Writing Rules

Frustrated with some writers' cutesy rules, British crime novelist Matt Rees blogged some of his own. I heard about them via Twitter, and tweeted my own:

1. Read the kind of material you'd like to write.

2. Hone the discipline to write beyond distraction.

3. Develop the confidence to stick to your words, but also the flexibility to know when to change them/try new things/be creative.

#verseday Last Day of School

#verseday is a Twitter hashtag I came up with to promote poetry writing. I invite Twitter people to suggest poetry topics by noon Eastern each Thursday. Participants must then draft poems by noon Eastern Friday. The resulting poems can be submitted anywhere.

Even if you've never written a poem before, you're invited. Taking the time to think poetically can help your creativity on other projects. If you'd like to participate, tweet your topics, tagged #verseday, by noon Thursday, May 31. My topic this week is the last day of school.

Write a poem about your or a speaker's last day of school by noon Friday, June 1.

At The 5-2: "Tinseltown" by John M. Floyd

This week's poem, "Tinseltown" by John M. Floyd, was selected by The 5-2's first guest editor, Nancy Scott.

Shackled to The Tube

I commented on fellow TV blogger Scott D. Parker's Do Some Damage post this morning.

#verseday Barbecue

#verseday is a Twitter hashtag I came up with to promote poetry writing. I invite Twitter people to suggest poetry topics by noon Eastern each Thursday. Participants must then draft poems by noon Eastern Friday. The resulting poems can be submitted anywhere.

Even if you've never written a poem before, you're invited. Taking the time to think poetically can help your creativity on other projects. If you'd like to participate, tweet your topics, tagged #verseday, by noon Thursday, May 24. My topic this week is barbecue.

Write a poem about a barbecue or barbecue food by noon Friday, May 25.

At The 5-2: "Shatterville" by David S. Pointer

"Shatterville" is the third poem I've published by David between The Lineup and The 5-2. Enjoy.

#verseday TV Shows

#verseday is a Twitter hashtag I came up with to promote poetry writing. I invite Twitter people to suggest poetry topics by noon Eastern each Thursday. Participants must then draft poems by noon Eastern Friday. The resulting poems can be submitted anywhere.

Even if you've never written a poem before, you're invited. Taking the time to think poetically can help your creativity on other projects. If you'd like to participate, tweet your topics, tagged #verseday, by noon Thursday, May 17. My topic this week is TV shows.

Write a poem about a TV show by noon Friday, May 18.

Another Solomon vs. Lord Giveaway for Kindle

Giveaway Winner: Colleen Collins won the copy of SOLOMON VS. LORD for Kindle. Thanks to all who entered.

This week, I gave away a copy of Paul Levine's short story "Solomon vs. Lord Sink or Swim" for Kindle. Next week, thanks again to Authors on the Web, I'll be giving away a copy of the first Solomon vs. Lord novel for Kindle. (I notice the third book in the series is free today on Amazon. Collect them all.)

To enter, email g_so AT yahoo DOT com with the subject line "Solomon vs. Lord Giveaway". One entry per person. Emails must be received by Wednesday, May 16, 11:59 P.M. Eastern. Winner will be notified and announced Thursday, May 17.

Read a new guest post from Paul at Janet Rudolph's Mystery Fanfare.

Explosive NCIS Finales

NCIS finished its ninth season with a homegrown terror plot against U.S. warships. This was something of an improvement over last season's serial killer arc, but I'm not much in the mood for fictional terrorism as the U.S. is dealing with real terrorism. My interest in STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE flatlined when the writers similarly decided to mirror the September 11 attacks with an alien attack that wiped out a third of Earth's population.

"Till Death Do Us Part" had its share of bomb blasts, including the bomb planted in Director Vance's SUV that leaves the team's status uncertain. More compelling, though, was Ducky's reception of the news while away at Jimmy Palmer's wedding, which triggered a heart attack.

I'm not worried about Ducky, though, because David McCallum recently signed a new contract with the show. Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, and Sean Murray have yet to do so, but are expected to follow suit.

Meanwhile the two-hour NCIS: LOS ANGELES finale, "Sans Voir", was full of sniper shots, one taking out recurring Agent Mike Renko (Brian Avers), and two explosions, one taking out recurring Agent Lauren Hunter (Claire Forlani). Neither agent had appeared frequently or long enough for me to feel much loss, but the shots and explosions also made the episode feel choppy. There was little time to gather my thoughts between them.

Finally and suprisingly, Callen shot and killed multi-episode nemesis The Chameleon (Christopher Lambert), who otherwise had engineered a clean getaway. This was very dramatic, but if genuine, I don't see how Callen can continue working for a federal agency. I'm hoping his actions were part of an as-yet-unseen plan.

I prefer to build up to a great finale. Explosions and sniper shots, while shocking, are also cheap drama. NCIS's resorting to them may be indicative of the show's having nothing left to prove. If any regulars do leave, they've had good long runs.

