Plot Outline Template

As a novelist, I’m firmly in the plotter camp. For some of my shorter stories, and, oddly, most of my novelettes, I tend to let the story unfold organically, thinking no more than a page or two ahead. But for novels, there are too many intricacies and loose ends that need tying together to just…

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I’m Writing Six Books at Once

It’s stupid, I know, but I have a bunch of sequel and new book ideas and I’ve been struggling to decide which one I like the most. They all have working titles, but I’m not revealing them yet. It’s actually seven books, but that’s more a collection of stories, which is a distinctly different process….

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When Women Wore Shoes

So, I wrote another novelette. It starts like this: Where I come from, women often wore shoes, which, to the best of my knowledge, never caused anyone dismay, in and of itself. Irina liked shoes more than most, which again, was not a problem per se. The potential for problems would have arisen only on…

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Let Go

The journey from worrier to warrior is a minor shift in tonal resonance barely noticeable in some parts. You just unpucker your mouth (and butt cheeks) a scooch, look to the winds, and exhale. Strength doesn’t come to those who never fear; they don’t need it. The arrogance of stupidity is self-contained. Strength comes to…

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Roxx Hates Your Questions

Interviews with lead characters are generally a good idea, but once in a while you meet a lead who is, shall we say, less than cooperative when it comes to answering questions. I found this out when I interviewed Roxanne Grail, whose story is detailed in the novel Hard as Roxx.  I suppose I should…

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All My Books Are Belong to You

I could write something to tell you about my books,  or I could just attach my prepared marketing materials, which say the same thing. Guess which one I’m doing here. Each of these books is available from Amazon for your reading pleasure now! Go to my author’s page (https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005O52SDS) to find easy links to purchase…

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Dirty Writer’s Secrets #1

I am a writer. As such, I’m expected to be slightly nerdy and do all of the things writers do. Granted, the specifics of those things change over time. Writers are no longer expected to be alcoholics (most of those died) nor are they expected to chain smoke (likewise). It is still acceptable, though no…

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Life Skills, Part 1

Love – Advanced Forgiveness – Beginner Reggae* – Expert Historian – Intermediate Genealogy – Expert Jazz** – Advanced Poetry – Intermediate Art Appreciation – Intermediate Cooking – Intermediate Counselor – Expert Analyst – World Class NBA – Expert NFL, NHL – IDGAF MLB, Past – Intermediate MLB, Present – Beginner Traveler – Intermediate Humor –…

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