Research, both noun and verb, means to investigate for facts—explore, analyze, delve into. But what’s next? I overheard an author, I think Susan Spann, say that by writing a rough draft first, she then knew what research she needed. A quarter of the way through self-editing my final draft, I tested Ms. Spann’s idea. By…
Author: Rainey Hall
What have I done to myself?
I’ve dabbled in many genres, but I like history. I’ve traveled and hiked Colorado and Wyoming to explore, learn, and meet new people. Sure, I like to read. I’ve seen the world from a variety of points of view. So, wherein lies my personal demise? Putting both of the above into a manuscript—a western historical…
Why in the world did you give your character that name?
I’m learning names can be tricky. I created a protagonist with the surname of Lawley because he lives by the letter of the law. (However, in order to survive he must bend a few rules.) Character names are often self-explanatory. Think Sleeping Beauty; Bugs Bunny; Old Yeller; Prince Valiant; and Superman, the Man of Steel….
Say, Mack, what’s your secret?
There is a restaurant in Manitou Springs, CO, Adam’s Mountain Café, that has the best chicken salad ever. Just plain ol’ chicken salad, but with its one or two secret ingredients—wow. Fantasy and sci-fi author David Farland tells a story about an author he met at a writers conference. She admitted to him that she felt…
Increased procrastination or increased motivation? That depends on you.
Have you ever been searching for that something special for one of your characters, a subplot, a setting, a way to kill off a character, or perhaps researching for a historical fiction manuscript and it happens? You click. You have no self-control—you simply click! For example: Xkcd’s Radiation Dose Chart – PA: 88. LRD: 988….