The Project, as they say, is in the can. All the editing is done, design work completed, promotion in place. Final judgment will be in the hands of readers, and more importantly, reviewers. So what does an author do when he or she finds that the project is over? Some writers say that the next … More Life Between Projects
“Demon: A Memoir” by Tosca Lee. BH Publishing Group. 328 Pages. I generally use two criteria to determine if a book is great or merely good. One of those is if the book can surprise me. The other is if I end up thinking about the book a long time after finishing it. The first … More Review: “Demon: A Memoir” by Tosca Lee
Last night I watched my favorite team play football. Sort of. The Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs were featured on Thursday Night Football on the NFL Network. Normally I would be watching it on TV, but since we just downsized our cable and now can’t get the NFL Network, I had to resort … More Back From the Dead
I think that it’s in the nature of writers to be insecure. Before we even put words on paper, we worry if it’s the right idea to pursue. During the writing process, we argue back and forth in our heads as to whether we’re wasting our time on this project. And then we wait on … More Right or Wrong, At Least Be Consistent
No, the reference above is not directed at you personally. It is actually attributed to the United States Navy around 1960 and is a design principle. But for our purposes, the story goes like this: Every once in a while, I have a student who either has been writing for quite a while–or just starting. … More Keep It Simple, Stupid
A student in my Editorial Techniques class said the other day: “I find myself looking for story ideas everywhere I go.” That’s because I am requiring them to come up with a story a week, AND have someone else write the story. Being always focused on story ideas comes with being an editor. It is … More When Dreams Become Reality
Old Man’s War by John Scalzi. Tor Books. 318 pages. I had heard of John Scalzi for a long time, mostly for his presence online. His web journal, The Whatever (www.scalzi.com/whatever) is very, very popular. So when a writing student of mine recommended the book, which I had also heard of but not read, I … More Review: “Old Man’s War” by John Scalzi
“Two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time.” –Pauli Exclusion Principle In this day and age, I can’t think of a single person I know who doesn’t have many things to juggle during their day. We are surrounded by tasks and people that make a variety of demands on us. That … More My Secret to Multitasking
Yup. Birthday boy here. Don’t know whether to celebrate or commiserate. But as they say, getting older sure beats the alternative. The bright side of being 61 (yes, really! 61!) is that I am one year closer to retirement, which for me means switching hats and writing full time. I am doing pretty good now, … More Today Is Your Birthday (Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na)
It’s done! 6,000 words fueled by inspiration last night, and I have a rough draft completed. Chosen, the story of Jonathan, is a real book. I have had the idea since the 90s, but for some reason haven’t had the courage or inclination to write it until now. And now that it’s “done,” I think … More Exit Writing, Enter Editing
