Writing

Analyze This

5/20/2010

With nine novels published, it can still be nerve-wracking to have someone analyze my writing. Author Culture has a nice post about "Pacing Emotion" in COMPANY MAN. And Margie Lawson features a Deep Editing Analysis of VANISHED.     … Read more
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Aspiring Writers Want to Know...

7/29/2009

Joseph discusses the craft of writing and how he got started as an author. This video offers useful information and an interesting story about bestselling novelist Lee Child and outlines. … Read more
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Life Imitates Art Imitates Life Imitates ...

3/16/2009

The question writers get asked most is “Where do you get your ideas?” I don’t mind that, but the one I wish people would ask is, “What ideas do you wish you’d get credit for?”, because this weekend I read this article from the Associated Press: Deaths of gamers leave their online lives in limboBy PETER SVENSSON – 1 day ago … Read more
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To Outline or Not to Outline?

2/17/2009

The text of my February 2009 "Writing Tips" newsletter. If you'd like to subscribe, click here.Okay, you’ve finally decided to sit down and write a thriller. As Robert Redford asked in the last line of The Candidate: “Now what?” Outline or not?This is the question I get most of all, whether by e-mail or at conferences: Do you outline or not? … Read more
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January Writing Tips: Just write the damned book already.

1/16/2009

You wouldn’t believe how many people I meet who tell me they’ve got a great idea for a novel . . . if only they had the time to write!“You know,” I say, “You’re right. That’s my secret. I have all this free time.”And if only I had the time to run for President, I’d be in the White House. Writing is the only profession I can think of that requires no license, no certificate, no special training, and no special tools. Anyone who wants to can be a writer. All you have to do is write. … Read more
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Writers: The Coffee Achievers

1/15/2009

Santa didn’t bring me what I really wanted for Christmas, but I hardly expected him to. Don’t get me wrong -- I was good last year, and Santa was generous. But what I really wanted was a Clover® Brewing System, the kind they have at the Starbucks on Beacon Street, and in only a handful of other Starbucks around the country. It was a lot to ask for, I knew, even before I found out that a Clover® machine costs $12,000. But I swear, if I found $12,000 on a sidewalk, I’d buy one. … Read more
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