Official Site of Award-Winning Author Gretchen Altabef
Who is he? Notes on characterization. One third of the way through writing my next novel, Mycroft Holmes popped into the scene. Although Doctor Watson greatly enjoys describing the scene and especially London, he also knows that characters drive a story. I have published one short story with the Holmes brothers and set it at… Continue reading Mycroft Holmes
"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed". Hemingway. A bit harsh, but there are days in a writer’s life when this is absolutely how it feels. Hemingway knew. “Writers are forged in injustice as a sword is forged.” This also rings true for the Sherlock Holmes… Continue reading Don’t Stop Because It’s Hard
“Logic will take you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” Albert Einstein Recently, a friend who I hadn’t seen in a long while asked how I became an author and how I learned to read my writing dramatically. By trusting my Muse. I learned that imagination expands exponentially when used daily. Championed… Continue reading Trust The Muse
“…don’t get annoyed when your characters misbehave. Pat yourself on the back for creating such thoroughly believable fictional beings. Let them take the lead and see where they take you.” From Geri Shear's blogpost: "When Your Fictional Characters Ignore You." Geri Shear has a lovely author blog, filled with writers wisdom. Her posts always inspire… Continue reading Hooray For Our Wonderfully Mischievous Characters!
As the light was dimming and returning during the sun’s eclipse, I began to write my fifth novel. What a gift! This is my favorite part of being an author. I have no idea where the book is going, I don’t even know who’s narrating the story, although so far it’s Mrs Hudson. Everything is… Continue reading Book Number Five Began During the Eclipse!!!
This morning I woke with the beginning of a conversation between Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson which has no place in the novel I am writing. But I find it is always right to follow where the muse leads even if it seems a waste of time or ridiculous. It never is! I continued the… Continue reading Follow Your MUSE
'If you examine it carefully you will see that both the pen and the ink have given the writer trouble. The Hound of the Baskervilles I write mysteries for Sherlock Holmes to solve. I am presently writing my fourth historical mystery novel. Each one evolved in it’s own way. If there is truth in the saying… Continue reading Never give up
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