You may (or may not) have noticed that things have gotten a little… quiet around here. For a while my web site was shut down completely. I’ve had technical difficulties to work through, and I’ve had life difficulties to work… Continue Reading
We don’t think, as authors, that we’re responsible for making our readers successful. We think about making our careers, our book, successful, but our readers? How can we control that if we’re not writing a non-fiction book about leadership or… Continue Reading
Maybe you have an English degree. Maybe you have an MFA, like me. Maybe not. Maybe you just love to write and think it’d be really nice to make some dough while you do it. Maybe it’s more than a… Continue Reading
As I’m writing this, it’s Good Friday and I’m preparing for my role as puppeteer in my church’s annual Easter event. In thinking about the holiday and all that comes with it, I got to thinking about holidays in writing.… Continue Reading
Yes, your story is contrived. ALL stories are contrived. The word contrived means to plan, to invent, to plot. And even pantsers plot and invent, regardless of whether or not they did it beforehand. I’d say, to an extent, even… Continue Reading
A few months ago, I heard Sandra Huertes, a memoirist, speak. She said this: Don’t give yourself over to the fickleness of the publishing industry. Be in love with the writing, not the approval of the writing. Write what you… Continue Reading
Most people tell you not to give up. Most times I will, too. And most times, you absolutely should not give up. But there are a few instances when giving up is the best thing. Maybe. Sometimes ideas come, but… Continue Reading
Life is loud. And because of the loudness in our lives and minds, it’s often difficult to find the time for silence. When was the last time you sat, on purpose, in quiet for any length of time? Silence is… Continue Reading
The setting of your story, or the “place,” is a critical element of your story. Too often I’ve thought about a story, and figured that, oh, it takes place in a suburb. But there are many mistakes in this assumption.… Continue Reading
I’m a fiction writer. If you ask me what I write, I’ll usually say something like, “Primarily urban fantasy, but I’ve also written some sci-fi, contemporary, horror, and mystery.” No mention of anything outside the genre of fiction. Though, the… Continue Reading
