Terry Shames's Blog: 7 Criminal Minds, page 173

One word at a time

What advice would you offer a new writer wanting to get their first novel published in today’s highly competitive publishing environment?
by Dietrich
We all have different habits and routines that help get it done. If you’re new to writing, it may help to read a couple of how-to books like Stephen King’s On Writing, or Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing. And listen to those who have been at it for a while. Check out associations like The Author’s Guild, Mystery Writers of America, Crime Write...

Don't quit your day job.

By R.J. Harlick

What advice would you offer a new writer wanting to get their first novel published in today’s highly competitive publishing environment?
Like the subject line says, don’t quit your day job. Sorry to be such a downer to all of you aspiring writers hoping to make the big-time with your writing. It ain’t going to happen. Only a small percentage of published novelists, either traditionally published or self-published earn enough to support themselves.  And those that make...

Advice for New Writers Looking to be Published

Question: What advice would you offer a new writer wanting to get their first novel published in today’s highly competitive publishing environment?
Brenda Chapman here.
The publishing world is almost the exact opposite from the creative, solitary world of a writer. Whereas an author must open themselves up to feelings and intuition, publishing demands a business-like, pragmatic approach. Contracts, agents, advances, royalties … every aspect can be intimidating and overwhelming for an author emb...

When You wish upon a Star

Q: What obstacles, if any, did you encounter on your road to becoming a writer? And how did you overcome them?
- from Susan
The story I’m sharing on Criminal Minds today is intended to help writers just starting down this path. Others have similar personal stories from which people beginning this journey may take hope and practical tips. Bottom line: If you really are driven to write fiction, know there is a way forward!
I’ve always been a professional writer, always had writing and editing and...

Never Say Never

We all write the kind of novels we want to write. What kind of novel would you never write?

by Paul D. Marks

Well, as Sean Connery learned when he said he’d never make another James Bond movie, “never say never,” unless you want to make a latter-day Bond called “Never Say Never Again.” However, in that case he probably should have said no, if not actually never.

And in checking out Wikipedia  (where else am I gonna go?) I can’t believe how many genres and sub-genres of fiction there are, bu...

Would I?

It's publication day for me today, so I'm exercising my right to hijack the question (What would you never write?) and do the BSP-dance. It's a can-can with jazz hands, by the way.

Would I write a book about a bored upper-class lady in 1922, who goes to a house-party where some diamonds are stolen and decides to find them? Yep.


But would I write a novel set in the village where I was born and starring my Godmother as a six-week-old winning the bonny baby competition? Uh-huh.

So would I write a n...

Why...or why not? by Cathy Ace

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Books I May Not Write

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What I Won't or Can't Write

Q: We all write the kind of novels we want to write. What kind of novel  would you never write? 
- from Susan

1.    A historical with battlefield scenes.
2.     A bodice-ripper.
3.     A Western.
4.     A story with torture scenes.
5.     Science fiction.
6.     The Great American Novel.
7.     A Jane Austin novel...

Walter Mosley's FUTURELAND

I'd imagine, if I wanted to step outside of my best life right now--thank you very much--to be anyone from any of the books that have stayed with me, I would be Walter Mosley's Ptolemy Bent, from his absolutely chilling, stirring, and memorable FUTURELAND. This may surprise some folks, given the comparisons and litmus tests I have to jump through for daring to be black and write mysteries without regard for all the other blacks who may have wanted to do so as well.

It ain't hate for...