Archive

  • Quirks and Tics: Characterization through Minor Details

    You ever think about how traits and habits can shape a character? Everyone has their own flavor of mannerisms: body posture, repeating gestures, facial expressions, verbal expressions, nervous habits. For the sake of simplicity, let’s call them “quirks.” They’re the little details that don’t play a part in the unfolding plot, but simply help flesh Read more

  • Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Thoughts on Confidence

    Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Thoughts on Confidence

    You ever see someone walking down the street with an easy stride, good posture, and a sure expression on their face? You think to yourself, “Man, they’ve got it together. They know they’re going places in life.” You ever question if they actually did know what they were doing and where they’d end up? After Read more

  • Writing Your First Draft: The Vomit Draft

    Writing Your First Draft: The Vomit Draft

    Having gotten halfway through the first draft of my second book, I look back on the progress I’ve already made and have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I’m fairly confident my skill has improved somewhat since my first book. On the other hand, I see the myriad flaws still there and wish Read more

  • History: The Greatest Source of Inspiration for Any Writer

    History: The Greatest Source of Inspiration for Any Writer

    Fact is stranger than fiction, they say. And it’s true. But have you ever considered the inverse: Fiction is never stranger than fact. No matter a writer’s imagination, no matter his ability to craft new worlds out of his own mind and populate it with characters who seem as real and unique as anyone you Read more

  • Snow and Me: A Complicated Relationship

    Snow and Me: A Complicated Relationship

    Winter is approaching fast, and that means snow is on the way where I live. And snow means a clean split between those shivering with excitement and those groaning in despair. Snow is weird. You want to paint a happy picture of winter fun? Throw in some snowmen and snowballs and snow forts. Want to Read more

  • Escapism: A Necessary Respite

    Escapism: A Necessary Respite

    Escapist entertainment. What thoughts run through your head when you hear that phrase? Positive? Negative? Joy? Disapproval? Escapism gets a bit of a bad rap. Life is serious business, and there’s a lot of work to be done. People are suffering. Injustice is rampant. And when are you going to pay those bills? Why are Read more