Barbara Fradkin's Blog, page 168
April 4, 2018
Finalist
This coming weekend I will learn if my 2017 novel, The Return of the Raven Mocker, has won this year’s Oklahoma Book Award. I was notified a month or so ago that Raven Mocker is one of the finalists in the fiction category. This is the eighth of the ten Alafair Tucker mysteries to be a finalist for the award. As of this moment, none of the eight have won. The truth is, though, that whether I
April 3, 2018
The best and cruellest of April
Barbara here. The arrival of spring always brings a sense of optimism and renewal especially for those of us living in the Great White North. Crocuses are pushing up, tiny leaf buds are forming, and the new book season is beginning to unfurl. In addition to the release of the ARCs of my new Amanda Doucette novel, Prisoners of Hope, I have two exciting book events to look forward to: the Arthur
Location, location, location!
by Rick Blechta
My reference photo of Loch Striven
My post this week spins off what Aline was speaking about yesterday. One thing I’ve learned over the course of 10 books is that location can bring a story to life as much as great characters.
I agree with Aline that fiction writers should never apologize for their imaginations. So what if we add a castle to the landscape? If it helps our
My reference photo of Loch Striven
My post this week spins off what Aline was speaking about yesterday. One thing I’ve learned over the course of 10 books is that location can bring a story to life as much as great characters.
I agree with Aline that fiction writers should never apologize for their imaginations. So what if we add a castle to the landscape? If it helps our
April 1, 2018
Imaginary Places
Catherine Macdonald, commenting on Donis's post last week, said that she felt guilty about creating a castle in Scotland because there wasn't one in the right place. I was enormously impressed by her moral standards because I do far worse and don't feel guilty at all!
My books are always very firmly rooted in the landscape, but I create the village, the town, or even the island that's going to
My books are always very firmly rooted in the landscape, but I create the village, the town, or even the island that's going to
March 30, 2018
Faraway? Nearby? Places
When I started the Lottie Albright series I fully intended to use fictitious names for places. Because we Kansans are a bit touchy and quick to see an insult where none is intended.
In fact, there's an old joke that someone asked where a man was from. He joked, "Kansas. Now laugh damn you."
Fully half of the counties in Kansas had vicious county seat fights during the organizational stage
In fact, there's an old joke that someone asked where a man was from. He joked, "Kansas. Now laugh damn you."
Fully half of the counties in Kansas had vicious county seat fights during the organizational stage
March 29, 2018
Guest Blogger: Naomi Hirahara
Hi, everyone. John here. This week's guest is my dear friend, Naomi Hirahra. I have enjoyed reading (and teaching) her books, and my students have enjoyed her Skype visits to my classes. She is the Edgar Award-winning author of two mystery series set in Southern California. Her Mas Arai series, which features a Hiroshima survivor and gardener, ends with the publication of HIROSHIMA BOY in 2018.
March 27, 2018
LCC Reno Recap
I recently returned from Left Coast Crime held at the Nugget casino in Reno. Had a great time, but did worry for a bit about the drive from my home in Southern California to Reno. This year has seen slightly unusual weather in the area, which meant the possibility of the need for chains or temporary closures in various spots along US 395.
We bought the chains and crossed our fingers. Turns
We bought the chains and crossed our fingers. Turns
The emancipation of book publishing
by Rick Blechta
As I’ve written about before on Type M, we’re living in the brave new world of book publishing. In some ways it’s a good thing. Anyone who wishes to can actually publish that book they’ve always wanted to write. But there’s another huge problem: should they?
Prior to the arrival of the internet and computers, publishing a book was a very complicated and expensive proposition,
As I’ve written about before on Type M, we’re living in the brave new world of book publishing. In some ways it’s a good thing. Anyone who wishes to can actually publish that book they’ve always wanted to write. But there’s another huge problem: should they?
Prior to the arrival of the internet and computers, publishing a book was a very complicated and expensive proposition,
March 23, 2018
Not There Research . . . and a Question
I've been following the discussion about research and setting, and it reminded me once again of the dilemma I've created for myself. I use real places, but because of my slowly-developing series arcs and my reluctance to write in a "present" that can change in a moment, I can't physically be in the places I write about at the time of the story.
When I write about Gallagher, Virginia, my
When I write about Gallagher, Virginia, my
March 21, 2018
Making A Real World
Great-grandfather's farm
After I read Vicki’s entry about location research, below, I commented that I’ve researched a lot of places using Google and imagination. But upon reflection, I have to admit that is not really true. I think that it’s incredibly helpful to experience a place before writing about it. My series is set in a place that I know down to my bones, because I was raised there.
After I read Vicki’s entry about location research, below, I commented that I’ve researched a lot of places using Google and imagination. But upon reflection, I have to admit that is not really true. I think that it’s incredibly helpful to experience a place before writing about it. My series is set in a place that I know down to my bones, because I was raised there.
