How many times do readers need to be told something? #amwriting Click To Tweet Not long ago I read a novel in which one of the male characters had long eyelashes. In the author’s first description of the character, we heard about the long eyelashes. Later, we heard about them again in dialogue. In fact, […]
MJ LaBeff Creates Suspense in her new book MIND GAMES
Today we are excited to welcome suspense writer, M.J. LaBeff” to our blog @MJLabeff Click To Tweet She’s written a number of books, including her newest release, MIND GAMES. Let’s learn more about M.J. the writer, and her books. JC: What made the “girl next door” start writing suspense stories? MJ: I’d always been a big fan of […]
The Confusing World of Mystery Genre
When I began writing fiction, I decided to write mysteries #amwriting #mystery Click To Tweet Why? I love to read mysteries. Actually I love reading lots of things, but I love the intrigue of a good mystery. When I picked up my pen and began the process of writing, I didn’t think, “What kind of […]
3 Tips for Writing a Series
Many of today’s writers write series books with recurring characters. Sue Grafton probably takes the prize for the most books with the same character with her alphabet mystery series starring Kinsey Milhone. Typical readers breeze through these books, enjoying the stories and feeling very comfortable with the characters. Those characters that reappear become the readers’ […]
Dogs Teach Writers How to Reveal Emotions
Recently I read a short article discussing the way dogs read people #amwriting Click To Tweet They seem to understand their owners emotions. According to the research dogs and humans are the only species able to do this. I know my dog can read my emotions. I’ve known that for a long time. I also […]
Q&A with Cozy Mystery Writer Nikki Haverstock
I’m excited to welcome Nikki Haverstock to my blog today @ranchernikki Click To Tweet Nikki is a fascinating person. Not only is she a skilled archer but she is also a skilled mystery writer who spends a good bit of her time cattle ranching. How’s that for unusual? When you read a Nikki Haverstock mystery, […]
Do Readers Make Good Writers?
I always thought that because I loved to read and read a lot, I knew what good writing was. And, I suppose I assumed that reading taught me about writing. In some ways, it does. Reading puts good language into our subconscious. It’s like listening to and reading a new language. But does the process […]
How to Write a Book Review for Ordinary Readers
Too many of my friends and associates have not written #bookreviews on Amazon. They tell me they have never done so and it occurs to me they are reluctant. Maybe an English teacher somewhere in their past told them, “You are not a writer.” Or corrected their punctuation errors one time too many. Whatever, a […]
My Review 4 Stars for MFK Fisher’s Two Towns in Provence
I recently finished MFK Fisher’s Two Towns in Provence. The book was written in the early 1970’s and shares Fisher’s experience in Aix and Marseilles France during several visits in the 1930’s, 1950’s and the 1970’s. My guess is little has changed in those towns since then. Fisher is a beautiful writer. Even though this […]
Welcome JQ Rose–Mystery and Romantic Suspense Writer
I’m excited to welcome JQ Rose to our blog today. I’ve read her newest book, Deadly Undertaking, which I found both suspenseful and quite amusing. JQ does a nice job of mixing in humor even in the face of dead bodies #mystery Click To Tweet Today we will talk to her about her books and her writing. […]
