Our wonderful interwebs are full of blogs and writing websites that showcase an endless procession of writing advice and tips. We’ve discussed the pros and cons here on Indies Unlimited many times, so I don’t want to go over old ground. While planning the content of this post in the quiet small hours, however, it seemed like a good idea at the time to take a slightly skewed, bizarro-world look at writing tips using our trusty list format. Now, it seems… well, slightly stupid. But since I didn’t have a backup, here it is, anyway: a new kind of list. Twenty Five Writing Tips That Probably Suck. Seriously, though, I’m not wasting anyone’s time: loosely hidden within this apparent drivel are some actual decent tips, once they’re extricated and unpacked. You’ll see. Continue reading “Armless and Legless”
Featured Author: Dick C. Waters
Opportunities are what you make of them.
After almost thirty years in computer manufacturing and distribution in Massachusetts, he moved in ’91 with his wife and son to the Phoenix area. He found an opportunity with a Fortune 500 company and put his project and other management skills to good use. Once again the change in computer technology took its toll in 2001 and opportunity knocked again. Finally, after five years with a large health-care provider he retired in ‘09.
Reading and writing was always something his various roles required. However, over time, reading mystery novels at bedtime became a way of winding down. The James Patterson ‘Alex Cross’ novels were a favorite along with Stuart Woods’ novels.
However, creativity got the best of him, and he started kicking around a mystery novel of his own. His first attempt at writing that mystery novel resulted in many agent rejections. Finally, one caring agent indicated that the style was incorrect for a mystery novel. Many years later, and several “how to books” provided the necessary guidelines to allow him to publish his first mystery novel in July 2011 – ‘Serial Separation.’
In March of 2012, he published the second novel in the Scott Tucker series – ‘Scent of Gardenia.’ The third novel in this series; ‘Branded for Murder’ is written and will be published by the end of this year. The fourth, and possibly final novel of this series, has been started.
Dick plans to publish at least two novels a year. Continue reading “Featured Author: Dick C. Waters”
Week 22 Flash Fiction Challenge Winner: Rich Meyer
Today we’re pleased to announce the winner of the 22nd weekly Flash Fiction challenge at Indies Unlimited.
The winning entry is rewarded with a special feature here today and a place in our collection of winners which will be published as an e-book at year end.
There were five entrants in the contest this week. The winner (with 50% of the votes) is our own Rich Meyer.
Congratulations to Rich, and thanks to everyone who participated – excellent entries! Now, without further ado, here’s the winning entry: Continue reading “Week 22 Flash Fiction Challenge Winner: Rich Meyer”
Ed’s Casual Friday. How it feels.
Non sequitur –
Let us call it a hazard of the driving profession.
But say you are heading east from Glendale on the US 60 – or as it is also known, the Superstition Highway – and let us say you are behind the wheel of a Mercedes Benz 600 Limo with a v12 lurking under the hood. That’s right. Twelve cylinders. Twelve cylinders nobody actually uses, as a limo does start-and-stop traffic downtown, idles at stoplights, parks in lots outside posh restaurants and seedy houses on the south side. The car never gets to growl. Never gets to sow its oats. But this is 11:30 PM on a Friday, and every officer of the Phoenix law is downtown seeing traffic safely out of the ballpark, and more power to them. The Superstition is just that. Dark. Empty.