This morning, at exactly 7:15 a.m., I wrote the word END on my novel The Key of Solomon. I have finished the first draft of my latest book. Now the hard work begins. Some people love the rewrite process. I’m not one of them. I draw energy from the creative expression that comes the first … More The Writing’s Done. Now the Work Begins
I have a very bad habit. Somehow I have gotten in my mind that if I don’t finish something, then nothing bad will happen. It started when I wrote my first book. I knew that the editor was waiting for it. I put it in an envelope, addressed the envelope, put stamps on it, and … More Avoiding the Last Chapter
“Give your audience what they want, but not in the way they expect it.” –Robert McKee, Story One of the most memorable stories I have read was a book called Cryptonomicon, written by Neal Stephenson. But it was almost a book I didn’t finish. The book is about 800 pages long, like most of his … More Giving Your Readers What You Owe Them
What is the life of a writer like? First, the bad. You spend lots of lots of time alone. That’s absolutely necessary. You need time alone to write, and when you’re not writing you are reading. When you are not reading, you should be thinking, contemplating, observing. That’s hard for me, a naturally gregarious person. … More A Writer’s Life
Do you know what “awe” is? I mean, well beyond a dictionary definition of the word. Have you ever been awed? I have had times in my life when awe has overcome me, and they are moments I will always remember. Such as walking into St. Stephan’s Cathedral in Vienna with the pipe organ playing, … More Are You Awesome?
As I keep working on The Key of Solomon, the sequel to Salome’s Charger, due for release at Christmas, I’m eager to share it with you. Here’s a snippet to give you a chance to see a little bit of what it’s about: A cold northern wind had picked up and the light rain that … More Sneak Peek 2: “The Key of Solomon”
Tomorrow marks the twentieth time I will have sat through colloquium at Southwestern Adventist University. For those of you who don’t know, colloquium are the meetings that mark the beginning of another school year for the faculty of our university. Last night was our opening “banquet” (hot dogs and beans at the local ballpark), tomorrow … More Colloquium X 20 and My Latest Project
Don’t get me wrong. Criticism hurts. It probably hurts me more than most people. I have always had a need to seek approval from other people, to feel that people like me. But I also know that I will never improve as a writer unless I know where I make mistakes. After 40 years in … More In Search of Criticism
I can’t find the reference right now, but someone, somewhere wrote–and I quoted it quite recently: “You don’t learn how to write a book. You just learn how to write the book you are writing.” I wish I could remember who said it, and if I am getting the words exactly right, but you get … More It Doesn’t Get Any Easier
I love it when I am obsessed with a story I’m writing. My wife? Not so much. I call it being in the zone. Obsession leads to loads and loads of productivity. My wife calls it being zombified. That’s the time when she can’t keep an adult conversation going with me because my mind is … More Sacred Hours
