This question popped up on a discussion group recently and it’s one I’ve pondering of late. Here was the abbreviated question, posted by Shalanna Collins: “I’m wondering how you feel about the ‘invitation to the game’ that constitutes the mystery opening trope. What I mean is . . . when you pick up a mystery,…
Category: Blog
The RMFW Spotlight is on Rene’ Zimbelman, Publicity Chair
Now that we have so many new members of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Board of Directors, we’ll once again be featuring the RMFW Spotlight on the blog. Our goal is to introduce our board members to all our readers and encourage other RMFW members to offer their time and energy to this energetic and…
Nothing More Terrifying: Writing the Holiday Novella
Many moons ago, as the cold winds swept across the lands, I used to scoff, yes I said it, scoff at those writers writing holiday novellas. Hacks the lot of them. And then I realized something—I’m the hack. I’m the writer not using all the tools in my utility belt. It’s me who sucks, not…
Friends Writers Need and When to Shut Them Out … by Margaret Mizushima
“Without great solitude, no serious work is possible.” ~Picasso When I was a kid growing up on a cattle ranch in the panhandle of Texas, I had a tumbleweed for a friend. Seriously. Miles from the nearest neighbors and school, our home was surrounded by thousands of acres of natural buffalo grass, cattle, and yes—weeds….
Never Ignore Serendipity
I just took a vacation. It was great, but what I took away from it (besides a sunburn and a hangover), was that I need to make sure I never let myself ignore serendipitous moments in time. While our husbands went fishing, my friend and I decided we’d take a nice little snorkeling trip. Just…