I’m a reader because all good writers are readers. Mostly, however, I read because I love to read. I am in many ways like Henry Bemis in “Time Enough At Last”, adapted from a Lyne Venable short story which chronicles the sad life of a chronic reader. I’m so glad I have a Kindle Paperwhite, becauseContinue reading “10 of the Worst Cliches in Fiction Writing”
Tag Archives: hunger games
Why Is It So Difficult To Write Well?
I’m nearly halfway through the backstory material for my current WIP. I’m writing a series of books tentatively titled The Five Rims Series and try as I might, I’m going to create a Tolkienesque place, a (most likely) vain attempt to give my setting a richness that will hopefully translate to a sweeping epic. I’m justContinue reading “Why Is It So Difficult To Write Well?”
Killing the Villain: A Daring Plot Device
[First of all, I would like to say that this blog post contains spoilers about the current season of The Walking Dead, so if you are not current, then do not read any further.] At the end of season 4 of The Walking Dead we were introduced to a new villain: the cold, cannibalistic Gareth. Gareth is aContinue reading “Killing the Villain: A Daring Plot Device”
New Podcast Up: Television Writing & Sci-Fi Awards
In this episode, Ryan and I discuss the current writing on television and how it is a reflection of competition with writing in cinema, and is much better in many ways. What makes television writing so much better lately and how can the indie writer bank on that wave of good work? We also lament theContinue reading “New Podcast Up: Television Writing & Sci-Fi Awards”
How to Revitalize An Overused Plot Line
One of the things I often lament is the tired plot line or the plot line that is completely overused. There are many of them, but recently there have been two blockbuster films and one best selling book that are, in essence, the same plot as other well known films or books. Three cases proveContinue reading “How to Revitalize An Overused Plot Line”
Landing An Agent: The Steps Taken
By God’s blessing I have an agent who is going to pitch my book to a couple of publishing houses (small ones, because you have to start somewhere), but this kind of stuff doesn’t happen overnight, and I have been on a long winding road to this point in my writing career. I decided toContinue reading “Landing An Agent: The Steps Taken”
Character Development: A Step by Step Method
Some of the best characters have spent much time inside the brain of a writer, incubating, developing, becoming more realistic with each thought. However, one might wonder what the process of creating great characters might entail. I decided to record my process for creating characters (at least main characters) to help writers who have troubleContinue reading “Character Development: A Step by Step Method”
10 Open Ended Questions to Break Writer’s Block
How many times have you sat in front of the computer screen and wondered: What on earth am I going to write now? So much has been written in the history of mankind that often we think: What can I possibly contribute to the world that would be uniquely me yet not a carbon copyContinue reading “10 Open Ended Questions to Break Writer’s Block”
Gone, Gone: Are All the Good Ideas Gone?
In the crazy firestorm that is the major motion picture The Hunger Games we need to stop a moment and realize with a small whimper of sadness that all the good ideas may be used up. Don’t judge me. The Hunger Games has a nice narrative, flows well, tells a good story and is all-in-allContinue reading “Gone, Gone: Are All the Good Ideas Gone?”
Writing Is Hard Work 