Barbara Fradkin's Blog, page 159
August 8, 2018
My Ideal Day, Redux
Chopper view of last week's haboob about to devour my house
Back in 2013, I wrote an entry for this blog called "My Ideal Day", in which I described said ideal day. It went like this:
MY IDEAL DAY
"I wake at 5:30, refreshed and energetic after a restful night's sleep, full of good dreams. I go out on the back porch, where I sit among the trees and flowers and watch the sun rise, my mind
Back in 2013, I wrote an entry for this blog called "My Ideal Day", in which I described said ideal day. It went like this:
MY IDEAL DAY
"I wake at 5:30, refreshed and energetic after a restful night's sleep, full of good dreams. I go out on the back porch, where I sit among the trees and flowers and watch the sun rise, my mind
August 7, 2018
In pursuit of the perfect title
Barbara here. It's the August long weekend, and it's hot, sunny, and gloriously lazy. I am sitting on my dock by the lake, far from the bustle and obligations of city life. I am working in a desultory fashion, reading research books for my next Amanda Doucette novel, which is still a mere twinkle in my imagination but as of yesterday possessed of a title. It's always a thrilling moment when I
August 6, 2018
These days, can a thriller plot actually be too outrageous?
by Rick Blechta
Many years ago now, I remember hearing of a story, perhaps apocryphal, about a group of terrorists who hijack a plan and crash it into the US capitol building in Washington. I remember thinking at the time, How ridiculous. That could not happen!Well, it did in 2001, and while the home of Congress was spared, two massive buildings in New York City came crashing to earth and a
Many years ago now, I remember hearing of a story, perhaps apocryphal, about a group of terrorists who hijack a plan and crash it into the US capitol building in Washington. I remember thinking at the time, How ridiculous. That could not happen!Well, it did in 2001, and while the home of Congress was spared, two massive buildings in New York City came crashing to earth and a
Apology
Aargh! I've had a frantic week of house guests, I have the copy-editing for my new book, Carrion Comfort, to do and my family is descending en masse any time now. If I don't make the two separate birthday cakes for the double birthday of my daughter and granddaughter, it won't be the end of the world - it'll be worse than that. So I'm afraid this is it. Sorry, guys!
August 4, 2018
Weekend Guest Tracy Clark
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August 1, 2018
Making gerunds history: tips from a summer spent revising
I’ve spent the past two months “streamlining.” Given a free moment here and there, I’ve reworked a draft of a novel, re-envisioning the plot, and trying to say more with less. The result is a book that entered the world weighing 85,000 words and now tips the scales at 65,000. And she’s a better read because of it.
In May, my agents called with “suggestions.” We spoke about ways to get to the
In May, my agents called with “suggestions.” We spoke about ways to get to the
July 31, 2018
The Artist Within
Not really a huge amount of time today so I thought I’d share some things I’ve seen recently you all might enjoy.
I believe there’s an artist in everyone. We all just express it in different ways. Some people bake, some people write books, some people draw and paint, etc. When I have the time I check out the boredpanda website and see what interesting things they’ve found. Here are a few that
I believe there’s an artist in everyone. We all just express it in different ways. Some people bake, some people write books, some people draw and paint, etc. When I have the time I check out the boredpanda website and see what interesting things they’ve found. Here are a few that
We authors owe a great debt to Judith Appelbaum
by Rick Blechta
First, you need to read this: Judith Appelbaum, a Guide for Would-Be Authors, Dies at 78
Back when I was getting started in the writing game, I bought books on publishing and production. It seemed the best course since the model I adopted was to get my first novel out quickly. I had some background in print production and family/friends in the business and this seemed best. My
First, you need to read this: Judith Appelbaum, a Guide for Would-Be Authors, Dies at 78
Back when I was getting started in the writing game, I bought books on publishing and production. It seemed the best course since the model I adopted was to get my first novel out quickly. I had some background in print production and family/friends in the business and this seemed best. My
July 29, 2018
Writers Gotta' Write
Hello and welcome to my first blog. I’m extremely excited and honored to be joining the Type M for Murder family. If you have any thoughts or suggestions about what you’d like me to write, please let me know!
Since the beginning is the best place to start, let’s do that. I’m going to make an admission, it took me 20 years to get published. When Cindy, my wife, and I were dating, and I was a
Since the beginning is the best place to start, let’s do that. I’m going to make an admission, it took me 20 years to get published. When Cindy, my wife, and I were dating, and I was a
July 28, 2018
Future Crime, Again
My favorite stories are crime stories. I've binged on Forensic Files, Dope, Inside the American Mob, Casino, the Godfather trilogy, and my shelves are packed with crime novels and true-crime books. What I like about crime stories is that they represent the breakdown of society at the micro-level. Our construct of laws and conventions crumbles to the basest of human compulsions. Whenever I read
