Why I Write Fantasy: A Post About Possibilities, Magic, and He-Man

“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”

2015: 10 Things That Are Inspiring My Writing

Even though the year isn’t over yet, I’m so excited about the things that are exhilarating me and moving my writing forward that I just had to share them (note: no real spoilers here, just a few lines of non-revealing dialogue) — #1 — Hannibal Hopefully season three isn’t the end, but if it wasContinue reading “2015: 10 Things That Are Inspiring My Writing”

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?”

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”

10 Tips for Building Believable Love Stories

Love stories are popular, eternal, and some of readers’ favorite plots. So why are they so rarely good (or as good as they could be)? I think because we often don’t believe in the romance, in the characters, in the story. But the good news is that it’s easy to send your love story from lukewarmContinue reading “10 Tips for Building Believable Love Stories”

Ten Things I Want You to do Before the End of the Year

We have a little over a month left in the year.  I want you to end this year strong, alive, and full of possibility.  Here’s how to do it: Ten Tips to Come Alive Pick one event, concert, etc that you’ve wanted to go to but have never signed up for — buy that ticketContinue reading “Ten Things I Want You to do Before the End of the Year”

A Writer’s ‘Most Enjoyable’ TV Shows List

I put the question of this ‘top ten’ to my sister, with the stipulation of ‘most enjoyable’.  The reason was not to exclude hard-to-watch dramas but rather to alleviate the fears that one would have in creating a BEST list.  So this is really about my favorites, not the ones I believe should be onContinue reading “A Writer’s ‘Most Enjoyable’ TV Shows List”

“You Can’t Get Firefly by Rebooting Bonanza.”

My sister Sarah said the above quote and I thought it was so true. We live in a swirling media storm of sequels, re-boots, re-imaginings, prequels, adaptations, updates, and spin-offs.  Our summer movie slates are full of sequels and three-quells and our fall movie schedules are full of play and book adaptations.  The new seasonContinue reading ““You Can’t Get Firefly by Rebooting Bonanza.””

Warning! You are Living in the Pop Culture Moment of Your Dreams

I just realized this year that we are living in the kind of time and place we are going to annoy those younger than us about for the rest of our lives. Now, I know summer movies haven’t been that great.  I almost didn’t write this because of that.  But, I believe the ups areContinue reading “Warning! You are Living in the Pop Culture Moment of Your Dreams”