by Karna Small Bodman My fellow Rogues are all bestselling thriller writers, so I’m sure they are familiar with these “Tips” for creating a great thriller. However, I figured I could always use a refresher course, or a reminder of the basics, so I recently watched a presentation on how to craft a...
by Karna Small Bodman Have you noticed how some of the all-time bestselling authors have occasionally ventured away from their best-known genres to write a book in a completely different one? Here are some prime examples of the switch. James Patterson is known world-wide for his great thrillers,...
by Karna Small Bodman Many authors say they get ideas “ripped from the headlines” and then do a “what if” to craft a tale. But what if, instead of following headlines, the author actually predicts them? Have you ever read a novel and later discovered that an event, historical reference, attack —...
I am delighted to introduce an old friend I first met at Thrillerfest many years ago, Mike Lawson. He began his career working for the US Navy as a nuclear engineer. While keeping his “day job” he began writing a terrific series centered in the US Congress. Now he has a new thriller, Redemption,...
By Karna Small Bodman In The New York Times Sunday Book Review section, you’ll see a prominent author answering certain questions such as: “You are hosting a Literary Dinner Party, which authors (living or dead) would you invite and why?” What an interesting challenge. Considering the heartless...
By Karna Small Bodman George Bernard Shaw once observed, “The best way to get your point across is to entertain.” I often think about that quote when I read a “thought-provoking” novel and sense that the author is trying to call attention to an issue, problem or, threat, and perhaps encouraging...
By Karna Small Bodman Christmas shopping is in full swing, so I asked my family and a few friends to recommend books in various genres for consideration as Christmas gifts. All of these suggestions are newly released, and all have hit the bestseller lists. For the history buff: A Very Short...
By Karna Small Bodman We all love books – right? Why is that? When were you first introduced to a book that captured your interest and imagination? Or when did you read certain stories later in life that were so intriguing that you’ve never forgotten them? When it comes to All Time Favorite Books,...
by Karna Small Bodman “The truth is: Many authors spend 25% of their time writing, but 75% of their time marketing” – that’s a quote from a New York Times bestselling author appearing on a panel at Thrillerfest – the annual meeting of our International Thriller Writers organization. Anyone can...
by Karna Small Bodman As the economy continues to open and many people return to a work site instead of working from home, it means leaving a beloved pet who had become accustomed to having us around all day long. So, we all have to take care to spend whatever time we can with these animals,...
