Writing – I’m a Poor Swimmer

I use the expression I ‘jumped’ back into writing, but it was really anything but a jump. I got back into writing the same way I get into a cold-ass swimming pool (my wife will appreciate this analogy more than anyone else). I know I want to go swimming, but it’s cold. So Cold. So, IContinue reading “Writing – I’m a Poor Swimmer”

The Usual Suspects – Use Of Red Herrings and Twist Endings

*Ridiculous spoiler alert! If you haven’t seen this 18 year-old movie, you decide whether or not to keep reading. This is one of my favorite movies. Maybe not in my top five, but definitely my top ten. From what I gather when talking about the movie with people, your enjoyment of this movie will largelyContinue reading “The Usual Suspects – Use Of Red Herrings and Twist Endings”

Submission – Time To Make A Decision

I’m indecisive. There, I said it. I’ve been known to take weeks to make an online purchase. I read reviews, compare brands and prices, then go back and do it all over again a few days later. I’d like to think that just makes me an informed consumer, but it applies to many other aspectsContinue reading “Submission – Time To Make A Decision”

Q is for Mr. Quarles – An Ode To My Favorite Teacher

In 1986, my parents decided to move from Riverside, CA (an hour east of Los Angeles) to Hesperia, CA (a desert town an hour and a half northeast of Los Angeles). Technically, we were moving from a bigger city to a smaller city, but in terms of my schooling it was quite the opposite. InContinue reading “Q is for Mr. Quarles – An Ode To My Favorite Teacher”

Publication and Promotion

Here we go again…the topic of publication and self-publication. I started the blog so sure I was going to self-publish, it’s not even funny. Then I reconsidered. Then I reconsidered again. And again. Now I’m just as undecided as I ever was. It’s not the “stigma” some people put on self-publication that bothers me. IContinue reading “Publication and Promotion”

N is for No Boundaries

As I’ve mentioned before, my tastes tend to run toward the dark and demented. Be it books, movies, music or art, the stranger and darker it is, the more I like it. The two novellas I’m revising are not full on horror, but they both have some twisted elements to them. The novel I’m writingContinue reading “N is for No Boundaries”

Lying To The Audience – Use Of The Unreliable Narrator

As I was thinking about a future project the other day, I began to consider having the story told by an unreliable narrator. Not necessarily in a huge, plot-twisting, Fight Club sort of way, but definitely to mislead the  reader somewhat. I’m hesitant, though, because it’s a tricky thing to pull off. But when it’sContinue reading “Lying To The Audience – Use Of The Unreliable Narrator”

Killing Characters and Playing God

In writing the two novellas I’ve finished rough drafts for, I noticed something interesting: I barely wanted any characters to survive. I’ve had to show restraint because I want to kill off nearly every character I create. A couple of them were untouchable, but I would still briefly consider offing them anyway. I think someContinue reading “Killing Characters and Playing God”