I’ve been writing fiction for 39 years. It took me 23 years to get published. I thought I would always write crime fiction. Now, after five novels out in one mystery series, I have a regular old novel coming out on January 1 from Lake Union. It’s called The Fireballer. Of course I have no…
Author: Mark Stevens
Getting Emotional Now
After playing with the Atlanta Braves for 12 years, Freddie Freeman signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Last month, he returned to Atlanta for the first time to play a game in his new uniform. And, according to almost every single account of the experience, he “got emotional.” Okay, now, one of your jobs as…
Creative Endurance & More
Creative Endurance. David Yoon suggests creative endurance can be cultivated. “Grit is not a personality trait or a special skill. It’s not even all that special. Anyone can have grit because grit is simply a set of good habits.” Some excellent suggestions here. Getting Unstuck. Love these tips from Janice Hardy for how to get…
Nine Pithy Quotes From Left Coast Crime
I jotted down nine quotes from panelists at Left Coast Crime (April 7 – 10) in Albuquerque: “Don’t be afraid to break the rules that need to be broken to tell the story you need to tell.” – Mysti Berry, writer, editor, and publisher of Low Down Dirty Vote “All writing comes down to saying ‘this…
Real Writers Top Ten – April 2022
Random Stuff: How cool is it that one of RMFW’s critique groups publishes short story anthologies? The members of the Speculative Fiction Critique Group help each other with improving their craft, but are also learning about the whole publishing process. The latest anthology is called “Second Law” (published in December 2021). Ralph Beckett, who writes…