J. R. Hatchigan's Website
My ideal writing day: Wake up / Stretch – Wake up. Smile. Thank the Good Lord (yes, I’m a believer*) for another day. Yoga stretches. (3 minutes) Hydrate – Drink 8 ounces of water with two tablespoons of fresh-squeezed lemon juice. (Prepared night before.) Freshen up – Wash face. Brush teeth. Plug in coffeepot – Coffee measured out and
At a screenwriting conference session I attended in Austin, I remember a top screenwriter telling us how her big career break, the one that elevated her to A-list status, came out of the blue – from a mere acquaintance. She was grateful, of course, but also mused at what had just happened to her. After
It is a late summer evening. I am 10 years old. I have just finished reading The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. I can’t wait to go back to the library to find anything else he has written. I have fallen in love with The Martian Chronicles and with Ray Bradbury’s writing. I’d always liked
“People talk about books that write themselves, and it’s a lie. Books don’t write themselves. It takes thought and research and backache and notes and more time and more work than you’d believe.” – Neil Gaiman “I name a character a certain name and I can’t get them to talk. I change the name, and
Years ago, a wise friend whose husband was a successful writer, advised aspiring novelist me: “Get organized.” Not very inspirational, I remember thinking. After all, isn’t writing a novel about expression and creativity an so on? Why make organization the priority? But, as I became more experienced as a writer, I realized how my right
A late December evening and another year draws to a close. Such times make me assess the progress I’ve made – or failed to make – in the year that’s ending. Two-and-a-half years ago, I began writing a suspense novel. I have made significant progress on this work. I, more than anyone else, think it would be
What is resourceful living? Well, let’s look at the dictionary definitions of “resourceful.” Here are a few I’ve found: able to deal skilfully and promptly with new situations, difficulties, etc. skilled at solving problems and making decisions independently. having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties. able to act effectively or
Resources that may be of interest to writers & readers of mystery & suspense: Organizations and conferences U.S. & International Bouchercon World Mystery Convention – annual convention in honor of Anthony Boucher, the distinguished mystery fiction critic, editor and author for mystery and crime fiction community, and is commonly referred to as Bouchercon. [bough‘·chur·con]. The
