My Thoughts
The Least You Should Know About Outlining Your Story
An outline is the foundation of your story, a framework on which to build a solid, cohesive tale. Outlining first may make the difference between a powerful story with depth, or a mediocre tale.
‘Tweener’ Rejections
Let’s explore some of those ubiquitous rejection letters that even internationally published novelists see frequently. And if publishers aren’t looking for fascinating page turners, what exactly are they looking for? Here’s my theory.
15 Tips for Successful Writing Groups
Maybe you’re not as good a writer as you think you are. It’s true. We tend to fall in love with our own writing, blinded to our imperfect technique. How do you know? Join a writing group and get feedback – lots of it.
Romance in Thrillers?
An avid thriller reader who is working on a first novel asked, “Isn’t it difficult working deep characterization and good romance into thrillers?” Difficult, maybe. Impossible, no. Essential, absolutely!
Digging for a Story
Thriller and mystery plots are all around us. Imagine what a good mystery writer could do with something I heard this morning:
Fashion Your Own Reality
In the not-to-distant future, your state of mind may determine the music you hear. Scott Wilkinson’s essay about quantum music experiments blew my mind (“Got QUALMS?” – Electronic Musician). It’s true. In experiments, the sound and perception of the same piece of music played through quantum converters yields a different experience each time depending on your mood.
Does It Pay to Complain?
A White House study shows that there are substantial rewards for companies that pay special attention to their dissatisfied customers.
How Calvin Klein Knows Your Waistline
Manufacturers regularly use statistical data to aid in designing their products and in scheduling production to meet the needs of the market place. By using statistics, we, too, can predict variability and use it to our advantage.
He Changed the Way We Live
Even if you’ve never heard of Del Meyer, you’ve been touched by his work. He has been awarded 26 patents during his 35-year career. None, however, has had more impact than his idea to make purified terephthalic acid, or PTA, the raw material of polyester – a product that forever changed the world.
Deep Six!
A lost Soviet submarine. A mad, reclusive billionaire. A dangerous covert salvage from the bottom of the sea. A Cold War espionage thriller? No, it’s the true story of a unique recovery ship that’s now getting a new lease on life with oil and gas companies.
A Special Child
Christopher Funk is a cheerful, handsome 5-year-old who enjoys playing with his friends in the schoolyard and showing off his drawings in kindergarten class. But when he was born, a doctor told his parents that he was probably mentally retarded and would never walk or control his bodily functions — in short, that he would be a vegetable.
Second Chance
Her house in Atlanta’s Grant Park section is special to Barbara Brewer. She spends long hours making it comfortable, cleaning and decorating, working hard to provide a good home for her sons.