I consider myself primarily a plotter. I usually have a good idea how a story is going to begin and end and a good concept of what will happen in the middle to get from that beginning to the end. That said, I also know I could also be called a pantser since I like […] [ ... ]
Last month I received an email from a young girl asking for information about how to get a book she’d written published. The following is, in part, what I sent back to her. Dear Writer: Since my weekly blog is primarily about writing and getting published, some of my earlier posts might help you. On […] [ ... ]
The first week of a new year is like pressing a “Restart” button. Maybe we didn’t reach all—or any—of the goals we made last January, but this year will be different. Right? This year I will lose weight. I will write 4 books, and, of course, those stories will (1) be picked up by an […] [ ... ]
I don’t know about you, but the day after Christmas and the week before New Year’s Eve is always a little depressing for me. The cheerful “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” greetings end, most of the romantic or hopeful holiday shows cease to be shown, and the major networks are consumed with highlighting the past […] [ ... ]
I’m finally working on the fourth (and final) P.J. Benson Mystery (My Crows series). I actually had close to 5,000 words written the end of summer, but life got in the way, and the opening just didn’t feel right to me. I wasn’t connecting with P.J. Here’s the original opening: Why was it whenever I […] [ ... ]
I recently received information about a contest being conducted by Stockholm Writers Festival. The prizes are great. If you’re unagented and have something unpublished (whether you’ve been published or not), check this contest out. ********* Good evening from Stockholm!, Once again we are running the First Pages Prize, a literary contest for writers worldwide, […] [ ... ]
Just finished a 1200 mile drive and I’m trying to get everything organized in my “Southern” office–took a day to get Internet up and working and now the printer is on the fritz–so rather than slap something together, I think it’s best to take a week off. I hope all of you have a productive […] [ ... ]
Back on February 17, 2016 I wrote a blog on The Craft of Writing Narrative/. At that time I mentioned some sources a writer might visit to review the rules of grammar. My favorite sources, then and now, are Shrunk & White’s Elements of Style and Lynne Truss’s Eats, Shoots & Leaves, but I also often […] [ ... ]
I don’t remember when I picked up this laminated card, but I have it taped to my monitor because it’s a good reminder. Often when critiquing the work of others, either I or others in the group begin asking the writer (being critiqued) questions such as these: What does your character hear when she approaches […] [ ... ]
October, for me, was a busy month of promoting the paperback version of A KILLER PAST. I didn’t really plan it that way, but starting last spring and through the summer I kept receiving invitations to speak or appear. All wanted October dates. These invitations included two book clubs, one book store, and one conference. […] [ ... ]
Recently someone said to me, “I think I’ll write a book. So, what do I need to do?” The answer, of course, is simple–Sit down and write it. But they usually want more than that. They want to know “How do I get an agent?” or “What’s the easiest way to get mybook self-published?” They don’t […] [ ... ]
Recently I attended the inaugural, one-day Southwest Michigan Writers’ Conference chaired and coordinated by Brian R. Johnston, Head of Public Services at the Lincoln Township Public Library. The event was sponsored by a group of southwest Michigan libraries, and held at the beautiful Niles District Library. Most of the men and women attending were writers […] [ ... ]
Writers are creators. We create characters, families, communities, worlds, and conflict. Sometimes all elements magically come together to create a story, but often we complain about being blocked (Writers Block) or that our characters are two-dimensional . . .or the story simply isn’t exciting or interesting enough. Too mundane. Too clichéd. Or, too predictable. It’s […] [ ... ]
I think most writers would love it if signing a publishing contract meant the publisher’s marketing department would get the reviews, promote the book through advertising, set up interviews (TV, radio, and print), and arrange a book tour (at least a blog tour). And some writers do get all or some of that, especially those […] [ ... ]
Yesterday I gave a talk on the changes in book publishing over the last 40 years. Preparing for the talk was like a walk down memory lane. Forty years ago I decided I wanted to write a book. I lucked out and found an agent who saw something in my writing worth nurturing. She worked […] [ ... ]
Last month my long-time friend, Nancy Gideon, mentioned her publisher was releasing one of her early (very early) romances as an audio book, so I asked her to write about the experience. Audio Ga Ga by Nancy Gideon After my 30+ year writing career, I thought I’d done and seen it all. Wrong! I never […] [ ... ]
When I decided to attend “Building Your Character-Session 2” during Writers’ Police Academy, I didn’t realize that the instructor, Mary VanHaut, would be discussing suicide. (I should have read the workshop description.) Nevertheless, I’m glad I attended, and I think I’ll be using some of the following information in my next book. Here are some […] [ ... ]
Sorry, but I’m having cataract surgery today and wouldn’t be able to respond to any comments. I’ll be back next week with a summary of the final Writers’ Police Academy session I attended. Hope you’ll stop by then. Maris [ ... ]
How do you get your villain to confess? How do you know if a witness is telling the truth? Paul Bishop, who is a nationally recognized behaviorist interrogation expert and veteran LAPD detective, conducted this session at the Writers’ Police Academy. (He’s also a writer. Check out his books.) Paul Bishop’s Books While Bishop was a […] [ ... ]
Writing a story where a character overdoses on drugs? I am, so while I was at the Writers’ Police Academy I attend a session that dealt with that subject. Eric Paulowski was the instructor and, of course, the topic was the opioid addiction that’s been in the news this year. What surprised me was he […] [ ... ]