Sherlock Holmes. Jane Marple. Jack Reacher. Three famous names with something important in common … aside from the fact that each solves crimes in mystery or thriller novels. What is this common element? Readers love them. The key to writing successful mysteries and thrillers doesn’t lie in careful plotting, clever crimes, or sneaky suspects. The heart of these stories beats in the chest of the sleuth. Everyone enjoys a puzzle, and a tightly-woven plot is important, but readers return to a mystery (or thriller) series because they want to spend more time with a favorite hero(ine). Solving the puzzle is much
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Understanding “Chibi” With Hiro & Father Mateo
As used in anime and manga culture, “chibi” (ちび / チビ) refers to overly-cute or child-like drawings of characters from anime, manga, or other areas of popular culture. Chibi are often characterized by oversized heads, childlike features, and larger-than-normal eyes (though the latter is often true of anime styles generally, and is not unique to chibi). Hiro’s partner in crime-solving, Portuguese Jesuit Father Mateo Ávila de Santos, is slightly older than Hiro, but looks similarly young in chibi form:
Read moreNegotiate Like a Pro (Part 3): The Negotiation
Welcome back to the negotiation mini-series! Last week we took a look at how to create a pre-negotiation plan. To re-cap: — Read the contract; make a list of points you’d like to change. — Prioritize your list into deal breakers, important points, and “things to ask for.” — Consider the publisher’s potential responses to your requests. — Adjust your list, and strategy, to address potential publisher concerns. Now, let’s look at tips for increasing your chances of success in an actual publishing contract negotiation*: Publishers, like flies, prefer honey to vinegar: Be Polite. No matter how the negotiation opens, proceeds, or finishes,
Read moreEnterprise Bridge Panels – Up Close and Personal
As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I visited the Star Trek exhibit at Seattle’s EMP (Experience Music Project) museum over the weekend – and thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the more interesting exhibits I didn’t cover in yesterday’s post was a set of original bridge panels from the original (1960’s) Star Trek TV series. One thing that really stood out to me, seeing them in person: the set creators didn’t even bother to glue the pieces in a way that avoided smearing, or to keep the glue from showing on the finished pieces. TV cameras filmed with low enough resolution and detail
Read moreBoldly Going … To Star Trek at Seattle EMP
While in Seattle for a book signing over the weekend, I spent some time with a very good friend, during which we visited the Seattle EMP Museum and toured the special Star Trek exhibit currently on display. As a long-time Star Trek AND Star Wars geek. I enjoyed the exhibit thoroughly, and strongly recommend a visit if you’re in or near the Seattle area. For those who can’t make it in person, I thought I’d share some of the highlights on the blog this week. Even the stairs leading to the exhibit continue the theme: With mannequins wearing costumes originally worn by DeForest Kelley:
Read moreFriday & Saturday NINJA’S DAUGHTER Events!
TODAY – FRIDAY, AUGUST 26 (6:30pm): EL DORADO HILLS (SACRAMENTO) CALIFORNIA If you’re in the Sacramento area, I hope you’ll join me tonight (Friday, August 26) at 6:30pm at Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills (4359 Town Center Boulevard: more information here!) for a reading and signing of my newest Hiro Hattori mystery, The Ninja’s Daughter! I’m bringing some special Japanese treats to share, and a katana for a special weapons demonstration. I hope to see you there! TOMORROW – SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 (12pm): SEATTLE, WASHINGTON On Saturday at 12pm, I’ll be at Seattle Mystery Bookshop (117 Cherry Street, Seattle-more information here!) for a
Read moreCrawling Through the Buddha’s Nostril
I saw a lot of strange, and sometimes unbelievable, things and places in Japan. But watching my adult son squeeze through an 18″ hole in a massive pillar, while a crowd of Japanese visitors cheered him on, was among the strangest–and most fun–of all.
Read moreNegotiate Like a Pro (Part 2) – Preparing to Negotiate
Welcome back to the negotiation mini-series, here on the blog and on the Twitter #PubLaw feed. Last week’s post examined the difference between Zero-Sum and Mutual Benefit negotiation, and explained why it’s better to approach publishing contract negotiations (any negotiations, really) from a mutual-benefit point of view. Today we move on to preparation for a successful negotiation. SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS REQUIRE PLANNING Preparing to negotiate a publishing contract requires more than making a list of the terms you want (or hope to change). Approaching negotiations with a solid plan increases the likelihood of a successful outcome. Here are the steps to creating that solid plan: STEP 1: Read the
Read moreThe Reconstructed Pagodas of Tōdaiji
The original structures at Nara’s Tōdaiji dated to the eighth century and included a pair of 300-foot pagodas which were subsequently destroyed in an earthquake. A wooden model inside the Great Buddha Hall shows the original temple structures, including the pagodas, all built to scale: Although not as impressive as the original pagodas, the golden reconstructions hearken back to the Indian Buddhist stupas from which pagoda architecture evolved upon its arrival in China and then Japan.
Read moreA Visit to Tōdaiji
Tōdaiji is a Buddhist temple located in Nara, Japan, and was founded in 728, when Emperor Shōmu established a predecessor temple on the spot to honor his son, Prince Motoi, who died while still a baby.
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