“Why did you pick that genre? Why fantasy?” It is almost a strange question to me, like ‘Why do you breathe air?’ Though of course, sometimes I don’t breathe air — sometimes I hold my breath and swim deep into the seas of historical fiction or Gothic romance. But I always resurface soon enough, alwaysContinue reading “Why I Write Fantasy: A Post About Possibilities, Magic, and He-Man”
Category Archives: Craft
The Inelegant Balance Between Being Right and Becoming Better
Now, we all want to be right — to be smart, admired, to think for ourselves and not let anything sway our convictions. But at a certain point does certainty inhibit progress? I’ve been asking myself this question a lot this year. Firstly, as I move forward toward becoming a professional writer, I have startedContinue reading “The Inelegant Balance Between Being Right and Becoming Better”
What Inspires You Most?
When I saw author Rob White‘s list of books that have influenced his writing most (in no particular order), I knew I had to make my own list. And I encourage you to do the same. Whether you’re a painter, writer, musician, etc, the way you create today probably owes a lot to something youContinue reading “What Inspires You Most?”
A History of a Writer
I’ve been making up stories for as long as I can remember and, as I’m turning 35 in a few months, it looks like the odds are good I’ll be telling them for the rest of my life (not just gonna yell ‘That’s it! I’m done!’ as I blow out my birthday candles). But howContinue reading “A History of a Writer”
How To Write a Book (Part 2 of 2)
Here’s the second half of my guide to book writing — How to Write — a Practical Timeline Here’s the nitty-gritty of how I get to ‘The End’: Get an idea. You might be reading a news article, or a another novel, watching a film, or daydreaming a ‘what if’ and it gets you —Continue reading “How To Write a Book (Part 2 of 2)”
How To Write a Book (Part 1 of 2)
Somewhere in your heart you know it. Maybe this is a recent dream, but quite likely it’s been kicking around in your subconscious for some time and every once in a while, when reading a new book, or hearing an author interview, or thinking about your lifetime goals it comes to the surface — youContinue reading “How To Write a Book (Part 1 of 2)”
Reclaiming ‘Perfection’
Perfection is a dirty word. Look up ‘perfection’ quotes and you get everything from the funny — to the downright hostile — And I get it, really I do. Trying to be a perfect, flawless person sets one up for heartache. Some people spend years before realizing that it’s an impossible standard — we areContinue reading “Reclaiming ‘Perfection’”
Awesome Day #7 — Meeting With the Mentor
Yow!!! Yesterday (on day #7 of my 8 day ‘stay-cation’) I had arranged to meet well-known and respected writer. I’ve never really gotten to talk to anyone on that level before, and by contacting them, I had brought myself into this whole new range of experience. I had been quite nervous before our meeting forContinue reading “Awesome Day #7 — Meeting With the Mentor”
Awesome Day #5 — Play Time
Yesterday was day #5 of my 8 day stay-cation. It was a time of rest and having WAY too much fun creating new pinterest images. Allow me to explain — I love Matt Adrian’s bird pictures. And I had a pin of one I thought would make a great Hannibal pin (Hannibal is amazing BTW). So,Continue reading “Awesome Day #5 — Play Time”
Awesome Day #3 — Finishing a book
Yesterday was day #3 of my 8 day ‘stay-cation’. Except for going to see X-men (it was great!), I spent the rest of the day working on my novel Fall Street. It’s not done yet, but it’s getting closer. As a writer, there’s a special feeling as you get toward the end of a book,Continue reading “Awesome Day #3 — Finishing a book”
Stay Extraordinary 