I’ve never been political. I got into a major argument with someone from France while I was in college because I told him I wasn’t voting because I didn’t think it really mattered who was president. And I don’t really think that’s changed. My immediate family is Democrat, many in my extended family are Republican. … More Speaking My Mind…While I Still Can
The writing project I am currently working on, for a variety of reasons, has been a task of fits and starts. But we will get there. Yesterday I came home early to an empty house. My first inclination was to kick back and watch TV or get back into my game of Skyrim on my … More By the Numbers
The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction by Neil Gaiman. William Morrow. 522 pages. I was surprised to see this book in our university library new books section and snatched it up for a read last week. Neil Gaiman is known as a fantasy, horror and comic writer, and is very good at what … More Review: “The View from the Cheap Seats” by Neil Gaiman
Every good idea I ever had, I stole from someone else. It’s a truism I made up and recited time and time again over the years to student writers. The idea is that every idea is not original, but is a synthesis of what you see and hear and experience every day of your life. … More The Price of Being Honest
A Hymn Before Battle (Posleen War Series #1) by John Ringo. Baen Books. 480 pages. I stumbled upon this military sci-fi book a few months ago when I was online and I saw a list of the best military science fiction series. Maybe it was on Goodreads, I don’t remember. Anyway, the covers, like a … More Review: “A Hymn Before Battle” by John Ringo
When last we left our plucky hero (me), we were finishing up chapter 11 (not the bankruptcy kind) of Tesla’s Ghost and looking forward to making hay while the sun didn’t shine. Alas, don’t you hate it when real life gets in the way of art? So here’s what happened: I was really productive the … More I’m Burning Daylight
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. Anchor Books. 237 pages. As a writer, and as a writing teacher, I am always looking for books that teach writing. And there are lots of them out there. Like life, it seems like everyone has advice to give (including myself; my book … More Review: “Bird by Bird” By Anne Lamott
Vick’s Vultures (Union Earth Privateers Book 1) by Scott Warren. Parvus Press. 226 pages. I read a lot of books. I also read a lot of book series. Correction: I read the first book in a lot of series. Because I write books, and sometimes write series, I read differently than those who just read … More Review: “Vick’s Vultures” by Scott Warren
There was a time when I used to study for classes in front of the TV, music playing in the background, often while speaking on the phone. I could even do it with other people in the room doing their own thing, often loudly. Not any longer. I was young then, and for some reason, … More Distracted
I am currently writing what I consider the worst book I have ever written. But on the other hand, I am writing it. After all, according to Anne Lamott, writers have to give themselves permission to write a “shitty first draft” (her words, not mine). Because if you don’t give yourself that permission, in many … More Dealing with Ugly Stepchildren and Other Realities of Writing Life
