Note: This is a novelette, at something over 12000 words. For that reason, I chose to publish it here in two parts. Shortly after dawn on Thursday morning, the arid air of Dalton, Texas was still chilly from the cloudless night. Marshal Bob Gibson sat in a straight back chair on the platform at the train station. The chair was leaned back against the wall. Beneath the cuffs of his brown canvas trousers, his boots extended … Read more
Hey Folks, A friend sent me some information re the upcoming NaNoWriMo annual “challenge.” In case you’re interested, the link is Tips for Surviving the Agony and Ecstasy of NaNoWriMo. There, I’ve done my civic duty. Now I can play a bit. Okay, first, how about that title, eh? I mean, seriously, “The Agony and Ecstasy”? Does that evoke a picture of a poor, beleagured, suffering-for-his-art writer with one forearm flung dramatically across his forehead or … Read more
Every night the shaman came out, an offering clenched tightly in his left fist. To watch him was to witness sheer willpower. His head appeared first above the edge of the chasm. His hands came next, one a foot or so to either side. The right with fingers splayed for a grip, the left still clenched. He might as well drop his soul as drop his offering. With those fingers and his bony wrists he gripped … Read more
Hi Folks, Note: This post was originally scheduled for 9/10/2013. It didn’t post to MailChimp, so I’m posting it again now. I’ve revised the original post so it’s up to date. As I write this, I just had an excellent question from an acquaintance in Tucson who wrote that she had bought my Punctuation for Writers a few years ago at a Society of Southwestern Authors (SSA) meeting and had found it useful. However, it had … Read more
When I opened the door of the interview room, the guy looked up at me. He was sitting on the back side of a scuffed wooden table in a faded orange chair. The cheap kind with the chrome legs. His t-shirt almost blended with the bland, institutional green block wall behind him. The room smelled of stale cigarette smoke and air freshener. Go figure. I said, “Hey, how you doin’?” I straightened my tie and pulled … Read more
Hi Folks, Note: This post was originally scheduled for 8/30/2013. It didn’t post to MailChimp, so I’m posting it again now. I have NOT revised the original post other than reparagraphing some of it. This post goes hand in hand with my previous post on Busting the Myths of Digital Publishing. I often hear from folks who say they want to “publish like you, on Amazon” but they don’t mention any other venues. If you self-publish, … Read more
The knock on the door was sharp, filled with authority. Charlie Rosen started at the sound, but kept his attention riveted to the television. He flicked his gaze to the clock on the DVD player just below the TV. It was 9:13. He glanced at the couch. Where Cynthia usually nestled on one end with her crossword puzzle book was vacant. He frowned as he returned his attention to the screen. Who’s out at this time … Read more
Hi Folks, Note: This post was originally scheduled for 8/20/2013. It didn’t post to MailChimp, so I’m posting it again now. I’ve revised the original post so it’s up to date. First, a brief announcement. I’ve reopened my copyediting and eformatting service. I’ve kept my prices LOW. Former editing clients are preferred, but new clients are welcome too. For details, please click http://harveystanbrough.com/copyediting/. Okay, back in August, 2012 I updated and republished a post titled “Busting … Read more