Benjamin Sobieck's Blog, page 10
September 10, 2015
What is a Riot Gun?
TLDR: The term “riot gun” usually refers to a shotgun or rifle featuring either a shortened barrel or less-lethal ammunition, or both. I had a great time last year presenting a webinar for The Writer’s Store called The Secret to Writing Firearms. (Pro tip: You can download it here, but I recommend you sign up […]
September 8, 2015
Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Highlights The Writer’s Guide to Weapons
Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine is the real deal when it comes to mystery fiction mags. It’s been in print since 1941, and it continues to maintain a newsstand presence to this day, along with digital editions. Stephen King even called it the best mystery magazine in the world. In the mystery/crime fiction universe, this is […]
September 3, 2015
On Writing Nail Guns as Weapons in Fiction
It must be nail gun season, because this is the second post of the week related to these tools in fiction. Up now is Graham Smith, a terrific crime writer from Scotland, to provide some context for using nail guns on characters in fiction. In addition to writing books, Smith has a background in using nail guns professionally […]
September 1, 2015
Can a Nail Gun be Used like a Firearm?
I’m over at crime writer Sue Coletta’s stellar blog today discussing whether a nail gun can actually be used like a firearm. I won’t spoil it for you, but I take a look at how a nail in flight compares to a bullet fired from a traditional gun. It turns out there’s a simple mathematical formula […]
August 27, 2015
10 Golden Tips for Writing Weapons in Fiction
The following is excerpted from my book, The Writer’s Guide to Weapons: A Practical Reference for Using Firearms and Knives in Fiction. It’s an abbreviated version of the list of “golden tips” (but not golden rules, because that’s just asking for it) found in the book. Enjoy! ~Ben 1) Don’t Overthink Guns and Knives Figure out […]
August 25, 2015
When the Black-Eyed Children Knock & Other Stories
“Whatever you do, don’t let them inside.” Liam is a new father struggling to adapt to life with a baby. Growing more sleepless and paranoid with each passing night, he wonders if the taps on the windows and mysterious faces at the door are all in his head. He’ll find out the terrifying truth when […]
August 24, 2015
Reminder: Book and Knife Sweepstakes Ends Aug. 31
Don’t forget: Aug. 31, 2015, is the last day you can enter my exclusive sweepstakes. I’m giving away a prize package worth $240 that readers of this blog will definitely be interested in: Signed copy of The Writer’s Guide to Weapons: A Practical Reference for Using Firearms and Knives in Fiction One-of-a-kind folding knife commemorating the […]
August 20, 2015
What are 3D-Printed Guns?
TLDR: No one can say what the future holds for 3D-printed guns, but the possibility of printing off weapons at home is a great avenue for fiction to explore. Like smart guns, 3D-printed firearms are an emerging technology that’s perfect for speculation when writing fiction. This is an area of firearms the real world isn’t […]
August 19, 2015
Taurus Curve: The Hot New Handgun on the Block for Fiction
Like any other industry, the firearms market is subject to fads and flavors of the month, especially when it comes to handguns. The hype machine bit me good for the latest hot model on the block, the Taurus Curve. I think it’s worth noting for fiction writers, because it’s a fresh take on many of the […]
August 14, 2015
Video: My Appearance on KWTX TV News
Yesterday, I was interviewed by Bethany Moore, a KWTX TV reporter in Waco, Texas, about autopsy reports from that “biker gang shootout” you might’ve heard about back in May (it made national news). The clip aired last night, and I managed to capture the live stream, seeing as how I don’t live in Texas and all. […]
