Category Archives: Writing

Outline or No Outline? / Author Rick Reed

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Clay Stafford

Outline or no outline? That is the question. Sometimes it’s great to hear how other successful writers do it. Author Rick Reed, after writing several acclaimed books, has found his groove. Here’s his take on how he plots. Happy Reading! … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Author, Bestselling, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Final Justice, Forensics, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, murder, Murder In Mind, mystery, Nashville, Outline or No Outline, Police Procedural, Readers, Rick Reed, The Coldest Fear, The Cruelest Cut, Themes, Writing, writing from a title, writing from an idea, Writing from an outline | 1 Comment

Begin With The Spirit / Author Ken Kuhlken

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Clay Stafford

When I moved back to my hometown of San Diego from Chico, California, I left behind a tenured professorship. My kids lived with me and cost plenty. So I started teaching all around. One semester, I was teaching nine classes … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Begin with the Spirit, Best American Short Stories, Best First Novel, Clay Stafford, Ernest Hemingway Award, Esquire, guest bloggers, Ken Kuhlken, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, Midheaven, Nashville, No Cats No Chocolate, Private Eye Writers of America, Readers, Road Kill, San Diego Reader, Shamus Award Finalist, The Angel Gang, The Biggest Liar in Los Angeles, The Do-Re-Mi, The Loud Adios, The Venus Deal, Vagabond Virgins, Writing | Leave a comment

There’s A Story Everywhere You Look / Writer Chloe Winston

Posted on October 2, 2013 by Clay Stafford

“I’ll never get published.” Rubbish! (And I’m not even mentioning computer-generated books.) Best-selling novelist Carolyn Hart lives in Oklahoma. In rural Oklahoma. She just started writing, submitting, and getting published and winning national awards, even “Malice Domestic” this year, because of her … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged candy store, Chloe Winston, Clay Stafford, guest bloggers, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, Nashville, Readers, Shastawatch, Writing | Leave a comment

Creating and Managing a Supporting Cast in a Series / Author Frankie Y. Bailey

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Providing a protagonist of a crime fiction series with a supporting cast is a task that should be approached with both caution and malice aforethought. Caution because once a character is introduced as a part of the protagonist’s life, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Books, characters, Clay Stafford, drama, entertainment, Frankie Bailey, Frankie Y Bailey, guest bloggers, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville 2013, Killer Nashville writers conference, protagonist, Readers, Series, Supporting Cast, The Red Queen Dies, Writing | Leave a comment

When Your Novel and Plausibility Part Ways / Writer Julie Bates

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Clay Stafford

What time is it-really? Such was the thought running through my mind after having my brain jogged from its immersion in a friend’s manuscript. I had settled into the novel’s antebellum atmosphere and slowly sunk into the sultry rhythm of … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged antebellum south, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, comedy of errors, guest bloggers, Julie Bates, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville 2013, Killer Nashville writers conference, Location, plausibility, Readers, rich details, running through my mind, steam punk, suspense novel, Themes, Writing | Leave a comment

Location, Location, Location: Should You Go? / Author Alana White

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Clay Stafford

If the book you are writing is set in your hometown, details and interesting locations are relatively close to hand: a few days will go a long way in establishing tone, mood, and finding intriguing, unusual places for scenes to … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged 1400's Italy, Alana White, Author, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, fifteenth century, five hundred years, Florence, florence cathedral, Florence Italy, guest bloggers, Guid'Antonio, Historical, Historical Mystery, Historical Novel, Historical Series, Italian Renaissance, Italy, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville 2013, Killer Nashville writers conference, Literary genre, literary mystery, Location, mystery, mystery series, Piazza Limbo, politics, Readers, Series, Sign Of The Weeping Virgin, Silver Falchion Award, Silver Falchion Finalist, Themes, Vespucci, Viper district, Writing | 1 Comment

The Fictional Serial Killer / Criminologist & Author R. Barri Flowers

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Many of today’s bestselling mystery and thriller novels revolve around serial killers. Makes sense as this type of killer seems to appeal most to the fear factor in us, or the bogeyman or bogeywoman come to fictional life, waiting to … Continue reading →

