Sometimes the links I find don't fit together very well, but still, they're great articles that should be passed along.
Via Lee Goldberg's blog is this piece about self-publishing by Amanda Hocking. http://amandahocking.blogspot.com/2011/03/some-things-that-need-to-be-said.html Finally, someone who's not afraid to splash a little cold water on the flames of self-publishing giddiness that's running rampant.
Over at Book Life Now, Scott Nicholson has an interesting piece on freelancing. http://booklifenow.com/2011/03/artistic-financial-sense-scott-nicholson-on-freelancing-2/
From Brian Lindenmuth we have a great article about writing from a most unusual source. http://www.utne.com/Great-Writing/The-Art-Of-The-Police-Report.aspx
And finally if you're a Richard Matheson fan and have an mp3 player or can get your computer to play podcasts better than mine, there's an interview with Mr. Matheson here http://bookotron.com/agony/audio/2011/2011-interviews/richard_matheson-2011.mp3
7 comments:
I'm glad Amanda wrote that post. It needed to be said.
Yes, it did, David!
I've been doing some culling of stories from my son's legal briefs. It makes the crime so dry however, it is hard to breathe life into it.
Two comments about police reports:
I once heard a detective speak about his work, and he told us that a police officer who aspires to a detective position must above all learn to write. It's more important than investigative skills.
One of my favorite short stories is "Officers Weep" by Daniel Orozco. In a poetically heightened version of the language of police reports it tells the story of two officers, a man and a woman and partners on the job, falling in love. It can be found in "The Best Amerioan Mystery Stories 2005."
I would think by their nature that legal briefs would have to dry, Patti, as they deal strictly with facts in the case. The police on the other hand deal with the people and the emotions and I expect that a great deal of that comes through in their reports. And putting emotions into dry facts can be a daunting chore!
I believe that, Al! I expect every case depends on how clearly a detective writes down the facts. Even a regular police officer must have that talent for writing descriptions of what happened and to who and even what the perps might have looked like. Perhaps that's why so many cops become writers. And thanks for the tip on the story!
Thanks for the mention--indie authors don't have to make a million to have a joyful, productive life.
Scott Nicholson
Welcome to the Corner, Scott! It's always a pleasure to link to good advice and short stories writers know all about not making a lot of money :)
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