Small Town

2009-11-15T09:38:00.001-08:00

From the age of thirteen I’ve always aspired to achieve something great in my lifetime, to make a difference, to get noticed. I suppose my desire to make an impact is rooted in the humbleness of youth. I grew up in a small town in rural Missouri with a population of three hundred people.

Hard Work at Home

2009-11-15T09:30:00.000-08:00

I grew up in a Midwestern farming community where I was introduced to work at a young age, and I’m not talking about doing a few chores around the house to earn a weekly allowance. In the summertime we picked weeds in the garden, helped load the hay wagon, snapped green beans, picked strawberries, mowed the lawn with a push mower, and “hilled “potatoes. In the winter time we hauled buckets of hot

The Holstein

2009-11-13T14:21:00.000-08:00

My dad bought a holstein cow and calf when I was five years old. I remember seeing the calf for the first time in the barn. He was a little bundle of fur laying in a pile of wheat straw near his mother to keep warm. I named him Lazy.Lazy The Calf was bottle fed beginning a few days after birth. Twice a day my mom mixed white powder and warm water in quart sized plastic bottles.I remember my dad

The Well House

2009-11-13T13:08:00.000-08:00

On our farm, my dad and grandpa built a shed out of cinder blocks that enclosed the water well. Besides the seven feet high walls, the small building had a pitched plywood roof covered with shingles. We called it a "well house".The well wasn't a dug-by-hand fairy tale bucket and rope type well, but a modern water source dug by a professional using well digging equipment mounted on a big truck.

My Story

2009-11-13T11:00:00.000-08:00

My parents, grandparents, and all who came before them were farmers. They grew gardens to put food on the table and raised cows, pigs, acres of corn, soybeans, milo, and wheat to put money in their pockets.At five years old, my dad moved our family into a mobile home situated in the middle of a cow pasture. There were livestock, dogs, cats, trucks, trailers, and tractors. And to accompany it all…

Bottle Caps and Returnable Bottles

2009-11-13T10:15:00.000-08:00

I used to collect bottle caps. At eight or nine years old, it was a quest to collect as many as possible and as fast as possible. In our house, it was Pepsi's. At grandma's you got RC Cola and Dr. Pepper. I don't remember too many Coca-Cola bottle caps. Come to think of it, where I grew up, no one really drank Coca-Cola's (and they still don't).I'm not sure I remember the exact number, but it was

Barefoot in the Summertime

2009-11-12T09:29:00.000-08:00

The last day of grade school was generally around May 15th and we returned to school the day after Labor Day each year. From May 16th until Labor Day, we rarely wore shoes during the daytime unless we were working with hoes or rakes in the garden, feeding the livestock, or going into town for some reason.Bare feet in the summertime meant freedom. Freedom from the hour long bus ride to school,

Sacred Cipher

2009-11-11T18:40:00.000-08:00

I finished reading Terry Brennan's first novel Sacred Cipher last week.This novel has a Christian message and focuses on a traditional good versus evil scenario. This novel offers a little bit of history lesson, a little bit of religion lesson, and a whole lot of mystery and intrigue. I read a lot of thriller-mystery-adventure novels and this book fits that category too. The author obviously put

Serena: A Novel

2009-10-27T18:33:00.001-07:00

By this time I've made no less than 10 trips into every Books a Million, Borders, and Barnes & Noble I've passed within 5 miles of since late August in search of Serena: A Novel by Ron Rash. It was recently released in paperback, but I never found it in hard back in any of the bookstores. I guess I'll just have to break down and order it from Amazon.com.

Randy Wayne White

2009-10-16T19:19:00.001-07:00

We ate at Doc Ford's on Sanibel during a recent visit. The seafood was very good. I also purchased Sanibel Flats during the visit. Doc Ford is a re-occuring character in many of White's novels.We visited a local book store and several other local eateries. Everyone was eager to talk about the series of Doc Ford novels anytime we asked about it. It appears Mr. White aka Randy Stryker is a well

Show - Don't Tell

2009-08-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

I think I naturally gravitate toward telling instead of showing, but I don't think that's how it's supposed to work. Here's a passage I've been working on that ended up "telling" too much.Since returning from Iraq, U.S. Army Captain Riley Burke struggled to sleep through the night. He’d been diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome and could no longer pursue an Army career. At first, Riley

