Barbara Fradkin's Blog, page 191
June 2, 2017
Weekend Guest - Kate Ellis
Aline here. It's my great pleasure to introduce Kate Ellis to you. Her hugely popular books are set in one of the most picturesque parts of England and I'm deeply envious of her having an excuse for constant visits - tax-deductible too!
THE ART OF SERIAL KILLING – OR THE PLEASURES AND PITFALLS OF WRITING A SERIES
In 1998 I wrote my first Wesley Peterson novel, The Merchant’s House, and
THE ART OF SERIAL KILLING – OR THE PLEASURES AND PITFALLS OF WRITING A SERIES
In 1998 I wrote my first Wesley Peterson novel, The Merchant’s House, and
June 1, 2017
Following the Shiny Object
Yesterday I came home to find a package on my doorstep. A small box that turned out to be from friends who moved South. The package contained a souvenir from their new hometown and an invitation to visit. The package contained bubble wrap for Harry and inspiration for me.
Struck by an idea, I rushed to Google to get more information about the city where my friends now live. I ended up on
Struck by an idea, I rushed to Google to get more information about the city where my friends now live. I ended up on
May 31, 2017
The Book Lover's Disease
Don't make me choose
I belong to a women's charitable organization that meets once a month, and the theme for the June meeting is the Summer Reading List. Our assignment is to bring some books we like to exchange with other members. I've been going through my collection to see what I can part with, and it didn't take me long to realize I can't part with anything. I have the Book Lover's
I belong to a women's charitable organization that meets once a month, and the theme for the June meeting is the Summer Reading List. Our assignment is to bring some books we like to exchange with other members. I've been going through my collection to see what I can part with, and it didn't take me long to realize I can't part with anything. I have the Book Lover's
May 30, 2017
The non-professional hero
Barbara here. The first review of my upcoming novel, THE TRICKSTER'S LULLABY, landed in my email inbox this morning, courtesy of my publicist. I suspect all writers are like me, anxiously awaiting that first review of our precious darling, which we have just set afloat out into the world with no idea whether readers will hate it or love it.
Reviews almost always start with a summary of the
Reviews almost always start with a summary of the
And then there was this…
by Rick Blechta
Something strange happened to me last Thursday. I won an Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada for my writing.
To say the very least, I was shocked. It was completely unexpected, and at the time, I wasn’t really paying attention the way I should have been. Allow me to explain.
In case you don’t know — and if the Canadian media is any kind of example, ignoring the
Something strange happened to me last Thursday. I won an Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada for my writing.
To say the very least, I was shocked. It was completely unexpected, and at the time, I wasn’t really paying attention the way I should have been. Allow me to explain.
In case you don’t know — and if the Canadian media is any kind of example, ignoring the
May 28, 2017
The Perfect Place to Write
Rick's post about our favourite place to read/write triggered some very nostalgic memories for me – though not so much the reading bit, because that has always stayed constant. When I can find it, my perfect place for reading has always been in shade, preferably leafy, when the temperature is too high to sit out in the sunshine.
As you can imagine, this doesn't happen too often in Scotland. So
As you can imagine, this doesn't happen too often in Scotland. So
May 27, 2017
Validation
We crime writers write for many reasons but principally it's that we're storytellers, and we're compelled to spin tales involving murder and mayhem, all wrapped in twisted lies and dark motives. As writers we toil in solitary confinement (emerging occasionally like gophers to gather at the local watering hole), and we've learned to sustain ourselves with faith in our efforts and the pride of
May 26, 2017
The Bloody Benders
In a recent post I mentioned "The Bloody Benders." Readers were quite interested in the Benders who are known as one of the six most terrifying serial killer families in American history. So by popular request here's what happened:
The Benders lived in Southeast Kansas in Labette County which is southeast of Wichita.
Their little wood-sided house on the prairie served a dual purpose as an inn
The Benders lived in Southeast Kansas in Labette County which is southeast of Wichita.
Their little wood-sided house on the prairie served a dual purpose as an inn
May 23, 2017
Why I Stop Reading a Series
After viewing 31 seasons of the TV show “Chopped”, I recently dropped it from my list of shows to watch. That’s over 400 episodes of chefs creating appetizers, entrees and desserts from some of the oddest combination of ingredients you’ll ever see.
I stopped watching it because it dawned on my I wasn’t enjoying the show anymore. That I was watching it because I always had. That was quite a
I stopped watching it because it dawned on my I wasn’t enjoying the show anymore. That I was watching it because I always had. That was quite a
Serendipity? I wonder…
by Rick Blechta
It’s late in the day to be posting, but I got held up by some “clientary” duties which I’ve finally managed to clean up.
So here I am.
The Castle Hotel in Chicago, circa 1896
The other night my darling wife and I watched the first two episodes in the fourth series of Sherlock on Netflix. Both were entertaining and thought-provoking, so we weren’t disappointed. (I feel this
It’s late in the day to be posting, but I got held up by some “clientary” duties which I’ve finally managed to clean up.
So here I am.
The Castle Hotel in Chicago, circa 1896
The other night my darling wife and I watched the first two episodes in the fourth series of Sherlock on Netflix. Both were entertaining and thought-provoking, so we weren’t disappointed. (I feel this