Posted in Forensics, Guest Blogger Series, Law Enforcement, Writing | Tagged Author, Before He Kills Again, Bestselling, bestselling author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Criminologist, drama, fictional life, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, mystery, mystery and thriller, R Barri Flowers, Readers, Serial Killers, suspense, The Fictional Serial Killer, Themes, Thriller, thriller novels, Thriller Writer, thriller writing, what is a serial killer, Writing | 2 Comments

Time Of Death / Forensic Investigator Steve Rush

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Accurate details prove important when including crime scenes in our prose. Three basic questions we want to answer when writing these scenes are: What was my character doing before incident? What altered and/or interrupted her/him at the inciting moment? What … Continue reading →

Posted in Forensics, Guest Blogger Series, Law Enforcement, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Dragnet, Facade, Facts, Forensic, Forensic Investigator, Forensics, guest bloggers, Jack Webb, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, mystery, Readers, Shane Kinsey, Steve Rush, Time of Death, Writing | 3 Comments

Critiques Are A Two-Edged Sword / Author Maggie Toussaint

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Authors are polarized on the subject of critiques. For some, the idea of anyone criticizing any part of their baby is unthinkable. Other authors wouldn’t dream of turning in a manuscript unless it had been vetted by critique partners. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, critique group, critique partners, Critiques, Critiquing, guest bloggers, helpfulness, Hot Water, insightful comments, intangibles, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, Maggie Toussaint, mystery, Readers, southern, story construction, walks of life, Writing | 22 Comments

Killer Nashville’s Featured Books / Friday, June 19, 2013 / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Clay Stafford

A man on death row, a second wife learning the startling truth about the first, a sister avenging the death of her sister, and how to write a killer thriller. Here are some books I think you might find of interest. … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day, Writing | Tagged Attica Locke, Author, authors, Award Winning, Bestselling, bestselling author, Book of the day, Books, Candlemoth, characters, Clay Stafford, Death, Death Row, Dorothy Koomson, drama, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Historical, Jodie Renner, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Killer Thriller, literary mystery, literature, Low Pressure, mystery, New York Times, R.J. Ellory, Readers, Romantic suspense, Sandra Brown, Second Wife, suspense, The Cutting Season, The Woman He Loved Before, Thriller, thriller writing, Writing, Writing A Killer Thriller | 2 Comments

Why Washington Political Thrillers Aren’t Real to Me and Why I Want to Write One / Author/filmmaker & Killer Nashville founder Clay Stafford

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I’ve reviewed numerous Washington political and legal thrillers and mysteries over the past twenty years. After reading Fighting for Common Ground: How We Can Fix the Stalemate in Congress by Olympia Snowe, I came away feeling that many of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Author, authors, Beth Terrell, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Equal Rights, fiction writer, Fighting for Common Ground, Fighting for Common Ground: How We Can Fix the Stalemate in Congress, filmmaker, guest bloggers, Jimmy Stewart, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, legal thrillers, man-against-the-machine, massive machine, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, Olympia Snowe, Party man, political fiction, Political Party, Political Thriller, Political Thrillers, political writers, politician, Readers, realistic world, Robert Penn Warren, Senator, Stalemate in Congress, Tennessee, United States, Washington, Washington Political Thriller, Writers, Writing, writing a political thriller | 2 Comments

A Writer’s Training Ground / Writer Tom Wood

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I always loved a good mystery, but never, ever, in my thirty-six-year career as a sports writer and copy editor at a major Southern daily newspaper did I imagine writing one. So when I decided it was time to write … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged abbott and costello, authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, east point georgia, fiction horror, fundamental lesson, Great American Novel, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, last millennium, literature, mystery, mystery science, newspaper, Readers, southern, sports writer, Tom Wood, Writers Training Ground, Writing | Leave a comment

The Best Contest I Ever Lost / NYT bestselling author Lynn Viehl

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Clay Stafford

In 2012 I entered Killer Nashville’s Claymore Award contest, but don’t bother checking the names of the finalists; I didn’t make that list. There was no trophy or bragging rights for me; I’m just one of the many Claymore losers … Continue reading →

Posted in Claymore Award, Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, award contest, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Claymore Award, claymore feedback, feedback, guest bloggers, her Ladyship's curse, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, Lynn Viehl, mystery, New York Times, new york times bestsellers, New York Times Bestselling, New York Times Bestselling Author, professional author, Readers, Writing | Leave a comment