Mudbound and Serena: A Novel

2009-08-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

I listen to Michele Norris, award winning radio host of NPR's All Things Considered, on my drive home from work almost everyday. (She also appears with George Stephanopoulos occasionally on his Sunday news maganize program This Week with George Stephanopoulos.)According to the St. Petersburg Times, Ms. Norris has placed Mudbound by Hillary Jordan and Serena: A Novel by Ron Rash on her reading

Literary Agent - Rachelle Gardner

2009-08-08T11:36:00.001-07:00

Rachelle Gardner's blog post "How Do You Learn to Write?" is worth reading and re-reading each time you get a little down in the dumps about your writing or lack of writing success.A quote from Rachelle's post:I think the answer is that you have to be scrappy, and you have to learn any which way you can. You piece it together. You take the lessons where you can find them. If you're a writer, or

Carly's Voice

2009-08-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

ABC News featured a story tonight about Carly Fleishmann, an autistic teenager with a gift for writing. I find it truly remarkable that writing has offered her such valuable therapy. Visit her blog or follow Carly on Twitter.

Daybreak - revisited

2009-08-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

I did some more work on a piece of writing a posted a few days ago titled Daybreak. I'm not normally a fan of the Prologue, but most novels published in the past few years begin with one. Here's a fourth (fifth) attempt:Brothers Siegfried and Glen Salinger left home on foot two hours before daybreak on the third Saturday of July, 1936. Taking a few items they could carry in their nap sacks and

Write a Novel - Watching TV

2009-07-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

I found a very creative blog post today titled "How to Write a Novel While Watching TV". The article is posted on Jerry Kolber's writing blog. I'm not sure it would actually work, but I'll admit that I've tried to write while watching TV many times and failed miserably. At least now I know what I'm doing wrong - I need to watch more TV and write for shorter periods (only during commercials).

Daybreak

2009-07-18T18:33:00.000-07:00

Brothers Sigfreid and Glen Sallinger left home two hours before daybreak on Saturday, July 26, 1932 and headed east toward Kansas City.Availability of affordable land lured their German grandfather to Liberal, Kansas forty years earlier. You could look in four directions and see nothing for miles and miles. No cities. No houses. No people. The land was good for growing wheat and corn. But, with

Zane Grey - Riders of the Purple Sage

2009-07-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

I am currently reading Zane Grey's Riders of the Purple Sky, the novel many credit for starting the western novel genre. Published in 1913, it was Grey's first major novel and remains one of the most popular. Since the original printing, it's never been out of print.I've enjoyed the first four chapters, although the writing style is cumbersome and overly descriptive at times. However, on the

Gerald McCathern - Dry Bones

2009-07-05T06:09:00.000-07:00

While on a recent vacation, I visited Palo Duro Canyon State Park near Amarillo, Texas and took this picture. Formed by water erosion of the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River, the canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States.In the gift shop, I met Gerald McCathern, an author who resides in nearby Hereford, Texas. He's written several books about the rise of Texas cattle ranching

John Grisham

2009-07-03T19:12:00.001-07:00

USA Today recently featured an article celebrating John Grisham's twentieth year writing legal thrillers. The Firm, Pelican Brief, and A Time to Kill are 3 of my all time favorite movies.I found an insightful interview Grisham granted to Bill Moyer's in 2008 that provides an insight into his thought process.

I Can't Play Guitar

2009-06-05T16:49:00.000-07:00

When I was six or seven my grandmother gave me a book by Mel Bay titled something to the effect of Learn to Play the Guitar. My dad had an inexpensive guitar and let me strum it sometimes. I sat down and tried to duplicate the chords and techniques Mr. Bay demonstrated in the book. I spent most of the summer trying, but I did not learn to play the guitar that year. Or the next one either. But, I

Algebra

2009-06-04T18:28:00.000-07:00

I recently read an entry on another blog about an adult's struggles with returning to college after several years in the work force. She has been laid off from her "career" job and is now taking Algebra I, which is a prerequisite for her new career (hopefully).I know exactly how she feels, but for me it was Algebra II. I made B's and A's in Algebra I, but for whatever reason couldn't "get" the

Popcorn

2009-06-03T17:04:00.000-07:00

When we were kids, my mom let us eat popcorn on Saturday nights. The four of us usually were given a choice between a small amount of ice cream in a tiny bowl, or all the popcorn we could eat. Popcorn won almost every time. It was cheap, easy, and quick to fix. A little oil in a medium sized skillet and a ½ cup of popcorn and 3 minutes later you had a slice of buttery heaven.We later graduated to

