you.
Posted by: David Terrenoire | April 26, 2010 at 11:04 AM
Sorry to see FO go, but I've become a fan of all your work, and I hope leaving the Blogosphere means you'll have more time to write and publish. Best of luck.
Posted by: Gerald So | April 26, 2010 at 02:25 PM
Oh, bummer! I've always enjoyed y'alls unique insights. But I of all people understand the blood, sweat and tears that go into running a group blog, especially for multiple years (and especially on Typepad...)
All of you have an open invitation to guest blog at Murderati any time. Let us know when new books arise, we'll do an interview. And stay in touch!!!
Posted by: JT Ellison | April 26, 2010 at 02:29 PM
I'm sad to see FO go. All the celebrations we had, books coming out, all the fuck jokes, all the Jim Bornities. (Now it's Bonfire of the Bornities.) I remember Jeff exposing Jim's outfits - kind of Early Brady Bunch meets Canteen Boy. I'll miss wishing I could hear "Dancing Queen" playing when I watch Lori's Monster Deal video - Jeff, that was a truly great one.
Well, one thing won't stop. I'll continue to read ALL YOUR BOOKS! Just try and stop me!
I'm sure we'll see each other in other places, and I'm still looking forward to hanging in a bar with Alison, although I'll stay away from her wine hand. (Sorry, Alison, I just had to!)
See you guys down the pike,
Jake
Posted by: M.J. Hawk | April 26, 2010 at 07:25 PM
Wow! I wasn't expecting this. You all have been a part of my daily reading experience for at least two years (well except for the last week as I was stuck in the agony of auction prep for Malice). You guys have been funny, smart, smart-assed and pertinent, and I have enjoyed each day's blog.
Jeff, it was such fun to hear about the Little Mermaids awesome victory over the Tiger Lilies...the new archrivals!
Alison, loved the article about Calle. If you ever decide to do a blog about zombie movies, let me know. I'll read it for sure.
Karen, I loved reading your blogs about snow and your daughter and your fun in Vegas. Good luck with Brett K, a great character with a good artist.
Lori, who knew erotic western romances garnered such a following? The number of posts on your recent contest day were amazing. But actually I've read a few of your books, and they definitely sizzle.
Neil, what a great addition you were. I like your in-your-face style and your updates on Herman. Can you post a few parting pictures of him?
To everyone, good luck in all you do, and if you start another blog, hopefully I'll find it and remember the most recent things to talk about (like in this post).
Posted by: Becky Hutchison | April 27, 2010 at 02:34 PM
Sorry to see you all go.
Say Goodnight, Gracie.
Posted by: Wilfred Bereswill | April 28, 2010 at 09:06 PM
Well that sucks. I've only been checking in here for about the last year, but I've really enjoyed reading all of your various insights into writing, bad pop music, TV, procrastination, Vegas, etc.
Posted by: Chris Rhatigan | April 29, 2010 at 05:17 PM
You guys rock. You've inspired me ever since we met at Bouchercon Chicago. Maybe we could have everyone on my podcast Book Chatter LIVE in a few weeks to reminisce your amazing run.
Posted by: Stacey Cochran | April 29, 2010 at 11:06 PM
Quitters
Jim Born
Posted by: James O. Born | April 30, 2010 at 05:01 PM
Wow! I'll miss this blog. About the only I read and you always make me laugh... Good luck with everything!
Posted by: Anne Britton | May 02, 2010 at 10:01 AM
I'll miss you-- I know I lurked much more than I commented, but this is a great group. Jeff, Lori, I hope we keep in touch.
Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne Stein | May 04, 2010 at 06:14 AM