February 2009 Blog Posts (190)

A Question of Character

Now that I've made a case for plot, I'll move on to character. Which character in today's mystery writing would you most like to sit and talk with, listening to what he/she has to say about things? And conversely, which character would you most like to tell off if you had the chance to force him/her to listen to you?

Added by Peg Herring on February 10, 2009 at 10:17pm — 2 Comments

That article's HOT, said Google Labs

I went deep into the bowels of the Internet today. Read post

Added by Kathryn Lilley on February 10, 2009 at 7:00pm — No Comments

Latest Review - A Study in Red

The latest review of 'A Study in Red - The Secret Journal of Jack the Ripper'

"A Study In Success"

By: Kristina Dalton, February 08, 2009

After reading a great deal of this author's work, I have to say he certainly deserves the movie deal in place to bring ASIR to the big screen. While it requires a certain intellectual level to truly appreciate this smart thriller, it… Continue

Added by Brian L Porter on February 10, 2009 at 6:11pm — No Comments

Suspense Magazine invites you........

Hello,

Our first print issue is almost done and I would like to send everyone on crimespace an advance .pdf copy. Please email me and let me know if you would like one! editor@suspensemagazine.com

Thanks!

John Raab
Editor

Added by John Raab - editor of Suspense Magazine.com on February 10, 2009 at 3:03pm — No Comments

Fear in Mystery Novels

Today I have a guest post on the Dark Phantom website. I wrote a little post (an article, really) titled “Writing a Murder Mystery and Using Fear.”

I suppose with my background of writing horror stories, using fear in mystery novels comes naturally! But, read my post to see what I have to say. There've been a few comments already on the posting.

Visit:

Dark Phantom

And as a last thought on using fear… Continue

Added by Doug Hewitt on February 10, 2009 at 1:19pm — No Comments

February What's New

Hi, everyone. I posted February's WHAT'S NEW on my website, http://www.davidmorrell.net. Among other things, I talk about a possible feature film of THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE ROSE. A star and director were announced on Friday. Happy reading. David

Added by David Morrell on February 10, 2009 at 4:22am — No Comments

I think O.J. did it

O.J. Simpson, Image via Wikipedia

Right now I am reading John Douglas' book… Continue

Added by Gitte on February 10, 2009 at 12:45am — 2 Comments

Sunday Writing School at the Kill Zone

Don't miss Sunday Writing School at the Kill Zone.
Head on over there and post your writing challenges! We have six thriller and mystery authors ready to answer! (We'll be adding updates during the week, so it won't end on Sunday).

Added by Kathryn Lilley on February 10, 2009 at 12:43am — No Comments

Who Reviews The Reviewers?

What kind of scrutiny should reviews receive? I raise the question in the wake of a brouhaha over the use of profanity in a review.

"Yeah, it has the blood (tons of the stuff), it has the kick-ass dialogue, the one-of-a-kind stream-lined prose, and it moves along like a motherfucker - but this is no doubt a major departure for Huston. Shit, I’d argue that…

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Added by Sandra Ruttan on February 10, 2009 at 12:00am — 8 Comments

An Answer & Another Question

I promised my answer to the question of which element is most important. Even though I admitted it was an impossible question, I asked for your best answer. Now here's mine.

In mystery, I argue that plot is most important. The whole premise of mystery is a story in which the reader must follow the plot and solve the crime before or along with the protag. If follows then that without a good plot, we don't have a mystery at all. As Dana pointed out, there are lots of successful writers… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on February 9, 2009 at 10:37pm — 6 Comments

What does a lit agent want, for chrissakes!

Let's make the assumption that I have some talent in writing. Total strangers have read my books and have gone out of their way to contact me and tell me I'm not bad. . .so there is some truth in the statement.

And let's assume I write detective novels---which, by the way, I do. So here's the qustion; Why can't I convince a good--reputable--agency that I'm qualified enough to be represented?

