This week I’m working on multiple projects including a novel, a nonfiction book, at least two how two projects, and helping one of my team edit a story he’s writing for school. Amid all this, I find myself thinking about two of the most important steps in any writing project. This week, in the novel,Continue reading “Creating and distilling”
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Racist Orcs?
This week I ran into something weird. People proclaiming that orcs (creatures in fantasy stories and games) are racist. My initial response was “Of course orcs are racist! They’re orcs!” Being racist is a known feature of orc culture in every fantasy game and world I’ve ever encountered. But… It turns out the writers inContinue reading “Racist Orcs?”
Self-isolating before it was cool…
Over on Words Mean Stuff today I’m talking a bit about how to keep the days from blurring together while we’re under ‘lock downs’, ‘stay at home orders’, and other schedule killing effects of the Covid -19 crisis. As writers, we have a leg up on this. If we writers want to be successful, weContinue reading “Self-isolating before it was cool…”
Respect…
With all the shutdowns and kerfuffle around the Covid-19 situation, I’ve been watching the publishing and media news with interest. Some of what we’re seeing has been on the way for a while. Some things were a bit of surprise (I didn’t expect Disney execs to cut their own pay until there were no otherContinue reading “Respect…”
We interrupt our regularly scheduled…
Well dear reader, it seems even we in ‘happy valley north’ are affected by the Corona virus… As I’m writing this, I just got word that my local school district is closing until early next month. So… Instead of sitting here working on the wordy stuff, I will spend some time helping my team. ForContinue reading “We interrupt our regularly scheduled…”
Controlling the uncontrollable
“One of my characters and I have spent years trying to tell thunderstorms when and where to thunderstorm,” with that thought I realized a big piece of why it irritates me when people try to dictate (or even interfere with) when and where I write. I’ve spent years trying to control this, channel it, andContinue reading “Controlling the uncontrollable”
Finding the end and going back to the beginning.
Well, the first 1 ½ pass is finished for last November’s NaNoWriMo project. And, as always, I’ve learned a lot! Starting with the1 ½ pass method has had a distinct benefit. By reading and noting on the whole thing before I started making edits I could make better decisions than I have on the first passContinue reading “Finding the end and going back to the beginning.”
Getting it ‘all together’…
I think a lot of us wish we had it ‘all together’. I know some folks who are jealous of people who seem to have it ‘all together’. The secret is, nobody has it ‘all together’ all the time! The important part is you learn from your mistakes (and hopefully the mistakes of others!) andContinue reading “Getting it ‘all together’…”
Scrivener, update and correction…
Well dear reader I’m about half way through the full pass {link} part of my first pass through the new novel and I’ve learned a couple things about Scrivener that I’m ready to report (for the earlier portions of my adventures in using scrivener try these posts: Almost first thoughts, Scrivener… after NANO thoughts (part one),Continue reading “Scrivener, update and correction…”
Reading bad books…
I’m a lucky guy, my wife supports me in my writing endeavors. Recently she brought me a couple examples of recently on the market novels for the audience I’m writing for at the moment. Neither one was one that I would have picked up myself. And both taught me something. One book, the one I’mContinue reading “Reading bad books…”
