LeBlanc Book Signing

LeBlanc Book Signing
I went to the Deborah LeBlanc book signing yesterday and she had a huge turnout. The crowd was enthralled while she described being locked in a coffin, all a part of her research for her novel Grave Intent. I've started reading my autographed copy and it's moving at a fast pace. It's an interesting premise about Gypsies. I'll write my review when I'm finished but I'm sure it's going to be great. Grave Intent is being mentioned as a possible Bram Stoker Award nominee.

Detective Novel
The detective novel I'm currently writing is at the last act and I just killed a character that I had earlier wanted to live to the end. It was gut wrenching and painful to put on the page but it had to be done. Playing God on the keyboard comes with great responsibility. A reader could get attached to a character then to wipe them from the pages is a dangerous way to write. I'm not telling anybody the plot or the title of the book until it's finished because I think it's an interesting premise that I've yet to read. I don't want to jinx it.

Daisy Daring sequel
I have completed the sequel to Daisy Daring and the Quest for the Loomis Gang Gold. It's titled Daisy Daring and the Quest for the Hiawatha Belt. It was a lot of fun to write and I hope the publisher of DDI decides to pick it up. Right now I have to work on my marketing plan, book tour, and publicity push for DDI. North Country Books tells me DDI will be out in October. They're a small press but top-notch in terms of quality books, distribution, and marketing. I've seen their titles all over the Northeast and they've published many best selling non-fiction titles. I'll have to ask but I'm pretty sure my mystery will be the first in their 40 year history.

007, Batman and Female Boxing

JAMES BOND
I rarely watch television because with a full time job, MBA classes, and three young children in all sorts of activities, I just don't have the spare time. But the last few weeks have been the exception because AMC has been playing all the James Bond 007 movies. I've probably seen these movies dozens of times yet I can't help watching them. I'm not sure if it's the gadgets, the exotic locations, or the ladies. Goldfinger with Sean Connery is my favorite with The Spy Who Loved Me with Roger Moore a close second. I read that Pierce Brosnan has been dropped and they're looking for a new Bond. I liked the Brosnan movies with Goldeneye being my favorite. I wonder who the new Bond will be?

BATMAN BEGINS
This was the best movie I have seen in a movie theater this year. Dark, brooding, and exactly what comic fans have been waiting for. I loved the Tim Burton versions yet Christian Bale was great and the Skarecrow was a creepy villain. My friend Craig tells me the rumor is that Sean Penn is to play the joker in the next installment. WOW!!

MILLION DOLLAR BABY
This is one of the best movies of all time. I didn't sleep the night I watched this movie. Clint Eastwood and Hillary Swank deserved all the Oscars and accolades for this movie. And a damn amazing performance by Morgan Freeman. So good, It's hard to describe. I'm a man so I try to put on that tough exterior but I have to admit that a few scenes made me cry.

Deborah LeBlanc

The local Barnes and Noble where I live is having mystery writer Deborah LeBlanc there for a booksigning on August 27th. She's a very talented writer and I plan on placing her Family Inheritance in the "cool books" section of my website. She's from Louisiana and Family Inheritance takes place there.

I've been to New Orleans and loved the food, the people, and the atmosphere. When I was there I visited a voodoo shop and had my palm read. I also bought my wife a voodoo doll that angered the Irish Catholic in her. I ate some alligator, watched live Zydeco music, and drank ice cold beer. Louisiana is one awesome place. I'm really excited about getting a chance to meet Deborah. Reading great books is what life is all about so I'm looking forward to picking up her latest mystery Grave Intent.

The Gun on the Counter

The old saying goes that if there's a gun in your writing, it better be shot. In other words, don't needlessly place an item in a scene unless you have a use for it. I don't know if I agree with this thought because I like being surprised. It takes an awful lot to surprise me. I guess when you're young and naive you can be duped but I guess age hardens the brain.

I've been working on a detective novel that takes place in Utica, NY which is right down the road from where I live. It's an interesting city that Stephen King throws a mention to in his novel The Stand. It's a neat city with a colorful past. Some people would say you need to base your novels in a large city or a familiar place. I don't agree because some of the best stuff I've read takes place in remote locations. One example is Precinct Puerto Rico. Great writing transcends cities, boundaries, and borders. If the story is great it can take place in a single room.