Blog
Surrender to Your Story
Our story asks everything of us. If it didn’t, we would never surrender. How often do we live our lives as though
February 11, 2022
2 Comments
The Writing Process
Most popular posts
What is reverse outlining? While many writers outline before they write a single scene, others follow a “pantser” method where...
Whether you’re brainstorming your first story or publishing your ninth book, there comes a point when all writers wonder the...
A cliffhanger is not a trick, but a promise. As a storyteller, you want to grab your reader’s attention and...
Theme ideas aren’t something tacked on to the end of a story. They are central to the narrative, and woven...
Have you ever found yourself staring at the blank page and waiting for the spark, but it doesn’t come? So...
The Magician archetype is a character who comes into the story and transforms everything. They don’t wield a specific authority...
All writing carries something of the writer within it, but few forms are as intimate as the stories we tell...
There’s rhythm in prose. The rhythm might be intentionally terse, like a Charles Bukowski novel, or dense and languid like...
“No one is free until we are all free.”– Martin Luther King Jr. It is human nature to search for...
Every writer has their own way of working, a process that has to be developed and honed over many years....
I was a half decent 800-meter runner in high school, not great, but I ran with a lot of heart,...
Write what you know. We’ve heard this so often. But what does it mean? Does it mean that if I...
Blog
Writing Without Distraction
You’ve begun working in earnest. The story is alive, your cylinders are firing. You’re getting up every morning and putting in the
January 28, 2022
No Comments
Blog
Creativity is Your Birthright
Creativity is your birthright. We live in a culture that is invested in our believing otherwise. I frequently hear folks talk of
January 1, 2022
No Comments
Blog
Why Do We Write?
Why do we write? There is nothing logical about wanting to be a writer. The lives of artists can be awful, despairing,
October 22, 2021
No Comments
Blog
What is Genius?
What is genius? I don’t like it when people use the term genius, primarily because I think they misuse the word. I
September 24, 2021
2 Comments
Blog
Begin Your Story
There are as many ways to begin your story as there are ways to procrastinate. Beginning to write your book or screenplay
August 27, 2021
No Comments
Blog
Everything You Need to Know is Within
“If you have a problem with the third act, the real problem is in the first act.” – Billy Wilder The purpose
July 2, 2021
No Comments
Blog
Writing for Your Ideal Reader
Good storytelling is about having at least a somewhat conscious relationship to your ideal reader. It is about understanding the most effective
May 28, 2021
1 Comment
Blog
The Real Meaning of “Write What You Know”
Write what you know. We’ve heard this so often. But what does it mean? Does it mean that if I am a
March 12, 2021
2 Comments
Blog
Is It Any Good?
There can be a real desire, especially for the novice writer, to have someone validate our work as soon as possible. Is
September 9, 2020
No Comments
Blog
The Desire to Write
Whether it is conscious or not, the desire to write is connected to the desire to evolve, to untangle the lie that
December 23, 2019
8 Comments
Blog
Your Writing Process is Valid
Every writer has their own way of working, a process that has to be developed and honed over many years. Margaret Atwood
October 28, 2019
No Comments
Blog
Becoming a Professional Writer
The publishing industry has undergone tremendous changes over the years. “Mid-list” writers who relied on decent advances from their publishers have found
April 23, 2019
No Comments
Blog
The Creative Process
When my son, Ray, was first learning to speak, there were so many new words each day — the syntax often fascinating
April 9, 2019
1 Comment
Blog
Trust
I grew up in a very bright, academic family, but at times I felt alone. My family members were very logical, reasonable
March 26, 2019
1 Comment
Blog
Writing the Forbidden
“Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are so ingrained in our society we rarely stop to think about it. I can
December 4, 2018
No Comments
Blog
The Arc of a Scene
“I exhort you also to take part in the great combat, which is the combat of life, and greater than every other
September 10, 2018
No Comments
Blog
The Great American Novel
Every American writer secretly dreams of writing the “Great American Novel.” What would that look like? It’s a book that captures the
December 28, 2017
No Comments
Recent posts
Our story asks everything of us. If it didn’t, we would never surrender. How often do we live our lives...
You’ve begun working in earnest. The story is alive, your cylinders are firing. You’re getting up every morning and putting...
Creativity is your birthright. We live in a culture that is invested in our believing otherwise. I frequently hear folks...
Why do we write? There is nothing logical about wanting to be a writer. The lives of artists can be...
What is genius? I don’t like it when people use the term genius, primarily because I think they misuse the...
There are as many ways to begin your story as there are ways to procrastinate. Beginning to write your book...
“If you have a problem with the third act, the real problem is in the first act.” – Billy Wilder...
Good storytelling is about having at least a somewhat conscious relationship to your ideal reader. It is about understanding the...
Write what you know. We’ve heard this so often. But what does it mean? Does it mean that if I...
There can be a real desire, especially for the novice writer, to have someone validate our work as soon as...
Whether it is conscious or not, the desire to write is connected to the desire to evolve, to untangle the...
Every writer has their own way of working, a process that has to be developed and honed over many years....
The publishing industry has undergone tremendous changes over the years. “Mid-list” writers who relied on decent advances from their publishers...
When my son, Ray, was first learning to speak, there were so many new words each day — the syntax...
I grew up in a very bright, academic family, but at times I felt alone. My family members were very...
“Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are so ingrained in our society we rarely stop to think about it....
“I exhort you also to take part in the great combat, which is the combat of life, and greater than...
Every American writer secretly dreams of writing the “Great American Novel.” What would that look like? It’s a book that...
