Ellis Vidler's Blog, page 21
November 26, 2011
Books like old friends
Waterhouse, The Lady of Shallott
Do you ever go back and re-read books you loved? I do. I just did.
A few days ago, on her blog, Anna Markland asked some questions about medieval romances. It set me to thinking about some of the books I read years ago. Among my favorites were three by Elizabeth Lowell, Untamed, Enchanted, and Forbidden (in order). These stories have a touch of the
Do you ever go back and re-read books you loved? I do. I just did.
A few days ago, on her blog, Anna Markland asked some questions about medieval romances. It set me to thinking about some of the books I read years ago. Among my favorites were three by Elizabeth Lowell, Untamed, Enchanted, and Forbidden (in order). These stories have a touch of the
November 21, 2011
Inside the Mind of a Killer: Researching your Antagonist
DV Berkom is my guest this week. She's the author of the terrific Kate Jones thriller novellas.
Available at Amazon
So there I was, minding my own business writing one of those truly twisted novels that grabs hold of you and has to come out when I came to the killer's debut. I'd never attempted to write a character quite so creepy and wasn't relishing that first passage. In fact, I
Available at Amazon
So there I was, minding my own business writing one of those truly twisted novels that grabs hold of you and has to come out when I came to the killer's debut. I'd never attempted to write a character quite so creepy and wasn't relishing that first passage. In fact, I
November 18, 2011
Ode to Black Cat
This cat who's slowly making me his . . . A glossy creature, black as shadows on a moonless night. A beguiling fellow, he is by turns aloof and tender, watchful and remote, then curling at my feet.
Last night he brought his lady friend to visit. He proudly led the way to his new-found trove of food and warmth, coaxing her along. A shy thing, she hung back, afraid to enter. He murmured
Last night he brought his lady friend to visit. He proudly led the way to his new-found trove of food and warmth, coaxing her along. A shy thing, she hung back, afraid to enter. He murmured
November 14, 2011
Blooms Are Clues
The dynamic duo that is Nash Black is my guest this week. The way Shakespeare uses clues is fascinating. Shakespeare was a master of Elizabethan English. A vital aspect of that language was the language of flowers both figuratively and symbolically. Flowers and herbs conveyed a silent message to ordinary playgoers who filled the seats of the Globe Theater.Using this basic means of show and tell,
November 13, 2011
I'm late this week. Things happen. So I decided to post a...
I'm late this week. Things happen. So I decided to post a short story.
WHAT CHILD IS THIS?
byEllis Vidler
This story is dedicated to my niece, Ellis, and to Violet, whom we all knew in one way or another.
The child sat before the fireplace, staring into the flames. Wispy strands of night-black hair, damp from her bath, tumbled from the ribbon on top of her head. She snuggled further into the
WHAT CHILD IS THIS?
byEllis Vidler
This story is dedicated to my niece, Ellis, and to Violet, whom we all knew in one way or another.
The child sat before the fireplace, staring into the flames. Wispy strands of night-black hair, damp from her bath, tumbled from the ribbon on top of her head. She snuggled further into the
November 8, 2011
Can You Hear Me Now?
An Echelon Press book
My guest is Stephen Brayton, author of Beta, the new Mallory Petersen, PI, novel. Mallory has a fourth degree black belt in Taekwondo. She's almost up with her creator.
Maybe a more appropriate title would be "How do you hear me?" Or maybe, "Sounds like…" with the proper charades gesture. What I'd like to discuss is how to add voice or sound to your stories. How do
My guest is Stephen Brayton, author of Beta, the new Mallory Petersen, PI, novel. Mallory has a fourth degree black belt in Taekwondo. She's almost up with her creator.
Maybe a more appropriate title would be "How do you hear me?" Or maybe, "Sounds like…" with the proper charades gesture. What I'd like to discuss is how to add voice or sound to your stories. How do
November 5, 2011
Creating Interesting Characters
Lauren Hutton's Teeth
Characters are usually the most important part of a story. Even the best plot needs good characters. Strong, interesting characters stay with me for years, maybe always. So what can we do to help make them vivid and real?Show characterization through actions and reactions; keep descriptions visual whenever possible, but that doesn't mean to give a driver's license
Characters are usually the most important part of a story. Even the best plot needs good characters. Strong, interesting characters stay with me for years, maybe always. So what can we do to help make them vivid and real?Show characterization through actions and reactions; keep descriptions visual whenever possible, but that doesn't mean to give a driver's license
October 31, 2011
Your Embassy Invitation
Come for a tour of the glittering--and gritty--world of foreign embassies with this week's guest, William S. Shepard. William is the author of the diplomatic mysteries featuring Robbie Cutler.
Buy Murder on the Danube
Last Sunday we were having luncheon with some old friends who were celebrating their wedding anniversary. At my table was their eldest grandson, just out of college with an
Buy Murder on the Danube
Last Sunday we were having luncheon with some old friends who were celebrating their wedding anniversary. At my table was their eldest grandson, just out of college with an
October 28, 2011
When does it become formulaic?
I've often heard the term used in a derogatory tone, and to be certain about its meaning, I looked it up. The best explanation came from ArticleWorld.org . Ah, a standard set of plots, characters, and so on. Yes, I've read many. I still dislike the word. It's in the same category as "literary." Literary is often used to imply that other styles of writing are somehow lacking in quality or
October 24, 2011
Writing and Authors and Lawyers, Oh My!
Una Tiers is my guest this week. Her debut novel, Judge vs. Nuts, will be released soon by Echelon Press.Una Tiers has written a story about a lawyer in Chicago, a goldfish and a dead judge. The protagonist, Fiona Gavelle, blithely plods along in her first probate case until she learns that her client may have been murdered. Her efforts set out to prove that his death was accidental. While she