The Dark Side of Mystery Writing / Author Joyce Lavene

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I was thinking about how much darkness mystery writers have to take in – and deflect – every day. What made me think about it were the shocked and horrified faces of friends and family after I’d related what I … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Ellie Grant, guest bloggers, Joyce Lavene, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, literature, mystery, Plum Deadly, Readers, the dark side of mystery writing, Thriller, Writing, writing death | 2 Comments

How to Slash Your Word Count by 20-50% / Editor & Author Jodie Renner

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Clay Stafford

…and tighten up your story without losing any of the good stuff! Have you been told your story looks promising or even intriguing, but your novel is way too long? Today’s readers have shorter attention spans, and publishers don’t want … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, edit your book, editing your book, editing your story, editing your work, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, mystery, pacing for power, Readers, romance, style that sizzles, Thriller, well-written, Word count, Writing | 9 Comments

Guns: Magic or Science / Author Ernest Lancaster

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I wouldn’t dare presume to tell you how to define the weapons your characters use. After all, Hollywood churns out films with magical guns and bullets that defy the laws of physics. And heroes with implausible powers from Sherlock Holmes … Continue reading →

Posted in Forensics, Guest Blogger Series, Law Enforcement, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, bullets, characters, Clay Stafford, Cop, Cop Tales, Do you write Hollywood or Real Guns, Ernest Lancaster, firearms, firearms instructor, Forensic, Forensics, guest bloggers, gunpowder, Guns, hollywood myth, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville writers conference, Magic, Magic or Science, Memphis, mystery, Police, police sniper, Precinct Memphis, Readers, science, Themes, Thriller, Writing | Leave a comment

How Technology Helps & Hinders The Modern-Day Sleuth

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Back in the good old days, a private detective or amateur sleuth could justify entering the villain’s secluded hideout alone because they were miles from a telephone. Now, when everyone has a cell phone (and probably an internet connection) in … Continue reading →

Posted in About Killer Nashville, Writing | Tagged 2013, 2013 conference, 2013 conference sessions, 2013 Killer Nashville, amateur sleuth, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Cozy, cozy mystery, current-events, detective, great sessions, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville sessions, modern-day sleuth, mystery, mystery and thriller, mystery series, nashville writers, private detective, Readers, Serial Killer sub-genre, Series, sleuth, smartphones, smartphones the the sleuth, suspense, Technology, Themes, thriller authors, Writing | 1 Comment

Are We There Yet – Where No Man Has Gone Before? / Author Tom Collins

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I try to include some far out stuff in my mysteries, but I’m finding that is hard to dabble in science fiction when we keep catching up with it. Drones are becoming commonplace. The college where I received my undergraduate … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Are we there yet, Author, Author Tom Collins, authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Mark Rollins Mystery, mystery, Readers, Sci-Fi, science, Science Fiction, Series, suspense, The Claret Murders, Themes, Tom Collins, Writing | Leave a comment

My First Literary Advice / Award Winning Author/Screenwriter Heywood Gould

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Clay Stafford

It’s 1963. I’m twenty- one and I have the best job in the world— police reporter for the New York Post. I’m making $95 a week and paying $53 a month in rent. A bowl of shrimp fried rice costs … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Albert Gallo, Author, authors, Award Winning, Books, Boys From Brazil, Bronx Night Court, characters, Clay Stafford, Cocktail, Criminal Court, Double Bang, drama, entertainment, Fort Apache the Bronx, Green Light For Murder, Grimaldi, guest bloggers, Heywood Gould, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Leading Lady, literary mystery, literature, Manhattan, Midtown, Mistrial, mystery, New York Post, Old Fashioned, One Good Cop, Readers, Rolling Thunder, Saroyan, Screenwriter, Serial Killer's Daughter, suspense, the Abbey, Themes, Thriller, Trial By Jury, Walter Matthau, William Saroyan, Writing | Leave a comment

Clichés and the Writer / Author Randy Rawls

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Clay Stafford

So now you’re a writer. You qualify for the title because you’ve 1) published your first book, 2) finished your first book, 3) begun your first book, or 4) decided to begin your first book. Doesn’t matter which, you’re well … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Ace Edwards, authors, Best Defense, Beth Bowman, Books, Clay Stafford, cliche alert, Cliches, Cliches and the writer, critique group, Dallas PI Series, guest bloggers, Hot Rocks, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, lazy writing, literature, mystery, Randy Rawls, Readers, South Florida, Thorns On Roses, Writing | 1 Comment

