Tag Archives: Fiction

Overthinking? Try Unpacking the Suitcase

In my last post, I mentioned a writers workshop I went to on the coast. One of the presenters was a horror writer/director named Duncan Birmingham. His movie Who Invited Them? is on Hulu, and definitely worth a watch if you’re into unsettling, off putting stories. Duncan’s presentation involved what he called “unpacking the suitcase.”Continue reading “Overthinking? Try Unpacking the Suitcase”

Writing Through Distractions

To clarify, I’m not offering advice here, I’m asking for it. I remain about 65k words into my latest WIP, where I’ve been stuck since just before Thanksgiving. Why? Because I got distracted and I’m having trouble getting the ball rolling again. But wait, what’s that, there on the horizon? It’s an even bigger distraction!Continue reading “Writing Through Distractions”

Are Any of You in IRL Writer’s Groups?

Something has come over me recently. I don’t know why now, of all times, but it has. I’ve been thinking about writer’s groups. Writing is a highly solitary endeavor most of the time, as you all know. I guess I’m yearning for some camaraderie, and having people willing and able to ready work and offerContinue reading “Are Any of You in IRL Writer’s Groups?”

Where Do You Find Inspiration?

Inspiration for writers can sometimes be hard to come by. We’re all out there, grinding as best we can, but sometimes that doesn’t cut it. Sometimes it feels like being a writer is nothing but a huge exercise in futility. You write, you submit, you get rejected, rinse, repeat. After a while you can startContinue reading “Where Do You Find Inspiration?”

Unsolicited Advice From an Unqualified Source

Well, I don’t know if I’d call myself *completely* unqualified. Partly qualified? Sure, let’s go with that. I just thought the title was catchy and went with it. What I’d like to do is offer a little advice/encouragement to writers at nearly every stage of their journey. And what gives me, a largely unpublished writerContinue reading “Unsolicited Advice From an Unqualified Source”

Proof of Life Post

I’ve never liked it when I read someone’s blog and the first thing the blogger says is “Sorry I haven’t posted in so long.” I always think, Don’t apologize! Life happens, it can be a lot. Post when you can. So I won’t apologize, but…It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted anything, so IContinue reading “Proof of Life Post”

Almost Published to Unpublished, Just Like That

So, last week I got some news about my debut novel that was due to be published by an indie publisher in Colorado. My editor decided to resign from the publishing company, and they said they simply had no other editors with room on their plate to take on another project. The publisher sent meContinue reading “Almost Published to Unpublished, Just Like That”

Of Struggles, Failures, and Redemption (Hopefully)

I’ve never really been sure how many people actually “follow” my blog. The number of followers on the homepage, while not fabricated, is the number wordpress came up with by counting my Twitter followers as followers of my blog as well. I appreciate the effort of trying to make me look more popular than IContinue reading “Of Struggles, Failures, and Redemption (Hopefully)”

Sonder, or: Everyone Has a Story

NaNoWriMo in T minus 10 days and counting…those of you participating, are you ready? Personally, I’m *almost* right where I want to be on November 1st. I want to be prepared, but not too prepared. I like having a little wiggle room in my plot and my outline, because one thing a lot of youContinue reading “Sonder, or: Everyone Has a Story”