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Hooks, Lines and Sequels
The literary definition of a “hook” is “a means of attracting interest or attention; an enticement.” Much has been written about hooks, or writing to hook the reader. Some of my writing teachers...
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The Novel in Letters
An epistolary novel is written as a series of letters. It may also contain diary entries, clippings from newspapers or magazines, etc., and more recently, Email. But it is not an epistolary novel...
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The Birth, Death and Resurrection of the Footnote
A version of the footnote appeared around 1700, and evolved during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries into the form used throughout the nineteenth and much of the twentieth century. The footnote...
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Framing the Novel: The Prologue and the Epilogue
Reference books agree that a prologue is a separate introductory section of a work of literature, and an epilogue is a separate section at the end of a literary work.[1] A writer may use both a...
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Avoiding the “Info Dump”
I enjoy letters from readers, and often learn from them. I recently received a great review from a New Zealand author, Lyn McConchie. What I liked best about the review follows: “…very interesting...
View ArticleExercising Your Imagination
Over at Writers & Authors, Reba talks about why she writes mysteries. Click here to read the essay
View ArticleHow I Use Food in My Books
“How I Use Food in My Books,” a short essay, was published in Mystery Readers Journal. Food is important in my three Coleman and Dinah Greene mysteries, and in Angels, my book about Coleman and Dinah...
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