Suspension of disbelief is a term that describes our willingness to be fooled. We all know that when we crack open a novel, we’re volunteering to be lied to, after all; the author is spinning a tale, and in order to enjoy it, we put aside our usual suspicion and distrust. We’re willingly lied to, […]
The answer to the question “Where do writers get their ideas?” is usually pretty mundane. Instead of a secret portal to an alternate universe where they research their amazing stories, instead it usually boils down to either personal experience or an event in history. In fact, the “inspired by real events” route to novel writing […]
Popular books are like candy to filmmakers. A good book with a good story and a built-in audience can sound like an easy translation to box office gold and glory. But as we’ve all seen (many, many times), it’s not nearly so easy. The conventional wisdom is that the book is always better than the […]
From Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” to The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat, you’ve got a range of Halloween reads to choose from today—containing more than a few unforgettable lines. Think you’re well versed in the spooky stuff? Take this Halloween I.Q. Test to see how many excerpts from iconic candy corn–flavored releases […]
Mother’s Day is upon us—what better time to look at The Worst Mothers of Crime Fiction? If you’d like to get all passive-aggressive in your Mother’s Day gift-giving this year, consider the following books and DVDs: