Finally, this concludes this whole novel writing series. We end with the future. What is the future of your novel? If this is the first one you’ve written, it’s highly unlikely that it’s going to win the Pulitzer Prize. It’s unlikely to make the best seller list. It’s unlike toContinue Reading
If I may, I’d like to recount my exploits from graduate school. How many silly, stuffy or burnt out teachers say that? And it isn’t graduate school so much as my thesis: From Ansbach to Color. For starters, the novel began in January of 2007 from a writing prompt exerciseContinue Reading
All right. The novel is finished. Good for you. Now what? Come up with a short list of readers. This list will only one reader initially—you. Before you endeavor to read this novel, put it in manuscript form. If you’re here in the USA, your page size is 8.5” xContinue Reading
As the series winds down, I hope your novel has taken form, and I hope it has been a rewarding process for you. This week, we’re going to take a step back. This, if all has gone well is week 14. How has it gone? Admittedly, in my work andContinue Reading
Dialogue in fiction will do so much more for your work than you’d think. For starters, I’ve heard many instructors of writing call dialogue “the dramatic structure” of a novel. I think it’s a wonder thing to call it. It’s like a mini play embedded in your exposition. Dialogue canContinue Reading
Before I leap into the second year of this blog, I have nothing but gratitude for the year behind me. Of all my experiences as a writer: grad school, short story publications; the novel Sand and Asbestos, my work with Umbrella Factory Magazine and RocketHouse Studios, I must admit thatContinue Reading
Int. Office. Day. Boss Well, welcome to your annual review. Blogger Thanks. Boss How long did this take? Blogger How long did what take, sir? Boss Okay. Yes. A whole year. Blogger You did say annual review. Boss Yes. Let me see,what we have here. Okay. First year on theContinue Reading
I am not a self-editing, self-censoring, or self-conscious writer. I am not a writer who seeks perfection either. Seeking perfection, I think, is another form of procrastination. Perfection generally leads to self-editing, self-censoring and that leads to bad things. Do not fall into these pits. So often when I talkContinue Reading
I spent an hour wandering the aisles of a fishing supply store a few weeks ago. Admittedly, I spent most of my time looking at the bright and shiny, big and small lures, tackle and hooks. My mind raced with possibility. I am no great fisherman, and in fact, IContinue Reading
I went to the post office my last day in Denver. I had six full boxes of books. Two boxes of books I couldn’t part with, two boxes of Janice’s books, two boxes of notebooks. I would hardly classify myself as a hoarder, especially now that I have read everyContinue Reading