We all have read good writers. And we've had the unfortunate luck in our lives to… Continue

Added by B.R.Stateham on February 9, 2009 at 10:30pm — 7 Comments

Weekly Blog - Monday 9th February

No blog this week as I'm in the middle of my birthday celebrations!

Cheers,

Steve

Added by Steven Hague on February 9, 2009 at 6:30pm — No Comments

Author personally flies to Canada to replace a defective book for customer....on Christmas day.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/search/content/oh/story/news/local/2009/02/08/sns020809bookinside.html?cxntlid=inform_sr

Now that is a dedicated author there.

Added by John Dishon on February 9, 2009 at 4:49pm — 2 Comments

What this country needs . . .

Okay, so I've been writing for forty years. That's necessarily saying I've been published for forty years. Three times so far. Two heroic sci/fantasy novels (1981, 2008) and one police-procedural (2008). And I have to say I have had rotten luck (and I think 'rotten' is just the adjective needed to describe my luck) with trying to find a lit agent who actually likes my writing.

But I keep trying. I keep plugging away. Because I have a theory. I think what this country needs . . . is… Continue

Added by B.R.Stateham on February 9, 2009 at 12:23pm — 11 Comments

The Virtual Book Tour Gets Back In Gear

Tomorrow starts week 2 of my virtual blog tour. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's stop, which will feature a book review of The Dead Guy.

Visit the Literary Menagerie tomorrow to see how the review goes. This reviewer pulls no stops! If she doesn't like the book, she'll say so. Where's the drum roll?

Stay tuned as mystery author Doug Hewitt tours the internet with his novel The Dead Guy.

Doug… Continue

Added by Doug Hewitt on February 9, 2009 at 12:10pm — No Comments

How long it has been!

I can't believe how long it has been since I came onto here. Out of sight, out of mind.

In just the few minutes I have been back on, I find myself smiling and feeling energizd by the place. The publishing world is such a crazy place (especially these days), it is nice to have a place like this to share thoughts and ideas...or just to bitch and moan!

Viva la Crimespace!

Note to all authors: Any news you want to share about film or television options is always… Continue

Added by Jeremy Lynch on February 9, 2009 at 12:06pm — 2 Comments

SPEEDING DOWN THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY

When does promotion start?

The minute you take yourself seriously as a writer.

When my first book, FOOLS RUSH IN, came out in 2006, I was a novice at promotion. I did pretty well, but the Internet did not have much blogging or all the websites available for promotion. I felt much was a waste of my time. I had more important things to do than sift through the Internet.

My attitude changed earlier this year. My New Year's resolution was to carefully examine… Continue

Added by Sunny Frazier on February 9, 2009 at 11:10am — 1 Comment

sick as a dog, happy as a cat

Jon and I are taking turns wandering from room to room and falling asleep on various pieces of furniture. Musetta seems to approve. Wish I felt like a human, but just found out that "Shades of Grey" is now available for pre-ordering on Amazon, which makes it seem much more real. Why pre-order, though? Why not just available for ordering? (I'm not questioning… Continue

Added by Clea Simon on February 9, 2009 at 8:27am — 1 Comment

Artistic Freedom -- the Upside of Doom and Gloom in Canada's Publishing Industry

According to today's Globe And Mail report by James Adams, if a writer dares to publish his work will almost cerainly "perish". That's the skinny on today's publishing market in Canada, and it's backed up by dire news on an almost daily basis, including the permanent closure of book fairs in Toronto and a fallout of similar cancelations across the… Continue

Added by Donna Carrick on February 9, 2009 at 2:00am — 2 Comments

A New Interview

Author and Chief Editor at Stonehedge Publishing, Kristina Dalton recently asked me if i'd be interviewed by her for her blog, and the interview is now available to view at http://www.freewebs.com/kristinadalton/ksdrabblesblog.htm

I hope a few readers will pay Kristina a visit and maybe enjoy the interview.…

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Added by Brian L Porter on February 8, 2009 at 10:05pm — No Comments