Childhood

2009-06-01T16:52:00.000-07:00

I don't remember a lot of my childhood before the age of three, but a few things do stand out in my mind starting a few years later.My finger was smashed by some neighborhood kids while playing on a pile of concrete blocks. A few hours and a short doctor's visit later, I was diagnosed with a broken finger. It's still crooked.My favorite dog named Pepe died when I was five years old. I'm told the

Kim Wilson - Fabulous T-Birds

2009-04-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

I saw the T-Birds while attending Westminster College in the 80's. It's funny, I appreciate them much more 24 years later.

Write a Best Seller = Get Rich Right?

2009-04-19T04:23:00.001-07:00

Wrong. Take a look at this dose of reality from someone who had a book on the New York Times list last year.

White Pelican

2009-04-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

Thin Blue Smoke

2009-03-28T17:04:00.000-07:00

I read the first six chapters of Doug Worgul's bbq novel today. It's put me in the mood for some harmonica music. Here's one of the best harmonica players on YouTube.com - Lee Sankey. Learn more about this artist at LeeSankey.com. I love his rendition of Monkey Lips.

2009-03-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Here is the second draft of Chapter 1 of my novel effort. I've incorporated the suggestions from my online critique friends at Scribophile and agree that it's an improvement.Riley and Tim were inseparable during the summer months. They played on the same youth sports teams, attended the same vacation bible school, and each July the boys attended the Cross Creek Youth Camp together.The first

An Afternoon with a Local Author

2009-03-15T05:32:00.000-07:00

I attended a presentation by Debora Coty, author of The Distant Shore, Billowing Sails, Mom Needs Chocolate, and others. She shared her experiences going from occupational therapist and mother to a author with six books in print six years later.It was an eye opening session that delved into a variety of writing topics from getting started in a writing a career with magazine articles, how to write

Idea

2009-03-05T17:55:00.000-08:00

I heard an unusual news item on the radio tonight during my drive home that would make an interesting premise for a novel. Jennifer Thompson-Cannino accused Ronald Cotton of rape and Cotton spent 11 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. He has since been released based on DNA evidence. Unbelievably, the two developed a friendship in the process.Ronald Cotton: "...we were the victims of

Damon Fowler Group

2009-02-27T19:16:00.000-08:00

Clickfree Portable Back-up Drive

2009-02-13T19:09:00.000-08:00

I subscribe to Shutterbug photography magazine. A recent issue featured back-up drive options and referenced Clickfree automatic palm drives. After doing a little online research tonight, I purchased a 500GB palm drive for $194.00.I've got tons of digital pictures that need to be backed up an lots of writing projects too. I'll review it in more detail once I receive it, but if it lives up to its'

Is it really worth it in the end?

2009-02-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

On Jeff's New Motorcycle, Daniel Bell recently wrote an entry about the struggles of wannabee novelists. I'll raise my hand and say that I can relate perfectly with the premise of his article titled "Talent or Training". I've been there. (Heck, I'm still there.) I recently discussed this very topic with my sister-in-law, who has served as a first-reader for several personal efforts at novel

Alex & Me

2009-01-09T19:25:00.000-08:00

I finished Alex & Me by Irene Pepperberg today. I received the book for a gift recently and read it over the course of a couple of weeks. I highly recommend it to everyone - especially to those who love animals.I was not a bird owner when I heard the story on NPR on the afternoon of Alex's passing. I had not read about him and certainly hadn't seen his pictures, but for some reason the news

Punctuation Tool

2009-01-06T16:23:00.000-08:00

Hochman Consultants has developed a handy tool that helps correct simple punctuation problems as you prepare your writing for submission. It turns dashes to hyphens and smart quotes to ordinary quotes. The tool will "Remove Funky Punctuation" for you - or at least a large percentage of it - at the click of a button. You will have more time to market your work and you will spend less time on

The Wovel

2009-01-05T18:31:00.000-08:00

What's a wovel?Whether you said "the world's safest snow shovel" or "a web novel", you would be correct. According to Wikipedia, readers vote to influence the action. Underland Press publishes web novels and traditional print versions, but their wovel, First World, received some high profile press recently on NPR.org.