Writers in an Age of Instant Gratification

I commented on the Jungle Red Writers blog about how ebooks have increased readers' appetite for new material from their favorite writers.

At The 5-2: "Genes Don't Lie" by Charles Rammelkamp

A Mother's Day poem of sorts. Enjoy.

Also, a reminder that the postmark deadline for NoirCon's First Annual Poetry Contest is May 31, 2012. There are cash prizes of $250 for first place and $150 for second place. Enter today.

Finally, now through May 18, use Lulu.com coupon code TENYEAR for 20% off print issues of The Lineup: Poems on Crime.

#verseday Mothers

#verseday is a Twitter hashtag I came up with to promote poetry writing. I invite Twitter people to suggest poetry topics by noon Eastern each Thursday. Participants must then draft poems by noon Eastern Friday. The resulting poems can be submitted anywhere.

Even if you've never written a poem before, you're invited. Taking the time to think poetically can help your creativity on other projects. If you'd like to participate, tweet your topics, tagged #verseday, by noon Thursday, May 10. My topic this week is mothers.

Write a poem about your or another mother by noon Friday, May 11.

Paul Levine's Solomon vs. Lord on Kindle and a Giveaway

Giveaway Winner: Joe de Marco has won the copy of "Solomon & Lord Sink or Swim" for Kindle. Thanks to all who entered.

I was a Paul Levine fan from his Jake Lassiter series and his work on TV's JAG when I heard he was writing a new series, Solomon vs. Lord, based in part on his real-life marriage. Knowing the characters were supposed to end up together, I was afraid I wouldn't believe it when they did. As guarded as I was, I loved the whole series, four books published six months apart. I'm pleased to see the series re-released as ebooks.

Paul presents this sample of Solomon's Laws:

Photo by Alan Weissman

"When the law doesn’t work...work the law."

So says Steve Solomon. It’s his First Commandment, and you won’t find it in the statute books. Which makes the following conversation even stranger. A Miami lawyer recently told me that he uses “Solomon’s Laws” to train young associates in his firm.

That’s akin to teaching manners to sharks by tossing them chunks of red meat.

"Someone's gonna get disbarred," I told the lawyer.

“No way. Those laws teach lawyers to be fearless and creative.”

Also irreverent, insolent, and contemptuous. I ought to know. After all, I practiced law for 17 years and had my share of courtroom victories, defeats, and being held in contempt. Honestly.

I also created Steve Solomon, a beer and burger guy with a night school degree and a crooked smile. He’s the rule-breaking half of Solomon & Lord, while Victoria Lord is his proper and meticulous partner. Victoria graduated from Yale and believes in the sanctity of the law.

In SOLOMON VS. LORD, these squabblers extraordinaire defend a young woman accused of killing her wealthy, older husband during a night of kinky sex. Reviewers have compared the bickering law partners to Nick and Nora in The Thin Man, Dave and Maddie in "Moonlighting" and Tracy and Hepburn in well...everything.

So what are Solomon’s qualifications as a legal philosopher? Well, he barely graduated from Key West School of Law; he passed the Bar exam on his fourth try; he advertises on the back of buses; and he’s frequently held in contempt of court. Atticus Finch, he’s not.

I always believed there was something special in the attorney-client relationship, and so does Solomon, who has this advice for clients: "Lie to your priest, your spouse, and the I.R.S. But always tell your lawyer the truth."

On the other hand, there’s this advice for lawyers: “Always assume your client is guilty. It saves time.”

In jury selection, I always used this rule, now codified in THE DEEP BLUE ALIBI: “Choose a juror the way you choose a lover. Someone who doesn’t expect perfection and forgives your bullshit.”

Some of Solomon’s Laws have nothing to do with the practice lf law, but rather reflect hard lessons learned from his checkered personal life: “When meeting an ex-girlfriend you dumped, always assume she’s armed.” In Florida, with the proliferation of concealed firearms permits, that’s a particularly appropriate rule.

Here’s a law from KILL ALL THE LAWYERS that used to get me in trouble.

"A creative lawyer considers a judge’s order a mere suggestion."

Then there's this law, which pops up after Solomon encounters a sunbathing femme fatale: “When you run across a naked woman, act as if you’ve seen one before.” If you ask whether that one is based on personal experience, I’ll plead the Fifth.

For an overview of criminal law, here’s a tidy observation from HABEAS PORPOISE: “A prosecutor’s job is to build a brick wall around her case. A defense lawyer’s job is to tear down the wall, or at least to paint graffiti on the damn thing.”

That’s the thing about Steve Solomon...he never runs out of paint.

(The Solomon vs. Lord novels have been nominated for the Edgar, Macavity, International Thriller, and James Thurber awards. All four legal thrillers are now Kindle Exclusives. For more information, please visit the author’s website: http://www.paul-levine.com)

For a Q & A with Paul, head over to Chatterrific.