Make My People Go / Award-winning author Brad Crowther

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Clay Stafford

At a writers’ conference several years ago, Michael Connelly was asked why he killed off Terry McCaleb, the protagonist in Blood Work and other books. Connelly said he no longer could see himself spending a year up close and personal … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, Brad Crowther, characters, Clay Stafford, drama, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Leading characters, Michael Connelly, mystery, Readers, Terry McCaleb, The Ninth Man, Writing | Leave a comment

Characters for Hire / Author Ken Vanderpool

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Key Players Everyone knows the most important people to any successful business are their customers. Running a close second and facilitating that success are the company’s employees. As a hiring manager in operations for the past forty years, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, characters, Characters for Hire, Clay Stafford, drama, guest bloggers, Ken Vanderpool, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, mystery, Readers, suspense novel, When The Music Dies, Writing | 1 Comment

Killer Idea / Author Warren Bull

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Nothing is as hard for a fiction writer as reality. I’m not talking about the grim reality of searching for an agent, the marathon of trying to get something published or even the annoyance, carving out time to write between … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, drama, guest bloggers, Heartland, Killer conversation, Killer Idea, Killer Nashville, mystery, psychology, Readers, real life vs mystery, therapy, Warren Bull, Writing | Leave a comment

Best-Laid Plans / Author Michael Guillebeau

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I’ve been at this business of learning to write for sixty-one years or four years, depending on how you count. I keep learning and losing the same old things and find myself spending more time scratching my head than writing. … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged "pantsers", "pantsers" and "plotters", "plotters", authors, Best-Laid plans, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, drama, guest bloggers, Josh Whoever, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, Michael Guillebeau, mystery, Readers, Writing | Leave a comment

Killer Nashville’s Book of the Day / Wednesday, March 20, 2013 / “Good Prose: The Art of Nonfiction” by Tracy Kidder & Richard Todd

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is Good Prose: The Art of Nonfiction by Tracy Kidder and Richard Todd “Good Prose: The Art of Nonfiction” by Tracy Kidder and Richard Todd provide a rare treat for nonfiction writers. Here is the chronicle of two men … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day, Setting, Writing | Tagged Author, authors, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, essays, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Good Prose, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, literature, memoirs, narratives, nonfiction, nonfiction writer, nonfiction writers, Point of View, pulitzer prize, Readers, Richard Todd, structure, The Art of Nonfiction, Themes, Tracy Kidder, Writing, writing nonfiction | 1 Comment

Killer Nashville’s Book of the Day / Tuesday, March 19, 2013 / “Heart of Ice” by P.J. Parrish / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is Heart of Ice by P.J. Parrish I save books from P.J. Parrish for when I know I won’t be interrupted. For “Heart of Ice” even sleep had to wait. I can’t say enough superlatives about this writing dynamic … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day, Writing | Tagged Author, authors, Award Winning, Bestselling, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, drama, Featured Book, Featured Book of The Day, Heart of Ice, kelly nichols, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Featured Book, Kristy Montee, literature, Louis Kincaid, Louis Kincaid series., mackinac island, mystery, New York Times, P.J. Parrish, Readers, Series, suspense, Writing | 1 Comment

Why Do Amateur Sleuths Solve Crimes? / Author Sharon Woods Hopkins

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Last month I participated on a panel called “Killing Me Softly” at a writers’ conference. It wasn’t about the 1973 Roberta Flack song, as I first thought. Rather, it was a lively discussion about what that title would mean relative … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Amateur Sleuths, Author, authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Cozy, Cozy Mysteries, cozy mystery, Crimes, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Killing Me Softly, Mysteries, mystery, Readers, Rhetta McCarter, Series, Sharon Woods Hopkins, Writing | 5 Comments

Okay, I Love Television. So Sue Me. / Award winning author Laura Hayden

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I’ve been enamored with it all my life. When I was a kid, I loved television so much that my parents felt compelled to limit me to one hour a day. So what did I do? I started a diary, … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Angel, author-author, authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, drama, entertainment, Fantasy, fantasy casting, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Laura Hayden, Library, literature, mystery, Nicole "Coco" Marrow, Readers, Television, urban fantasy, Writing, Writing style | 1 Comment