$49 for the secret to novel writing

2009-01-04T15:54:00.000-08:00

I read an online advertisement this afternoon hawking a manual that reportedly provides the "secret" to finally finishing your novel or other book. I skimmed the website and testimonials, and was surprised to read about several published authors who actually endorse the written materials.I'll say that I do agree with the premise of the materials. I do not believe that writing a novel requires

2008 in Review

2009-01-02T09:19:00.000-08:00

Here's a list of books that I read in 2008: The Girl Who Loved Tom GordonThe Mephisto ClubFarenheit 451Nature GirlSimple GeniusThe CollectorsThe BrokerBoone's LickAnd here's a biography:Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper LeeAnd one I didn't quite finish (yet): Sister CarrieHere's what I'm reading now:Stone ColdAlex and MeWhat's pending in 2009:finish Sister CarrieCall Me TedLonesome DoveContinue

Damages on FX

2009-01-01T05:46:00.000-08:00

It's back....The new season of Damages starring Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, and Tate Donovan premieres on January 7 on FX. If you missed season one, you can catch up this Saturday and Sunday as they replay espisodes from last season.

Butterfly, Butterfly

2008-11-15T05:32:00.000-08:00

The Secret Life of Bees

2008-11-15T05:18:00.000-08:00

After listening to Queen Latifah talk about her role in The Secret Life of Bees in an interview on NPR I'm eager to go see this movie. I haven't read he book by the same name, but I'm definitely going to pick it up when I see it in the book store.My nephew and brother-in-law are beekeepers, so that draws me to the movie a little bit too. We always buy a few jars of honey from them when it's

Red Bellied Woodpecker

2008-10-15T18:21:00.000-07:00

Dragon Fly Close-Up

2008-10-15T18:16:00.000-07:00

Motorcycle Road Trip

2008-10-09T19:18:00.000-07:00

I've owned motorcycles since my sophomore year of college. I started out with an entry level Yamaha Virago street cruiser and graduated to a Yamaha V-Max muscle bike a few years later. Now I own a Kawasaki Vulcan highway cruiser.During my senior year of college in Missouri, I made a deal with myself -- if I did not get my dream job before graduation, I was going to take a two week trip to Oregon

Online Writing Critique Group

2008-10-01T16:42:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I started participating in Scribophile.com, an online critique group for aspiring writers. To date, I've received two critiques on the first draft of Chapter 1 of my novel in progress.I didnt' agree with everything in the feedback, but I appreciate those who took the time to read my effort and comment about it.Sometimes I am too personally connected to my work to look at it

Timeout for Politics

2008-09-26T12:59:00.001-07:00

I think this lyric from the popular country western song titled "Take Me Back to Tulsa" pretty much sums up the current economical situation."The small bee sucks the blossom and the big bee gets the honey." Bob Wills

Lakeview Terrace

2008-09-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

I watched Lakeview Terrace this morning at the $5 early show. The movie stars Samuel Jackson, Patrick Wilson, and Kerry Washington.Patrick Wilson (Chris Mattson) and Kerry Washington (Lisa Mattson) move in next door to Samuel Jackson (Abel Turner). Abel Turner disapproves of the marriage and begins to take it out on them via a series of events including slashing the tires on their car, chopping

Scribophile - An online writers critique group

2008-09-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

Scribophile is a place where you can read things others have written, critique it, and then post things you've written and get feedback. It's quick. It's easy. It's fun.If you're not quite ready for eye contact with those that critique your work, I think this online group might be just what you're looking for. It could become a time waster, but at the same time it offers a yard stick to help you

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

2008-09-23T05:18:00.000-07:00

I sometimes receive promotional e-mails from Borders and their most recent e-mail announced that The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski has been chosen for Oprah's Book Club. Oprah's endorsement almost guarantees best seller status for the book, but there is also a lot of enthusiasm for the book from others. Stephen King wrote a glowing review that is conteained the back cover of the

Online Novel - Chapter 18

2008-09-23T04:57:00.000-07:00

After power washing the driveway to complete the first "honey do" item on my wife's vacation list, I spent some time with my novel yesterday. Today I'm going to prepare some barbecue brisket, which should afford some more time to work on the novel.

