What’s it take to write a mystery? Do you think you can do it? Take this quiz and find out True False 1. Everything I know about mysteries I’ve learned from Law and Order. 2. Blood and gore must be in all mystery-writing for it to be any good. 3. Sitting down to write a […]
First Sentences That Hook
I respect the writer who can grab his or her readers in that very first sentence. Often I underline the first sentence just to see what hooked me. What is it about the first sentence that is so important. As writers, we know that publishers and agents rarely read past the first sentence. If that […]
5 Misconceptions about Fiction Writing
It never ceases to amaze me when I tell someone I’ve written a novel, they say, “I’ve always wanted to write a novel.” It seems everyone seems to believe they, too, can write a novel. All they have to do is put pen to paper. That leads me to think about my 5 misconceptions about […]
The Many Challenges A Writer Faces
Someone asked me what challenges writers face. My gosh, the list is endless. I’ll name the one that I’m sure plagues every artist and writer. In fact Somerset Maugham wrote in Moon and Sixpence, that the biggest stumbling block of every artist is doubt. That statement surprised me coming from such an amazing writer as Maugham. I […]
Where Writers Write
Recently my editor asked the writers to post photos that show where they write. All of us have various work spaces–some neat, some not so neat. My guess is most people don’t think about where their favorite writer writes. Indeed, I have images of Rosamunde Pilcher ensconced in a beautiful room with an antique desk […]
Martha Grimes Spoofs the Publishing Industry
Recently I read The Way of All Fish by Martha Grimes. If you want a good laugh or two, pick it up. Grimes, one of the best crime/mystery writers of our time, created the delicious Richard Jury, Scotland Yard hero, as well as casts of characters that kept readers inthralled for years. In this new […]
What is Your Writing Style
Recently I read a blog interview with Beverly Bateman in which she talked about her writing style. I was intrigued to hear the way she “plots” out her books. Clearly her style and mine are different. Bateman is a plot driven writer. When asked whether her characters or her plot came first, she quickly responded, “No, […]
What is it with Antiheroes?
As a writer I’m fascinated by the trends in popular entertainment. Recently I’ve noticed the plethora of antiheroes. First, there was Walter White of the Breaking Bad ilk. As an avid viewer, I sat their gnawing on my nails, fearing our hero (or anti-hero) would be captured by his brother-in-law, DEA agent, Hank. What was […]
The Clock Strikes Midnight– Hear Two Chapters Read
As part of the work to prepare for the launch of the mystery/suspense novel The Clock Strikes Midnight that will happen this fall, I asked Sandy Weaver Carman to record the first two chapters on an MP3. Sandy is a professional reader of audiobooks and has a wonderful voice. She read the first two chapters with a […]
How Do You Develop Your Characters?
Recently an interviewer asked me the question, “What’s your process in developing your characters?” Here’s my answer: When I start a story, I have a protagonist in mind. That person becomes my main character. I have a vague idea of who some supporting characters might be, but many pop up as the story progresses. As an […]
