Last month I attended the Nebula Awards for the second time in my life. Last year I discovered that I had no idea who most of the nominees were. This year, while I knew more of them, I still didn’t know a significant number. My personal relationship with storytelling explains a great deal, most notably…
Category: Blog
Comfort is the Enemy of the Successful Writer
When I say comfort is the enemy, I’m not talking about how cozy your writing nook is, but how we as writers sometimes get stuck in a safe place. Whether that safe place is a genre, a series, a book, or even our tribe. I’ve seen writers work on their first book for years,…
Getting the Words to Flow
It used to be rare that I got stuck while writing a book. But lately, with my time more fragmented and no deadlines except those I impose on myself, I’ve found myself clawing my way through first drafts. To try and get the momentum going again, I’ve gone back to the techniques that served me…
I Want to Interview Your Character
I don’t care which – protagonist/antagonist – preferably a major player in your latest WIP. This exercise is great for helping us flesh out characters even if those details don’t make it to the page. Having a fully detailed character comes through in other subtle ways. Try it and see – pick your favorite or…
Write What You Know
“Write what you know.” That was Mrs. Frances Toepfer’s advice on the first day of English Composition class at Abraham Lincoln High School in southwest Denver more years ago than I wish to acknowledge. She then raised her glasses from the chain around her neck and studied us for a moment, expecting, I suppose, questions….