"I think artful use of profanity in dialogue can really help with character development. How a person swears--or doesn't swear--can tell you a lot about who they are, and who they think they are. It can also be funny. I…"
Jon Loomis's Discussions
Eleven Things I Know About Fiction Writing
19 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Jon Loomis Mar 5, 2012.
Everything that's wrong with the publishing industry in one link
20 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Cammy May Hunnicutt Feb 20, 2012.
Should everyone publish?
31 Replies
Started this discussion. Last reply by Cammy May Hunnicutt Feb 19, 2012.
Jon Loomis's Page
Profile Information
- About Me:
- I'm the author of the Frank Coffin mysteries, HIGH SEASON (2007) and MATING SEASON (2009), both from St. Martin's Minotaur. The third book in the series, FIRE SEASON, will be released in July of 2012. I'm also the author of two books of poetry: VANITAS MOTEL and THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE, from Oberlin College Press. I live in West-Central Wisconsin, where I teach creative writing and literature at the college level.
- I Am A:
- Reader, Writer
- Website:
- http://jonloomis.blogspot.com
- Books And Authors I Like:
- I like mysteries and literary fiction, poetry and memoir. My literary gods are Chandler, P.G. Wodehouse, and the poet Charles Wright.
- Movies And TV Shows I Like:
- I like old stuff with old guys in it: Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Sean Connery, Bogart, et al. Also, Mad Men. I suspect I'd like The Wire if I ever got around to watching it.
Jon Loomis's Blog
FIRE SEASON off to the copy editor.
The manuscript is in great shape (my editor thinks so, anyway) but the copy editor will find some damn thing on practically every page--this is the way of copy editors. There will be a period of three weeks or so in which we wait, and then a great rush to respond to her notes, then off to the typesetter, then to the printer. My understanding is that it's already available for pre-order on Kindle. Ha. Oh, and here's the cover:…
ContinuePosted on January 5, 2012 at 3:41am — 5 Comments
One of the little-known perks of being a published author: true story.
So we spent a week at the in-laws out in L.A., fine time had by all. Saturday, the day before we're scheduled to fly back, I discover that my wallet's missing--flat gone. We turn the house upside down, search the cars, retrace our steps back to the noodle joint where we'd had lunch (last time I'd taken my wallet out to get at my Visa card), no freaking wallet, nada, zilch, vanished, gonezo, n'existe pas. It's really just a card case--Visa, debit card, faculty ID, insurance cards, driver's… Continue
Posted on July 13, 2010 at 5:30am — 4 Comments
Thanks to Michael Feldman's "Whad'Ya Know"
Lots of fun doing the terrifying live interview. Big crowd, Michael very funny, great bands (the Whad'Ya Know trio, and Mike Perry's band, the Longbeds), lots of funky taxidermy on stage (I wanted to take the bear home with me), some great moments with audience members, etc. Also selling some books--a nice little sales spike on Amazon, and a couple of nice emails from folks who heard and enjoyed the show. Thanks especially to producer Todd Witter for finding me, and making all the… Continue
Posted on March 22, 2010 at 3:54am — 2 Comments
Jon Loomis appearing on Wisconsin Public Radio's "Whad'Ya Know?" with Michael Feldman.
They're doing the show live here in Eau Claire next Saturday, March 20; over a million listeners each week, apparently. Terrifying, but Michael's very funny, and does a good interview.
Posted on March 12, 2010 at 9:30am — 3 Comments
I wish we had a signature option for our forum posts.
If we did, mine would be "Hey, Jon Loomis, cool down!"
Posted on February 8, 2010 at 12:19am — 3 Comments
Latest Activity
Jon Loomis replied to Jed Power's discussion Opinion on this please"For $300 you can get a gram of blow and a 20-year-old hooker in a schoolgirl outfit. Just sayin'."
Jon Loomis replied to I. J. Parker's discussion Peter Stothard on opinion:"It's all just opinion, sure, although there's often consensus among thoughtful reviewers, or something approaching it. Good writing has identifiable qualities--experienced readers know the difference between good dialogue and bad,…"
Jon Loomis replied to I. J. Parker's discussion Peter Stothard on opinion:"I think the problem is that we've lost the meaning of the word "review." A review used to e a thoughtful critique, often at some length, written by a person of literary reputation perhaps equal to or greater than the author being…"
Jon Loomis replied to I. J. Parker's discussion In Praise of the Long Sentence"The nice thing about the internet is that you can always have it both ways, just by moving the goalposts a little. Then there's this long, reflective passage on blondes, from The Long Goodbye. It's completely unnecessary to the…"
Jon Loomis replied to I. J. Parker's discussion In Praise of the Long Sentence"You are funny, I.J. The book was written in 1939. It's set in Los Angeles. Marlowe's outfit would've been considered pretty snappy, given the time and place. "
Jon Loomis replied to I. J. Parker's discussion In Praise of the Long Sentence"I wouldn't say that writing economically necessarily equates to dumbing down.
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't, either. In fact, I didn't. But I like dashes and commas and semi-colons just fine, if the sentence calls…"
Jon Loomis replied to I. J. Parker's discussion In Praise of the Long Sentence"I like Elmore Leonard--he's great at story--but his prose is often so skeletal that it can feel like he's just phoning it in. I think if you're good at description, go for it! If you're good at writing elegant prose,…"
Comment Wall (26 comments)
- At 8:58am on June 25, 2010,
Caroline Trippe said… - Well, it does seem to have generated a pretty lively discussion!
- At 3:27am on June 25, 2010, Caroline Trippe said…
- I am definitely going to check out your Frank Coffin series. They sound interesting. And your poetry. Which I also like to read. Intirguing---a poet AND a mystery writer. It works. We can like both, can't we! I do not write murder mysteries myself---I'm just a humble reader .Visual artist---no good with plot. However, one thing I "demand" in a mystery---even though it is "recreational reading" is excellent writing. I think I can probably expect that in your books.
- At 12:14am on April 26, 2010,
Gaile Hughes said… - Hey Jon, are you published in OZ, went to acquire one of your books today. Felt I could learn a lot by reading your work. Where for art thou...
- At 12:58pm on February 16, 2010,
Benjamin Sobieck said… - Thanks, Jon! There's nothing like that first novel!
- At 12:08pm on February 16, 2010,
Edward G. Talbot said…
- thanks for the friend-back. I've been doing more commenting than friending I guess!
- At 8:50am on October 31, 2009,
Dan curd said… - I guess I'll have to settle for that. Maybe if I send a few lobster rolls over as inspiration?
- At 11:23am on October 29, 2009,
Lindy Cameron said… - Hi Jon, I'm happy to be your friend
- At 11:12am on October 24, 2009, Dan curd said…
- Are you working on a new book?
- At 6:56am on October 23, 2009,
Christopher Valen said… - Thanks for the friend invite, Jon. Look forward to further discussions in the forum.
Chris
- At 9:36am on October 19, 2009,
Carola Dunn said… - OOps, I forgot the latest target: the sick.
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