The Writer December 2007

INTERVIEW
Inspector Rebus takes the crime novel to a new level
For Ian Rankin, a flawed, cynical detective and a gritty, vivid sense of place have been the keys to success
HALLIE EPHRON

Archive: Building tension in the short story
Begin in the first sentence to accumulate the details that will propel your story to its climax
JOYCE CAROL OATES

Step by Step: 4 ways to bring characters to life in children's writing
Paint colorful individuals whom young readers can identify with JANE MCBRIDE CHOATE

Step by Step: How to avoid the paper chase
Here are some simple ways to keep track of your novel-in-progress and save hours of search time
KATHARINE DAVIS

7 lessons on getting published
What one author discovered about the business in seeing four books to print
JONI B. COLE

COVER STORY
Step by Step: How to write family history
Modern technology makes it a better time than ever for this meaningful pursuit; here are some helpful tips-and potential pitfalls-from a savvy veteran of the genre
MOIRA ALLEN

COVER STORY
Create a 'crazy-quilt memoir'
A writer finds that an eclectic approach offers a fresh alternative to the usual chronology
DIANE BRANDLEY

COVER STORY
Tales from a family newsletter
A writer who preserved stories and more for a huge extended family shares some lessons learned
JOHN STAHLMAN

COVER STORY
Birthday letters are a unique record
A writer treasures a simple way to record her children' growth (and her own)
KELLY KING ALEXANDER

What short-story writers and novelists can teach each other
They have much to share about narrative arc, scope, concision and much else
SUSAN BREEN

The 10 most important things I've learned about writing fiction
A short-story writer and novelist reminds us of some fundamental truths and building blocks
QUINN DALTON

The Writer, 2007, December