Terry Odell's Blog, page 301

Writers' Police Academy, Part 1

First, thanks to Tia Dani for their haunting post yesterday. There's still time to leave a comment there for a chance to win their prize!What I've been reading: Get Lucky, by Suzanne Brockmann, McKettricks of Texas: Austin, by Linda Lael Miller, Highland Moonlight by Teresa J. ReasorThe first official Writers' Police Academy, organized by Lee Lofland (if you don't know him from his blog, The

Haunted Writer Retreat

Tia Dani is a multi-published writing team made up of good friends, Tia Eaton and Dani Petrone. Together they create endearing and realistic characters, humorous dialogue, and unusual settings, and, best of all…they're having the time of their lives. There's a giveaway, so be sure to keep reading and leave a comment I'll announce the winner on Thursday, so you have plenty of time to pass the word

Banned Book Week 2010

Are you aware Banned Books Week started on Saturday? Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, this annual ALA event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. For more, click here .The trouble with censorship is that once it starts it is hard to stop. Just about every book

Friday Field Trip - Arizona Wildflowers

Early on in my writing, I had the pleasure of being in an on-line critique group with William Penrose. I had an even greater pleasure when my travels too me to Tucson, and we got to meet face-to-face. Some time back, I shared my photos of that trip. Bill is a rockhound and loves getting out to the wilds of his desert environment. He's been generous enough to share some of his pictures. This week

Revisiting Homicide - Hussey: Intro

Given that I'm traveling to the Writers' Police Academy, I thought it would be appropriate to re-run some exploits of a real live law enforcement officer. This post is from January 9, 2009I met Deputy Sheriff Hussey when I asked one of the Civilian Police Academy instructors if he'd mind answering questions. I offered to buy him coffee; he asked if there was an Ale House in my neighborhood, and

Writers' Police Academy

Since we're leaving at the crack of dawn tomorrow, today we'll be busy taking care of all the last minute preparations. It looks like it'll be a great experience. I mean, how many conferences have you been to where they send the following information about what to expect?Prepare yourself mentally. Don't be shocked if someone carrying a machine gun passes you in the hallway. There will be shouting

Travel and the Writer

Today my guest is Jim Ingraham who wants to share his take on a recent trip north with his son Pete and wife Slim.And while Jim is here at Terry's Place, I'm over at "The Old Silly" blog sharing a quick lesson on Transitions. Welcome, JimI have just returned from a seven-day voyage to Alaska. I had originally planned to keep a journal or perhaps a diary so that I would remember events of the trip

Character Arcs and Disbelief

What I'm reading: Silencing Sam, by Julie KramerMy current writing obstacle: character arcs. A character has to change over the course of the book. My heroine begins as woman who's fled her abusive husband, taking their son with her. Her 'inciting incident' happened before the book opened, when the husband started beating the son as well, which was her last straw.Ultimately, she's going to have

And the Winner Is...

Congratulations to KIM the winner of my Flash contest.This will be the last winner for a while--contests are taking a hiatus.

Friday Field Trip - Egypt

While we're exploring Egypt, I'm hosting mystery author Dorien Grey at Author Expressions. Please see what he has to say about Paper Dreams.Today's field trip comes courtesy of my mom, Lelo Carter. In 2000, she and my dad went Egypt. Here are some of the pictures my mom took. Thanks to Mom for sending these -- but how about some more of you?