tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post2872333415384146878..comments2024-03-28T15:01:21.285-04:00Comments on SleuthSayers: Postcards from the RiverLeigh Lundinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-87002440725961039252014-11-19T14:14:29.033-05:002014-11-19T14:14:29.033-05:00Leigh, the trouble with New Zealand (since time be...Leigh, the trouble with New Zealand (since time began) is that it's SO far away from EVERYWHERE. Australia doesn't count ;)Stephen Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594368159220033291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-22134578088201673222014-11-19T14:12:37.679-05:002014-11-19T14:12:37.679-05:00Thanks, Dixon! Best of luck with those stories!Thanks, Dixon! Best of luck with those stories!Stephen Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594368159220033291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-21346541911254125332014-11-18T22:27:21.300-05:002014-11-18T22:27:21.300-05:00Stephen, when I was a kid, I saw photographs of Ne...Stephen, when I was a kid, I saw photographs of New Zealand. The one that stuck with me showed a lush valley, sheep grazing, and mountains rising above the distant horizon. It was so beautiful, I decided I wanted to visit it one day. I've set foot on four continents, but I still haven't made it to Oceania.Leigh Lundinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-82763840155358627242014-11-18T22:02:19.441-05:002014-11-18T22:02:19.441-05:00A thought-provoking article, Stephen. And an inte...A thought-provoking article, Stephen. And an interesting point re: real murder vs. fictional killing. Really enjoyed the way you entwined it with the flowing river, too. <br /><br />I have actually written a story or two that were inspired by actual murders I'd read about in the paper, or were associated with events which I ran into at work. One story hasn't sold, and I doubt it will. The other is still out, so we'll see what happens. Nonetheless, I have to agree that I fictionalized things tremendously for the stories, and probably altered them to the point where any resemblance to reality had completely disappeared. So, perhaps, I too hold with your writing theory in this way.<br /><br />--DixonDixon Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11220791609338404147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-64824945924606274382014-11-18T14:28:46.360-05:002014-11-18T14:28:46.360-05:00And thanks to Leigh, for spotting and correcting m...And thanks to Leigh, for spotting and correcting my inaccurate conversion from Celsius to Fahrenheit! Sometimes, Google lies. Who'd have known?!?Stephen Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594368159220033291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-36758115952586640982014-11-18T14:25:34.562-05:002014-11-18T14:25:34.562-05:00Thanks, RT! I plan to write some more about NZ soo...Thanks, RT! I plan to write some more about NZ soon. BTW, I sometimes wish I had your 25 years of experience to draw upon when writing. I have about 25 years of "office" experience. It's not quite the same thing :)Stephen Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594368159220033291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-79060989408884997872014-11-18T14:21:08.785-05:002014-11-18T14:21:08.785-05:00Thanks, David! I'm looking forward to that sto...Thanks, David! I'm looking forward to that story you mention!Stephen Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594368159220033291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-18897746610484347462014-11-18T14:19:57.388-05:002014-11-18T14:19:57.388-05:00Fran, the river was a beautiful sight to see every...Fran, the river was a beautiful sight to see every morning, and again in the late afternoon on the return trip. <br /><br />The film is in post production. It's looking good. I had hoped for a December premiere, but I'm thinking it'll be more likely January, now.Stephen Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594368159220033291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-50272766459536180022014-11-18T14:16:39.179-05:002014-11-18T14:16:39.179-05:00Thanks, Leigh! Thanks, Leigh! Stephen Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594368159220033291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-86307732394638436262014-11-18T14:16:02.105-05:002014-11-18T14:16:02.105-05:00Thanks, Rob. I took those photos one foggy January...Thanks, Rob. I took those photos one foggy January morning (2011) while walking into the office. Glad you liked GOTD!Stephen Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594368159220033291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-58917166527777862412014-11-18T13:04:59.078-05:002014-11-18T13:04:59.078-05:00I realize I wrote about true v fictional crime a f...I realize I wrote about true v fictional crime a few years ago: http://criminalbrief.com/?p=14120<br /><br />Nothing about rivers, though.Robert Loprestihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08844889305615182897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-70539112066574258272014-11-18T12:29:12.014-05:002014-11-18T12:29:12.014-05:00Stephen, I always enjoy learning about other count...Stephen, I always enjoy learning about other countries. Thanks for your descriptions and excellent photos.<br />As for writing about true crimes and criminals, like you, I don't write about the actual horrific stuff. However, I do borrow characters from my 25 years on the street and use some part of them as protagonists, antagonists and fill in characters. And, I frequently find myself using some aspects of their cons, scams and crimes in a short story plot. Most of my story killings take place off scene anyway, so it's not been a problem.<br />Like Rob, I enjoyed your "Gallery of the Dead," but then I've liked all your short stories to date. Keep 'em coming.R.T. Lawtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15523486296396710227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-37721423961508290042014-11-18T11:02:28.351-05:002014-11-18T11:02:28.351-05:00I'm in line with everyone else on this. Real ...I'm in line with everyone else on this. Real crime is generally sordid, and depressing, and I'm not writing it into fiction. No one would believe it anyway. <br /><br />Enjoyed this, Stephen. As I've written in several forums, your story, "The Riverboat," was excellent. I have a story set in the antebellum South coming out in EQMM in the March issue (I think).David Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13005457506363262838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-25606807883939951132014-11-18T06:17:51.454-05:002014-11-18T06:17:51.454-05:00Stephen, even with murder as the topic, those phot...Stephen, even with murder as the topic, those photos show a great, beautiful place to live. I admire Anne Rule and others who write true crime, but like you, I separate reality from fiction. I'm asked frequently why I don't write about my best friend who was beaten to death during an in home invasion or the man I dated who was shot and killed by his teenaged son. The young man had mental problems. The truth is that I require that line between the horrible reality of murder and fiction where justice is usually just. <br />How's the film coming along?Fran Rizerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08655783035179620991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-87500215435983943192014-11-18T06:09:27.751-05:002014-11-18T06:09:27.751-05:00Stephen, I know what you mean. I borrow heavily fr...Stephen, I know what you mean. I borrow heavily from real-life characters, er, people and observations and events, but an actual murder is something else entirely.<br /><br />Great use of the layout, Stephen. It looks sharp.Leigh Lundinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07921276795499571578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3119105822589181967.post-38087236779007893042014-11-18T01:35:27.138-05:002014-11-18T01:35:27.138-05:00Beautiful pix. I agree about keeping true crime a...Beautiful pix. I agree about keeping true crime away from fiction. By the way, i enjoyed your Gallery of the Dead in the latest AHMM. Congrats!Robert Loprestihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08844889305615182897noreply@blogger.com