Libby Fischer Hellmann

writes the Ellie Foreman mysteries, the Georgia Davis thrillers, and several stand-alone thrillers. Her Ellie books are a cross between “Desperate Housewives” and “24”, but the Georgia Davis PI thrillers are more hard-boiled. Her stand-alones include a “trilogy” of thrillers set during the revolutions of Iran, Cuba, and the turbulent late Sixties in Chicago.

For The Warm and Fuzzy Moms… and the others, too

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Whether you have a Motocycle Mama, A Mother’s Day heroine like Rebecca De Mornay, or everyone’s “Mommy Dearest,” her day will be here soon. Why settle for the usual flowers, candy, or lunch to show your love? Help her escape the tedium of life—with a good book. As it happens (ahem), I have a suggestion, … Read more

Writing Lite Tip 6: Grammar isn’t something your editor should have to correct.

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Writing Lite Tip #6 by Libby Hellmann

Here is where I sound like your fourth grade teacher. Grammar IS important. But it’s not rocket science. You can learn all those pesky rules (and English has more rules than most languages). Why? Because knowing the rules will make you a better writer. When you know proper grammar, it’s easier to eliminate dangling participles, … Read more

Writing Lite Tip #5: Learn the difference between “who” and “that.”

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Writing LIte Tip #5 by Libby Hellmann

A common mistake writers make is this: “I was afraid of the man that held a gun in his hand.” Because “man” refers to a person, it should read: “I was afraid of the man who held a gun in his hand.” (Actually, that could be shortened to read “I was afraid of the man with a … Read more

Writing Lite Tip 2: One clause sentences. Two at the most

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LIbby Hellmann Writing Lite Tip No 2

Long, languorous sentences make it difficult for the reader to follow, unless he or she is a very patient reader. Most readers aren’t, sorry to say. They’re interested in story. Not the prose you’ve so carefully crafted. So, make it easy for your readers. Limit your sentences to easily understood thoughts. Each sentence should add … Read more

8 Movie Musicals To Watch During April Showers

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Some of you know I write a column for Women’s Voices Magazine. Happily, it’s in their “Enjoy” section, which means I get to write about books and movies I’ve loved — every month. Usually they’re not new films or books, but they are centered on a theme. Recently, I wrote about Movie Musicals. Since April … Read more

Writing Lite Tip 1: Delete extraneous words: “sometimes,” “almost,” “very,” “that”

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Writing Lite Tip #1

Writing Lite Tip #1

 

Are you a writer? Well, if you are, you need to master the craft of fiction. No matter what genre or niche you’re writing. It will make you a better writer, more easily published, & marketable. To help you get there, I’ve decided to expand my “Writing Lite Series” by offering 50 Tips for Fiction Writers. Today is Tip #1.

Each tip will be posted both on Pinterest and here. I hope you find them useful. And fun. Not to worry—they’re short.

 
 
 
 

Writing Lite Tip 1: Delete extraneous words like “sometimes, almost, very, that…”

In our efforts to be precise, we often end up doing the opposite by adding words like “sometimes, “almost,” or “very.” Nine out of ten times you don’t need them. They qualify the verb or noun they precede but, at the same time, they weaken those verbs and nouns.

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An Apology to the Northfield Police

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My most recent blogpost was about the shooting in Northfield at rapper Chief Keef’s house. And while we still don’t know a lot of details about the incident, I made some comments about the Northfield police that were—well— kind of smart-ass. And inaccurate. And because I really admire and like Bill Lustig, Northfield’s current Police … Read more