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Finding the Write Place
I used to sit at the kitchen island and type my little eyes off, but as I got older that became somewhat uncomfortable. Bar stool chairs hurt my rear and I often found my feet falling asleep. Since I have a laptop I thought to myself, It goes on your lap, silly. That’s why they call it a laptop. So I started leaning…
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Procrastin…. Squirrel!
Many years ago I heard someone say that procrastination is not the cause, but rather the symptom of something else. I tend to agree. Think about it – when you’ve procrastinated there was probably something more pressing requiring your attention. Or perhaps some truth you were trying to avoid. Let me explain. I’m one of those folks who, if I’m…
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Ideal Readers
This month’s FM Merry-Go-Round blog is about my ideal reader. That’s an interesting topic. Especially since, as authors, it’s up to us to target our audience. My professional writing career started 1998 with the sale of my first non-fiction book, then refreshed in 2005 with the sale of my first novel. My view of the ideal reader has changed a…
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Holidays
This month’s FM Blog Tour post was a writing prompt called Holidays. I actually ended up with Christmas as my posting date. So Merry Christmas! To those who celebrate other holidays – Happy Holidays! I am going to take a moment to to share some of my thoughts about the holidays with you. Rest assured I’m not awake as this…
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Were-Cats…In Space!!
A pink and yellow spotted unicorn looks at me from across the desk. “So as a writer you probably get a lot of writing questions.” I nod. “That’s true.” The audience laughs. “Well how about we don’t talk about your latest bestselling book, Werewolves on the Edge.” She lifts my latest tome up so the camera can get a good…
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Revision, My Friend
I think a lot of writers would agree with me if I admitted my best work happens during revision. Sure, ideas are great. First drafts on the other hand, or more properly *my* first drafts, just never nail it. When I’m initially writing something what I’m generally doing is writing down the bones. I write like one might build a…
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Twist It, Bend It, Tie It in a Bow
Genre bending is an interesting thing. Ever notice how some of the most popular movies all contain elements of action, drama, romance, comedy, and sometimes even fantasy or science fiction? Look at Harry Potter, for example. It’s part fantasy, urban fantasy, coming-of-age, contemporary magic realism, drama, with bits of comedy here and there? That’s because stories are about characters. And…
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How Would You React?
I’m currently focused on my novel Thirteen Covens. I probably shouldn’t admit this but as a life-long occultist I tend to deal with a lot of groups and people (and consequently their emo drama) and let me tell you – a lot of it is wonderful fodder for fiction. Any group really (occult related or not). So late last summer…
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The Growing Stack on the Headboard
While most of the fiction I read is on my kindle (and it often goes where I go) for whatever reason there’s always a collection of paperbacks sitting on the headboard, too. I generally read a few books at a time unless I’m working hard and heavy on a revision. While I’m initially writing I can read just about anything.…