-
What Makes a Thriller? Harlan Coben Provides One Answer in Nobody’s Fool
I’m relatively late in reading anything by Harlan Coben, having read the first Myron Bolitar novel just last fall. I’ve since read three Bolitar books but never a standalone entry in Coben’s 37-novel career. When Nobody’s Fool was published, I checked out the audiobook from the library and settled into what is billed as a thriller. What Does “Thriller” Mean To You? “A stunningly twisty thriller” are the opening words to the book description so my mind conjured up an idea of what that meant. “Stunningly twisty” told me that I was going to get what Coben is famous for: a story that turned on itself, subverting expectations while truths…
-
The Great Summer Writing Season
Here in the United States, summer officially begins this weekend. It ends 98 days later on Labor Day, 1 September. I know it is a great time to travel, watch summer blockbuster movies–Superman! Fantastic Four. Superman. Mission Impossible (it’s AWEsome!). Jurassic World. Did I mention Superman?–catch up on some TV, sit on the patio or beach or dock and sip something cold, and just enjoy the summer vibe. But it can also be used to write. Think of it: perfect bookends. There is a beginning and an end. There are 98 days of summer. If you were to write up to 1,000 words per day, you’d have a novel. Okay,…
-
How Does Fandom Change as We Grow Older?
Being a fan of something is different when you’re younger. A fellow Gen-Xer and I have discussion about fandom: what it was like as a kid or a young adult and what it’s like as we continue to get older. Recently he sent me a text and I’ve been reflecting on it. I think my new take is that something has to touch my life in reality for my mind to naturally lock onto it the way it did before. For example, a TV show doesn’t actually touch my life. I’m not part of the creation of it, distribution, marketing, etc. My role is the very last step, and it’s…