How to Tell a Judge He (or She) Screwed Up / Bill Hopkins, Author and Retired Judge

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I’m going to tell you how to diplomatically tell a judge that he (that’s used as an inclusive pronoun) has screwed up. You can use this information in your writing when you want your character–whether it’s a judge, lawyer, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, Bill Hopkins, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Courting Murder, current-events, guest bloggers, Judge, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Moving Into Forever, mystery, politics, Readers, Writing | 2 Comments

My take on writing a “Cozy” / Kay Elam

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Clay Stafford

My very first writing conference was Killer Nashville, and I was scared to death. After all, I envisioned the other attendees as real writers, many published, many successful. I was only starting my writing journey, but knew I needed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Conference, Cozy, guest bloggers, jessica fletcher, Kay Elam, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, Murder by Grammy, mystery, Readers, sub genre, Writing, writing a cozy | Leave a comment

Translating Patrick Conrad’s “No Sale” / Jonathan Lynn, former Reuters correspondent

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Clay Stafford

How do you translate a thriller written in a language you can’t speak? That was the challenge I faced when I undertook to translate prize-winning Belgian author Patrick Conrad’s novel Starr (now published in English as No Sale). Patrick has written a dozen … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Antwerp, authors, belgian, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, dutch, Flemish, German, guest bloggers, Jonathan Lynn, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, mystery, No Sale, Patrick Conrad, Readers, Thriller, thriller writing, translating, Writing | Leave a comment

When Investigators Can Lie / Sheila Stephens, Law Enforcement and Forensic Psychology Expert

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Clay Stafford

Movies and T.V. have changed public perception of the way investigations are conducted. Many cop and P.I. programs, regularly, show the protagonist using a pretext, more often than not an outrageous one, to obtain information. Ever wonder how legal that … Continue reading →

Posted in Forensics, Guest Blogger Series, Law Enforcement, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, current-events, Forensic Psychology, Forensics, guest bloggers, illegally, investigators, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, legally, mystery, Pretexting, Readers, Series, Sheila Stephens, Writing | 1 Comment

My Take on Thriller Writing / Author Chester D. Campbell

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Clay Stafford

I’ve always enjoyed reading about authors who lucked up by hitting the right agent who sent their manuscript to the right publisher at the right time. Problem is it never happened to me. I got a good agent for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Author, Award Winning, Books, characters, Chester D Campbell, Clay Stafford, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, mystery, Poksu Conspiracy, Readers, Series, Thriller, thriller writing, Writing | 2 Comments

Why I Prefer Third Person Viewpoint / Author Phil Bowie

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Clay Stafford

First person viewpoint is an appealing initial choice for a suspense writer. It’s familiar and intimate because it’s the way we all tell each other our ordinary personal stories every day. It’s an easy way to grab reader attention and … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Dagger and Other Tales, Diamondback, first person, first person narration, First person viewpoint, guest bloggers, Guns, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, KLLRS, literature, mystery, Phil Bowie, protagonist, Readers, suspense writer, third person, third person viewpoint, Writing | Leave a comment

Killer Nashville’s Book of the Day / Friday, December 7, 2012 / “Last to Die” by Tess Gerritsen / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is Last to Die by Tess Gerritsen. Save the kids. Why Clay Stafford chose this book: Let’s hope there is no “three’s the charm” in this book. Twice in a row, Teddy Clock has survived a massacre of his … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day, Writing | Tagged Author, Bestselling, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, current-events, drama, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Last to Die, literature, mystery, New York Times, Readers, Rizzoli & Isles, Serial Killer sub-genre, Series, suspense, Tess Gerritsen, Themes, Thriller, TNT, Writing | Leave a comment

Writing the Cozy Mystery / Author Jayne Ormerod

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Clay Stafford

When I tell people “I write cozy mysteries”, about half of the people say, “Wow. That’s cool.” Pause while they think about that. “What the hell is a cozy mystery?” The other half say, “Wow. That’s cool.” Then they pull … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Author, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, cozies, Cozy, Cozy Mysteries, cozy mystery, guest bloggers, Jayne Ormerod, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, mystery, Readers, The Blond Leading The Blond, Villains, Writing, writing cozies, writing the cozy mystery | Leave a comment