And for a taste of Steve and Victoria's chemistry, I'm giving away Paul's short story "Solomon & Lord Sink or Swim" for Kindle thanks to Authors on the Web.

To enter, email g_so AT yahoo DOT com with the subject line "Sink or Swim Giveaway". One entry per person. Emails must be received by Wednesday, May 9, 11:59 P.M. Eastern. Winner will be notified and announced Thursday, May 10.

At The 5-2: "The Case of The Scarlet Harlot" by Tonia Kalouria

This week, a cautionary poem by Spanish teacher and soap actress Tonia Kalouria.

If The 5-2's poetry inspires you, there's still time to enter NoirCon's first annual poetry contest, including $400 in cash prizes. The deadline is May 31, 2012.

Joan Parker thinks he could play Spenser...

At Ace Atkins' @PorterSqBooks signing: What modern actor does Joan Parker think could play Spenser? @NathanFillion Get on that, world!

— Smart Pop Books (@smartpopbooks) May 4, 2012

I replied that Fillion was an honest-to-goodness Spenser fan. I thought his FIREFLY character, Mal Reynolds, was very Spenser-like. Your thoughts?

Read my review of Smart Pop Books' IN PURSUIT OF SPENSER.

Mariano Rivera

Mariano Rivera was one of my favorite players before he became a household name. I drafted him as the closer on my 1995 fantasy baseball team, my only attempt at fantasy baseball.

Rivera's career since then speaks for itself. He could have retired five years ago and been the first-ballot Hall-of-Famer he is today. If he had retired before last night, he wouldn't have suffered the sudden ACL tear while shagging flyballs that will probably end his career.

The best we can do as fans is to be grateful for as long as we get to see these players. Thanks again, Mariano.

So You Want to Write. Is Grad School For You?

I commented on Russel McLean's Do Some Damage post today on the value of graduate writing programs.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER (2011)

As I mentioned last week, despite my ups and downs with Captain America, I bought the Chris Evans movie after hearing Alan Silvestri's soaring theme. Of all the Avengers setup movies, it strikes me as the most down-to-earth. Even after Steve Rogers is injected with the Super Soldier serum, he isn't accepted by Col. Phillips or his fellow soldiers. He's a USO attraction until he takes the initiative for a rescue mission deemed too dangerous to try. After that mission, he still needs a team to stop the Red Skull's worldwide attack. He doesn't become the super-hero who turns the tide by showing up.

The movie had all the ingredients to take me back in time and make me care about Steve Rogers, but I wanted to care more. I might have bought in if Rogers had been shown working his way into Captain shape within weeks of taking the serum. Even then I don't see how he could strategize or lead a team as soon as he did, with no previous combat experience.

(Here's a Captain America I would believe: Lt. Steve Rogers is the same wimpy kid, but he naturally grows into fighting shape. He returns from a mission badly injured; he may never walk again, and is in danger of being sent home. That's when Erskine comes in and offers him the serum, a chance to get back in the fight. He takes it and not only recovers, but becomes physically better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster...)

The supporting performances were probably the best of any Marvel movie, particularly Tommy Lee Jones, Hayley Atwell, Dominic Cooper, and Hugo Weaving. My only other complaint was with the need to bring Cap into the present day. He goes down with the HYDRA airship, saving the free world, no less. And then he wakes up seventy years later, and roll credits.

I'd call it a bad ending, but I don't think it even was one. It certainly wasn't the right note to lead into a reprise of Silvestri's theme. I would have preferred to end with a ceremony honoring Cap's sacrifice, with Phillips looking stoic and Carter tearing up. Roll credits, and then show Steve waking up.

I know all roads lead to THE AVENGERS, but I didn't feel this one was complete.

#verseday Heroes

#verseday is a Twitter hashtag I came up with to promote poetry writing. I invite Twitter people to suggest poetry topics by noon Eastern each Thursday. Participants must then draft poems by noon Eastern Friday. The resulting poems can be submitted anywhere.

Even if you've never written a poem before, you're invited. Taking the time to think poetically can help your creativity on other projects. If you'd like to participate, tweet your topics, tagged #verseday, by noon Thursday, May 3. My topic this week is heroes.

Write a poem about your hero/idol from any time in your life by noon Friday, May 4.

ROBERT B. PARKER'S LULLABY by Ace Atkins

Today Ace Atkins's Spenser continuation novel, ROBERT B. PARKER'S LULLABY, is officially released. Ace is signing at 6:30 tonight at The Mysterious Bookshop. I can't attend, but as a longtime supporter of continuing Spenser, I hope Ace is well received.

What did I think of the book? Ace kindly sent me an advance reading copy and I have a review in Crimespree Magazine #46 (p. 70-71), but I also posted a short one to Amazon this morning.