“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”
Tag Archives: Writing Craft
Moment: A Poem
We, by nature, are creatures of want, creatures of need. We need shelter, food, and even, I would argue, we need love. Our wants of course, are endless. From the noblest desire for world peace to the hope of people ‘liking’ and ‘sharing’ our latest online pic, there is no limit to our wants. ‘More’Continue reading “Moment: A Poem”
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”
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”
The Audacity of Fantasy; or Why I Still Fall in Love
I am in love again. It’s only the fifth time in my life. It is with a person I don’t really know, I only know of. It’s not a celebrity (though no shame if you are — they’re probably someone who’s worked hard to achieve their dreams and entertain others) — he’s just someone I’ve talkedContinue reading “The Audacity of Fantasy; or Why I Still Fall in Love”
The SELF-PRINTED 3.0 Splash
As anyone who is interested in writing and has ever been trapped with me in a elevator, car, or coffee shop meeting room knows, I’m a HUGE fan of Catherine Ryan Howard. When I was getting started in self publishing, I realized I was still stuck in the ‘vanity press’ mindset of old and didn’tContinue reading “The SELF-PRINTED 3.0 Splash”
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)”
Stay Extraordinary 