August 19, 2015
I have a secret for my writing that isn’t something I generally discuss. Alcohol. The drunk writer is as much a stereotype as the starving, bohemian artist. And for me, drunk doesn’t work. When I drink too much, my typing Read more…
July 15, 2015
There is a neat little movie called Bunraku that tells a story in a kind of fantasy realm of modern suits and crossed blades with not a firearm in sight. During the opening, we are told this is a post-apocalyptic tale, and guns Read more…
July 10, 2015
In getting back in to regular fiction writing, I’ve given myself permission to write to no purpose. This is going to create a lot more starts without finishes, but I’m okay with that. Since my sale to Black Gate back Read more…
June 24, 2015
If you are planning to sell your writing, you need to remember that you are not a special snowflake. I know you’ve heard that a lot, but it’s important to understand it. It’s important to understand that you need to Read more…
June 17, 2015
I am the first to admit that I am not good with description. My first drafts are often like scripts with dialogue and character action but very little setting description. In the past, I’ve struggled to force myself to include Read more…
June 10, 2015
Everyone has heard “write what you know.†How people define “know†is, of course, variable, but it is fair enough advice on the face of it – if you don’t know about sub-hunting in WWII, don’t write fiction about sub-hunting Read more…
June 3, 2015
Sometimes, you find inspiration in another work and you don’t even try to hide it: my story “Farewell, Something Lovely” is a rip-off of the Raymond Chandler novel Farewell, My Lovely. I’m okay with admitting my story uses the ideas and Read more…
May 27, 2015
Back in the day, I used to listen to a writing podcast put out by Michael Stackpole called the Secrets. It was really good. The site is still up, but I don’t think any of the episodes remain available. There Read more…
May 20, 2015
I’ve spoken about my writing process before and I am a planner. I need to outline my stories and novels or else they just keep drifting along, trying to find an ending, but instead always finding different ideas and conflicts Read more…
March 18, 2015
I have a project on which I am working right now and part of it is a fiction component. I’m preparing some submission packages for long-form fiction in various genres – action, fantasy, sci-fi, and post-apocalyptic. Now the post-apocalyptic one Read more…