Dangerous Expectations – Writing Shakespeare
Playing the expectations game is dangerous. You rewrite Romeo & Juliet, you’d best bring something new to the table. You write about the fall of Jerusalem, there had better be something uplifting in that awful story. And if you write a novel about William...Romeo & Juliet – I Always Hated Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, and how the Capulet-Montague feud inspired a series of historical novels I always hated Shakespeare. They made me read him. In junior high, it was JULIUS CAESAR, and I hated it. In high school, it was ROMEO & JULIET, which...
Captive Colours – Prologue
I’m a long way from finished. It’ll take me all year, probably. But you’ve been so very patient. So here’s something to tide you over. I love you all. CAPTIVE COLOURS Prologue Pavia, Italy 14 August 1329 “Where is he?” The question echoed...
This Day In History: Nellie Bly Dethrones the King of the Lobby!
On April Fool’s Day, 1888, undercover reporter Nellie Bly revealed her most shocking story since her escape from the madhouse on Blackwell’s Island. This is the original story that was the basis for my latest Nellie Bly novella, CLEVER GIRL (Sordelet Ink, 2020. You can download a free ebook version here). Enjoy! — David Blixt
Nellie Bly – The Research
For me, inspiration always comes from reading. Be it history, fiction, essays, or comics, I find my best ideas are sparked from gaps I discover in narratives. What was the cause of the famous Capulet-Montague feud? What was Shakespeare doing during his...