The other day, a headline caught my eye as I browsed through some news stories online. Jeremy Olshan wrote, Want to get rich? Read fiction. As a fiction author, how could I not take a moment to see what this was all about? The article listed five financial lessons from great novelists like Dickens, Tolstoy,… Continue Reading Read Fiction to Solve Financial Literacy Issues? »
Read MorePosts Tagged: crime fiction
7 Reasons to Read Crime Novels
A guest post by Kate Naylor Do you read crime novels? People have all sorts of reasons for steering clear of thrillers, everything from being all farty about the gore side of things to preferring rom-coms or chick-lit. But dyed in the wool lovers of thrills and spills swear by the crime novel, and they… Continue Reading 7 Reasons to Read Crime Novels »
Read MoreTips for Crime Writers on Creating a Great Protagonist
Last week, I shared my tips on creating a villain readers love to hate. But what about the protagonist? The heroine whose fascinating character and dangerous situation pulls the reader’s heart and soul into her world? That hero who makes a reader grit her teeth and get knots in her stomach because she’s so worried… Continue Reading Tips for Crime Writers on Creating a Great Protagonist »
Read MoreTips for Crime Writers on Creating a Villain Readers Love to Hate
Great crime writers like James Patterson, Lee Child, Michael Connelly, and even horror writers like Stephen King draw readers into their stories by creating complex villains we love to hate. In my best selling crime novels, I pay just as much attention to developing the villain (or in some cases, villains) as I do when… Continue Reading Tips for Crime Writers on Creating a Villain Readers Love to Hate »
Read MoreWriting Sex Scenes – Sliding Into Home Base
Sex. What makes a fictional sex scene good? This is an important question for fiction writers because, if you’re going to include one, you need to do it right. A poorly constructed sex scene can leave readers disappointed and reluctant to become emotionally invested in the rest of the story, even if they read on… Continue Reading Writing Sex Scenes – Sliding Into Home Base »
Read MoreHow Crime Authors Can Keep the Thrill in their Thriller Series
When an author sets out to write a series, it’s far different than simply writing several freestanding books in a row. It’s also not the same as taking one long tale and breaking it into parts and putting those parts into separate volumes. For crime writers – especially – it’s a real challenge to keep an… Continue Reading How Crime Authors Can Keep the Thrill in their Thriller Series »
Read MoreKeep Plotting and Write On
Recently, I shared some tips with you about how to read more and why. Today, I hope to inspire you to write more. As with anything else, the more you write, the better you get. I’m not going to fill you with a bunch of bull by telling you how regular writing will change your… Continue Reading Keep Plotting and Write On »
Read MoreThings To Know About Chapter Length in Your Novel
Many fiction writers (especially early on in their careers) seem to agonize over chapter lengths. How long should each chapter run? Can I get away with a one-page chapter, or with a very lengthy one? I’m here to alleviate your fears and concerns by letting you in on a secret: there isn’t a perfect chapter… Continue Reading Things To Know About Chapter Length in Your Novel »
Read MoreYou Set Me Up: Importance of Setting in Crime Fiction
Any reader of crime fiction routinely asks themself the question: who dunnit? The challenging of unraveling the mystery and figuring out the culprit makes reading these thrillers so much fun. But, equally significant, readers should ask: where did it happen? The scene of the crime, or the setting, can play a major role in the… Continue Reading You Set Me Up: Importance of Setting in Crime Fiction »
Read MoreMy crime novels: What I Write About
I explore life through the crime fiction novels I write, starting each book with the same question in mind. What happens when things go wrong, especially when no one is looking? Character and characters are measured by the answer to that question. Crime fiction poses that question when the stakes are the highest, when the… Continue Reading My crime novels: What I Write About »
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Joel's bookshelf: read
Crisp writing, great characters. Doesn't go where you think it will go. A good read.
Great book! Lot's of fun and funny. Plus, very interesting insights into improv and how to apply rules of improv to the work place. Highly recommended.
A knockout! If you like action, humor and horror, you won't stop with this first installment in this new series. You'll get the rest of them the minute they are released.
One of the best books I've read in a long time. History that reads like the most exciting thriller. Great insights into the expansion of the United States into the West and the crushing cultural conflict that decimated Native American tr...
Just getting started with Michael Connelly's latest - vintage Connelly; captures you from the first page.
