Well, to follow up on my blog yesterday morning, I decided that I was going to find a different writing voice. I had one in mind, copying the style of Cormac McCarthy. What I found was that it was harder to change my writing than I thought it would be. One gets used to writing … More The Value of Beta Testing
If you’re like me and have been writing for a long time, chances are you think you have a pretty good handle on how to write. Your writing has fallen into a predictable pattern, something we tend to call a writer’s “voice.” But I believe that someone who is serious about writing will never stop … More Changing My Voice
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey. 582 pages. Orbit Books. I was first attracted to this book when I heard that the SyFy Channel was coming up with a new series this year based on a book collection called “The Expanse.” Leviathan Wakes is the first book in that series. It’s classified as space opera, … More Review: “Leviathan Wakes” by James S.A. Corey
I’ve been at this adventure called indie authoring since the beginning of 2012–so I guess that’s about three years now. It’s a lonely, stressful, exciting, fulfilling pursuit. So far, there’s not a lot of money in it, and there’s a steep learning curve. I’m more confident more than I was when I started, but just … More Writers Helping Writers
Myth: a usually traditional story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon. —Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary. I have always been fascinated with mythology. As a boy, I read the Greek myths and became as familiar with Theseus, Hercules … More Plugging into Mythology
At risk of going on and on about my health issues, ad nauseum, I feel I need to explain why I haven’t been on more lately. Other than the usual excuses, such as work, I have had a fever blister that turned into something much worse. I got the original sore before Thanksgiving, and it … More So Ugly That I’m Cute
It’s interesting the relationship authors have with their books. I’ve heard it described this way: First a book is a lover, then a bride, then a wife, then a demanding wife, and finally a harpy that you wish would just die. A bit morbid, but that just about covers the gamut of the emotions one … More Torn Between Two Lovers
Ahem. Once again, open mouth, insert foot. I was at a low spot last week when I pronounced my latest book, Chosen, as officially tanked. It was slow in getting started, and impatient as I am, wanted more immediate response than I was getting. Just about the time I make an official announcement to that … More Rumors of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
“Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” –John 20:29. I write in a genre called Christian suspense, and I’ve been asked more than once on Twitter what the difference is between Christian suspense and ordinary suspense. To answer that, you have to understand the way Christians think…or at least how they should … More Where’s the Suspense in Christian?
I am pretty active on the website Quora.com, where you can ask or answer questions. A few days ago, I was asked to answer the question: “What are some qualities a book should have to keep a reader engaged for hours?” I responded by quoting writing guru Robert McKee from his famous writing book, Story. … More Why Writers Need the Wow Factor
