Category James L’Etoile
The Toxic Trap
Toxic You find a dark place with warning signs or a rusted barrel with a bio-hazard label, you know what to do. Run, in the opposite direction, because that is some nasty crap that will cause you irreversible harm. Simple, right? The very image ignites a fight or flight reflex in your lizard brain and […]
It’s All About The Backstory
The Backstory Everything has its own unique story, a history, that “what made you who you are” element. When you sit in a coffee shop and listen to the chatter, the unspoken backstory is the thing that makes you want to know more about the people. It influences the way we see them, the way […]
That’s My Favorite
You know what’s really fun? No, not that. I was in a local bookstore to finalize some arrangements on an upcoming book signing and a woman came up the counter carrying a few mystery novels in her arms. She asked for recommendations on similar titles. I struck up a conversation with her about mysteries and […]
Reading Goes To The Dogs
Remember back when you were a kid? I mean way back, when you were just a little nipper, in school learning to read. I recall my first or second grade teacher, Mrs. SomethingOrAnother (see how much of an impact she made) scratching what could have been Cyrillic letters on the blackboard. Through a dense cloud […]
The After Life
I have this new story idea bouncing around in my head. It refuses to leave me alone. The damned thing left a ransom note in a dusty corner of my brain, threatening to hold my attention hostage until I do something. So, here goes…the background. During the years I worked inside maximum security prisons, I […]
I Want To Be A DVR When I Grow Up
I want a pause button. When life takes an unexpected turn, from a rejected manuscript or some other personal miscalculation, I want a pause button. I should be able to unbutton my shirtsleeve, roll up the cuff and press my personal pause button. Think about the times you’ve done or said something absolutely stupid. We’ve […]
Fear – The Dark Side of Hope
Fear Fear motivates us. Fear moves us. Fear is the thing that reaches up and grabs you by the throat and shakes the marbles loose in your grey matter, forcing you to do something, or run away. And, a little fear, is a good thing. I’m afraid of being eaten by sharks. So, my fear […]
Hello Darkness, My Old Friend
Darkness. The word evokes emotion. From an early age, we are taught to fear the dark. “Be home before dark,” “Nothing good happens after dark,” Things that go bump in the night and, don’t forget the children’s prayer which includes, “If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord, my soul to take.” Darkness, […]
Tools For Easily Distracted Writers – Scrivener
I tried an experiment over the last couple of weeks. I’ve finished rewrites and revisions of the black market organ transplant novel, and no, that’s not the kind of experiment I’m talking about. I used Scrivener writing software to manage my edits and revisions. If you write, you’ve probably come across the writing platform […]
Resolution – Smesholution
Less than a week into the new year and I’m already lagging on the resolutions that were supposed to make me a lean, mean writing machine. Not lean, not mean (maybe a bit pissy) and the writing machinery is missing a few cogs and gears. But I have excuses, honest I do. My writing room […]
James L'Etoile 