STORY-DRIVEN by Steven Steinbock At the risk of repeating myself, I’m going to weigh in on the plot-driven versus character-driven debate. My conclusion, the debate itself is drivel-driven. Plot and character are two elements that fit into a balanced system that we call fiction. Comparing it to the Yin and Yang of Taoism isn’t woo-woo […]

OFFICE SPACE by Steven Steinbock Last week I told you all about what my friends over at Murdurati have been doing. They’re still at it: exposing the inner secrets of their inner sanctums (or is it sancta). I also shared some recollections of visiting the homes of Ed McBain and Janwillem van de Wetering, and […]

WHERE THEY WORK by Steven Steinbock Steven Steinbock and Evan Hunter (Ed McBain) I wandered over to see my friends at Murdurati and was intrigued to learn that they’re doing a theme fortnight (they’re calling it theme week(s), but I can be cleverer than that. Besides, how often do I have a chance to use […]

Yesterday (Thursday) afternoon I met with an English teacher from the local high school who was developing a curriculum on mystery fiction. She was looking for a short, simple introduction to the genre that would provide a definition and would give kids a framework to begin reading mysteries with a critical eye. I couldn’t find […]

OBJECT POVERTY by Steven Steinbock I can’t really blame anyone for dropping the Ms of the end of whom. I may get a momentary sense of unease. But then I remind myself that there are bigger fish to fry. Besides, whom has fallen so far into disuse that when I speak a sentence that calls […]

WRITER’S CHOPS by Steven Steinbock I’ve spent the summer building up my writing chops: the muscles required to squeeze creative juice out of the brain, through the fingers, and onto the keys. I’ve been a professional writer for more than a decade and a half, but I’ve never had terribly good writing habits. Driven by […]

SURFIN’ SAFARI by Steven Steinbock This week I’m bereft of any original thoughts or themes to share with you in this week’s edition of Bandersnatches. Almost bereft. Anyhow, a common form of blog column consists of annotated links to interesting and relevant websites. Allow me to share some of the gleanings of my web-surfing forays. […]