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Thomas Harris, Knife Fighter’s Mange, and the Flicket
Graham looked thoughtfully at the marred muscular forearms, the dot of adhesive in the crook of the elbow, the shaved patch where Randy had tested the edge of his knife. Knife fighter’s mange. I’m afraid of Randy. Fire or fall back. “Did you hear me?” Randy said. “Butt out.” Graham unbuttoned his jacket and... »
One Of Your Clients Is Nuts
Over the years I’ve done a lot of freelance work. As anyone who has been in the business — any business — for any length of time can tell you, there is a good chance that at least one of your clients is crazy. Service businesses like writing, voice acting, and editing are, in... »
How old is Mack Bolan?
It’s a fact that the protagonists of long-lived action fiction eventually reach an age where it seems improbable, if not impossible, that they could continue doing what they do without ending their latest book in traction — or a nursing home. Recently, a poster writing as “Wraith270” at the MackBolan.com discussion forum offered this... »
Action Movies and Action Writers
I enjoy watching old action movies from the 1970s. They remind me of my childhood. My father had many favorites from the 1970s and would record them all on our VCR. He built a tremendous indexed and cataloged library of action films gleaned from HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime. I spent many hours working my... »
Respect
The gi is a leveler. To don the uniform is an act of courage. To wear it is sometimes to forego dignity in exchange for untidy learning. People with no self-respect frequently demand unearned respect from others. They obsess over what they wrongly believe they are owed. If I show you disrespect, it’s because... »
The Stephen King Formula
Imagine, if you will, that you have in your home a small office. It is a pleasant enough office. Its shelves are covered in sentimental knicknacks and sag with books. Your desk is cluttered, but you know where everything is. You keep a small plant on the windowsill that you hope does not die.... »
The Exclamation Point
Nothing makes you look like an amateur — or an idiot — faster than using too many exclamation points. Exclamation points are like profanity. They are our special little friends who should only be trotted out every once in a great while. Use them too often, and they lose their impact. Use them where... »
The Smells of Desperation and Need
I stopped at the local library today and they were holding a promotion for local self-published authors. The smell of desperation hung ominously in the air. I’m torn whenever I meet someone who’s got his latest Publish America or iUniverse masterpiece. I self-published several books myself through Booklocker. The problem with self-publishing print-on-demand houses... »