My thoughts and ideas on various topics, including advice about writing and getting published.
Not being as diligent or punctual or mindful as Dad, I missed it by one day. Lucky me, Dad sent an email yesterday to remind us: “Another year, another remembrance of the day we all became free. We pray that we never forget where we came from and how much we have been blessed since.” […]
I hesitate to jump into this subject. Much has been written, both in scholarly and press/media circles about whether the technology, especially its hyper-accelerated advancement in recent years, acts as a force for good or evil. What can I add? Little more than yet another perspective, to be sure. Yet, we can’t escape the question. […]
Lately I’ve spent some time reading a lot of stories from other authors, and even some of my own. The ones that work for me get a review on this blog. This latest exercise has once more left me wondering and pondering: what makes a story work? Though many aspects of a story make it […]
I need your help with a question. If you read my books, do you use a Kindle, or do you use another non-Kindle (Nook, iBooks, etc.) reader? I’m trying to decide whether to go back to offering my eBooks exclusively through Kindle, and your feedback will help me decide. [socialpoll id=”2273345″]
Recently, I came across this great word: Piffle. Reminiscent of another cute little word, trifle, it seems to fit much of how and what we communicate these days. Whether on social media or when spending time with friends face to face, do we talk? About what matters? Sure, we need space for fun, to not […]
I’ve never been a very organized person. Oh, I can act like one, but it’s not what comes naturally to me. It’s certainly not how I want to be and act. Is this why I can’t seem to plan my story-telling? Do my claims about organic, free-handed, self-emergent stories add up to little more than […]
The other day I ran across a statement that church-going people can be some of the most judgmental. Like that is breaking news. But OK, for extra credit I’ll note I can say the same about those frequenting your local neighborhood bars. Whether deciding what beer we like best or which beer drinker we rather […]
Beware the power of description. It can make or halt your story. I often marvel, and even envy a little, those who can paint a scene with words. I also cringe at those who try and make my eyes haze over, forcing me to skip ahead as the only way to get through and on […]
As a writer, I face no bigger struggle than that of keeping hope alive. Hope that I’ll get an agent, and that she’ll get me a publisher. Hope that I’ll see my book on someone’s bookshelf. Hope that if I self-publish someone will read my stuff, maybe even like it. I suppose most of us […]
As a user and pusher of words, I notice things like, hey, that word doesn’t get much use, or, it gets used in a way that modifies or limits its meaning. One of those words that makes me scratch my head a little? Sacrifice. Today a certain prominent religion commemorates a famous—or infamous, depending on […]
