It came to me after reading Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code first, his preceding novel Angels and Demons second––this awareness of author growth. I found both books enormously entertaining, yet the greater sophistication of the former in contrast to the latter was clear. I suppose I had not previously thought in terms of author … Continue reading Are You Reading The Author You Expected?
Elmore Leonard
Is Kafka The Same On Kindle?
The digital age has forced choices; smart phone or single purpose phone, GPS for the car or old-fashioned map (and instinct), broadcast TV or streaming video, and my topic for this column; eBook or physical book? As an author, my support of the eBook revolution was a no-brainer. It’s all about little time and large numbers. … Continue reading Is Kafka The Same On Kindle?
To Series, or Not to Series (It’s a Serious Question)
Up to this moment in time, I have thought that I am writing a series. I have written two novels linked by common characters - my Zack Tolliver and Eagle Feather adventure mysteries. I am 220 pages along on the third novel with the same protagonists. But when is a series not a series? This question … Continue reading To Series, or Not to Series (It’s a Serious Question)
Where Do Characters Come From?
It's always interesting to consider the origins of characters in books. What part of the author appears in each one? Does any one particular character represent the author more than another? Or are characters simply what they seem - pure fictional creations? I've looked back over my own work with curiosity regarding this question. Clearly, … Continue reading Where Do Characters Come From?
A Writer’s Ego: Necessary Evil?
I've recently returned from attending the Santa Barbara Writers Conference. A topic that arose frequently was that of writers' ego. It usually came up in discussions about the sublimation of ego to editing. It is a necessary evil, true enough. At least to a degree. But a writer must have ego. When a writer sets words on … Continue reading A Writer’s Ego: Necessary Evil?
R Lawson Gamble 