Sunday, April 28, 2024

Could writer's block be a gift?

 

The Many Faces of Writer's Block ...

I’m wondering if sometimes writer’s block isn't a gift. Yesterday I battled through a horrifying three days of going almost nowhere. I knew what I was trying to write. I even knew where I wanted the chapter to end. It wasn’t that I had doubts or lacked confidence. It seemed like I was just stuck. Instead of walking away, I went back five chapters or so and started reading. After lunch I made a fresh pot of coffee, went back and read it again. I realized that I’d made a mistake. The reason I couldn’t move forward with the next chapter was because of a problem three chapters back. I must have sensed it. Go figure.

City of Stones Amazon Link


 


ROBERT ELLIS WRITERS BLOG

04/28/2024

Friday, April 19, 2024

Robert Ellis: Murder Season Reader Pick


 

MURDER SEASON, Book 3 in the Detective Lena Gamble thriller series.

A reader sent me a blurb that she said got to her. I forgot how much I liked it, too. It's a laid back scene. Gamble is with defense attorney Buddy Paladino in his office. The big question is, who killed Lily Hight? It seemed like giving two characters who were opponents a common cause gave the story juice.

***

Paladino remained quiet for several moments. When he finally spoke, he was gazing at the bands of scarlet light rippling up and down the wall.

“I was thinking about something,” he whispered. “Something that happened a long time ago when I was in law school. My roommate had a good relationship with his father. His dad knew that we didn’t have much money, so once a month he’d stop by and take us out to dinner. He was a very wise man—more than most—and I was jealous that I didn’t have a dad just like him. One night he took us out for steaks and beer, and he said something I’ll never forget. He told us that we needed to keep our eyes open. That there are a lot of nice people in this world—lots of nice people—but that doesn’t mean they’re good. Good is special. Good is very rare. You might only meet one or two, three or four, in your whole life. That’s why you’ve got to keep your eyes open. You can’t afford to miss one.”

His eyes drifted away from the wall and lingered on her.

“Will you help me?” she asked. “Will you talk to me?”

He nodded slowly and seemed ready and pleased to help. “What do you need to know?”

“Lily Hight’s image,” she said. “The way she was presented to the public versus the way she may have really been. They don’t seem to jibe.”

Paladino smiled at the memory. “They don’t, do they? It made things difficult for both sides during the trial. A very delicate situation.”

“Tell me about it.”

Murder Season on Amazon


 

 

 

ROBERT ELLIS WRITERS BLOG

04/19/2024

 

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Robert Ellis: April 15th Book Contest Winners

April 15th Book Contest Winners

Congratulations to May M. from Jeffersonville, OH, and Steve B. from Syracuse, NY, for winning this week’s Free Book Contest! Signed hardcover copies of Murder Season, Book 3 in the Lena Gamble thriller series, are on their way. Steve is a new Lena Gamble reader, so welcome to the club!

This contest has been running on the 1st & 15th of each month since August 2018. For more info, visit our website or send an email to robert@robertellis.net. Be sure to write “Book Contest” in the subject line.

All best,

Robert

Murder Season on Amazon



ROBERT ELLIS WRITERS BLOG

04/17/2024