Category Archives: 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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Thoughts on teaching–a retrospective. (Encore)

I originally posted this about ten years, fifteen books, and many, many classes ago. I believe it’s still relevant and may be of interest. When I first declared myself a writer, long ago, I had no idea what the future … Continue reading

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It’s not *supposed* to be easy! (Encore)

Writing is easy. Writing well is hard. It takes concentration, discipline, and attention to detail. More than anything else, it takes time. It doesn’t matter if what you’re doing is fiction or non-fiction, feature or fantasy. Anything that can be written … 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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Make Me Rich, Or Famous, Or Something

That wonderful day arrives–you’ve finished your first book. Your excitement level has reached a new high, and you can’t wait to revel in your success. Fame and fortune can only be moments away–nanoseconds in the fullness of time. You’re on … 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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Can Science Fiction Be Funny? (Encore)

Someone long ago told me the reason she didn’t read science fiction was that it took itself too seriously. “You can read that stuff all day and never even smile,” she claimed. I’d read enough Heinlein to know that wasn’t … Continue reading

Posted in short fiction, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

A Necessary Evil — Part II (Encore)

What’s your book about? While that seems like an easy question, many authors have trouble coming up with a quick answer. What too often comes out is something like: “It’s about this guy who finds a magic tuba while digging … Continue reading

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The Worst Christmas Ever

Darby Jones grimaced as he packed the last of his collection of chubby, stuffed gnomes into a box for the return home. A new departmental edict banned all such decorations. Instead, each worker was given a replica of the eagle … Continue reading

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