Quotes / The Angst of Writing Crime Fiction

What makes this weak is that it relies on the title for context.  Otherwise, I think if you tweaked your words a bit (maybe ‘murder’ instead of killer, because killer is a bit too clean-sounding?), and tried to make it stand alone, you’d have a more powerful message.

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July 19, 2008

by pavel205

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The Killer Within is a classic noir title by Jim Thompson. That part needs to stand as is. Otherwise, I see what you mean.

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I don’t know if using a Title to help give meaning to your piece is cheating.  I mean, will this “quote” stand alone without the title?  Are titles going to be used if this is choosen?  

Assume they are not, then you will see the problem with your submission.

I recommend you compact this.  Words that can be removed: I, often, the.

Now, you have room to really make this work.

This is pretty good.  There is an element of humor which it seems the SMITH crowd covets, and it invokes an image and action of the writing process that we can hang our own experience and imaginations on.  Probably not pithy or self deprecating enough to be a top contender but I liked it.  That and $2.70 will get you a cup of designer coffee.