November 2008 Blog Posts (157)

The Newstead Short Story Tattoo

Calling all short story writers, orators and lovers of words!

The Newstead Short Story Tattoo is planned for May 2009 (15th, 16th, 17th).

We need submissions from writers who wish to read their work, or storytellers / orators who wish to be a part of some live storytelling (around a big camp fire).

This is the only event in Australia that celebrates the short story alone.

The Newstead Short Story Tattoo seeks to involve community, families and… Continue

Added by Karen from AustCrime on November 7, 2008 at 12:32pm — No Comments

Top Five Heist Movies

I bet it has to be:

The Italian Job
Oceans 11
Heat
Inside Man
Stander

Added by Vincent Farrell on November 6, 2008 at 11:10pm — 1 Comment

Character & Plot: Working Together

Did you ever notice that as you write, you see where a character has to go in order to make the plot work? And did you ever notice that as you write, the plot has to respond to what a character would or would not do? Holy Holistics, Batgirl!

It's bad when a character says or does something inappropriate, something that it's obvious the writer needs in the story at that moment in time. A perfectly nice girl throws a fit in public that in reality would make her never leave home again.… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on November 6, 2008 at 11:00pm — No Comments

Find me at the Airport tomorrow

The old Sinatra tune “Come Fly with Me” could be my theme this weekend. Tomorrow I’ll greet travelers at the Borders in the Baltimore Washington International Airport. If you’re coming or going in the nation’s capital this weekend, look for me between 3pm and 7 pm.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on November 6, 2008 at 10:44pm — No Comments

Another Sales Outlet

Fellow authors might be interested in the services offered by BiblioScribe in helping to sell and market your books. BiblioScribe offer a number of free marketing opportunities, including the opportunity to list your books with them, post articles, and have your book sold through their bookstore. All of these services are FREE to members, and membership is free too.

My novel 'A Study in Red' is available through their bookstore at… Continue

Added by Brian L Porter on November 6, 2008 at 9:42pm — No Comments

From the desk of homicide detective, Sam Harper

It’s snowing again. Big wet flakes plunge from the evening sky to the streets below. From my fourth floor window the scenery looks as peaceful as the pictures on the Christmas cards Emma keeps on her desk. But the new layer of snow reminds me of the bodies piling up in the morgue. I close my eyes—each victim’s face flashes before them.

I curse under my breath and try to make sense of the killings.

Superstitions and biblical prophesies—old wives’ tales told to scare the… Continue

Added by Marta Stephens on November 6, 2008 at 2:32pm — No Comments

Friends

"Friends help you move. Real friends help you move the body." —anonymous (quite understandably).

Added by C. M. Albrecht on November 6, 2008 at 1:11pm — 2 Comments

Well, I did it! Went to the humane society after work today. I went there for an adult black cat, male and neutered. I was determined to adopt an adult because no one seems to want them, they all wan…

Well, I did it! Went to the humane society after work today. I went there for an adult black cat, male and neutered. I was determined to adopt an adult because no one seems to want them, they all want kittens. So what did I do? I came home with a female kitten. But that's only because they only had four adult cats up for adoption and none of them appealed to me.

Ebony is solid black with gold eyes and spayed so at least she's half of what I wanted. I couldn't help it! I fell in love… Continue

Added by Tory Richards on November 6, 2008 at 12:04pm — No Comments

What's New for November

Hi, everyone.

