Writing is like a window onto another world. What we see there has to be brought to the reader through words. It's not always easy, but that's what we do as writers.
Another Conversation with Story: When the bloom fades from the rose
Me: This is pure drudgery. Story: I love you, too. Me: Hey, it's no bed of roses here, either, smart guy. Story: Where's the love? The love. That's all I ask. I look around and I don't see it. Me: I was in love with you when we first started. Now I'm ready to get …
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New Word Press Theme. Like, or not? Theme hate, or theme love?
As you guys can see I have changed the theme to my blog from Kubrick to Comet. I like them both but I like the fact Comet is easier to find things in the sidebar than Kubrick, I think.Don't you think? I think. So what do you think of the overall theme? Do my older …
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More Conversation with Story: Does this genre make me look pretty?
Story: I'm back. Me: You were gone a while. Story: The editor had a lot to say about me. Maybe you should read his comments. Me: Wow. These are a lot of changes. Nothing too spectacular, though. I think I can do this all right. Story: Did you see his last suggestion? Me: Uh oh. …
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Dialog with Story: Care and Feeding of Your Story
Story: Feed me. Me: What? Story: Feed me. Me: What are you on about? Story: You're not feeding me properly. Me: You could be a little more specific. Story: May fault. I forgot I was talking to someone who needed it spelled out in detail. You're not feeding me. Not only do I need to …
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A Conversation with Story: I say goodbye, you say hello
Story: You have to let me go. Me: No, let me tinker with you some more. I think I can get it right if I rework this one scene. Story: You've been tinkering off and on for months and you're still not happy. Me: I can get it right if I tweak you here and …
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Writing Update and Research Problems: Losing the thread of the story in weeds and thickets
I wrote twelve pages yesterday on the new Haxan novel. I think I am finally in a safe place as far as the novel goes. There is still a lot of research to do. I am planning a trip to Fort Griffin this weekend. I'm looking forward to that. As a writer I want to …
Writing Update: Progress on the novel, and a side trip to Fort Griffin, TX in the works
Last week was the first time I had completely to myself. Well, not really, but I had enough time to myself to get past the initial (and for me problematic) creative phase of the novel and make real progress. I am pretty happy with what I have accomplished so far on this project. I have …
Conversing with Story: Selling same, and what to do next
Me: I sold a story! Story: Congratulations. That's a big accomplishment and very well deserved. Me: I couldn't have done it without you. Story: Not to toot my own horn, but that's pretty much true. Me: It was only to a small market, though. Story: So? What does that matter. Big or small, selling a …
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On Magra Snowberry: Carried by the wings of blood and dust
I.     Magra’s braided hair shone like the wings of a raven in the morning light. Her face was like a sword. I am rarely surprised by a story. When I write I always feel I am in total control, sifting and judging words and sentences and actions as I move through it. I hold …
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Engaging with Story: The Eternal Flame of Human Consciousness
Me: Morning. Story: Morning. Ready to write? Me: Yes, but first there is something I don't understand. Story: Your natural state of affairs, I believe. What is it this time? Me: This has to do with you. It's more along the lines of a personal question. Story: Oh, dear. I hope this doesn't get awkward. …
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The Challenge of Writing Outside Your Comfort Zone
I have always believed the best stories and the best writers are those that operate outside a comfort zone. Don't get me wrong. I like easy-to-read and quick stories sometimes. But when I first envisioned this novel I instinctively knew it would A.) Be hard to write, and B.) Be challenging to write because it …
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Frustrated Writer: Finding a clear path through life
This is a tough novel I am working on. It's nothing like I've ever attempted before. I have said this before but I will say it again mainly because I am still trying to process it all out and come to grips. If this was just another novel I would be hitting my stride right …
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A Conversation with a Story: Finishing what you start
Story: Whoa, there, spanky. What do you think you're doing? Me: I'm stopping work on this old story and starting on this brand new story. Story: And why, may I ask, are you doing that? Me: Well, I've been working on this old story for a month and it's coming along so slow and now …
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More Conversation with Story: You’re doing it wrong, except when it’s right.
Story: Morning. Me: Hi. Story: Ready to work? Me: No, I"ve decided I'm only going to work at night from midnight to two. It gives me a nice two hour window of peace and quiet. Story: Hoo boy. What fresh hell is this? Me: What do you mean? Story: This is not your normal routine. …
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Conversing with Story: Writer’s Block, and Defining Yourself as a Writer
Story: What's wrong? Me: I'm not writing. Story: That's bad. Why not? Me: I think I'm blocked. Story: Maybe you need a high colonic. Me: No, I mean I have writer's block. I can't write. I'm stuck in the mud. Story: Uh huh. Me: You don't believe me. Story: I believe you believe it. Answer …
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A Conversation with Story: Advancement of Plot through Conflict
Story: What's up? Me: I'm writing a love scene. Story: I see that. Where's the conflict? Me: What conflict? It's a love scene. They're in love. Story: You delight in making my life difficult, don't you? Me: Of course not...oh, I see what you did there. You advanced our dialog through conflict. Story: Exactly. All …
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A Dialog with Story: On Dialog
Story: Here we go again. Me: What's wrong now? Story: Your dialog. People don't talk that way. Me: Well, I can't write it the way people really talk, either. Have you ever listened to how people talk? They hem and haw and start and stop...you try writing a story like that and see how fast …
Writing as an organic and creative process
Writing is an organic process. At least that is how I always viewed it. You can approach the story from a cerebral end but it seems to me when you start writing the story becomes organic. I kind of think this is a good thing. I see a story as a shifting plain with topological …
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Conversation with Story: Trusting the Reader to Trust You
Story: What are you doing? Me: Writing. Story: No, what are you doing? Me: I thought I was writing. Story: You don't see what you did back there, did you? Me: Back where? Story: Five pages back. I'll wait. Me: Oh. Yeah. Well, you see, I wanted to make sure the reader understood what was …
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Hoover's Corner 