While doing research for my new book, I came across some numbers that were troublesome. So rather than keep them to myself, I’ll share them with you. I have a theory that people love to read mysteries and thrillers because
Clearing Cases
Creativity
There’s a theory that everyone is born with an innate sense of creativity. As babies grow into toddlers, and toddlers grow into school-age children, they have within them a sense of adventure and curiosity. As they discover and learn, they
What Makes It Worthwhile
Today I received the first half of my advance for WHISPER ROOM to be published in 2022. My wife watched as I opened the envelope from my agent and she asked, “Do you think that pays for your time spent
Blood on the Page
Our local college has contracted me to teach another Creative Writing course in January—if our state is still allowing in-person classes by then. I’ve taught three of these in 2020, remarkable because of everything that’s going on. We all have
Face Mask Mayhem and Writing Distractions
In my creative writing class that I was teaching for our local college, cut short by the pandemic, I stressed the value of ratcheting up tension as your book progresses. Well, welcome to the real world, where the tension is
Pandemic, writing it into your work…or not?
I’m facing two problems with my newest writing project. One: Should I incorporate the pandemic into my plot? Should I make reference to it? Two: What will life be like in a year from now? I have a hunch that
Coronavirus – About Heroes
Like many of my fellow bloggers, during this time where we’re self-isolating, practicing social distancing, and wearing masks to the grocery store, I’m finding it difficult to dive into my current work in progress. I fear that anything I write
Creating Tension in Fiction Writing
I received this by private message in Facebook this morning: “Good evening, any idea when Shadow Hill will be hitting the bookshelves? I just started Graveyard Bay this week and can’t believe how much your books make my heart race.
Tom’s Unofficial Poll of Favorite Holiday Books and Movies
My latest Geneva Chase mystery, Graveyard Bay, takes place shortly before Christmas. Now, under no circumstances, would I classify it as a holiday tale. Of my three published novels, Graveyard Bay is probably the darkest. Whips, chains, assassinations, jailbreaks—not a
Storytelling—Casablanca Style
One of my favorite films, Casablanca, turned 77 on November 26. Whenever it’s on television, I never miss it. But what about it leads me to watch it over and over again? We do the same thing with movies like It’s a