Writing Thrillers: Two More Principles That Guide Jeffrey Deaver

At the 1 May SkillBuild in High Point, NC, bestselling author Jeffrey Deaver cited three principles that guide his writing. Last week, I discussed his first principle: Don’t write something that readers don’t want to read. Remember the liver-flavored toothpaste … Continue reading

“Body Language on the Page”

In February, I participated in Mary Buckham’s online course and discussion, “Body Language on the Page,” with the Guppies. The last online class I’d taken with Mary was “Plotting with the Mythic Structure: Creating Surefire Plots that Sell”, in January … Continue reading

Five Flights, Four Days: the Daphne du Maurier Awards Ceremony, 16 July 2009

July has been a blur of activity for me, starting the Fourth of July at Colonial Williamsburg, where I again sold books at the visitors center bookstore all day, and my family conducted musket firing demos just outside, to the … Continue reading

Food, More Food, and an Interview

 Last Thursday night, I attended a booksigning at Quail Ridge Books for author Krista Davis. Her first book, The Diva Runs Out of Thyme, has recently been released. She talked about writing her “food” cozies. Then she read a couple … Continue reading

Moonlight & Magnolias 2008, Day 2

For most writers on the get-published track, a huge hurdle is pitching a book concept and obtaining buy-in from an agent or editor. The art of pitching is so in-demand as a topic that writers conferences often provide attendees the … Continue reading

Moonlight & Magnolias 2008, Day 3

Saturday dawned early. Too early. What was amazing was how wide-awake and sensational Anna DeStefano looked while welcoming the crowd of hundreds during the continental breakfast. I’m a morning person, but I don’t look sensational in the morning, you know? … Continue reading