Writers are asked many general questions about their craft. …”What is your overarching philosophy regarding the inherent power of fiction?”…”What IS-character-to you?”…”What is the position of place in your work?”… These are great and important questions, but I’m really curious about the little things. In the “Hey, Why’d You Do That” series, I ask accomplished … Continue reading »
Title of Work and its Form: Forest of Fortune, novel Author: Jim Ruland (on Twitter @JimVermin) Date of Work: 2014 Where the Work Can Be Found: Tyrus Books is responsible for publishing the book; why not buy a copy directly from them? Independent bookstores would also appreciate your business. The book is also available from Powell’s and … Continue reading »
Friends, after writing my piece about her story “Magic Man,” Sheila Kohler was kind enough to bring her novel Dreaming for Freud to my attention. (Do I wish I already knew about every cool book out there? Yes. Is it possible to read or even to know about every great novel out there? Sigh…no.) Great Writers … Continue reading »
Dear Robin Brande: I just finished Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature in a single blaze of reading and I simply had to write you to tell you how much I enjoyed the book. I bought the book from my local independent bookstore and I hope all of my cool readers follow suit. I should … Continue reading »
Title of Work and its Form: Looking for Alaska, novel Author: John Green (on Twitter @realjohngreen) Date of Work: 2005 Where the Work Can Be Found: The book can be purchased at all fine bookstores. Bonuses: Mr. Green and his brother Hank are prolific makers of videos; these short films confront a wide range of subjects and are a … Continue reading »
Title of Work and its Form: The Three-Day Affair, novel Author: Michael Kardos (on Twitter @michael_kardos) Date of Work: 2012 Where the Work Can Be Found: The book was published by The Mysterious Press, an imprint of Grove/Atlantic. You can find it at your local independent bookstore. If you don’t know where your closest indie shop is, check here. I … Continue reading »
Hey, want to go see Stephen King talk about writing in a fairly intimate setting? Oh…there’s no such event happening tonight. And even if there were, we would be kept out by the vagaries of distance and travel cost and of our other responsibilities. Thanks to the wonder of the Internet, however, we can “attend” … Continue reading »
Title of Work and its Form: The Gutter and the Grave, novel Author: Ed McBain Date of Work: 1958 Where the Work Can Be Found: The book was originally published as I’m Cannon-For Hire and was credited to Curt Cannon. Feel free to buy an original copy of the paperback. The fine people at Hard Case Crime … Continue reading »
In Part 1, I discussed five elements of craft we can steal from The Hunger Games books. For Part 2, I thought I would take a close look at some of the prose Ms. Collins put into her book. Let’s jump right in like Katniss diving into the water that keeps her from the Cornucopia: … Continue reading »
Title of Work and its Form: Fort Starlight, novel Author: Claudia Zuluaga Date of Work: 2013 Where the Work Can Be Found: The book was released by Engine Books in September 2013 and can be found in all fine independent bookstores, including [words] Bookstore in Maplewood, New Jersey. Wow; the folks at [words] put together … Continue reading »