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 […]

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 […]

What is this story about? To write it, you have to know the answer to that question. It’s a simple question—deceptively so. But yeah, if you’re going to have any idea of what to write next, and if you’re going to write a semi-coherent story summary blurb, you have to know what the story is […]

Do they exist? Flawless, likeable characters? I suppose we could reply, “Yes, in the page of some do-nothing books.” But that would be too glib an answer. The more nuanced and balanced response should acknowledge that in most cases, this discussion hinges on degree. As in, how flawed and how likeable? For someone trying to […]

Has someone asked you to offer an opinion on their work? Be honest, they told you. Yet, you hesitate. How will they receive the critique you give them? How can you structure your comments in a way that won’t hurt their feelings? In short, how can you make sure you help more than destroy? You […]

When I say I write suspense-thrillers, that comes with certain expectations, some of which weigh too much like rock-filled baggage. What expectations? That the story should move at break-neck speed. That it should have loads of action and that it should wow us with unexpected twists. None of that is bad. In fact, as a […]

While streaming season 2 of The Fall, some thoughts recurred from when I watched the 1st season. First, the premise and concept (another serial killer) offer little if any innovation. Ditto for the details of the murders or investigation. The show may also feel slow. At times, things happen and the camera focuses on things […]

In a recent author interview over in the #SaturdayScenes community, I mentioned I once aspired to become a cartoonist, and how I even put sample packages together for submission to various agencies. If you think querying is tough, try sending large padded packages of your cartoon doodles! In the end, as you might guess from […]