I've read some interesting blogs lately where authors are using and recommending a pen name because they have had really bad experiences with readers or trolls on Amazon.  I've had one such experience.  I wrote it off to that one person.  But if this is more common maybe a pen name could protect you from having such personal attacks.

What do you think?

I finished on Nov 26 with 51,000 words. I am letting it ferment for another week.  I have a collection of short stories that are back from my editor.  Writing everyday is a great way to go for the first draft.  It is easier to keep it all in your head and I learned about motivation.  It comes from within. 

I've updated my website, The Pain and The Joy on Distractions in writing.  The point of the blog is to show and and not tell the issues we writers face.  If you enjoy please leave a comment.

I've updated my blog and given it a new mission and title.  The new title is The Pain and The Joy.  It is intended to explore what we do as writers.  You can find it here: The Pain and The Joy.  I'd like to invite all of you to take part and share your inner feelings about writing.

I was asked to be a guest blogger on Dames of Dialogue at http://damesofdialogue.wordpress.com/.  Its a great site for writers and readers.  My contribution is the second one from the top.

I think some of the best advice I've been given is to create tension on every page.  I got this from one of Donald Maas' books.

This led to my first rule of writing crime fiction:  Never bore the reader.  That means there needs to be figurative thunder and lightning on every page.  It can be overt or subtle, physical or psychological, and without a doubt it can be real or perceived.  But in all cases it means making your…

Start with action.  I hear it every week in my writer's group.  I say it myself.  But is it right?  P.D. James is adamant that she wants her readers to know the characters before something unpleasant happens to them. That way, the impact is greater.  It's usual for her detective, Adam Dahlglissh, not to show up in the first fifty pages.  I think that breaks another writer's group rule:  Get your main character on stage right away.

Anne Perry started "Face of a Stranger", her…

In the last few days, I've had an amazing experience.  Amazing  because I discovered a natural story that no one I know of has written.

It began when I mused about what it would have been like to be an honest detective in Berlin during the Nazi era.  (The thought came from a reference to Nazi I made in a short story).  I figured it would have been difficult at best.  I started some research on-line and found it wasn't just difficult, it was a horror.  That brought the thought…

Other than this forum (which is great), what are some your favorite blogs or websites to promote your books?  I'm new to ebooks and I'm still learning ebook marketing.  I've spent hours on Google and have some ideas, like Kindle Forums, but that doesn't seem like enough.

I'm getting a little panicked because my first book will be available next month and I want to have great launch and a great follow up.  Also, I want to promote it without irritating people.

My website is…