Category: writing fiction
-
A Writer’s Year
Among my collection of holiday socks, I have a pair that’s quite jolly, or maybe not so upbeat, depending on who’s looking at them. When I wear these socks, these socks say, “Ho Ho Ho Ho” to whoever looks at them. But when I look down at these socks on my feet, they lament, “Oh…
-
The No. 1 Lady Detective
A J K Writer Favorite Among my recent emails I found one from Precious Ramotswe of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency located in Gaborone, Botswana, Africa. In the fashion typical of the messages we write and receive during the holiday season, the letter begins by telling the momentous events in Mma Ramotswe’s life. She…
-
Encouraging Review of January Jinx
Hey, gang! I just had to share the encouraging review that Judge 16 wrote for January Jinx that I submitted to the Writer’s Digest contest for self-published books this year. Structure, Organization, and Pacing: 4 Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar: 2 Production Quality and Cover Design: 2 Plot and Story Appeal: 3 Character Appeal and Development:…
-
Still Busy
WiP Report # 16 Properly I can’t call this a WiP Report since I’m between writing projects. But I’m still busy as you’ll see. First, I’m very pleased to announce that on September 29, I completed Fatal February, the second Calendar Mystery. I revised a draft 96,292 words long in 12 days. Now that’s what…
-
Just a Few Little Things Left to Tweak
WiP Report # 14 Hi, All! On July the Fourth I entered the following in my daily journal/log. [I’ve added a few things here and there.] I’ve been checking some stats for Fatal February, which I completed yesterday morning [the third draft, that is, on July 3]. At least I finished the current draft and…
-
Myself as a Work in Progress
WiP Report # 13 Boy, howdy, how time flies. When I recently checked my files, I discovered that it’s been a year and nine months since WiP Report # 12 in which I reflected on my decision to quit trying to go the traditional route of getting published with the help of an agent and…
-
The Art of Rewriting a Novel
Congratulations! You’ve completed the first draft of your novel and the joy of creation still surges through your veins. But don’t rest on your laurels too long, for now you have to rewrite. No, I don’t, you say. I just run the spell checker and shoot it off to an agent, right? Besides, did Shakespeare…
-
Craig Johnson’s Any Other Name
Craig Johnson’s Any Other Name Boy, howdy, can that man write! A week or so ago, I needed something to read and so I started buffeting the nine or so new books close to my bed where I do most of my fiction reading. (So what if I spend lots of bucks buying hardcover fiction?…
-
Darlene Deluca, Romance and Women’s Fiction Author
Darlene Deluca, my friend and fellow writer, is answering some questions about being a writer on my blog today. But first here’s some background about Darlene. She writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction and likes to explore relationships – what brings people together or keeps them apart. Her intent is to bring to life interesting characters…
-
Helen MacInnes’ Snare of the Hunter
Classic Romantic Suspense I can in no way fault Helen MacInnes’ Snare of the Hunter, originally published in 1974 and republished last year along with some of her other spy thrillers. Though forty years old, the book doesn’t feel dated. Sure, characters must drive to the nearest village to make critical phone calls instead of…