After All This Time You’re Still Asking Questions*

Check out this great post from the Confessions of a Mystery Novelist blog on how questions can linger long after a case is over with examples in crime fiction.

Confessions of a Mystery Novelist...

Even after a jury renders its verdict, that doesn’t mean a case goes away. The real truth about some cases doesn’t always come out, which means there are lingering questions about its outcome. We’ve certainly seen that in real life. For example, in 1892, Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Borden was acquitted of murdering her father and stepmother. And there are several theories as to who was really responsible. But at the same time, plenty of people continued to believe she was guilty. And there are historians who think the same thing.

The same questions come up in crime fiction, and it’s interesting to see the roles they can play in the genre. Those lingering questions can be the basis for a legal appeal. Or, they can prompt Cold Case teams to look into the case again. Sleuths, too, can be drawn into cases because of those questions.

For instance, in Agatha Christie’s

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6 Ways To Organize Your Bookshelves

Check out this post from Rachel Poli’s blog with 6 ways to organize your bookshelves

Rachel Poli

If you’re an avid reader, then I’m sure you have too many books to fill your shelves. I’m also pretty sure you love to organize the books in your free time because… why not?

1. Chronologically

You can organize your shelves this way in a number of different ways. This can be in the order you bought the books, the order the books were published, or by the author’s age… I’ve never seen anyone do that, but I’m sure it’d be interesting and probably very tedious.

2. Color

Who doesn’t want a rainbow bookshelf? Put your books in rainbow order by their spines. It would most likely split up books by the same author and series but it’d be really pretty to look at.

3. Alphabetically

Alphabetize your books. They’ll be easier to find if you’re looking for something in particular. You can order them by the title or the…

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Author Spotlight – Don Massenzio @dmassenzio

I am honored to be featured on Hugh’s Views and News blog today. The generosity of the blogging community never ceases to amaze me. Thanks Hugh and everyone who checks it out.

Hugh's Views & News

While I’m busy working on my next collection of short stories, I’ve two ‘Author Spotlight’ posts for you this week. On Monday we met Geoff Le Pard. Click here to read the post.

Today, I’d like to welcome Don Massenzio to my blog. This is the first time Don has appeared on my blog (other than when he has left comments), and the launch of his new book which features a favourite mode of transport of mine, Time Travel, was the perfect opportunity for me to invite Don to write a guest post. I’m so pleased that he accepted my invitation, and I’m looking forward to reading his new book. Over to you, Don.

***

When I started writing my latest release, Extra Innings, it was as a weekly serial published on my author blog. When it began, I wanted it to be a mix of baseball nostalgia mixed…

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Book promotions worth your time and trouble, and some which are not (IMHO).

Check out this great post from Stevie Turner’s blog with some book promotions that are worth your time and trouble and others that are not.

Stevie Turner

Let’s start with the good news.  In my opinion here are a few marketing ideas / promotions which might help your book to sell better:

1.  BookBub promotions:

Yes they are expensive, but most authors who get accepted do notice a rise in their book’s ranking.  The trick is to get accepted in the first place – I’m still trying!

2.  Guest posting on more popular blogs:

Check out the more popular blogs that accept guest posts and write some good content.  Your own blog’s site will feature all your books somewhere on the side bars I expect, so there’s no need to keep mentioning them.

3.  Winning a reputable writing competition:

You can gain some kudos by doing this, and thereby win followers who will check out your books because they are interested.

4.  Give one book away free on Draft2Digital:

If one book is free on Draft2Digital it then becomes free on many popular…

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The plate of peas part of writing

Check out this interesting post from C.S. Boyack via the Story Empire blog that compares parts of writing to a plate of peas.

Story Empire

Hi, Gang! Craig with you again, with another way to think about story. I used to talk about this with my children when it came to life choices. They hated it, but hopefully it will resonate better with you guys.

To do this, imagine you have a big old platter of peas–

What’s that? In the back? Olives? Yeah, I suppose. Make them Gummy Bears if you like, but you have a big old pile of them.

Every pea stands for one possibility within your story. When you start out you have one pea for every possibility there is. Now this is perfect for the daydreaming phase of writing, but eventually, you’re going to have to make a few decisions. In this example, it’s all about taking some peas off your plate.

If, for example, you have Katie grooming her horse, you may have already removed science fiction from the…

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The Key to Maintaining a Successful Blog Isn’t Gaining More Followers

Check out this great post from the Novelty Revisions blog on how the key to maintaining a successful blog isn’t gaining more followers

Novelty Revisions

“How do I get more people to follow my blog?”

“Why don’t I have as many followers as that writer?”

“How many followers do you have to have before you are successful?”

You have all either seen others ask these questions or have pondered them yourself. Because today, subscriber counts are everything. YouTube rewards their creators with plaques for reaching milestones. WordPress sends you congratulatory notifications.

As if having more automatically means you’re doing your best.

Of course, it might be a sign you’re doing something right. But what happens when you don’t know what that “right” thing is?

I think I have an answer.

I want you to ask yourself two questions:

1. How much content are you creating?
2. Is it “good”?

“Good” blog content always serves the reader. It provides them with information, or motivates them to do or consider something.

And the reason I asked you to consider…

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How To Deal With An Author Publishing A Novel Similar to Yours

Check out this interesting post from the Writing Mad blog on how to deal with an author publishing a novel similar to yours.

WritingMad

There I was beavering away on book three when I discovered that a well-known author might be about to publish a novel with the same central concept as mine. I had logged onto the early reviews and a reader had mentioned the words, ‘a mother with a secret.’ Oh, Christ, I thought, and so began my two-day long endurance until the book came out.

I bought it and read in a frenzy that ripped the pages and wrecked the spine. Huh – take that, stupid book! Reader, it was all I could do not to stamp on the thing, because what stared up at me was virtually the same book as mine. It even had an almost identical opening scene.

It felt as if there was a brick in my stomach. I was 50,000 words into my first draft, for goodness sake. It was possibly one of the worst first…

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