I was surprised recently to read that of all the writing genres, Fantasy required the most structure. But as I thought about it, it makes sense. You are asking the reader to suspend disbelief, but in order to do that, you have to establish rules for your own created universe, and then stick by them. … More World Building
I am presently reading the book “Story” by Robert McKee. I’m reading it in preparation for a class on Dramatic Writing I will be teaching beginning next month. I will have to say that it is one of the best books on writing I have ever read–and I have read quite a few of them. … More Character vs. Characterization
Two days of rest made a world of difference for me and Infinity. We barely had had the strength to make it up the hill where Evangelist was camped out, but in two days I felt like I was ready to hike across the United States, which it sounded like was Evangelist’s plan from the … More Ch. 4: No Rest for the Weary
As I probably mentioned, I am working on the very rough draft for “Infinity’s Reach,” the post-apocalyptic retelling of Pilgrim’s Progress. My experience in the past week or so has very much been a revisit of the principles of “the best laid schemes of mice and men often going awry” (with apologies to Robert Burns) … More Triple Play
Ch. 2: A LIFE FORGOTTEN The next few minutes were surreal. The stranger had said he would help us escape. I don’t know what I was expecting; maybe for him to come riding down on a white horse and sweep us up, or maybe ride in in some kind of tank. But he didn’t … More Ch. 2 – A Life Forgotten
Chapter One The sun baked our brown bikinied bodies, and we reveled in it. Four of us—Marcie, Kimmy, Infinity and me, Ellie—were on permanent spring break. School was out, and we had no plans to ever return—ever. The resort that Kimmy had found was just yummy. The pool boys brought us towels when we got … More Infinity’s Reach–Chapter One
This has been the summer for dealing with ancillary stuff. As always, my primary goal in the summer is to get some writing done. I have two–make that three–writing projects I am still hoping to work on this summer. But other obligations always seem to get in the way. I have to start off by … More Another delay? It’s all good.
Someone, I think it was Ernest Hemingway, gave the advice that writers should first go out and live outrageously for 20 years before they start writing. The point there was that one has to have some experience to write from before one can write seriously. Maybe that’s why so many of my writing students want … More The Wellspring of Significance
My son, Matthew, was the kind of teenager that most parents dread. Obstinate, short-sighted, rebellious, he was a handful all through his teen years. A friend of mine, who was himself raising three daughters, told me, “I can’t imagine raising a teenage boy. It must be incredibly difficult.” And it did have its challenges, like … More Believing Is Not Enough
One of my students sent me a link yesterday that I have to share with you. I have already posted it on my Facebook page. The link is an 18-minute presentation by a fellow named Simon Sinek about what it takes for companies to succeed, specifically in the area of innovation. Of course, while I … More Passion, Vision and Faith: What Makes It All Work
The Great Adventure 