Damages - Mini-series on Fx

2008-09-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

I don't usually get excited about individual television shows, but the promotions for Damages compelled me to watch the pilot last year. It was great and I eagerly awaited the next 12 episodes. If you get a chance to watch it in re-runs, I promise that it's worth it. If you missed the re-runs, you can purchase the DVD's for Season 1.I learned recently that Damages has been renewed on Fx, the

Novel Writing

2008-09-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

I am on vacation this coming week. I'm spending it at home alone, so it's time to get back to working on my novel. After all, it won't write itself. All the time in world spent thinking about doing it doesn't put words down on paper.I've been hoping for some divine inspiration - some type of "awe ha" moment where the light bulb clicks on and everything becomes clear on how my story finishes.

American Novelist Philip Roth

2008-09-15T17:21:00.001-07:00

I thoroughly enjoyed the NPR interview with Philip Roth this afternoon. It made my drive home that much more interesting.Besides offering some insights into his newest work of fiction, Indignation, Mr. Roth also provided some explanation regarding his personal writing habits. He said that in 52 years of writing, he has worked six to seven days per week consistently. And in those six or seven

J K Rowling: Five Years of Planning

2008-09-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

I did a Google search this morning for "write like J K Rowling" and an interesting article from TheCuckleburr.com popped up.J K Rowling went from barely getting by, to living a life on easy street, but as Suzanne Harrison explains in her article titled Are You the Next J K Rowling?, it definitely wasn't "easy".I have not read the Harry Potter books and don't plan to. It's just not my "thing", but

Look Who I Found Hiding in the Bushes

2008-09-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen

2008-09-07T06:41:00.001-07:00

Have I told you lately that I like Carl Hiaasen? I'm sure you're getting tired of me talking about my admiration for his work, but I do so to encourage you to check it out. If you do, you're in for a treat.Last night I read the first several chapters of his most recent bestseller - Nature Girl. Hiaasen is gifted. He has a unique talent that can keep a story fresh, funny, but meaningful in a

Book Club

2008-09-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

5 Minutes for Books is organizing a new book club that focuses on the classics. They just finished Pride and Prejudice and have several others on the schedule. I've been doing the same this year and to date I've finished To Kill a Mockingbird, Sister Carrie, and Farenheit 451 earlier this year.If you're looking for a list of "the classics" look no further....popular novels.

The Three Day Novel Contest

2008-08-30T20:39:00.000-07:00

You may know that November is National Novel Writing Month. Thousands of novels are written each year by participants. You may not know that hundreds of would be novelists particpate in the three day novel contest each Labor Day weekend to jump start their novel in one weekend.

Getting through the first 100 pages

2008-08-30T18:07:00.000-07:00

A post at Murderati discusses the in's and out's of writing a high quality first act for a novel.With the first act defined as the first 100 pages of a novel length work, it's an important part of any novel. I've struggled to complete the first act three or four times. I get started well and the excitement builds quickly as I start the novel journey.At about 10,000 words, the going gets a lot

An Interview with Tess Gerritsen

2008-08-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

I enjoy all of her books, but I like The Memphisto Club best.Vanish is another great book.And lastly, if video isn't your "thing", or you have an older computer that doesn't display video well, here is an audio interview that discusses The Memphisto Club.

Chapter 3 - Hooked

2008-08-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

“Riley, wake up,” shaking him gently by the shoulders. “Riley, you’re having that nightmare again.”Riley squinted his eyes and used a hand to shield them from the light shining into the room from the hallway. He struggled to focus on his sister Aynna standing at the side of the bed.“I’m sorry Aynna. I didn’t mean to wake you,” Riley apologized. “You didn’t have to get up.”“We Burke’s have to

Thin Blue Smoke

2008-08-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

According to Amazon.com Thin Blue Smoke will be available in February 2009. I look forward to purchasing one of the first copies. The author, Doug Worgul, is a managing editor at RiseUp, a national Sunday newspaper magazine insert focused on building bridges between races, ethnicities, and cultures.

