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Wired & War
My two new writing books: Wired for Story and The War of Art. Last week I explained how I justify the purchase of instructional books about writing by saying that I usually get one good idea from each....
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Cut to the Chase
You will have heard this writing nugget, that the start of a novel is the most important section. Of course you have. All readers know this instinctively. They read the first page of a long story, see...
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Shakespeare and Me
All writers owe a huge debt to William Shakespeare, whether they write in English or something else. He is, of course, just one of our storytelling forefathers but arguably the most important one....
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Interview with their demons
Digging deep into your character for the real story. What is it about inner demons? Every book on novel writing seems to stress them. The hero on his journey always packs them along. The Tin Woodsman...
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What Writers Can Learn from Musicians
I’ve spent a lot of time in the car recently, listening to audiobooks and music on SiriusXM. I admit it, I have become a raging fan of satellite radio. (My favorite channel is 30, The Loft. My...
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Spring cleaning, writer-style
Springtime!? It’s almost here. In my office it’s a time to regroup, plan, and finish up projects. As I wrap up The Girl in the Empty Dress and before I start my next novel I want to share a little of...
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The So-Called Self
After twenty-some years of making up imaginary people I’ve noticed a trend in my work. That I am partial to secrets is perhaps a given in a mystery writer. Secrets, hidden facts, and unknowns from the...
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Writing Togetherness
My guests today are married writers who work on books separately and together. Have you ever tried to collaborate with another writer on a long story or novel? It sounds appealing, sort of, that is the...
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Writer as Sparrow
How is your writing going? I ask because I’ve been struggling with finding enough time and focus recently. I have no excuses. My life isn’t any busier than yours, I’m sure. I have no children at home,...
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Fiction as a Mirror
As crime writers we often get our ideas from the news. Remember newspapers? You still read them, I hope. Where else can you find in-depth stories about the world, where you live locally or the wide...
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I Resolve: Failure & Success
Oh, those pesky resolutions. Does anyone even care what a person resolves to do in the new year, or how they are (or likely not) accomplished? I doubt it. If you want to lose ten pounds or run a...
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No Excuses April
I’m happy to report my Writus Interruptus has dissipated with the spring rains and I am back in the saddle, writing-wise. The saddle in this case is every chair in the house. Unfortunately I have my...
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Whatcha reading?
It’s almost the weekend… and while we’ll be jamming to our favorite Prince tunes, hoisting an ale for the death 400 years gone of the Bard, and thinking the Queen is looking pretty damn good for 90,...
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Taking a break from springtime French cooking (ha!) to enjoy this interview with John le Carré, done by the BBC in 1974. One of my favorite writers, le Carré’s real name is David Cornwell. He’s now 86...
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