The Villain / Author Jaden Terrell

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Clay Stafford

On Villains: Perception is Everything I’ve been thinking about villains today, and one thing that really stands out to me is this: hardly anyone thinks he is one. Take Darth Vader. He’s not out there thinking, “This is me, being … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Beth Terrell, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Darth Vader, Elizabeth Terrell, Francis Dolarhyde, guest bloggers, Harr Potter series, Harry Potter, Jaden Terrell, Jedi, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, Lucius Malfoy, make an effective villain, mystery, Readers, Snidely Whiplash, Thomas Harris, Villains, Villains in writing, Writing | Leave a comment

Your Book Represented in Foreign Markets – Deadline December 5, 2012

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Clay Stafford

~Reach worldwide distribution reps through Killer Nashville’s new program “American Authors Around The World”~ Registration deadline for Paris: December 5, 2012 Killer Nashville invites you to participate with us at foreign book expos around the world. Through an arrangement … Continue reading →

Posted in Announcements, Call for Submissions, Marketing, Writing | Tagged American Authors Around The World, Beijing, Berlin, Books, Clay Stafford, cozy mystery, Dubai, Foreign Distribution, Historical, Historical Mystery, Johannesburg/Cape Town, Killer Nashville, Killer Nashville Book Tour, literary mystery, London, March 22-25 2013, Marketing, Mexico City, mystery, Native American Mystery, New Delhi, Noir, Paris, Paris Expo, Paris Expo - Porte de Versailles on March 22-25 2013, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Porte de Versailles, Readers, Rio de Janeiro, Romantic suspense, Serial Killer sub-genre, Series, Singapore, suspense, Thriller, Writing, WWII | 1 Comment

How to Make Your Query Stand Out / Agent Jill Marr

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Clay Stafford

Every writer goes through it—the painful process of penning the perfect pitch letter. Compared to writing an 80,000 word novel or coming up with an incredible, stand-out non-fiction project, writing the ideal query to agents and editors is the act … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Agent, Agent Jill Marr, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, guest bloggers, Jill Marr, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Literary Agency, literature, mystery, Query, Query letter, Query writing, Readers, Sandra Dijkstra, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, Stand out, Writing | 2 Comments

Killer Nashville’s Book of the Day / Monday, November 12, 2012 / “Luther: The Calling” by Neil Cross / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is Luther: The Calling by Neil Cross. Womb raiders. A missing child. A serial killer. Why Clay Stafford chose this book: I’m a speed reader. I read one book a night. This one I had to take slowly like … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day, Writing | Tagged Author, Award Winning, BBC, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, drama, Edgar Award, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, Luther, Luther: The Calling, mystery, Neil Cross, politics, Readers, Serial Killer sub-genre, suspense, Themes, Thriller, TV series, Writing | Leave a comment

On Romantic Suspense / Author Greg Herren

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Clay Stafford

“Carmela Lacy is the silliest woman I know, which is saying a good deal.” That’s the opening line of Mary Stewart’s Airs Above the Ground, which I read for the first time when I was ten, and transitioning from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Agatha Christie, airs above the ground, Author, Award Winning, Bestselling, Books, characters, Classic Literature, Clay Stafford, great women mystery writers, Greg Herren, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, mary roberts rinehart, mystery, Readers, Romantic suspense, suspense, Themes, Timothy, Timothy by Greg Herren, victoria holt, Writing | 2 Comments

Juggling / Author Reed Farrel Colemam

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Clay Stafford

I recently did a rough estimate of how many words I’d written in my lifetime. The total is approximately four million, give or take. To what end, you ask? It was to help emphasize a point I make to all … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Anthony Award, Author, Award Winner, Bestselling, Books, Bronx Requiem, characters, Clay Stafford, drama, Edgar Award, guest bloggers, Gun Church, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literary mystery, Macavity Award, mystery, Noir, Readers, Reed Farrel Coleman, Shamus Award, Themes, Thriller, Writing | Leave a comment

