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
I’ve always wondered about those authors who state that the day after they finish writing a novel they sit down at the keyboard and start typing the next one. It goes hand-in-glove with the idea of just sitting down and looking at a blank piece of paper, and letting that lead you into your story. … More Baptism By Immersion
Back in the early 80s, I wrote my first book. And I almost didn’t write it, simply because I didn’t believe in myself. I did get as far as writing a query letter to three book publishers, telling them what I had in mind, and asking them if they were interested. All three of them … More Nobody Cares If You Don’t
Years ago…I mean eons ago, when I was in grade school…I used to change what I was going to do with my life from day to day. One day it would be a fireman, the next an archeologist, the next a soldier. It wasn’t until I got into high school that I started dabbling with … More Getting My Research Hat On
For those who don’t know much about me, I’m a novelist who makes a living as a university professor during daylight hours. I’ve been doing this (the professor part) for 19 years now, and before that I was an editor. I teach in the communication department of Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas, and consider … More Storytelling 101: Why It’s All About Worldview
I am a true believer in epiphanies, those precious, rare events when suddenly a great idea seems to come to you out of the blue. I have actually only had a true epiphany come to me a few times in my writing career. When they happen, it is like a godsend, and in some situations … More How to Have an Epiphany
Tesla’s Ghost is almost ready for my Beta readers. Actually, it would have been ready if real life hadn’t gotten in the way. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. The reality is, I have an ending problem. I’ve written a book with actually three endings. Sounds weird, but it’s true. One storyline happens … More This is the end….No, THIS is the end!
Some of you may be wondering what is happening with my book, Tesla’s Ghost. Some of you may not be wondering at all. Some of you may be wondering who Tesla is. In any case, I just finished my second edit of the book, which consisted of reading the manuscript aloud to my wonderful, patient … More Wherefore Art Thou, Tesla?
I haven’t been online much this week, and it’s not because I’ve been tied up in the office or in the classroom. I’ve been painting. We have this routine around here that stretches back about 19 years–when we bought our house here–that we rotate through the rooms of the house and remodel them every few … More Painting (writing?) as an Art Form
Tesla’s Ghost is currently in the editing phase. I’ve finished the first draft–rough draft, or crap draft if you will–and now I’m trying to make my new darling as presentable as possible. When you’re just beginning writing, you’re enamored simply by the fact that you were able to complete something. Hey, look at me; I … More On the Cutting Room Floor
