Writing of the newest novel proceeds apace. I’m still in the first third of the book, but it’s making good headway. I want to reach 30,000 words – a little less than half the book – by June 1. That way I’m on track to finish, edit, get a cover,…
The infamous writing prompt. Meant to provide a creative ‘floor’ from which the writer may spring forward! (Little DST humor there.) Thing is, I find writing prompts amusing, but not helpful in their intended purpose. I don’t use them to start writing. Instead, I sometimes use them to plug in…
Writers sometimes struggle with sayings. By ‘sayings’ I refer to proverbs, quotes, pithy comments, and the like. Do we use them in a story? Not use them? Use a bastardized or hilariously-twisted version of them instead? In some cases a good saying can draw the reader in. Other times, a…
If you’ve read fiction longer than 1 hour in your life, you’ve come across a writing stereotype. Old, tired, yet somehow still kicking, writing stereotypes are those ‘easy shortcuts’ some authors take to jerry-rig a plot or cut back on actual writing effort. Cliché characters. Transparent plot “twists.” You know…
Last time I talked about spurring creativity. Very helpful, regardless of your objective. (The article’s right here if you missed it.) So, following said advice, we’ve had a good creative soak. The ideas have congealed into an appealing mass. You start the work spinning said mass into something real. Then…
“Mom, where did you get the recipe?!” I shouted into the phone. Panic edged the words and shook my fingers. That only made the fluttering in my chest grow. My eyes darted around the room. Scraping sounds came from behind the door. Silence came. Mom hadn’t picked up the call…
If you’re anything like me (I hope not) you’ve tried about a hundred tricks for spurring creativity. When you want to come up with the next brilliant idea, the next dazzling piece of artwork…and you end up blinking at a screen. I have to say, a live wire to the…
Yes, it’s true. I have a special surprise today, for you, my readers. No, it doesn’t involve trapdoors or exploding boxes. (If anyone knows where I can get those in bulk though…) I like to think people enjoy my books. Reviews tend to back that up, overall. If you have…
(With Answers, Even!) How old is ‘Silver Cane’? He’s in his mid-30s. Given his age, lanky frame, and having one of those long narrow faces like Andy Sixx (Black Veil Brides), people would likely label him a ‘punk rocker’ type if they saw him on the street. He doesn’t…
Sannz stared down at the limb on the cutting board. The limb whose wrist he grasped in his own hand, with the other holding the chopping knife. It did look mostly human. Fingers, pinkish skin, a forearm leading down to an elbow. If you didn’t see the stump, of course.…
