Barbara Fradkin's Blog, page 169
March 20, 2018
A tale of two stories
Vicki's post about the importance of getting the setting correct got me thinking. I have always been a big believer in walking in the footsteps of my characters, so I could infuse the story with the real-life and often unexpected sights, smells, and sounds that they would experience. As Vicki says, not only does it add realism to the story but it helps to draw the reader into the magic. My
Rewriting history
by Rick Blechta
In reading Aline’s post yesterday, she made a comment (the second in a week on Type M) about reading one’s earlier books. I’d like to take that one up. You see I have recently re-read The Lark Ascending, one of my earliest novels.
Now I’m not one of those glasses half-empty sort of chaps, but it was a pretty sobering experience. It’s not a bad book, but it certainly isn’t
In reading Aline’s post yesterday, she made a comment (the second in a week on Type M) about reading one’s earlier books. I’d like to take that one up. You see I have recently re-read The Lark Ascending, one of my earliest novels.
Now I’m not one of those glasses half-empty sort of chaps, but it was a pretty sobering experience. It’s not a bad book, but it certainly isn’t
March 18, 2018
End Result
I've just reached the end of my new book. I make a distinction between 'reaching the end' and 'finishing'; for me they are two very different things.
The great thing about reaching the end is that I know the story works. I've now got past the terrifying stage where the plot gets more and more complicated and shows no sign of ever stopping and it now has a beginning, a middle and - hurrah! - an
The great thing about reaching the end is that I know the story works. I've now got past the terrifying stage where the plot gets more and more complicated and shows no sign of ever stopping and it now has a beginning, a middle and - hurrah! - an
March 16, 2018
On Location
Here I am!
By Vicki Delany
Right now, I’m working on the fifth Sherlock Holmes Bookshop
book, in which I’m taking Gemma, Jayne, and the gang to England for a Sherlock
Holmes conference.
Sir Arthur Drank Here
At the end of November I went to London for five days to do
location research for the book. I had a
great time and saw lots of interesting things to put in the book. We
By Vicki Delany
Right now, I’m working on the fifth Sherlock Holmes Bookshop
book, in which I’m taking Gemma, Jayne, and the gang to England for a Sherlock
Holmes conference.
Sir Arthur Drank Here
At the end of November I went to London for five days to do
location research for the book. I had a
great time and saw lots of interesting things to put in the book. We
March 15, 2018
The Return of Good and Evil
It's back! The concept of absolute good and evil. It came roaring in with and bang and a whistle thousands of miles per hour.
This summer I saw Wonder Woman and last week I saw Black Panther. Both movies reminded me of old westerns in that there was little doubt as to who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. Or gals, in the case of Wonder Woman. The movies had staggering box office
This summer I saw Wonder Woman and last week I saw Black Panther. Both movies reminded me of old westerns in that there was little doubt as to who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. Or gals, in the case of Wonder Woman. The movies had staggering box office
March 14, 2018
Deadlines and James M. Cain
It’s spring break at New England colleges and boarding schools, so I’ve had a week off. And I’ve been hard at it, trying to finish the second draft of a novel that has changed a lot from the first version.
I have a self-imposed deadline –– Saturday of this week –– but may or may not make it. I have surgery scheduled for Tuesday, so, although I’d like to have the draft done by then, I know I’ll
I have a self-imposed deadline –– Saturday of this week –– but may or may not make it. I have surgery scheduled for Tuesday, so, although I’d like to have the draft done by then, I know I’ll
March 13, 2018
Kindle In Motion
Since I turned in my book I’ve been doing some reading, including checking out several books in Kindle in Motion format.
You haven’t heard of Kindle in Motion, you say? I hadn’t either until a few weeks ago. Apparently, the e-format has been around since 2016. This Kindle format adds animated book covers, animated gifs, embedded videos (this is also something you can do with the Kindle with A/V
You haven’t heard of Kindle in Motion, you say? I hadn’t either until a few weeks ago. Apparently, the e-format has been around since 2016. This Kindle format adds animated book covers, animated gifs, embedded videos (this is also something you can do with the Kindle with A/V
Character appropriation
by Rick Blechta
I’ve been considering and then working on this post for quite a bit of time (for these things), but I’ve seen something recently that really pressed a nerve with me. I also don’t like calling people out, but while this topic has been percolating in my brain, I’ve found that I’m getting more upset about the situation rather than less. I simply cannot remain silent. So here goes…
I’ve been considering and then working on this post for quite a bit of time (for these things), but I’ve seen something recently that really pressed a nerve with me. I also don’t like calling people out, but while this topic has been percolating in my brain, I’ve found that I’m getting more upset about the situation rather than less. I simply cannot remain silent. So here goes…
March 9, 2018
Guest Post - Aimee Hix
Please welcome Aimee Hix to Type M! I met Aimee at Malice Domestic last year where she moderated the panel I was on, Murder and Crafts. She was a great moderator and we had a great time on the panel. You can visit her online at www.aimeehix.com. Take it away, Aimee...
A Little Help From My Friends
by Aimee Hix
In late January, my sweet-faced, gentle Karma had to be put down after a
A Little Help From My Friends
by Aimee Hix
In late January, my sweet-faced, gentle Karma had to be put down after a
March 8, 2018
Recurring Themes
Barbara's post on Wednesday about the recurring themes in her body of work reminded me of my own endeavor. Over the past several months, I've been re-reading my books. As I've mentioned, my Lizzie Stuart books are being reissued by a publisher. We needed to withdraw the first book after it had been released as an e-book to fix some technical problems. We ended up going back to the manuscript of
