We got up and had coffee this morning. I needed it. I was groggy (and probably Mary was too) from a visit by a raccoon in the wee hours. Around 1:10 this morning, Peaches ran down the bedroom and office stairs alerting us to the critter’s presence. I had closed the basement door around 7Continue reading “Nightlife in Lake County”
Author Archives: Norm Benson
And I Thought Stinging Nettles Were Bad
Stinging nettle (Urtica spp.) can sting and hurt for a few minutes but it’s completely benign when compared with Gympie Gympie (Dendrocnide moroides). According to Neil blogging on jennifermarhasy.com, “[c]ontact with human skin can cause extreme pain, starting as a rapidly intensifying burning sensation. The pain may persist for days, but upon exposure to coldContinue reading “And I Thought Stinging Nettles Were Bad”
Second Draft Advice
The Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers offered some useful advice on writing your second draft. See SECOND DRAFT.
Copter 104
Yesterday was a pretty quiet and relaxing Sunday. The flock of pubescent girls that had been squawking Friday and Saturday, migrated back to roost elsewhere and we were allowed to listen to the lake lapping at the shore once more. Around 1:30 PM, we got a visit from my former neighbors. I used to workContinue reading “Copter 104”
Sisters in Crime Publishers' Summit
Some members of the Sisters in Crime visited Harper Collins, agent Simon Lipskar of Writers House, Penguin, and Soho Press on their Publisher’s Summit (See their first installment/second installment). They report (according to the folks they met) the hot genre is the thriller, “positioning” the story is key, writers need to write lots (more thanContinue reading “Sisters in Crime Publishers' Summit”
Sisters in Crime Publishers’ Summit
Some members of the Sisters in Crime visited Harper Collins, agent Simon Lipskar of Writers House, Penguin, and Soho Press on their Publisher’s Summit (See their first installment/second installment). They report (according to the folks they met) the hot genre is the thriller, “positioning” the story is key, writers need to write lots (more thanContinue reading “Sisters in Crime Publishers’ Summit”
Maybe "Heartwood of Darkness" isn’t the best title
On a recent podcast of A Way with Words, I heard about a contest that I’m pretty sure I don’t want to win: The Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year. This year’s winner is If You Want Closure in Your Relationship, Start With Your Legs. I like one of the runners-up: IContinue reading “Maybe "Heartwood of Darkness" isn’t the best title”
Maybe “Heartwood of Darkness” isn’t the best title
On a recent podcast of A Way with Words, I heard about a contest that I’m pretty sure I don’t want to win: The Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year. This year’s winner is If You Want Closure in Your Relationship, Start With Your Legs. I like one of the runners-up: IContinue reading “Maybe “Heartwood of Darkness” isn’t the best title”
Maybe "Heartwood of Darkness" isn't the best title
On a recent podcast of A Way with Words, I heard about a contest that I’m pretty sure I don’t want to win: The Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year. This year’s winner is If You Want Closure in Your Relationship, Start With Your Legs. I like one of the runners-up: IContinue reading “Maybe "Heartwood of Darkness" isn't the best title”
(Jumping the) Query Shark
Jumping the shark nowadays meaning doing something so outside of what a character/TV series what do that the storyline moves in a bizarre direction. However writing to the Query Shark is a good thing. She’s an agent who receives query letters and critiques the letter. Here’s a perfect one in her opinion.
Nullius in Verba 