Chapter 12

2008-08-22T12:22:00.000-07:00

"I'd like to talk to Sherriff John Royale," Riley said to the uniformed deputy sitting behind the desk."You would, would you?" the deputy said. "That will be difficult. Sherriff Royale is dead and buried. He currently resides at the Oakwood Baptist Church cemetery on Troope Hollow Road. ""And your name is?" the deputy asked."Sorry. I'm Riley Burke. I didn't know. I've been away for a few years. I

David Baldacci Interviews

2008-07-04T20:06:00.001-07:00

USA Today interview

Kathy Mattea

2008-06-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hillbilly music's making a comeback.Two-time Grammy winner and Female Vocalist of the Year, Kathy Mattea, recently released a new album that draws on her experiences growing up in West Virginia coal mining country. Mattea is best known for Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses. Her new album titled Coal, recently topped Billboard's bluegrass charts.Coal is a bare bones bluegrass album produced by

Riley

2008-06-06T20:15:00.000-07:00

Writing Sample

2008-05-31T05:49:00.000-07:00

The drive from Noah's Fork to Lukasville took 30 minutes. Riley arrived at the Courtside Mall in late afternoon. He hated shopping, but needed some new clothes. The painting projects at Ayanna's had left the jeans splattered and polka-dotted with white paint. After the argument with Tricia, he managed to pack only a pair of jeans, some briefs, and a few t-shirts before quickly leaving the house.

Writing Interesting Characters

2008-05-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

Nina Munteanu at Darwin's Paradox has written a couple of thought starting articles for beginning writers. The first titled, Common Pitfalls of the Beginning Writer - Part 1: Characters, offers some suggestions for creating interesting characters and includes a character checklist.I've been listening to Up in Honey's Room on CD during my commute to work this week. Written by Elmore Leonard, the

The Broker by John Grisham

2008-05-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

I finished reading The Broker yesterday. It's a good book about a former Washington lobbyist that is arrested and later pardoned by the President. The plot doesn't quite measure up to some of his other work and I think the book kind of drags a little in the middle. He spent too much time talking about eating in various restaurants and sightseeing in Italy, which slowed things down. It's o.k.

Dick Francis

2008-05-20T16:46:00.000-07:00

Recently I picked up Field of Thirteen, a collection of Dick Francis short stories. Out of the collection, my favorites include Raid at Kingdom Hill, Dead on Red, and Bright White Star. I'm not naturally drawn to short stories, but did enjoy reading these.Many of the short stories in Field of Thirteen are stories about horse racing, for good reason apparently, because after serving in the Royal

Novel in Progress

2008-05-17T06:08:00.000-07:00

Fifty-thousand words is a lot, no matter how you slice it.I edited my high school newspaper and in college I spent the summers working for two local weekly newspapers. I can string some sentences together and people will read them, but writing a book length work is a whole different animal. I'm now on my third novel effort and you know what they say....I hope they are right!I've completed 10,300

Writing Critique Group

2008-05-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

Anyone belong to a writer's critique group?I'm looking for an individual or small group of people that would like to share mutual critiques of writing samples. It could be short stories, short novels, online writing, non-fiction, or serious works of fiction. I'm convinced that the fastest way to improve my own writing is to let others read it. If you know of such a group, or would like to form

Creating Sympathetic Characters

2008-05-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

One of my "readers" offered me a nice tip today regarding character creation. After reading one of the recent chapters in the first draft of my novel effort, she suggested that I make the main character a little less cowardly, so that the audience would feel more sympathetic instead of getting angry about the characters' actions.In the original version of the chapter, an Army Captain abandons a

Chapter Length

2008-05-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

Should I write long chapters or short chapters?Should they be mixed with equal parts of dialogue and descriptive narrative, or is it o.k. for one to dominiate the other sometimes?Should I emulate James Patterson, and keep the chapters short, or would longer chapters be better?As a reader I think it depends upon the genre, style, and topics covered. A crime or mystery novel probably should move

Starting a Novel

2008-05-15T05:34:00.000-07:00

I've been reading a few writing blogs this morning. One particular post mentioned an author's struggle with "how to start a novel".As a reader, I like stories that jump right in with both feet. I remember reading a mystery novel last year that started with a long and drawn out description about the weather. The main character was sitting in his office and looking out the window. The scene

Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser

2008-05-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

I started reading Sister Carrie a few days ago. You can read it online via hypertext courtesy of the University of Virginia. I purchased my copy with a gift card at Books a Million.While looking for my next book to read, I searched the web for "classic novels" several times and this book by Theodore Dreiser kept coming back in the search results. It took a few minutes to adjust to the phrasing

Boone's Lick, by Larry McMurtry

2008-05-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I read the first five chapters of Boone's Lick while enjoying the sunshine at Fort Desoto Beach. It's my third Larry McMurtry novel, after Comanche Moon and Wandering Hill.Boone's Lick is a story about a mother that takes her family from Missouri to Wyoming after the Civil War in search of her husband (the children's father). They travel by boat and mule driven wagon. To reach

