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Fictional Framework
I will continue on with what I learned when Michael M. Alvarez spoke on Nov. 6th, at the Joyner/Green Valley. First, Last Clichés: Red Herring— A false or deliberately misleading trail; a diversionary tactic. Dates from 1800s. Comes from the use of strong-smelling...
Mystery vs. Thriller/Suspense Novels
Went to listen to a great speaker on Mysteries vs. Thriller/Suspense Novels First, let’s do Last Clichés: Par for the Course—Just about typical or average. Believe it or not, this term comes from golf. Par means the number of strokes set as a standard for a particular...
How Many Blogs Do you Follow?
First let’s do last clichés: To Put my Food Down—To take a firm position. This refers to putting one or both feet in a fixed position, which represents a firm stand. Versions of this exist from the 16th century on. It became current in 19th century. See the OED cites...
How Much Time Do You Devote to Writing?
To Fill the bill—to suit a purpose, to satisfy requirements. This originally came from 19th century American stage. The poster announced a program, listing star attractions and then added lesser-known entertainers to complete the show (or fill out the bill). By mid-century, the term had been transferred to other areas—it acquired a primary sense of providing what was needed. Harper’s Magazine in 1890: “they filled the bill according to their lights.”
Speaking about how, why, what you Write
On Monday, September 11, 2017, I spoke to a group of church ladies at a luncheon about my writing. But first,... Last Clichés: Quiet as a Mouse—Means subdued or hushed. This dates from the 16th century and probably refers to the behavior o a mouse that stops dead in...
Back to Blogging
Sorry I've been away, but now I have my blog site reset and back in business. Last Clichés: Drum (something) into one’s Head—To force an idea on someone by means of persistent repetition. This has been used since the early 19th century. It’s compared to...
E-Book Publishing
Happy Thanksgiving! More about the self-publishing, but First: Last Clichés: Hit the Spot—To satisfy or please extremely well. This American slang dates from the mid-19th century. It was widely popularized through a commercial jingle heard on the radio in the 1930s...
Self-Publishing on a small budget
Went to a great talk the other day. But first-- Last Clichés: Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth—Accept a gift in good faith. Dates from St. Jerome’s biblical commentary (c. A.D. 420) on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. It’s based on fact that a horse’s age is...
More about Antagonists and Choosing a Killer
I'll continue with my talk, But first-- Last Clichés: Silver-tongued Orator—A persuasive and eloquent speaker. Term around since 16th Century, when applied to a preacher Henry Smith (c. 1550-91) and to Joshua Sylvester (1563-1618), a translator. Silver is equated with...
Part of my speech re Creating Antagonists
My speaking engagement on Nov. 1, 2016 went well. It's been awhile, but here are the last clichés: Do it up Brown--To do something perfectly. Not sure where it came from. Might allude to the brown color of meat that has been thoroughly cooked. To Do Brown first...
