It’s much more fun to be an author than a writer. Authors give talks, autograph their books, advise new writers, and greet fans with a smile and a nod. Writers sit at their computers (or with their pads of paper), try to decide how a character would act and speak in … Continue reading
Thursday I’ll be heading for Muncie, Indiana, for the Magna cum Murder conference. Magna cum Murder XVII October 28-30, 2011 This conference is for fans as well as writers so there’s less emphasis on the writing process (How to) and more on the creating process (Why? Where do you get your … Continue reading
Today I returned from an overnight trip to Manistee, Michigan. The trip came about from postcards I mailed to libraries last January announcing my second P.J. Benson mystery, AS THE CROW FLIES. Soon after Five Star (which is part of Gale/Cengage Learning) released AS THE CROW FLIES, I was contacted … Continue reading
Last month I signed up for a Continuing Education class on the topic of Creativity. I was really looking forward to the class, but Monday I received a call that “Due to lack of enrollment” the class had been canceled. Now, in the past I’ve taught a class titled “Tapping into Your … Continue reading
Leave it is a command I give my dog when I want him to ignore something. It might be another dog, something on the ground, or a tree he’s sniffing. Leave it is also something I tell myself when I reach a point in my writing where I’m not quite … Continue reading
Over the years I’ve been amazed whenever I meet wannabe writers who proudly tell me: “Oh I don’t read.” Especially when they tell me they don’t read the type of book they want to write. I simply don’t understand that sort of logic. Some say they’re afraid they might “accidentally” … Continue reading
Every so often I’m asked to read and critique someone’s work. What most want to know is: Will this story sell to a publisher? And beyond that question is: Will this book be a best seller? It would be nice if I or anyone could answer those questions. I know … Continue reading
Today my blog will be short. As you can see, I have a new format. It’s one I still need to learn about, and this weekend my daughter (the computer guru) is coming over to show me all the bells and whistles that will make this site better than the … Continue reading