The Hot Kid

2008-04-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

I started reading The Hot Kid today, by Elmore Leonard. So far I like the author's straight forward style and direct approach to telling a story. It's my first Leonard book, but it definitely won't be the last. I can't believe it took me 40 years to discover this author.The New York Times included a "writing tips" article by Leonard a July 2001 issue.In 2005, Time magazine published "10 Questions

My Online Novel in Progress

2008-04-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I spent some time updating my work in progress. If you haven't visited my new novel blog, now is as good time as any to visit. The basic outline for the first 11 chapters was 5,000 words and, after some work this weekend, it's has grown to 6,500 words.My biggest challenge is to get the general ideas formed and written down. I'm finding that I can always go back and add depth

George Orwell's Animall Farm

2008-04-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

During the past several months, I've enjoyed a re-introduction to some of the better known classics of modern literature.I received Animal Farm as a Christmas gift this year. Hailed by many publications as a nearly perfect piece of literature, it was not included on my high school reading list--mainly because it's a very short book.As I get older, I've also noticed that my attention span has

The Human Hoax, a novel blogged

2008-04-12T13:48:00.000-07:00

I discovered this online novel blog by Mark Alexander today. It's his second blog novel. I didn't read the first one titled The Satan Maneuver, but applaud his efforts.Between those two novels, Alexander has written 150 chapters worth of novel prose. I haven't read them all, but based on the first few chapters, they look promising.Three cheers for Mark Alexander.

Beverly Lewis, The Betrayal

2008-04-12T12:43:00.001-07:00

I finished the book this morning.If you're looking for Christian reading material, then I recommend Betrayal, by Beverly Lewis. I normally read mystery and/or thriller type novels, but decided to try Beverly Lewis for something different.The story is full of observations about the Amish culture. The prevailing message throughout the book is that you are saved by the grace of God and not by works.

Fantasy Writing

2008-04-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

I've never read a "fantasy" novel, but on her writing blog, Donna Sundblad provides some tips for catching a readers interest and maintaining it throughout the novel. I'm sure her tips apply to just about any type of writing, and especially to book length works.

Finding Time to Write

2008-04-07T07:18:00.000-07:00

According to this article on CNN, A Time to Kill received 15 rejections before it was finally accepted by a publisher. In the interview, Grisham reveals that in the beginning his writing day started at 5:30 a.m. and ended after he finished writing one page.I've been struggling to prioritize time to write these past few weeks and have often thought about purchasing an egg timer and using it as a

Beverly Lewis, The Betrayal

2008-04-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

For the past several weeks I've been attending a weekly bonsai training course in Bokeelia, FL, which is located on Pine Island near Cape Coral, FL on the west coast. It's a 2 hour drive from my home and I decided to use the driving time to try out a new author. Today I made it through the first 13 chapters of The Betrayal, written by Beverly Lewis, which is in the Abraham's Daughters

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

2008-04-06T02:57:00.000-07:00

I put this book down for a couple of months to focus on other things, but picked it back up this weekend and finished it up. The last 150 pages flew by. It's moved to the top of the list of my favorite Stephen King novels.At 260 pages, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is shorter than the typical King novels. The book also has a very simple concept. The first 40-pages provide a basic introduction to

Hooked, a novel in progress

2008-04-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

My online novel has outgrown the Novel Blog, so I've moved it to a new location.Please visit the new novel blog here.

Organizing: The World's Scariest Question

2008-04-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

Award-winning novelist Randy Ingermanson, "the Snowflake Guy," publishes the Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine, with more than 11,000 readers, every month. If you want to learn the craft and marketing of fiction, AND make your writing more valuable to editors, AND have FUN doing it, visit http://www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com. Someday you'll be signing autographs for your novel at a Wal-Mart. A

Florida Authors, Literature, Social Commentary

2008-04-02T05:53:00.000-07:00

I've been a resident of Florida for six years. Having grown up in the Midwest and lived in the Midsouth for several years, I've become an observer and enthusiast for studying trends in regional culture. Nowhere are these trends more evident than in literature, and Florida is certainly no exception.Florida born and raised, Carl Hiassen is probably the most successful author of "Floridian" novels.

