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Laurel Osterkamp

Book Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Laurel Osterkamp · March 3, 2022

The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides, was a huge bestseller and got great critical reviews after its 2019 release. Michaelides, who was a first-time novelist, created a suspenseful story with a shocking twist, that stemmed from confusing the reader when it comes to POV and tense. It’s the sort of novel where after you’re done reading, you want to go back and reread sections to clear up any questions or misperceptions you might have. There are two points of view in the novel. One is first …

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Short Story Checklist

Laurel Osterkamp · March 1, 2022

  I have been writing a lot of short fiction lately. I've also been reading and studying short fiction, as that's a major focus of the grad program I'm in. The other day, I was looking for online journals where I could submit my short fiction, and read their guidelines. One place insisted that short fiction should be about distinct moments packed with emotion, rather than shocking twists. Another just stated the REASON for the short story should be clear, and it needs to be more than …

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Feminist Fiction Writers: Lucia Berlin

Laurel Osterkamp · February 25, 2022

Lucia Berlin was a brilliant but mostly unappreciated author of short fiction. According to  The Guardian, Berlin focused on working class jobs in her stories, as she was from a scrappy working class background herself. At one time, she had a job as an emergency room nurse. That is not surprising, as her flash fiction piece, My Jockey provides stunning medical details combined with an ironic sense of humor and wit. At the beginning of “My Jockey”, she states that she likes being an emergency …

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Celebration! First Draft Done!

Laurel Osterkamp · February 22, 2022

I'm celebrating! I just finished my first draft of latest novel, MYSTERIES AND MARTINIS. (Last word = fly) Because the online tools I have make it so easy, I composed a fantasy cover & ad. But now the real work begins. On to revisions, queries, and putting myself out there! …

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Writing Prompt Video: Paradox

Laurel Osterkamp · February 22, 2022

Use this video that explains paradox, gives examples, and provides a writing prompt as a warmup activity for your students, or to spur your own creativity. Enjoy! …

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