Mike Crowl's Blog, page 22
August 8, 2017
Typos and editorial errors
I've come to accept that books published in the last decade or two, both in print format and as ebooks, will have typos in them. It's not entirely surprising with ebooks, since the transition from print to digital seems fraught with typo-traps, and there doesn't appear to be the same amount of time given to the publishing of ebooks that's usually given to print versions. You expect more of print titles, I think, but even these nowadays seem to have more typos in them that I've seen in books p...
Published on August 08, 2017 18:23
August 5, 2017
Guest post: Gwen Plano

Continuing a month-long focus on authors from RWISA:the Rave Writers International Society of Authors. Throughout August we'll be showing extracts from the work of these authors. For more information about any particular writer click the link under their photo.
Love at First Sightby Gwendolyn M Plano
“It doesn’t seem real. It just doesn’t seem real.” Mom muttered as she ran her hand over the curves of dad’s headstone. Sighing deeply, she stared blankly into the horizon.

Published on August 05, 2017 00:54
August 4, 2017
Guest post: Beem Weeks

Continuing a month-long focus on authors from RWISA:the Rave Writers International Society of Authors. Throughout August we'll be showing extracts from the work of these authors. For more information about any particular writer click the link under their photo.
Wordless by Beem Weeks
“What’s that word say?”“That’s an easy one, Daddy. Just sound it out.”Levi Bacchus can’t read. 36 years old, and he’d never learned the meaning of a single sentence.“I just ain’t cut out for th...
Published on August 04, 2017 16:55
Disciplined writing
I don't appear to have mentioned on this blog that Anthony Trollope's approach to writing always impressed me - though I've never been able to emulate it. From memory, he would rise at some extremely early hour (the kind of hour usually reserved these days for those who are aiming to be Olympic swimming champions) and write until he went to work at 8.00. When he finished one book he would immediately start the next. When he planned his books I'm not sure. Perhaps while he was working at his '...
Published on August 04, 2017 15:45
August 3, 2017
Guest post: Laurie Finkelstein

Continuing a month-long focus on authors from RWISA:the Rave Writers International Society of Authors. Throughout August we'll be showing extracts from the work of these authors. For more information about any particular writer click the link under their photo.
Bulletproof Vestby Laurie FinkelsteinThe bulk, padding, and steel plates weigh me down. The protection of a bulletproof vest is necessary. No matter the weather, I wear the cloak. The weight is a burden, but I trek...
Published on August 03, 2017 00:40
August 1, 2017
Guest post: Karen Ingalls

Continuing a month-long focus on authors from RWISA:the Rave Writers International Society of Authors. Throughout August we'll be showing extracts from the work of these authors. For more information about any particular writer click the link under their photo.
A FISHY DAY

Published on August 01, 2017 14:36
July 31, 2017
Guest post: Yvette Calleiro
Today we start a month-long focus on authors from RWISA:the Rave Writers International Society of Authors. Throughout August we'll be showing extracts from the work of these authors. For more information about any particular writer click the link under their photo.
WordsBy Yvette M Calleiro
The written word and IAre cherished friends,Embracing each other’s thoughts and emotionsLike kindred spirits,Dancing on clouds.Bosom buddies who gossip and giggleAnd gasp at all the same mome...
WordsBy Yvette M Calleiro
The written word and IAre cherished friends,Embracing each other’s thoughts and emotionsLike kindred spirits,Dancing on clouds.Bosom buddies who gossip and giggleAnd gasp at all the same mome...
Published on July 31, 2017 21:24
July 30, 2017
Abridging your own book
The novel I'm supposed to review for the local newspaper turns out to be - to me - dull and not inviting to read. I've read fifty pages, and seem no further ahead than I was at the start. I won't say what the book is, because someone else may find it more to their liking than me.
So last night, when it came to going in the bath and wanting something to read, I dug around on my That Hideous Strength by C S Lewis. I've read it twice before, but quite some time ago. Once way back when I...

Published on July 30, 2017 14:28
July 23, 2017
Review of War Hero
ODT, 24 July 2017
New opera makes mark by Elizabeth Bouman
War Hero, written and directed by Dunedin’s John Drummond, had its world premiere in the Mayfair Theatre on Saturday evening.
Writing an opera is a massive undertaking, defining characters and complementing lyrics with scoring, but success is surely measured in whether the performance reaches out to the audience, holding them till the final curtain. The feeling and sentiment of War Hero, based on the play by Michael Galvin, certain...
New opera makes mark by Elizabeth Bouman
War Hero, written and directed by Dunedin’s John Drummond, had its world premiere in the Mayfair Theatre on Saturday evening.
Writing an opera is a massive undertaking, defining characters and complementing lyrics with scoring, but success is surely measured in whether the performance reaches out to the audience, holding them till the final curtain. The feeling and sentiment of War Hero, based on the play by Michael Galvin, certain...
Published on July 23, 2017 13:52
July 12, 2017
Rehearsing War Hero
I've started a fourth book in the Grimhilderness series, but at the moment it's having to take a very definite second place to another project. I'm playing for the rehearsals of John Drummond's new opera,
War Hero
, about the period in the life of Archie Baxter when he was imprisoned for being a conscientious objector, during the First World War. Along with a dozen others her was taken to England, and then Flanders, where he was treated to considerable punishment - torture, in fact - by t...
Published on July 12, 2017 02:04