Here’s proof that thriller writers have more fun. In his workshop on using non-fiction techniques in fiction, bestselling thriller author, Douglas Preston, pointed out that successful thrillers like Coma, The Firm and Raise the Titanic are, at their core, non-fiction. So how do you integrate your passions about the real world into your fictional world?Continue reading “The Surprising Secret of Bestselling Fiction? Using Non-Fiction”
Tag Archives: writing
The Surprising Secret of Thrillers Readers Love
As thriller authors and fans, we scour the virtual shelves for stories that weave in several key elements, but which is the one that keeps you turning pages? Is it… High Stakes Often, the future of the world is held in the balance, whether it’s an evil conspiracy to control financial markets, a bio-weaponContinue reading “The Surprising Secret of Thrillers Readers Love”
What Charles Dickens Can Teach Us about Writing
Five facts about Charles Dickens that can teach us all about writing, in celebration of the 201st anniversary of his birthday on February 7, 2013: 1. Dickens was the second oldest of eight children. He was the father of ten children. What Dickens can teach us: Yes, you can pursue your passion and have a family.Continue reading “What Charles Dickens Can Teach Us about Writing”
What Yiddish and Edith Wharton Taught Me About the Value of Print Books
I was recently in western Massachusetts and visited two distinct “literary” sites. One was old, Edith Wharton’s fabulous house, The Mount, built at the turn of the century. It offered a fascinating look into the life and times of this remarkable woman. The other site was new, founded in 1980. It is the Yiddish Book Center, aContinue reading “What Yiddish and Edith Wharton Taught Me About the Value of Print Books”
How Leonardo DiCaprio Makes Thriller Writing Fun
I want to be like Castle on tv. He is an amazingly successful fictional fiction writer who spends as much time finding ways to have fun as finding clever plot twists. But since we don’t live in tv world for more than an hour or two at a time, I struggle as a thriller writer toContinue reading “How Leonardo DiCaprio Makes Thriller Writing Fun”
How to Take Charge of Your Novel: Write it Now 4 Review and Scrivener Shout Out
I was a juggler on a tightrope balancing over a pool of crocodiles. I had way too many balls in the air–complex plot, historical references, multi-layered characters, puzzles, action scenes, spiritual themes, challenging settings, dynamic relationships. I was struggling to remember who had done what, who knew what, and did I change that yet inContinue reading “How to Take Charge of Your Novel: Write it Now 4 Review and Scrivener Shout Out”
The War of Art – One Key Element to Success in Writing
UPDATED April 25, 2012 – Are you afraid of writing? In response to a writer’s request for advice on what to do about being afraid of using your gift of writing, I tracked down the following post I wrote for my other (neglected) blog, http://www.womenthrillerwriters.com. I realized that I had originally written this post onContinue reading “The War of Art – One Key Element to Success in Writing”
Making Mr. Right – Love Will Find a Way in Fiction
I recently and, I admit, somewhat reluctantly, attended a workshop led by Mindy Starns Clark. Her bio cast her as a romance writer, a Christian romance writer. I’m a thriller writer, so I wondered if what she had to say would be relevant. Then again, she had mentioned on another conference panel that one of herContinue reading “Making Mr. Right – Love Will Find a Way in Fiction”
Top Seven Reasons to Self Publish and Three Reasons not to Self Publish
It’s my anniversary! One year ago, I did not have a blog, nor a twitter account. I did not know what a widget was or how to manipulate a jpeg. But I did have a thriller novel that I had worked hard on crafting. I wanted to connect with readers, not only to entertain, but to makeContinue reading “Top Seven Reasons to Self Publish and Three Reasons not to Self Publish”
What Van Gogh Can Teach Us About Writing
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”
PAMELA HEGARTY 