Tag Archives: terrorist

Ramping up the tension

Posted on August 25, 2014 by ginachoward

Some people thrive on conflict. I am not one of them. Actual and imagined confrontations leave my stomach in knots. Although conflict avoidance can make the real world more pleasant, it is the kiss of death in fiction, which requires … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged bioterrorist, characters, conflict, gina howard, plot, tension, terrorist, write, writing | Leave a comment

The message

Posted on February 17, 2014 by ginachoward

Whether selling toothpaste or terrorism, getting the word out is all important. In her book What Terrorists Want, Louise Richardson says that the purpose of terrorists’ acts is not to defeat the enemy, but to send a message. The victims … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged American terrorism, american terrorist, gina howard, media, terrorism, terrorist | Leave a comment

Two is one

Posted on February 10, 2014 by ginachoward

Gary was right. I need to swap my chapters. As I’ve gotten further into what was to have been my second chapter, I realize that it sets up the action and engages the readers from the start. They learn of … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged Afghanistan, American terrorism, american terrorist, bioterrorism, gina howard, Iowa State, terrorism, terrorist, write | Leave a comment

Meet Father Francis

Posted on November 25, 2013 by ginachoward

On Black Friday, you won’t find me fighting the crowds for bargains. Nope. I can’t think of anything less enjoyable. Instead, I’ll be doing something I do like – finishing the first chapter of An American Terrorist (or whatever it … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged American terrorism, american terrorist, gina howard, terrorist, write, writer, writing | 2 Comments

The weapon

Posted on October 21, 2013 by ginachoward

I finally figured out how he did it! I didn’t want my terrorist to use the usual weapons of choice. I wanted him (or her) to use a biological or chemical weapon. Chemical weapons can be very tricky and could … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged American terrorism, american terrorist, gina howard, terrorism, terrorist, weapon, write | 1 Comment

What about Paul?

Posted on September 16, 2013 by ginachoward

Everything is coming together: characters, setting, story and plot. I’ve even figured out the dramatic tension. However, one thing still hangs in the balance: What should I do about Paul? He could be on the lam, which would point to … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged American terrorism, american terrorist, gina howard, novel, terrorism, terrorist, writer | 3 Comments

Deflecting the glare

Posted on September 9, 2013 by ginachoward

Think about the kid next door. The one you’ve known since she was in diapers. The one that used to ride his bike with your son. The one that would hang out at your house while her mom ran errands. … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged American terrorism, american terrorist, gina howard, self-preservation, terrorism, terrorist, write, writer, writing | Leave a comment

Back to business

Posted on August 19, 2013 by ginachoward

It was good to get back to Clinton. I took today off to catch up with Paul’s family and to learn more about his old friends. Since Paul had moved away, a new middle school had opened, swallowing two others, … Continue reading →

Posted in My posts | Tagged Afghanistan, American terrorism, american terrorist, gina howard, terrorism, terrorist, write, writer, writing | Leave a comment

Meet Paul

Posted on July 15, 2013 by ginachoward

Now that you’ve met Janelle, I’ll introduce you to Paul, a 27-year-old from Clinton, Iowa. The tall, blue-eyed veteran looks more like an all-American boy than the terrorist he’s accused of being. But, then, the jury is still out on … Continue reading →

Posted in My Fiction, My posts | Tagged Afghanistan, American terrorism, american terrorist, gina howard, Iowa State, terrorism, terrorist, writer, writing | Leave a comment

Meet Janelle

Posted on July 8, 2013 by ginachoward

I’d like to introduce you to Janelle. If you read my blog last week, you know that she is one of my two main characters. Janelle is the journalist that is investigating the terrorist attack for her Chicago paper. But, … Continue reading →

Posted in My Fiction, My posts | Tagged American terrorism, american terrorist, gina howard, Northwestern University, terrorism, terrorist, writer, writing | Leave a comment