I don’t usually mirror entire posts from one blog to another, but this one, which is a Writing Craft post, is both pertinent to a current project (the Horngard I book) and to every writer, because all of us write a “bad” first chapter from time to time…and don’t fix it right away. What do Read More…
An Abundance of WORDS & Progress
Day before yesterday, the day after Deeds of Youth‘s birthday, I had a call from my agent, with the latest group of suggestions for Horngard I. They sounded like good suggestions to me, and doable, and the practice of completing several short stories since the April 29 head whack had proved that the plot-module had Read More…
I WAS WRONG! BOOK BIRTHDAY IS TUESDAY THE 18th
Not Monday. Never was Monday. Was always Tuesday. Apparently my brain added an extra day into the week between Friday and Monday, to make Monday the 18th *this* time. So Deeds of Youth comes live as an e-book on TUESDAY, which really is the 18th, and that’s when the Print on Demand pb can also Read More…
Show & Tell: Library Event
Later today, I’m off to Copperas Cove Public Library for an event featuring area writers. Among the show & tell is my friend David Watson’s new book, Tunguska Terror, first of the Aero Rangers series. David can’t be there, but the librarian will present a short reading from it. David read me a bit from Read More…
Political–Rant Rules Apply; Avoid If Unwanted
Rant Rules: This is an opinion piece and I’m already riled up. Not ready to discuss: blowing off steam. This one has two parts, the first being Sen. Tuberville of Alabama and his blocking of military promotions, thus leaving the USMC without a Commandant for the first time in well over 100 years. Second part Read More…
Genres and Evaluations
Writers are aware of how their work–not just their own work but work rather like theirs–is perceived, evaluated, and judged in the world. Writers–as shown by the current WGA strike–are not nearly as highly valued as they used to be, when fewer people could write but many wanted something to read. But this post isn’t Read More…
O Happy Day!
Review copy of DEEDS OF YOUTH arrived in the mail today for me to look at all the pages and find any flaws. I did some, will do more tomorrow and Sunday. Today was gloating and checking the first two stories in it. I’ve had too much screen time lately, working on “Bank Transfer” so Read More…
Minor Joys
Sometimes all the “news” is dire but there are still minor joys. Like getting the Yellow-billed Cuckoo’s call caught on the Bird Sounds App “Merlin” where it agreed with me that it was, indeed, a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. I’m still bemused by Merlin’s assertion that a cicada/grasshopper like noise at midday on a sunny day was Read More…
Character Names
I ran into another character name situation a couple of days ago…a story in progress kept hanging up on the protagonist’s surname. None of my early readers had seemed troubled by the one I was using, but I kept feeling that niggling sort of feeling when you’ve left the door of the fridge ajar, and Read More…
Introducing…
Many of you know David Watson as Don Iolo in the SCA, white-scarf rapier fencer, crossbow maker, storyteller, lute player, all-around great friend and good companion. Many of you also know him via my various newsgroups and blogs over the years, and those who know him in person know he’s got a background in history Read More…