Book reviews are tricky. Every author looks for them, wants them, needs them, because they give them credibility. I have had many people tell me how much they like my books, but when I ask them to write a review, it’s like pulling teeth to get anything out of them. I don’t know if they … More How to Write a Decent Review
I’m currently reading a great book by Wilbur Smith about the siege of Khartoum and the battle of Omdurman in 1884 entitled The Triumph of the Sun. When I finish it, I will be sure to include a review here. But the reason I mention it today is because of the topic of location. Where … More Have You Ever Been to….?
There are several phases I go through when I am writing–actually writing–my rough draft of a book. The first is the honeymoon phase. That’s when you have this “brilliant” idea that is burning a hole in your mind and you can’t wait to share it with the world. It usually last for about the length … More Getting Rid of an Ugly Stepchild
One of the best things about writing a book is that you are your own boss. You sit in a room–or a coffee shop, or outside on a patio, or wherever–and come up with the words and sentences that help others reconstruct the ideas that are festering in your mind. It’s a challenge, but it’s … More The Joys and Travails of Collaboration
I’ve mentioned here before that early on as a writer I was stymied by those “pros” who insisted that unless you write every day–every single day of your life–you couldn’t consider yourself a serious writer. It depressed me for a long time until I came to the conclusion that the only the real thing that … More The Pros and Cons of Immersive Writing
