April 6, 2016
Originally published 20 April 2010 I used to try to be a “seat of my pants†writer. I would start with an idea, and move forward. Sometimes I knew the ending, sometimes I didn’t, but I just wrote until I Read more…
February 19, 2016
I’ve done a lot of fiction writing, and have even had people pay me to publish some of it. I’ve also completed a few novels, but I’ve never published any. That said, I have opinions. I know – shocking! So 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…
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…
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 17, 2011
An important question on this St. Paddy’s Day–more important than ‘are you wearing green’ or ‘did you have to have that tenth Guinness?’–have you listened to episode 33 of Jennisodes, titled “Kids and Gaming” with guests Becca and ME? Go Read more…