I am a phony. I’ve known this since my editor asked for a second book. There I was, I’d submitted a synopsis and three chapters, and now I had a contract and a deadline. All I had to was write the rest of the story. Panic hit. I was sure I wouldn’t be able to […] [ ... ]
Years ago I promised myself if I sold a mystery I would join The Authors Guild. Well, I did and I did. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Since joining, I’ve received information that has been valuable to me personally; have been made aware of laws and events that can and […] [ ... ]
My daughter is visiting this week so my writing will be on hold, but I wanted to thank all of the people who sent suggestions to help me name P.J.’s and Wade’s baby. I received more than 35 possibilities, 32 of those were from one person. Thank you Donna Swanson Johnson, you gave me a […] [ ... ]
Reviews are important. Amazon bases its rankings on the number of reviews a book (or item) receives, and many readers determine if they’ll purchase a book or not by the reviews. Publishers urge their writers to get reviews, and writers will ask everyone (and anyone) who purchases their books to post a review. But what […] [ ... ]
I love it when a reader tells me she or he was surprised by the ending of a book. At least I’m pleased as long as they also say the ending worked. I know when I’m reading a mystery, I like to be surprised. I want all of the clues to be there, but presented […] [ ... ]
“I love the voice.” I’ve heard that said about books, and I’ve heard agents and editors say, “I’m looking for a fresh voice” or “It’s the voice that counts.” So what is voice? According to www.literarydevices.com: Voice in literature is the individual style in which a certain author writes his or her works. Voice includes […] [ ... ]
If you read my January 8, 2020 blog you saw I said there were no rules in writing. I also said there were traditions and reasons for certain ways of formatting. Again, these aren’t rules. For one thing, many of the formatting guidelines have changed over the years. Changes in how writing is published I […] [ ... ]
Are you subscribed to the Writer Beware Blog? If not, why not? Check out 2019 Year in Review https://accrispin.blogspot.com/ [ ... ]
Rule #1: There are no rules. There are guidelines. Traditional ways of writing. Requirements for certain forms of publishing or publishing houses. As a writer, you need to be aware of what’s expected, especially if you want to be published by a specific publisher (or publishers) or in a particular form (electronic or paper). Rule […] [ ... ]
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019 was an unusual year for me. It included a fall (backwards), 2 ½ months of pain pills until the reason for the pain was finally diagnosed (fractured L3), 3 months of wearing a back brace 24/7, an early journey south to Florida, the purchase of a condo, and for the last […] [ ... ]
If you are a writer living (or staying) in or around Venice, Florida, there is a writers’ group that meets from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. If you are interested, contact me through Comments or Feedback, and I will give you more information. [ ... ]
With so many books being published nowadays, how do you promote your books (or yourself)? That is the question Hometown Authors asked me. For my answer, check out today’s blog on their site: https://hometownauthors.com/book-marketing-tips/get-noticed/ No laughing at what my husband did, OK? [ ... ]
My summer is ending with a couple unexpected but neat events. #1. In 2017 the publicist I’d hired sent out press releases for Echoes of Terror, and I received a response from Jackie Minniti, who writes “Fabulous Florida Writers,” a monthly column for The Island Reporter, a paper that covers the South Gulf Beaches in […] [ ... ]
On February 25, 2019, while visiting friends on their boat in Florida, I took a step back without realizing it was a step down to their sleeping quarters. I lost my balance and ended up falling backwards 3 or 4 steps (seemed like forever). At first I thought I’d simply bruised my back, and initial […] [ ... ]
Do you need to copyright your work? The Copyright ACT of 1976 was enacted October 19, 1976. It basically stated that all work was copyrighted (protected) the moment it was “fixed in any tangible medium.” (That is, on paper, computer, audible, video, etc.). It seems that’s fine as long as you don’t intend to sue […] [ ... ]
Does the writer always have to explain terms or references that might be specific to a profession or area of the country? Is it necessary to translate every foreign word you use in a story? And, what about uncommon words? Should a writer use unfamiliar words or stick to the familiar? Ask yourself, who’s the […] [ ... ]
For weeks, months, maybe years you’ve been working on your novel. It’s anywhere from 50 thousand words to a 150 thousand. And now? In just a few words you need to convince an agent, editor, or reader to buy (or at least read) your book, and you’re not going to have a lot of time […] [ ... ]
A few months ago I received an email from a relative who wanted information about a non-fiction book she wanted to write. She was asking me for help, but as I quizzed her about what she was writing and why, I discovered she already had the basic idea of what she needed in order to […] [ ... ]
When I wrote The Crows, I thought it was a single title mystery. It wasn’t until after the The Crows was released and I was doing book talks that I was asked when the next P.J. Benson Mystery would be out. A second book? Hmm. As I wrote the second P.J. Benson Mystery (As the […] [ ... ]
I just spent 2 days working out (in my mind and on paper) why my secondary characters are doing (or have done) certain things. My P.J. Benson Mysteries are all told in first person, so I can’t have scenes where the reader sees or hears what secondary characters are doing or thinking, but that doesn’t […] [ ... ]