Heros / Author Lisa Wysocky

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Clay Stafford

One snowy Sunday afternoon when I was twelve I found myself with nothing to do. It was too cold to do much outside (even for us Minnesotans), and I had already played with the dog, brushed the cat, done my … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged authors, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Front of the Class, guest bloggers, hero, heros, horse trainer, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Lisa Wysocky, literature, Nashville author, PATH Instructor, Readers, reading, riding instructor, The Opium Equation, Walking on Eggshells, Writing | Leave a comment

Censoring Myself / Author Patrick Kendrick

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Clay Stafford

A strange thing began happening to me recently. Every time I am watching the news and there is a story about a murder of any kind: multiple, serial, or convenience store robbery gone bad- locally or nationally- and my youngest … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Author, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, current-events, drama, Extended Family, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Patrick Kendrick, Readers, Serial Killer sub-genre, Themes, Thriller, Writing | Leave a comment

Killer Nashville’s Book of the Day / Thursday, September 13, 2012 / “The Thirty-Nine Steps” by John Buchan / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan (1915). Why I chose this book: Today’s Killer Nashville Book of the Day is one of those classics all thriller writers should be familiar with because, whether you know it or not, … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day, Writing | Tagged Alfred Hitchcock, Author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Classic Literature, Clay Stafford, Edgar Allan Poe, Historical, Historical Mystery, John Buchan, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literature, mystery, Readers, Series, The 39 Steps, The Thirty-Nine Steps, thirty nine steps, thriller writers, WWII | Leave a comment

Killer Nashville’s Book of the Day / Tuesday, September 11, 2012 / “The Yellow Birds” by Kevin Powers / Reviewed by Clay Stafford

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers. Why I chose this book: THE YELLOW BIRDS This is a book that will change the way you look at war and what an appropriate book to release on 9/11. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day, Writing | Tagged 9/11, Author, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, current-events, Iraq war, Kevin Powers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, mystery, politics, Readers, The Yellow Birds, Themes, Writing | Leave a comment

“A Member of the Family” / Author Donald Bain

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Clay Stafford

Writers are often asked where they get their ideas. The late Nora Ephron and I agree. We get our ideas from life. She used to say: “Everything is copy.” My favorite phrase is: “Everything gets used.” Often a fictional account … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged A Member of the Family, Author, Award Winning, Bestselling, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Donald Bain, ghost writer, Ghostwriting, guest bloggers, Historical, J. Edgar Hoover, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, literary mystery, Mafia, mystery, New York Times, Nick Vasile, Readers, Series, Themes, Writing | 3 Comments

Killer Nashville’s Book of the Day / Monday, August 20, 2012 / “Pork Pie Hat” by Peter Straub

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Clay Stafford

Today’s featured book is Pork Pie Hat by Peter Straub. Why I chose this book: From our 2012 Killer Nashville Guest of Honor Peter Straub, but that is not why I chose it. It’s one of my favorite books, which just happens … Continue reading →

Posted in Recommended Books of the Day, Writing | Tagged Author, Bestselling, Book of the day, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Historical, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Literary genre, literary mystery, mystery, New York Times, Peter Straub, Pork Pie Hat, Readers, Thriller, Writing | Leave a comment

Earning a Living While Writing the Mystery / Author C. Hope Clark

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Clay Stafford

I’m a mystery writer like most of you. After years of fighting to find an agent and a publisher, I did. Lowcountry Bribe, the first in The Carolina Slade Mystery Series, was released from Bell Bridge Books in February 2012, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Blogger Series, Writing | Tagged Author, Books, characters, Clay Stafford, Earning a living while writing, Freelance writing, Funds For Writers, grants for writers, guest bloggers, Killer conversation, Killer Nashville, Lowcountry Bribe, magazine writing, making money writing, mystery, Readers, The Carolina Slade Mystery Series, Writing, writing contests | 1 Comment

Book Contracts: Get The Best Terms

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Clay Stafford

There is a fundamental conflict between authors and publishers: publishers want the most rights for the least amount of money; authors want the most money in return for giving up the fewest rights. Author/attorney Milton Toby can help you navigate … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing | Tagged Contracts. Milton Toby, Law | Leave a comment

Category Archives: Writing

Search our blog

Browse our posts for your favorite topics

Killer Nashville Links

Contact Killer Nashville

Recent Posts

Blog Archives

Meta