The November WHAT'S NEW is now on my website, http://www.davidmorrell.net. I have news about a video interview for THE SPY WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS, a contest where you can win a signed copy of THE SPY WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS, as well as my favorite TV show, ROUTE 66, and the progress in my flying lessons. Best regards,

David

Added by David Morrell on November 6, 2008 at 4:32am — No Comments

Marine Mystery Scene

I have set my Marine Mystery crime novels on the south coast of England where the sea becomes the backdrop to murder, treachery, deceit, betrayal, evil and revenge. They feature the flawed and rugged detective DI Andy Horton. He’s tough as a container ship, having dredged through the sludge of life's sewerage, since childhood. Abandoned by his mother when he was ten, with no knowledge of his father , Horton turns from battling with crime on the… Continue

Added by Pauline Rowson on November 6, 2008 at 1:08am — No Comments

She Did It, He Did It, I Plan to Do It

The manuscript I wrote about yesterday? It was as good at the end as it was at the beginning (Applause). I mentioned that it pulled me along, and that led to completion in a couple of long reading sessions. Again, it's wonderful to find a book where the prose, the characters, and the action work, make me want to read rather than merely giving me a few minutes' diversion before starting my day or going to sleep. It's as if the authorial world is divided between "read" and "HAVE to read" books.… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on November 5, 2008 at 11:46pm — No Comments

THE site for Thrillers

The line between mysteries and thrillers is a thin one, and definitions can get muddy. If you happen to enjoy a great thriller, the best place to find new great reads is the web site run by the International Thriller Writers. Their electronic newsletter, The Big Thrill, is posted on line and presents reviews of all the new thrillers released each month. Those reviews are written by thriller authors like me, and we know what to look for in a good book. This month alone there are 32 reviews,… Continue

Added by Austin S. Camacho on November 5, 2008 at 10:27pm — No Comments

A Quantum of Me...

The new James Bond movie is breaking all sorts of international box-office records, and not just by people wanting to find out what a Quantum of Solace is. Bond is back, and, in many respects, bigger than ever. I've talked about Bond before, in fact, my very…

Continue

Added by D.R. MacMaster on November 5, 2008 at 9:19am — No Comments

CJ will be on WBTM Internet Radio on November 13, 9:30 EST

Come Chat with CJ on the Behind the Mike Show

Behind the Mike
WBTM Radio
November 13, 9:30 pm EST
ONLINE at >> http://www.wbtm.info

Added by CJ West on November 5, 2008 at 8:17am — No Comments

My First Time

At the age of 39, I just voted for the first time. This election is too important to skip.

(I know my I Voted sticker is wackbirds in this snap, but I'm sure you get the point anyway.)

I did enjoy my free Krispy Kreme doughnut. I also enjoyed the fact that my local polling place was staffed primarily by hot chubby Latinas with Crayola hair and raccoon eyeliner. I wanted to propose marriage several times, but I figured I'd… Continue

Added by Christa Faust on November 5, 2008 at 6:11am — 3 Comments

Non-fiction update.

My attempt to turn some of things I've discussed on my main blog into a coherent non-fiction book is preceding apace. So far I've discussed the process of pre-production, what box-office numbers really mean, and about a dozen other topics. I've structured the book in a way that it's to explain how Hollywood works as a business, an art, and a state of mind.

It's a lot of work, but so far it looks like it's going to be worth… Continue

Added by D.R. MacMaster on November 5, 2008 at 5:48am — No Comments

Bespoke in the East End

New blog post at: http://mitziszereto.wordpress.com

Added by Mitzi Szereto on November 5, 2008 at 4:40am — No Comments

I just can't help myself...

As the bad puns keep pouring in (Maybe I’ll compile them into a book) I am reminded that while sea captains do prefer shorter hair styles, they do NOT like crew cuts.

Added by Austin S. Camacho on November 4, 2008 at 11:06pm — 2 Comments

Books That Pull You Along

A very talented friend gave me a manuscript to read, and I'm hooked. After half a century of reading (OMG!) I find that most books are time-passers, not reading adventures. I know the plotline after a few pages, and if the author surprises, it's with invented devices, incidents meant to be funny, or characters that are grotesquely unusual. I read to the end, but I never feel the "what's going to happen?" question forming in my head. With this one, I want to find that out.

A good… Continue

Added by Peg Herring on November 4, 2008 at 10:45pm — No Comments