The Faux Gothic Castle that Started It All
Today, April 17th, is the publication day for my eighth historical thriller, The Versailles Formula. Seeing my novel out in[…]
Read moreA Blog for Readers and Writers of Mystery, Crime, and Suspense Fiction
Today, April 17th, is the publication day for my eighth historical thriller, The Versailles Formula. Seeing my novel out in[…]
Read moreI was starstruck the first time I moderated a panel of writers at a local library. I hadn’t finished the[…]
Read moreAs an author of fiction and nonfiction, I’m often asked which I prefer to write. It’s not that easy a[…]
Read moreEaster eggs and red herrings are the buried treasure of crime fiction. One enlightens and the other obscures. Both reward the sharp-eyed reader.
Read moreAnd how to structure it As I continue to writhe in the throes of my edit (YES, still editing the[…]
Read moreIt’s no secret. I’m a pantser. And I’ll never be a plotter, someone who outlines before starting to write. But[…]
Read moreTrue Confession: I love books. I love the sight of them lined up on shelves, waiting to be chosen in[…]
Read moreI had just begun the stage in the book production cycle when I reviewed the description copy written by my[…]
Read moreThe term Save the Cat was coined by Blake Snyder as a reference to a pivotal moment early in a play or novel in which the protagonist does something admirable, thereby winning the audience’s loyalty and admiration. Engaging your readers’ emotions is a powerful tool, but does it apply only to the good guys? Can the technique be used to create more complex and believable bad guys as well?
Read moreThere are endless ways to write a story. Some authors pen their prose early in the morning or only at[…]
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