I’ve been talking about it ad nauseum for months, if not years, now. I’ve described it like Kipling’s legendary blind men describing the elephant. I’ve moped, complained, dreamed, whined, hoped, and all the other descriptive verbs you can think of. Now I am ready to unveil at least a little part of it. And I … More Introducing: “Tesla’s Ghost”
I want to try something different, and I need your help. I read that Andy Weir, author of The Martian, started his book off by posting it chapter by chapter on his website and looking for feedback from his readers. I would like to do the same thing. This isn’t the first time that I’ve … More The Great Adventure’s Grand Experiment
One of the bits of wisdom I share with my students in my writing classes over the years is the fact that if you’re serious about being a writer, you never stop being a student. And that’s very, very true. My students look at me as the accomplished writer, but I don’t see myself that … More Forever a Teacher, Forever a Student
The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower #1) by Stephen King. 251 pages. Simon and Schuster. To fully appreciate The Gunslinger (as a fellow writer) you have to read the introduction by the author and realize that this book was originally written when Stephen King was in college. The version I read had been subject to a … More Review: “The Gunslinger” by Stephen King
People occasionally ask me how many books I have written, and my usual response is, “Written? Or published?” Because there really is a difference. Every writer has ugly stepchildren: those stories, articles, books and other projects that started off as grand ideas but never saw the light of day, and in the end, the writer … More Ugly Stepchildren and Other Beginnings
“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” –Ecclesiastes 1:9 Another school year has started–the 19th for me as a university professor (amazing!)–and I have classrooms full of students who are eager … More Old Wine in New Wineskins
Columbus Day (Expeditionary Force Book 1) by Craig Alanson. 494 pages. Amazon Digital Services. Yesterday I wrote a blog about humor, and the value of including it in suspenseful stories. From my perspective, it goes far in helping the reader relate on a human level with what’s going on in the story, and it lightens … More Review: “Columbus Day” by Craig Alanson
When my wife’s brother was getting married, those in charge came around and asked for words of advice from many of us who knew him well. My advice? “Don’t take life too seriously.” And I was serious when I said it. It’s too much of a temptation to get overly dramatic about each and every … More Make ‘Em Laugh…Or At Least Smile
Summer. Ah, yes, I remember it well. Seems like only yesterday. But hmm, well, summer’s gone, and school starts, well I guess it’s officially started. Classes start Monday and we welcomed freshmen to the campus last night. So just like all those good intentions I will have on my deathbed, whatever I planned for the … More Stranger Things Have Happened
I had a journalism student–who shall remain nameless–quite a few years ago, who was a marginal student. He did just enough to get by. I found myself constantly having to push him to put enough effort into classes just to pass the class, and I worried about what his career would be like when he … More Something To Say
The Great Adventure 