Archive

  • Learning to Take It: Writing and Criticism

    Learning to Take It: Writing and Criticism

    Criticism is a bit of a dirty word, isn’t it? Nobody wants it thrown in their direction. We fear it and worry that we might be its next target. More’s the pity, because criticism is a necessary part of the creative process. Heck, it’s a necessary part of being creative, period. You learn to grow… Read more

  • The Greatest Teacher: What’s the Role of Failure in Life?

    The Greatest Teacher: What’s the Role of Failure in Life?

    Do you know the magic word that society loves to hear? The Pied Piper’s song, leading us along without us giving it serious thought. SUCCESS. It’s the ultimate carrot on a stick. SUCCESS. It’s a wonderful word, so supreme and comfy in its vagueness that we rarely worry that we don’t really know what we… Read more

  • Revision Vs. Obliteration: When to STOP Revising Your Book

    Revision Vs. Obliteration: When to STOP Revising Your Book

    Editing is an addictive process for me. I love editing. I love digging into the guts of my story and tinkering with things, fixing typos and grammar, revising dialogue, picking better words to describe action and thought. It’s a huge amount of fun for me. Alas, like most things in life, too much of a… Read more

  • Sometimes, You Just Have to Laugh

    There’s something special about laughter. A good laugh can not only brighten your day, it gives you the strength to get through it. Life is a jerk. If Life is a person, it would be tall and bulky, with a bad haircut, an unbearably smug grin, and an annoying laugh. That’s certainly the impression one… Read more

  • Finding the Right Words

    Finding the Right Words

    Sometimes I wish there was a checklist for writing the perfect story. If I had a step-by-step guide that included everything I needed to put into a book to make it a guaranteed success, it would make life so much easier. All I would have to do is check off each step, and bam, instant… Read more

  • Heroes: Why Do We Have Them? Why Do We Need Them?

    Heroes: Why Do We Have Them? Why Do We Need Them?

    Some stories just stick around forever, don’t they? Wherever you go, there they are. A whole bunch of archetypes filling up the library. Some narratives have that special something we call “universal appeal.” They don’t fade away, they never become dated, they just multiply and assume new incarnations for every generation. There’s a broad appeal… Read more