Author Archives: ginachoward

One, two, three…Query!

Posted on August 5, 2017 by ginachoward

The first draft took me four years. The second, three months. The third, four weeks. Then I went on vacation. Now that I’m back, it’s time for the dreaded Agent Search. Other than marketing ourselves, there’s probably nothing we writers … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

First draft

Posted on February 14, 2017 by ginachoward

I wrote for eight, nine hours a day, removed from distractions during a writers residency at the Weymouth Center for the Arts. When I emerged bleary eyed and triumphant, I left with the completed first draft of An American Terrorist. Continue reading →

Posted in My Fiction | Tagged An American Terrorist, charlotte writers' club, novel, writing | 3 Comments

Let’s put on a show!

Posted on May 13, 2016 by ginachoward

I haven’t written a word in 10 months, but it hasn’t been writer’s block. Rather, I have poured myself into Carolinas WordFest. A baby takes less time to gestate. The celebration of North and South Carolina writers has grown from … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Why I am not writing

Posted on July 17, 2015 by ginachoward

An unseen hand dials back the blue, turning up the fuchsia and coral. Greens fade to black, impressionist trees against dusk sky. The bay basks in reflected glory. Like a besotted teen, I cannot turn away. At four, 14 and … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts, Random writings | Tagged bay, beauty, Gina Carroll Howard, gina howard, nature, water, writing | 3 Comments

Persistence

Posted on April 27, 2015 by ginachoward

There’s a lot of building going on in my neighborhood. Just yesterday, I saw a male trying to get construction materials into one of the new homes he was putting together for his mate. He was having a few problems … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged characters, critique, Gina Carroll Howard, gina howard, novel, persistance, revise, writing tips | 4 Comments

Did you hear…?

Posted on March 10, 2015 by ginachoward

“People don’t live in a vacuum. What are your characters talking about when the reporter isn’t around?” That was my “duh” moment from last week’s critique group. I should have remembered that St. Mary Mead provides endless resources for Miss … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged Agatha Christie, bioterrorist, characters, critique, Gina Carroll Howard, gina howard, Miss Marple, plot, writing tips | 2 Comments

It’s not about us

Posted on February 9, 2015 by ginachoward

The neat square of sunlight in their front yard was all the sisters needed to enjoy the false spring day. The younger girl sprawled on a blue beach towel, her head bent over the pages of her chapter book, a … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged characters, Gina Carroll Howard, gina howard, memoir, plot, poetry, prose, reader, words, writer, writing | 1 Comment

Hail, queen of psychological thrillers

Posted on January 19, 2015 by ginachoward

To say that Ruth Rendell writes thrillers is to say that Alfred Hitchcock directed scary movies. It is the most under of understatements. Like Hitchcock, Ruth Rendell gets inside the skins of her disturbed characters. We, the readers, learn to … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged A Dark-Adapted Eye, A Judgment in Stone, Barbara Vine, Children of Men, crime novel, Crime Writers’ Association, Death Comes to Pemberley, Diamond Dagger, Elizabeth George, Gina Carroll Howard, gina howard, Inspector Dalgliesh, Inspector Lynley, Inspector Wexford, P.D. James, Ruth Rendell, scary movies, The Vault | Leave a comment

When cultures collide

Posted on January 12, 2015 by ginachoward

Write about what you know. We’ve all heard that piece of advice. Even so, sometimes we slip in a place or person about which we know very little. When it’s something obvious, such as a location, means for murder or … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged characters, cultural confusions, cultural differences, Gina Carroll Howard, gina howard, minor characters, words, writing tips | Leave a comment

I resolve

Posted on January 5, 2015 by ginachoward

The new year brings a fresh start and a list of personal resolutions designed to make us healthier, happier and better people. Writers are no exception. We vow to write more and more consistently and hone our craft. However, like … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged Charlotte Observer, Dannye Romine Powell, Gina Carroll Howard, gina howard, James Dickey, New Year's resolutions, read, resolutions, revise, write, writer, writing tips | Leave a comment