Interview with Suspense Author Peter Abrahams

Written by Jennifer Minar


Continued from page 1

WB: How did you decide to become a full-time novelist? What were you doing before?

Peter: The short answer is that I finally started doing what I was designed to do. The long answer isn't that interesting. Earlier, I worked in radio. Before that, I was a spearfisherman inrepparttar Bahamas.

WB: What would you say isrepparttar 128994 “best” and “worst” aspects to this job?

Peter: The best is that hard-to-describe pleasure that comes with making something out of nothing. The worst? A toss-up betweenrepparttar 128995 business aspects andrepparttar 128996 solitary nature ofrepparttar 128997 job.

WB: Who are some of your favorite authors?

Peter: Lots of dead favorites, and a few living ones, including Stephen King and Saul Bellow.

WB: What can fans expect from you next?

Peter: My next book, "OBLIVION," comes out next year. It's my first detective novel. I think I can safely say thatrepparttar 128998 detective, Nick Petrov, faces challenges unlike any previous fictional detective. I'm also involved in another new thing for me--a young adult mystery series that I'm really excited about.

WB: Do you do a lot of research for your books?

Peter: Research--it depends what you mean. A lot of it just comes from living. But as for allrepparttar 128999 little facts, I do what I have to to get them right. I visit places I write about--some, like southern Arizona in "Their Wildest Dreams," have a deep effect on me.

WB: What would you like to do if you weren't a novelist?

Peter: If I wasn't a novelist, I'd like to be a musician.

WB: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Peter: My advice to writers, at least those ofrepparttar 129000 narrative kind: Don't watch TV. There's nothing for you there.

Jennifer Minar is a freelance writer in the health & fitness and writing markets. She is also the founder & managing editor of Writer's Break (http://www.writersbreak.com), a web site and ezine for fiction and creative non-fiction writers. Jennifer can be contacted at jminar@writersbreak.com.


The Why's, How's and Where's of Research

Written by Lisa Hood


Continued from page 1

Next, you can determine what types of information will answer your question. For example, let’s say your question is: “How do guns work?” this may not be specific enough depending on why you need this information and what you plan to do with it. With a specific question you knowrepparttar type of information needed to answer your question. Sure you can delve intorepparttar 128992 history of gun making, waste a few hours or days, or you can use a web site like http://howstuffworks.com and find your answer in a minute.

We’re spoiled today with so much information at our fingertips; sometimes we overlookrepparttar 128993 best resources for information, a public library. If you just want general information, you may want to look it up in an encyclopedia: more detailed information, such as statistics may be found in trade magazines, almanacs, or reports.

Sometimesrepparttar 128994 best resource isrepparttar 128995 Source itself. I think people like talking about themselves; what they do, their life experiences. Have you ever sat down with an older person and heard all their tales ofrepparttar 128996 good old days? Sometimes it seems like they could talk forever if they had an audience. Be that audience. Ask questions. People can surprise you with their wealth of knowledge and experience.

Garbage in – Garbage Out

Not all information is good information. You may have done your part, decided to conduct research, asked specific questions and foundrepparttar 128997 answer. Or so you think. Before you accept that information as fact, you need to considerrepparttar 128998 source.

- Is it Reliable? For example, didrepparttar 128999 information come for a impartial source? Are they trying to influence your thinking with propaganda, rather than non biased fact? Are they trying to sell you something? Keep in mind, any data can be skewed ifrepparttar 129000 source has an agenda.

- Is it Qualified? Doesrepparttar 129001 author ofrepparttar 129002 information have credentials? Are they stating fact or opinion? It’s ok ifrepparttar 129003 source is stating an opinion, as long as they are identified and informed opinions, which may or may not be supported by data.

- Is it Relevant? How old is it? Life changes fast, and facts even faster. What was 100% true five years ago may be 100% untrue today. Hasrepparttar 129004 data been taken out of context?

You can give your audience much more than just an entertaining story. You can give them knowledge. If you do thorough research and make informed decisions in your writing, you will develop trust and respect with your audience. Don’t forget, research is a SEARCH. It is not always easy to findrepparttar 129005 information you’re looking for, you may have to try several sources before you find your answer. Consider it a treasure hunt, with nuggets of knowledge more valuable then gold.

Lisa Hood is the author of "Shades of Betrayal" and “Shades of Revenge”. She has been writing for over 10 years and is presently working on her third suspense novel, “Shades of Jealousy.”She is also the Talent Liaison @ BOOKJOBBER.com. Other articles by Lisa Hood can be downloaded from http://www.bookjobber.com/articles.asp or mailto:lisa_j@bookjobber.com


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