Writing Book Reviews
Page Two of TwoStrictly Murder: A Writer's Guide to Criminal Homicide by Martin Roth
Siles Press, March 1998.Hardcover, 208 pages.
ISBN: 1890085030
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
This unique reference book for crime
writers covers different kinds of murders
from initial investigation to their prosecution.
Written by expert Martin Roth, screenwriter
for mystery television series including Hawaii
Five-O, Hart to Hart and It Takes a Thief, the book
helps writers accurately describe police
investigation practices. The book includes information
on causes of death, criminal homicide, contract
killers, organized crime, domestic murders, serial
killers, terrorism, motives for murder, private
investigators, bounty hunters, murder weapons,
crime labs, courtrooms, medical examiners and other subjects.
The book also includes homicide photographs,
crime lab photographs and informative question and
answer sections. Also included in the book is
an actual "Murder Book" -- a complete
murder report, including all paperwork, from the
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department that follows
a murder from its initial report to the arrest of the
subject.
Strictly Murder is an excellent guidebook for mystery writers that will help writers add reality and appeal to their mystery fiction. In addition, Martin Roth provides the facts in an interesting and compelling manner making
The Writer's Digest Handbook of Novel Writing by the Editors of Writer's Digest
Writers Digest Books, Feb., 1998.Trade Paperback, 260 pages.
ISBN: 0898798310
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
This handbook for novel writing includes over thirty
short how-to and advice articles written by
well-known authors and book and magazine editors.
The articles address concerns
and problems beginners face in tackling novel writing
including plotting, outlining, contacting editors,
agents, creating characters, writing love scenes,
flashbacks, choosing a category and finding ideas.
Some of the popular authors the articles are written
by include Tom Clancy, Dean R. Koontz, Lawrence
Block and Orson Scott Card. Some highlights from
the book include "When Should You Put Yourself
in an Agent's Hands?" by Dean R. Koontz which dispels
some of the myths surrounding agents; "Negotiating
Your Book Contract" by book editor Michael Seidman,
which explains what is involved in a book contract
negotiation and "Choosing Your Storyteller" by science
fiction author Joel Rosenberg, an article about choosing
the point of view.
The Writer's Digest Handbook of Novel Writing is a solid instruction book with excellent advice and ideas from established authors and editors. A practical and inspirational guidebook for those beginning on the journey of novel writing.
Writing Articles About the World Around You by Marcia Yudkin
Writers Digest Books, Feb., 1998.Trade Paperback, 217 pages.
ISBN: 0898798140
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Having trouble coming up with an idea for that next
article? In this guidebook on writing and selling
articles freelance writer and author, Marcia Yudkin,
teaches you how to write successfully using what
you know and your own experiences. She explains
that, "You don't need to scheme your way behind
gates in Hollywood or uncover the smoking gun
for our next national scandal in order to attract the
attention of editors." Subjects addressed in the
book include using your experiences, using what
you know, using a local angle, query
letters, researching, interviewing, structure,
rewriting, dealing with editors and building your
freelance writing career.
Yudkin includes personal experience anecdotes
from her career, examples, question and answer
sections and interesting facts to strengthen her
message to the reader.
A great book for freelance writers packed with tips
and advice from an expert freelancer.
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