During my recent visit to New York’s Museum of Modern Art, a crowd gathered around one painting. We were drawn to it, as if in a dream. It was Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night. Most people recognize it as a famous painting, worth millions. Perhaps they know that this painting inspired the song by DonContinue reading “What Van Gogh Can Teach Us About Writing”
Category Archives: thriller writing
Five Mistakes Writers Make in the First Fifty Pages
The first reaction to this post’s headlines may be: What? Only five? No, I’ve made many more than five mistakes when writing my first fifty pages of my thriller novels. We’ve all heard not to begin a novel with description, dialog or a dream, but here are my most frustrating mistakes: 1. Endlessly rewriting theContinue reading “Five Mistakes Writers Make in the First Fifty Pages”
Thrillers That Make You Think
I posted this Listmania List on Amazon. I’d love to hear what YOU think and if you have any recommendations to add to this list. I’m always looking for thrillers for thinkers! Thrillers That Make You Think A Listmania! list by Pamela Hegarty “pamelahegarty” (New Jersey) Share with friends The list author says: “If you’reContinue reading “Thrillers That Make You Think”
Review of God’s Lions: The Secret Chapel
Or Why I’m Thankful for the Amazon Publishing Revolution I bought God’s Lions: The Secret Chapel because it was one of the titles listed under The Seventh Stone’s listing on Amazon as “people also bought.” Usually, I’d be skeptical of a story with a priest as its action hero. Not that I would have had the choice. In theContinue reading “Review of God’s Lions: The Secret Chapel”
Should Indie Publishers Offer a Goodreads Giveaway?
If you are wondering if a goodreads.com giveaway is worth a try, the short answer is Yes! I love the idea of reaching readers directly. I offered one signed copy of The Seventh Stone as a giveaway on goodreads.com for a time span of two weeks to give it a try. I tweeted to spread theContinue reading “Should Indie Publishers Offer a Goodreads Giveaway?”
The Advantages of a Series Character in Thriller Fiction
Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher thrillers, offered these insights in a workshop which I attended: A series character makes it easier for a reader to buy a book, and sometimes encourages them to buy previous books in the series. You can’t design a series character to be succesful. Let the character beContinue reading “The Advantages of a Series Character in Thriller Fiction”
Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Sapphire Ring – History remembered
By Pamela Hegarty Prince William honored his late mother, Princess Diana, by passing on to his fiancée, Kate Middleton, the stunning sapphire ring that Prince Charles had given Diana. To me, it is a reminder of another sapphire ring in Britain’s history, belonging to Saint Edward, and the undeniable attraction of gemstones. In researching myContinue reading “Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Sapphire Ring – History remembered”
The Da Vinci Code – Decoding Plot-driven vs Character-driven novels
Robert Langdon, literature’s most famous symbologist, is called in to solve a bizarre murder at the beginning of The Da Vinci Code. The murder sets the plot in motion, driving the hero into a race to solve the puzzle before the villains. Certainly, The Da Vinci Code must be a plot-driven novel. BUT Robert LangdonContinue reading “The Da Vinci Code – Decoding Plot-driven vs Character-driven novels”
Science, Mythology, and Christianity meet in New York City
This headline might sound like an oxymoron followed by a non sequitur, but this photograph is proof that it’s true. The spires in the background belong to New York City’s Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, one of America’s, and Christianity’s, most inspiring places of worship. The statue in the foreground is an art deco rendering of Atlas,Continue reading “Science, Mythology, and Christianity meet in New York City”
Is There Anybody Out There?
No, I’m not talking about readers. I do have faith that you are out there, no matter what my Amazon ranking implies! When I see these amazing NASA images of the vast universe, I am both humbled and inspired. And I’m reminded that the best fiction is those stories that leave us with questions, notContinue reading “Is There Anybody Out There?”
PAMELA HEGARTY 