Barbara Fradkin's Blog, page 3

Conquering the messy middle

 As you might guess, I am in the middle of my latest Inspector Green novel, at about the halfway mark of the first draft, and I am floundering around. Not for want of story ideas but from too any. After starting off my writing career as a pantser (from the "let's dive in and see where this goes" school) I have gradually, over the course of about twenty books, become a "modified pantser". By

Who Needs This Madness, Anyway?

by Catherine DiltsI have asked myself, why writefiction? This pursuit feels so anonymous and unrewarding at times. I couldsettle into retirement. Enjoy travel, hobbies, and leisure.During the past month and a half,my writing routine has been disrupted multiple times. First, by our two-weekAlaska trip, next various writing meetings and workshops, and finally,participating in the 24 Hours

Falling Into Plot Holes.

 by Thomas KiesI not only love reading good books, but I love watching movies.  I love the art of storytelling.  But I hate plot holes.  A few nights ago, I tuned into a new movie on one of the streaming channels (there are so many of them now) that had gotten some “buzz” and featured some well-known actors.  I loved the way it started.  It was fast, the

Television Publicity: We Can Do Scary Things

 Hello, Shelley Burbank here, still in my home state of Maine and absolutely loving the fall foliage and glorious weather. Also "enjoying" a mini-publicity tour of two events in two weeks. Stressing the "mini" aspect because I know two events is really very modest. However, both events stretched me as an author and public speaker. Have you ever been interviewed on your local news? I

DAMN GRASSHOPPERS

 The weather here at 7500ft in Colorado has been and will be lovely. 50 at night, 75 during the day, severe clear. So, instead of writing, I'm helping in the garden, wrapping up the summer, nurturing the final, ripening phase of pumpkins, apples, zucchini,  pickle cucumbers, beans, and tomatoes. Fairly successful this year, except:::::There is no garlic. The grasshoppers ate every stalk

I Got Judged

We often hear: "Don't judge a book by its cover." Then balance that advice alongside: "Always trust your gut instinct." We humans are tribal animals, meaning we pull into groups for survival. This constant awareness to be wary of strangers is wired into our consciousness. If something about another person seems off, our antenna perks up, and we retreat into defensive mode. I was the cause of such

Introvert/Extrovert

 Donis here. I've been having a bit of trouble making significant progress on my current WIP, mainly because I keep being interrupted by life situation that have to be take care of RIGHT NOW, and which take me away from the story for days, sometimes. You know how difficult it is to get back into the flow when you've been away from you WIP for even one day, much less several days.When I do

Surviving the chaos.

 The Jewish New Year began on Monday evening and marks the beginning of a period of introspection, personal accounting, and actions to address the wrongdoings of the past year, before culminating in a day of fasting and confession on Yom Kippur. Regardless of one's beliefs in the existence of a deity, it's a meaningful exercise to remind us to assess our successes and failures over the past

A Different Perspective - Notes from Alaska

by Catherine DiltsRoutine can be a writer’s friend.Committing to a schedule can be productive. But routine can be a creativitykiller. We risk burning out, losing the passion for our writing.I was pushed way out of myroutine, and my comfort zone, on my recent trip to Alaska. One big creativitybooster was learning about a very different culture. Most of the populationlives near the

Seeing Characters Come to Life

 by Thomas KiesOn October 14 and 15, actors from the Carteret Community Theatre will be performing MURDER ON THE MENU at the Culinary School at Carteret Community College.  Along with a stellar performance, there will be a brilliant three course dinner, a singer, and a multimedia mystery.  The time, 1953.  The place, Paris, France.  The precise venue, Chez