fiction – Mark Bruce, Writer

The Villian Explains

One of the mystery writing tropes which drives me nuts is the moment in a book where the villain feels compelled to explain everything he’s done. Usually this happens when the protagonist is helpless, at the complete mercy of the bad guy. The protagonist often says something like, “I guess you’ve been very clever inContinue reading “The Villian Explains”

Conventional Wisdom

I have returned from the Killer Nashville convention in Franklin, Tennessee. I was nominated, for the third year in a row, for a Claymore Award (given to an unpublished manuscript). For the third year I went down to defeat. Sigh. But awards are unpredictable. Last year my comic novel, “The Return of Edsel Eddie,” lostContinue reading “Conventional Wisdom”

Bustin’ It With Ernie H.

Late on a Sunday night and I am writing in my journal at the kitchen table. I have just finished “The Sun Also Rises,” the debut novel by Ernest Hemingway which caused such a stir back in 1926. But I was not imressed. A bearded, ghostly presence is at my shoulder. And he is notContinue reading “Bustin’ It With Ernie H.”