Ray Bradbury

2008-04-01T15:40:00.000-07:00

Today I finished reading Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. This futuristic novel about the rise of television, the decline of reading, and the ultimate destruction of major cities via nuclear war is included on the list of Top 100 Novels of All Time. Bradbury named two of the novels main characters -- Montag and Faber -- after a pencil and a paper manufacturer. He also typed the novel in the

Remote Area Medical

2008-03-02T17:11:00.000-08:00

Tonight on 60 Minutes I watched a segment about the Remote Area Medical organization. You may remember the founder, Stanley Brock, from Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom program in the 1970's. Proceeds from the sale of his most recent book, All Cowboys Were Indians help fund the RAM organization.From the website: Few medical relief charities can compare with RAM in the scope of services offered,

Sinclair Lewis: Elmer Gantry

2008-02-26T17:18:00.000-08:00

A novel published 80-years ago is still creating a stir this week. I haven't read Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis, but I'm going to add it to my list of planned purchases at my favorite bookseller.Elmer Gantry is a satirical novel that explored religion and those that choose to use religion to exploit others. ChristianPost.com published an article that summarizes the problem for Christians.

Nelle Harper Lee

2008-02-25T17:09:00.000-08:00

I recently finished Mockingbird, the biography of Nelle Harper Lee, written by Charles Shields. The book is based on personal interviews, letters, articles, and books detailing Lee's life. I've spent several years trying to find out details about Lee on my own, but Shields provides more than I could have ever hoped for in this biography and its accompanying footnotes. I now understand why it took

Friday Night Lights

2008-02-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

I missed the first season of Friday Night Lights, a television show about a high school football team set in fictionalized Dillon, TX, altogether and it looks like millions of other potential viewers did too.One cold winter afternoon last year, I watched the catch up episodes back to back when they appeared on Bravo and realized that I was missing out on a great story. I've been a faithful

Southeastern Guide Dogs

2008-01-27T10:39:00.000-08:00

I recently read an article in my local newspaper about Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto, FL. Through the "Paws for Independence Program", Southeastern Guide Dogs provides guide dogs, training, and support for sight challenged individuals. The service also provides dogs for law enforcement, therapy, and services, such as pullling a wheel chair.Please join me in supporting this organization with

Sara Johns "The One in the Middle"

2008-01-20T13:13:00.000-08:00

Sara Johns opened for George Strait last night at his concert in Tampa, FL. She's a new artist that we'll definitely be hearing about for years to come. I enjoyed her music and I'm sure she has a bright future.She's a talented song writer/singer with an apparent energetic sense of humor.Sara Johns video

Novel Blog - Writing The Great American Novel

Prologue

Lonesome Dove

Jump School

Small Town

Hard Work at Home

The Holstein

The Well House

My Story

Bottle Caps and Returnable Bottles

Barefoot in the Summertime

Sacred Cipher

Serena: A Novel

Randy Wayne White

Show - Don't Tell

Mudbound and Serena: A Novel

Literary Agent - Rachelle Gardner

Carly's Voice

Daybreak - revisited

Write a Novel - Watching TV

Daybreak

Zane Grey - Riders of the Purple Sage

Gerald McCathern - Dry Bones

John Grisham

I Can't Play Guitar

Algebra

Popcorn

Childhood

Kim Wilson - Fabulous T-Birds

Write a Best Seller = Get Rich Right?

White Pelican

Thin Blue Smoke

An Afternoon with a Local Author

Idea

Damon Fowler Group

Clickfree Portable Back-up Drive

Is it really worth it in the end?

Alex & Me

Punctuation Tool

The Wovel

$49 for the secret to novel writing

2008 in Review

Damages on FX

Butterfly, Butterfly

The Secret Life of Bees

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Dragon Fly Close-Up

Motorcycle Road Trip

Online Writing Critique Group

Timeout for Politics

Lakeview Terrace

Scribophile - An online writers critique group

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Online Novel - Chapter 18

Damages - Mini-series on Fx

Novel Writing

American Novelist Philip Roth

J K Rowling: Five Years of Planning

Look Who I Found Hiding in the Bushes

Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen

Book Club

The Three Day Novel Contest

Getting through the first 100 pages

An Interview with Tess Gerritsen

Chapter 3 - Hooked

Thin Blue Smoke

Chapter 12

David Baldacci Interviews

Kathy Mattea

Riley

Writing Sample

Writing Interesting Characters

The Broker by John Grisham

Dick Francis

Novel in Progress

Writing Critique Group

Creating Sympathetic Characters

Chapter Length

Starting a Novel

Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser