More and more I want to write something that has meaning, that has some positive effect on the way people think or act. Shouldn't our creations be more than pretty flashes of light? Shouldn't they say something from within our hearts? Speak something to the world? Don't sacrifice meaning for the sake of entertainment. Entertainment …
Can pantsers write mysteries?
I've always wanted to write a murder mystery. I'm a big fan of Columbo, Poirot, Jessica Fletcher and all the other sleuths. I've often felt the desire to create my own detective, but am held back by the perceived complexity of writing a mystery, and my own improvisational writing style. In other words, I feel …
The end is near!
I finally know how my novel ends. Yes, this sounds crazy considering that I'm 4ok + words in, but it's just how I work. I have a general idea of how things will go, but never any details until I get there. Well, I'm close enough now that I can see clearly what happens, and …
2017 EVE
The end of the year has arrived, and I did not complete my goal of publishing two novellas, but! I am on the way to completing a novel instead, which I am feeling very excited about and loving every minute of. I did achieve my goal of blogging more thought stuff, instead of just reviews, …
Don’t hoard your ideas
Similar to what I was saying yesterday, but more specifically, use ALL your ideas--that is to say, don't ration them out as if you're starving for them, picking one 'great' idea and then trying to build an entire novel around one single observance or cool twist. Cram all the good ideas you can fit, into …

