Joseph Carrabis's Blog, page 11

Fains I (A John Chance Mystery) Chapter 4 – What We Do in the Shadows (rewrite 3)

Yes, rewrite #3. I don’t want to talk about it. Fains I (A John Chance Mystery) Chapter 4 – What We Do in the Shadows Vincent Quarrals watched Monique Modine exit Martin’s store from deep in the shadows of the Kristoffersen’s barn. Stacey Knox headed south a few minutes earlier. He considered walking over when … Continue reading "Fains I (A John Chance Mystery) Chapter 4 – What We Do in the Shadows (rewrite 3)"

Begging Behavior

Do you have children? Do they ask you for things? When they do, how do they behave? Begging Behavior is a well established concept in The Wild. Domestic animals, too, and especially those who live directly with us. Have a dog or cat or bird? Do they let you know their wants and needs? Part … Continue reading "Begging Behavior"

An Experiment in Writing – Part 25: Accidental POV Shifts

I’m critiquing one of Liz Tuckwell‘s alternate history pieces. First thing, Liz is a gifted author (I enjoy her work) and a regular member of RoundTable 360° (a monthly meeting of creatives from all disciplines where we discuss challenges all creatives face and support each other). Anyway, while critiquing Liz’s piece, I ran into something … Continue reading "An Experiment in Writing – Part 25: Accidental POV Shifts"

Great Opening Lines – and Why! (March 2025’s Great Opening Lines)

I wrote in Great Opening Lines – and Why! (Part 3 – Some Great Opening Lines) that I’d share more great opening lines as I found them. My last entry in this category was November 2024’s Great Opening Lines – and Why! (Nov 2024’s Great Opening Lines) which covered Edgar Rice Burroughs‘ Tarzan of the … Continue reading "Great Opening Lines – and Why! (March 2025’s Great Opening Lines)"

Fains I (A John Chance Mystery) Chapter 9 – Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night

No changes to chapter 8 (yet) so finally a new chapter. Hope you enjoy. Fains I (A John Chance Mystery) Chapter 9 – Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night Rhonda Gilbert lost her Company tail in a fifteenth-floor custodian’s closet at Trump Tower. The custodian’s closet contained one of her many New York City … Continue reading "Fains I (A John Chance Mystery) Chapter 9 – Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night"

A Winter’s Drink

We do enjoy entertaining guests here at Chez Carrabis. Case in point, this waysome traveler, a mature Oaps, a wonderful thing to see taking a wee nip on a cold winter’s night. Not all The Wild sleeps or lies dormant in the winter. Many still roam, knocking on doors, knocking over trashcans, asking for advice, … Continue reading "A Winter’s Drink"

Ten Minutes with RoundTable Regular and SciFi Author Rick DeRobertis

Hawaii based lawyer by day, authoring superhero by night Rick DeRobertis is a frequent contributor to our monthly RoundTable 360°s. Hope you enjoy learning about Rick and his work.  

An Experiment in Writing – Part 24: A Little More Into The Mythic, and The Rule of Three

First, many thanks to the people who read these experiments and email me, leave comments (okay, a few of you, and I do appreciate it), ask me questions, and make suggestions for future experiments. I wrote long ago I do these for my benefit, to learn if I truly understand what I’m talking about or … Continue reading "An Experiment in Writing – Part 24: A Little More Into The Mythic, and The Rule of Three"

Fains I (A John Chance Mystery) Chapter 7 – On the Town (rewrite)

No changes to chapter 6. Yet. Fains I (A John Chance Mystery) Chapter 7 – On the Town Tom stroked Frank Sinatra’s fur as Stacey exited the Station’s main gate. She glanced over and chuckled. “You’re approved of. He doesn’t give up his seat for anybody.” Frank cushed Tom’s lap and fell asleep, his purrs … Continue reading "Fains I (A John Chance Mystery) Chapter 7 – On the Town (rewrite)"

A Twelfth of Carrabis (March 2025 Newsletter)

Musings Winners and Runners Up RoundTable 360° The Wounds We Carry — Sex, Gender, and the Art of Creation Diane Wallace’s Walking a Crooked Path: Pilgrimage of the Soul Greg Hickey Dictation Oddities Wilderness House Literary Review needs book reviewers Month Long Writers’ Workshop Save the (Pink) Hydra Zen Citizen Celebrate Women’s History Month with … Continue reading "A Twelfth of Carrabis (March 2025 Newsletter)"