There’s a thread on my message board right now that deals with reviews. It’s a particularly interesting subject to me because I do them for Horrorworld.org—and as a writer, reviewing other writers can be a scary proposition.

When I was first asked if I would be interested in doing reviews, my immediate reaction was, “what if I don’t like the book?” I couldn’t, in good conscience, praise a book I didn’t think was worthy—but on the other hand, as a writer just starting out in the industry, reviewing more established authors would be like stepping blindfolded through a minefield. I truly believe that reviewers will gain more respect for being honest in voicing their opinions. But as I wrote on the message board, writers are sensitive creatures, and the last thing you want to do as a relative newcomer is make enemies.

This subject is so interesting that I may do a longer column on it fairly soon, but for now I thought I’d share a bit of the message board conversation, because it neatly summarizes the guidelines I try to follow, to keep me on the straight and narrow:

There are three basic rules I use when reviewing, that help me keep perspective.

1. I try to write my reviews as professionally as possible–keeping away from first person, if I can (unless I really feel it’s important to express something personal), and remaining as objective as possible (if something doesn’t work, is it a problem with the writing structure or method, rather than just my own likes and dislikes).

2. Write a balanced review–most of the books I read for Horrorworld have something good going for them, even if I felt they were ultimately disappointing. So if I’m going to criticize a part of the book, I make sure to mention what I liked as well. Tearing a book apart doesn’t help anyone–not the readers, and certainly not the writer. This goes back to #1–a good review should state in plain, simple terms what worked, and what did not. No personal attacks.

3. If I REALLY hate it, I just won’t review it. Thankfully, that hasn’t happened yet with anything I’ve been sent for Horrorworld–though there have been a couple of books I picked up in the past few months that I might have offered to review if I’d liked them. Sometimes that’s just my opinion (I can think of two fairly recent books right off the bat that I could barely finish, but which got rave reviews from a lot of readers). But usually, if a book doesn’t work for me, it’s because the writing was technically bad–too much telling, repetitive language, wooden characters or dialogue, or plots that just don’t make any sense. I’m not talking about supernatural stuff–I love that–but rather characters who make decisions that aren’t believable, or plot holes you could drive a truck through. You can write about zombies, vampires, Martians, whatever, and it’ll usually work for me…as long as the plot follows the rules of whatever world you have created.

More on this coming soon…

This year’s Five Star Author Day will be held on August 5th, 2005 at the publishing house’s Waterville offices. Nate will travel to Maine on August 4th to participate in a panel discussion on self-promotion. He will be signing Advance Reader copies on Friday of Bloodstone for members of the staff and fellow Five Star authors who attend (many thanks to Tiffany and others at FS for getting the ARCs produced in time).
Visit Five Star’s website

I’ve arrived back home from my trip to the Necon writer’s conference in Rhode Island, and am happy to report that it was an experience I will never forget. The conference was all it had been built up to be and more, full of writers who were there for no other reason than to enjoy each others’ company in a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere.

Within a couple of hours after I arrived, it was clear to me why this conference was referred to as “Camp Necon.” I met my two roommates: one a 20-year old newcomer, the other a guy my own age, also a Necon first-timer. We talked just long enough to feel like old friends, and then headed out to see what sort of trouble we could get into.

Everyone gathered in the quad outside the Roger Williams University dorms as evening fell over the campus. The grill was fired up, and the famous RI “Saugies” (a type of hot dog unique to the region) hit the flames. Well-known authors such as Peter Straub and David Morrell mingled with the rest of us until late into the night. Much later, in fact, than I’m used to these days, and I felt it in my bones the next morning.

But this was not the time or place to stay in bed, and so by 10 am on Friday I found myself among a throng of Necon attendees making their way through the minigolf course, in pursuit of an elusive Necon Olympic medal. It was not to be, however. Our foursome was “minigolf challenged,” so to speak. That was followed by several panel discussions and movie screenings, and the mass author signing that evening. Again, a very late night, and as I dragged myself to bed I wondered if I would feel quite the same ever again.

Saturday I managed to get up in time to make a panel discussion on Shameless Self-Promotion at 10 am, which was full of good ideas (have your grandmother wear a button that says “ask me about my grandson’s book? Sure, why not?) This was followed by more panels, and then the famous Necon softball game that afternoon. The game was somewhat disappointing, since it only went 3 innings—but it was hot, and most of the players were so tired (and frankly, uncoordinated) that they were risking permanent injury at any moment. That evening it was time for the Trivia Game Show and then the worst-kept secret of all time, the Necon Roast. The poor victim for this year was Phil Nutman, who is a heck of a good sport in addition to a fine writer.

