Category Archives: Historical writing

Dude! That doesn’t mean what you think it means. Part One (Encore)

One of the many stories floating around social media these days details the content of a text message exchange between a mother and her adult son: Mom: WTF, Bobby. The store’s open! Bobby: Uh, Mom? You do know what that … Continue reading

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Must Your Novel Have Multiple Storylines? (Encore)

Nope. But it might be a better novel if it did. That’s not to say single-viewpoint stories can’t be successful. NYT bestselling author Harlan Coben has proven that repeatedly. While his stories almost always stick to a single viewpoint character, … Continue reading

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Williamsburg woes, part 2 (details from a decade ago)

It turns out I’m not done with the whole Colonial Williamsburg thing. In fact, I recall staying awake nights fretting about newly discovered details (new for me, anyway) concerning life in the 18th century as I worked on my Revolutionary … Continue reading

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How much is enough? (A 10-Year-Old Replay for a Reason)

I first posted this about ten years ago. I wrote it while putting the finishing touches on what is quite possibly the best book I’ve ever written. Anyway, there is a very strong possibility that I will be relaunching said … Continue reading

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Why teach? (Encore)

There are a great many reasons why I teach, but I suspect the most important one is that it makes me feel good. I don’t know if that qualifies as weird or not, and frankly, I don’t care. I don’t … Continue reading

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I know I’m repeating myself, but in case you missed this yesterday, TODAY is the day!

Hopefully, I’m not wearing my faithful out with repeated posts about Hyde and Zeke, but I can’t help it. I’ve started getting reviews, and they’ve been very positive, which is good because I think this is one of the best … Continue reading

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One Day Only! (Man, talk about old school…)

Seriously? Is anyone still doing that anymore? Well, yeah. Me! Hopefully, I’m not wearing my faithful out with repeated posts about Hyde and Zeke, but I can’t help it. I’ve started getting reviews, and they’ve been very positive, which is … Continue reading

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Is Your Sex Scene Worthwhile? (Encore)

When working with beginning novelists and reviewing their work, I’m often tasked with reading their very first sex scenes. One might be tempted to say, “Oh, you dawg! You get to jump straight to the good stuff.” But, one would … Continue reading

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Historical fiction, or hysterical? One more time…

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about my next writing project. Now that Hyde and Zeke is on the market, albeit waiting for an official launch (Oct. 9th, hopefully), I’m giving serious thought to doing another historical novel. And why … Continue reading

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Valentine, oh Valentine, where didst thou go wrong? (Encore)

And whatever happened to Saint Valentine’s contemporaries: Saint Austrebertha, Saint Eormenhild, Saint Eulalia, and Saint Scholastica? February was their month, too. It all began a long time ago. Based on my admittedly cursory research, it seems the Romans had a nifty … Continue reading

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