Giving a Protagonist a Hidden Motivation

Recently I have been in the middle of writing the first installment of a new series entitled The Five Rims.  The first book is titled The Last Terran, and my protagonist is definitely out of the ordinary. Guillermo March is a former security officer with the C’Tuulian Planetary Police Force, the only Terran to work for them,

5 Ways to Stay a Writer

This quote by one of my favorite writers (Harlan Ellison) is irrevocably true.  How many students have I taught to write over the years who most likely do not use that skill now that they are adults?  I’m sure the number is more than I’m willing to admit. I consider myself a pretty prolific writer.  I’ve

3 Kick In the Pants Tips for Tired Workaday Writers

This has been a rough week. Of course, as a high school English teacher who teaches two Advanced Placement courses and also manages the after school alternative education program…and also the supplemental online schooling program…most weeks are tough. They are ten times that when I want to write something and get home and there are

5 Ways to Meet a Deadline

As an independent author, I set my own deadlines for rough drafts and the final draft publishing date.  However, just because I do this myself doesn’t mean I don’t hold myself to the standard of finishing on time.  You might say: “You’re not like a real novelist who has a deadline from a publisher set in