You guessed it—another late night—and on Sunday, it was time to give our feedback on the whole experience and enjoy the farewell picnic before heading on home. Made the trip in a little over an hour, buzzing on caffeine and struggling to keep my eyes open. Though I was already missing the whole Necon scene, it was good to see my family again.

Hard to believe I spent over three days at Roger Williams. Overall, I met and/or got to know people who will surely be friends for life (Jimmie Z, Mike, Kelly, Jared, Nanci, Jeff and Lynne, and many, many others), and have stories that I will never forget.

And never tell here.

After all, some secrets should remain buried…

July 14 through 17, 2005
The 25th anniversary of the Northeastern Writers Conference, affectionately known as “Camp NECon.” NECon is limited to 200 people. Attendees include some of the brightest lights in the horror and suspense field. This year’s toastmasters include Linda Addison and Gerard Houarner. More on Necon

Nate will be traveling to Rhode Island tomorrow for the Northeastern Writers Conference, affectionately known as “Camp Necon.” It is the 25th anniversary of the event, which is limited to 200 people and will last through the weekend. Necon attendees include some of the brightest lights in the horror and suspense field. This year’s toastmasters will be Linda Addison and Gerard Houarner. More on Necon

Tomorrow I leave for the Northeastern Writers Conference, affectionately known as Camp Necon. This will be my first one, and I’m really looking forward to the experience. It will be a chance to meet many of those fellow message board posters I chat with on Shocklines.com, as well as a lot of other writers, editors and artists who I admire–and catch up with old friends. From what I’ve heard, Necon is one of the most intimate of these writers’ conferences, and there’s a lot more time spent chatting with attendees, rather than sitting in on panels and movie screenings and readings. There are certainly plently of those too (and I do love a good panel)…but what’s better than getting the chance to talk with those authors you’ve read and admired for years?

What’s more, I’ll have an unexpected roommate. Space is so tight this year that the organizers are pairing up people who had reserved single rooms. I’m one of them. I’ll have to wait and see who my roommate might be.

Stay tuned.

What a strange summer we’re having in New England…some of the most scaldingly-hot stretches I can remember, followed by periods of drenching rain, cold and gunmetal skies that make you think of London in spring.

Lately the weather has been hot and dry, and the pool has been calling to me. We sunk LOTS of money into this project last year, building ourselves a little paradise in our own backyard; our thinking (muddled as it was), was that since we never really go anywhere on vacation, why not spend the money we might otherwise spend at Disneyland on our home?

When we bought this house three years ago it was slowly crumbling to nothing, after 50-some years of maintenance by the same homeowner, whose idea of home improvement consisted of gluing fake wood paneling to every available surface. We’ve spent many, many hard hours of blood, sweat and tears tearing down everything he did–and then some. The backyard is a good example. There was a pool back there, but it was 30 years old and–literally–falling apart. The previous owner had “trimmmed” the shrubs (well, mostly tied them back with rope) and burned the liner to nearly pure white by throwing pounds of chemicals in the water. Cracked concrete was repaired with a few bags of Quickrete that itself had crumbled away shortly after. Ripped vinyl was patched with Duct tape. So with the best of intentions, we decided that last summer would be a good time to make some improvements.

As usually happens with these projects, things got out of hand very quickly. Before long we found ourselves standing amid piles of concrete and rubble. The backyard looked like a wasteland, and we were already running out of money (ahhh, the wonders of the home equity line!) After recovering our nerve, we bravely plowed on…and this summer we finally have our little paradise. Along with a nice, tidy pile of debt.

Where am I going with all this? Well, playing with the kids in the pool on these hot summer days has, for me, become another easy distraction, a way to avoid what I really SHOULD be doing, which is sitting down at the keyboard. Playing with the kids is a good thing; proscrastination is not. Writing is a long, lonely process, and I sometimes find myself doing anything other than putting the words down on the page. I’m usually avoiding something that makes me nervous; facing a tough edit, nearing the end of a story or novel that I’m afraid may not be particularly compelling, or simply getting ready to submit something new and to face possible rejection.

When this happens, I organize the books on my shelf, go grocery shopping, throw myself into the day job, hang out in the backyard…until finally, after much internal debate, I kick my own rear-end long enough that I’m shamed into sitting down in front of that keyboard. And you know what? I realize what a great relief it is to GET AT something, to scratch that itch, to get back in the swing and feel the story flow. That’s when I realize how truly lucky I am, to be doing something I love. And I promise myself that I won’t let it go so long again, that I’ll remember how much fun writing can be.

Speak of the devil…Time to get back at it.