Terry Shames's Blog: 7 Criminal Minds, page 91

And calling it working! by Catriona

Q: Craft: Apart from studying books/courses about how to write, many writers hone their craft by reading the work of others. Can you share any insights you’ve gleaned this way? What about tricks or tips you’ve picked up from other forms of storytelling, like TV or movies? Any examples of how such insights have influenced your work?

What a great question for the thoughftul, reflective, deliberate writer. For an extreme pantser like me, with a working method we could kindly call "organic" and ...

Happy (belated) St. David's Day by Cathy Ace

Hello folks! St. David's Day was yesterday, March 1st, so as you're reading this I am flopping about somewhere in a Welshcake-induced coma. It also means I'm going to (respectfully) ignore this week's question, and take the chance to tell you ALL about the fabulous crime writing festival that will be held "in Wales" this end April/beginning of May, online, and free of charge. I hope you'll forgive me this bit of flag-waving! (And keep reading to the end of this post for news of a FABULOUS offer ...

Fare Thee All Well (or Bye Bye Frankie Bye Bye)

(The One in Which Frank Zafiro Says Goodbye) 

When Jim Ziskin invited me to join this blog panel in April 2019, I gotta tell you -- I was thrilled. Like winning an award thrilled. I considered it an honor, and was happy to say yes.

Over the course of my stay, I've not only written twenty-odd posts a year but gotten a chance to know (and read) the other panelists on Criminal Minds. All of them (save newcomer Josh and hopefully we can change that at some point!) have been kind enough to come on my p...

Reading as learning

 Q: Craft: Apart from studying books/courses about how to write, many writers hone their craft by reading the work of others. Can you share any insights you’ve gleaned this way? What about tricks or tips you’ve picked up from other forms of storytelling, like TV or movies? Any examples of how such insights have influenced your work?

-from Susan

It’s impossible not to notice when a writer does something really well, and if you’re a writer too, a little “ding” sounds somewhere in your brain. Sometim...

Ukraine

by Abir

This is not a political blog and I do not wish this to be a political post, but in light of the developments over the last 48 hours, I felt the need to stray from this week’s topic.

 

Yesterday, a sovereign European nation was invaded. Its people are fighting and dying for their freedom. In this moment, my thoughts go out to the people of Ukraine and to all those caught up in this terrible situation.

 

I visited Kyiv three years ago. I stayed in Maidan Square, the heart of the city and scene ...

Please Blurb Me! from James W. Ziskin

 As authors we’re often put in an enviable position – we get to read books ahead of publication because we’re asked to provide comments for other authors to use as blurbs, or as early reviews. Do you approach “early reading” differently than the way you read already published books on your TBR pile?

I’ve written blurbs for more than thirty books in the past couple of years. I’ve done it gladly. It’s important to give back to the community that has done the same for me. So many generous writers do...

A Guest Post by Nick Kolakowski

Nick Kolakowski is the author of eleven novels. His work has also appeared in The Washington Post, McSweeney’s, Thuglit, Shotgun Honey, North American Review, and Carrier Pigeon, among other venues. He lives in New York City, and he’s sitting in, answering this week’s question:

As authors we’re often put in an enviable position – we get to read books ahead of publication because we’re asked to provide comments for other authors to use as blurbs, or as early reviews. Do you approach “early reading...

What Do You Think?

 

Terry here. 
This week we’re talking about providing advance blurbs and reviews. As authors we often get to read books ahead of publication because we’re asked to provide comments for other authors to use as blurbs, or as early reviews. 



I always feel that it’s an honor to be asked to read a manuscript in preparation for its publication. It means the author or editor trusts me to give an honest appraisal of the work. It also means the author or editor thinks that my opinion matters to other re...

The First Read

As authors we’re often put in an enviable position – we get to read books ahead of publication because we’re asked to provide comments for other authors to use as blurbs, or as early reviews. Do you approach “early reading” differently than the way you read already published books on your TBR pile?

Brenda Chapman starting off the week.

First, let me say that I know how difficult it is for an author to ask another author to read an unpublished manuscript with a view to giving a recommendation. Ever...

Walking the Line, by Josh Stallings

 Q: Life: Sitting around all day isn’t good for us – we all know that. Sitting around all day (writing) is what we authors are expected to do. How do you find a healthy balance so that your body is able to sustain the work your mind needs to undertake? And what are you up to in 2022 that this will help you achieve?

A: I have said, “Writing problems are solved with a keyboard in my hand.” Buuut, that’s not true, part of my job is thinking. I often wake from a dream and scribble down a solution, (p...