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Indecent Proposal

Posted on April 30, 2018 by jfkaufmann

I know almost nothing about how search engines work, except that almost everything is based on Algorithms (the word invokes so much awe in me that I spontaneously started writing it with a capital A), which I can’t make work … Continue reading →

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The Scarlet Mark by Shellley Kassian

Posted on April 22, 2018 by jfkaufmann

I’m posting a review I wrote more than two years ago… I’ve just realized I don’t have it on my website. January 2016 Intertwining her novel’s plot with several distinctive threads – Norse mythology, folk tales and early medieval Christianity … Continue reading →

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Running Home by Katie O’Connor

Posted on April 22, 2018 by jfkaufmann

A great romance, and much more. Running Home, the first novel in the Heart’s Haven series, is an enjoyable read, a lovely romance that will leave you happy and satisfied. It has likable and realistic characters and a solid story. … Continue reading →

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On blurbs and other ephemeral things

Posted on March 31, 2018 by jfkaufmann

“How is it I can push through writing a +90,000-word book,” my friend wrote in her recent blog post, “but struggle with a 150-word back-of-the-book blurb?” She isn’t alone. Many writers find writing a blurb challenging, myself included. Note that … Continue reading →

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The power of public libraries

Posted on February 28, 2018 by jfkaufmann

Finally, something nice happened. Really nice. When I checked my local library’s OverDrive site today, I found my book there, with eight holds on it. I’m considered a local author, so my library always buys a copy of my books. … Continue reading →

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Hidden colours of black-and-white

Posted on February 13, 2018 by jfkaufmann

A visit from the inner child The dress was bright yellow, with small black squares on it (image 1); the sweater white, or beige (images 2 & 3). The pants dark brown, the suede shoes were brown too, only lighter. … Continue reading →

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Like Day and night

Posted on February 8, 2018 by jfkaufmann

Recently I haven’t been inspired for blogging, which is, under normal circumstances, one of my favourite things to do. Perhaps I suffer from post-publishing sadness. It should be a happy moment; it’s not a small thing to publish a book. … Continue reading →

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The Snowman, or, what happened to Jo Nesbø

Posted on January 24, 2018 by jfkaufmann

What is the magic ingredient for a bestseller? Must be luck, for a good story certainly isn’t. And I think I know what happened to Jo Nesbø, but you’ll need to read to the end of this blog to find out. … Continue reading →

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Merry merry, happy happy, ho-ho-ho! Happy New Year!

Posted on December 23, 2017 by jfkaufmann

There are a few writing/reading-related things that made 2017 a good year. I had the pleasure of reading three wonderful books written by friends: Betrayal, the fifth installment in the Gift Legacy series by Jo-Anne McLean, One Woman Island, the second book … Continue reading →

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Good novels have nine structural points. Bad novels have them, too.

Posted on December 13, 2017 by jfkaufmann

As I mentioned earlier, plotting’s not my thing. If writers are either architects or gardeners, as George R. R. Martin says, I, like him, plant a seed and watch it grow. I wrote my first four novels relying on my … Continue reading →

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