One key to writing a successful novel is to slip inside the skin of the characters. Narrators can provide a buffer between the reader and the characters. The reader gets to know the character from the narrator’s point of view which is not always reliable. But when the reader gets to know what the character… Continue reading Writing As Your Characters
Book Blogger Appreciation Week In September
Book Blogger Appreciation Week is happening again this year! In 2009 it will be from September 14th through September 18th. BBAW Award nominations are now open until August 14th. Many categories are available including Best Book Published (so far) in 2009, Best Name for a Blog, Most Chatty, and Best Published Writer Blog. If you’re… Continue reading Book Blogger Appreciation Week In September
Annies Ghosts by Steve Luxenberg
Washington Post associate editor Steve Luxenberg is a master of investigative journalism. The editor of two Pulitzer Prize-winning series, Luxenberg has now written his most compelling story: his exploration of his late mother’s secret. Beth Luxenberg always claimed to be an only child, but a chance mention led to the discovery that she had been… Continue reading Annies Ghosts by Steve Luxenberg
Memoirs, Movies and Those (Mostly) True Stories – Guest Post by Steve Luxenberg
 Memoirs, Movies and Those (Mostly) True Stories A Writer’s Take on Reality’s Rough Edges By Steve Luxenberg, Author of Annie’s Ghosts: A Journey Into a Family Secret Why do they do it? Why do so many film makers put “based on a true story” or some variation as one of their opening frames, when they… Continue reading Memoirs, Movies and Those (Mostly) True Stories – Guest Post by Steve Luxenberg
Upcoming Posts and Visits
I have several book reviews I need to finish writing before the end of the month. This week though, you’ll see a guest post by Steve Luxenberg, author of Annie’s Ghosts: A Journey Into A Family Secret. On Friday my review of his book will be available. He’s doing an Author Chat on LibraryThing starting today until… Continue reading Upcoming Posts and Visits
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
Over the years I’ve heard Kim Harrison’s name and Amazon keeps trying to recommend her Hollows Series to me. The titles are all clever takes on movie titles (mostly starring Clint Eastwood). It wasn’t until Lisa Damian’s interview with Kim Harrison that I decided I would give the series a try. She seemed like such a… Continue reading Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
Short Story Writing Advice
The wonderful thing I’ve found about writers is no matter where they are in their writing journey they are helpful to other writers. Now, one local published writer will tell a completely different tale but that’s his version of events and it’s only hearsay. My experience has shown no method works exactly the same from… Continue reading Short Story Writing Advice
The Trap by John Smelcer
The Columbus Metropolitan Library offers recommendations by the librarians on its web site and that was how I heard of The Trap. Johnny Least-Weasel knows that his grandfather Albert is a stubborn old man who won’t stop checking his own traplines, even though other men his age stopped doing so years before. But Albert Least-Weasel has… Continue reading The Trap by John Smelcer
That Went Well by Terrell Harris Dougan
That Went Well is more than a funny memoir about growing up with and caring for a special needs sibling. It personalizes the movement to create day care centers and free public education for children with special needs. The reader meets Terrell Harris Dougan, her sister Irene Harris, and the people who come into their… Continue reading That Went Well by Terrell Harris Dougan
Mid-Year Tally 2009
Last year an acquaintance of mine gave a mid-year tally of her publications, writings, movies watched, books read, etc. and it inspired me to look at the numbers for my year. I’m repeating my mid-year tally this year. read 30 books watched 73 movies wrote 25 book reviews (2 published) wrote 0 poems wrote ? short stories Last year I… Continue reading Mid-Year Tally 2009