How much does it matter to you as a reader? How much as a writer? I have to admit it matters immensely to me, but I’m never quite sure where to bend when writing my own historical works. Examples of what annoyed me: a spinning wheel in 14th century England. Read more…
No more politics. But I’m not sure that writing about writing isn’t more depressing. I am currently of the opinion that being a writer pretty much sucks. It isn’t so much the rejections from publishers and agents although I certainly won’t pretend I don’t get my share of those. Don’t Read more…
On a more personal topic: I got an email from my publisher, Swimming Kangaroo Books, last night letting me know that the Advance Reader Copies of Warrior’s Duty are off to Publisher’s Weekly and Library Journal. They also sent one to my local daily, The Oregonian. I’m both thrilled and Read more…
Outlining a novel. Put any two novelists together, bring up that subject and you’re likely to start an argument. Personally, I’m firmly in the non-outlining camp. I tried outlining which led to a horrible, stinking novel that got firmly trunked. It just didn’t work for me which is what I Read more…
RANT WARNING! I get really tired of all of the people who treat aspiring writers like cash cows. Whether it’s people who write books and articles about how self-publishing is taking over the industry (Ha!), to the self-publishing companies that pretend they’ll actually help market or that it’s so easy Read more…
A friend asked me this the other day. He’s always been an avid fantasy reader but now he’s starting on a novel. He loves it but he’s not quite sure that he’s doing it “right.” Should he start on page one and write to the end? Should he worry about Read more…
I’m a writer — of fantasy and science fiction. Not a big name mind you. And what I’m going to share is the experience of a “not-big-name” in the world of publishing. I’ve had a few short stories purchased by and published in a small online publication. I have a Read more…