Thoughts on Living the Life Creative
The life of a writer sounds pretty cushy. Get up when you want, stare thoughtfully into the distance, and then swiftly write profound words that tough the heart and move the soul. If only. There’s an old adage that says there are two things you never want to watch being made – sausage and... Continue Reading →
It has always been my intention to put out “Shorts” as an audiobook. Given my background in spoken communication (theatre, radio, teaching, and preaching), it seems an obvious next step. The question has always been “how” as much as “when”. I’m in the process of learning the how even as I speak. I’m lucky to... Continue Reading →
I came across an interesting challenge a couple months ago. It said every writer should try working in six different writing forms. The idea was that we should challenge ourselves. To stretch creatively by stepping outside of our usual forms. If memory serves it showed up in a forum that focused mostly on long-form writing, which... Continue Reading →
When I read posts from beginning writers, I see a lot of wishful thinking. Some of them seem to believe that there is a magical formula to writing. If they just had the right software or whatever then they would have what they need to be the next “Big Thing”. In whatever form that... Continue Reading →
WIP. You'll find this commonly used on writer's forums and other online gathering places. It means "Works in Progress". For many of us (I never say "all" because the universe of writing practice is very diverse), ideas don't come in single file, patiently waiting to be created. The ideas crowd in, demanding attention right this... Continue Reading →
I came across an interesting challenge a couple months ago. It said every writer should try working in six different writing forms. The idea was that we should challenge ourselves. To stretch creatively by stepping outside of our usual forms. If memory serves it showed up in a forum that focused mostly on long-form writing, which... Continue Reading →
If you read my short fiction collection "Shorts" (and I would love for you to do that!), you will discover that I have a small idiosyncrisy. I like including afterwords for each of the stories. I have been told by some folks that this is a terrible thing to do. The feeling is that... Continue Reading →
Mary Alice Johnson stopped in mid-transit between the kitchen and the living room. Crouching at the end of the hallway was her five-year-old son, Stewie. He was sitting back on his heels, knees up under his chin with his arms wrapped around his legs. It was an unusual position to find the boy. What caught... Continue Reading →
My guess is that most of us, perhaps all of us, began our love of writing from a love of reading. I do not remember a time when I couldn't read. I do not remember a time when I was not surrounded by books. My parents were both readers. Bookcases were always part of the... Continue Reading →
I am fascinated and troubled by many posts I see from new/aspiring/beginner writers on some of the writing social media sites I frequent. There is a recurring theme of "What are the rules for...?". How many words in a chapter, how many chapters in a novel, what's the "right way" to write such and such.... Continue Reading →
Stories Are My Life 