The Story Behind The Story

For many people in the world of libraries (both workers and our patrons) a common New Year’s Resolution is to finally write that novel.  I learned a long time ago that writing books and article about novels, not writing actual novels, is my forte, but there are many wonderful books-to-be just festering in the brains of many of you out there.

In the past I have encouraged this by posting about NaNoWriMo but today I thought I’d up the ante and provide a bit more inspiration for you or to pass on to your patrons.

It comes from The Rap Sheet:

Since it spun off from January Magazine to become a separate blog in May 2006, The Rap Sheet has earned its reputation as an essential resource for readers seeking information about what’s new and interesting in the world of crime fiction. Edited by J. Kingston Pierce, the site was nominated for an Anthony Award in 2008, and a year later it won the Spinetingler Award for Special Services to the Industry. Remarking on the blog’s value, novelist and editor Ed Gorman wrote inEllery Queen Mystery Magazine: “Part pure journalism, part critique, and part just plain fun, The Rap Sheet is a tribute to the intelligence and wit of a single person. Pierce gives opinionating a good name."

Pierce also writes Crime reviews for Kirkus.

One of the many useful features on The Rap Sheet is The Story Behind the Story. Now on its 46th entry, this feature invites authors to talk about their writing process.  Even if I have never heard of the author, I am always interested in these posts.  It is fascinating to see a successful writer share their process, but taken as a collection of 46 different points of view, it is amazing to see how different the path to each book is for each author.

I hope The Story Behind the Story provides little inspiration for you aspiring writers and a lot of entertainment for all the readers out there.