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The four best books I read this year
These were my favorite reads this year. Give them a try! (These books are recently published, but not during 2021.) ECHO IN ONYX. This...
Dec 17, 2021


When you don’t feel like writing
Long ago I stopped asking myself on any given day if I felt like writing. Often the answer would be, “Actually, I don’t.” Another...
Sep 27, 2021


15 Joyful Things
Anyone else been waking up at 3 o’clock in the morning lately? There’s a lot to worry about with so many people going through heavy cares...
Mar 23, 2020


Writing on a Bad Hair Day
Here’s my next installment on author myths. Myth #5 Writers depend on inspiration to get through the writing day. This one comes from...
Jun 18, 2017


It’s a Dog Eat Dog World
Today I continue my musings on the top myths of the writing life. Wherein I share some of the odd notions I started out with; and how...
Jun 5, 2017


Oh, the unbearable glamour
This is my second post on the myths of being an author. Some of these casual assumptions are great fun, but they may not be at all true...
Mar 29, 2017


Meeting Mr. Big
Most professions spawn myths. They cling pretty tightly, despite the facts. Like: Actors are superstitious. Screenwriting is a glamorous...
Feb 3, 2017


Starting a novel: Granite or fun house?
Today’s post: the mental state of being at the front-end of the novel. I love the start of novels. It may be the only time I can say I am...
Sep 13, 2016


One Step at a Time
Today I hit a muddy patch in the novel. Not exactly a brick wall. Not really a bout of writer’s block, but a serious resistance to doing...
Aug 22, 2016


Kay’s Favorite SFF/H Reads in 2015
I read less fiction this year, but among the many fine fantasy, science fiction, and horror stories, here are some of my favorites. The...
Dec 27, 2015


Discouraged writer walks into a bar…
. . . and it was full of other discouraged writers. OK, lame joke. But sometimes you just have to laugh. It’s that aggravating. Writing,...
Nov 19, 2015


All in
A conversation I had today with a friend about a significant failure in a business venture: She: I tried and I so blew it. Me: But at...
Jul 10, 2015


Character Through Line
Sean Astin as Sam Gamgee. Can you describe your character’s essence or their raison d’etre, in a short phrase? How about Sam Gamgee’s...
Jan 14, 2015
Interview on latest book
This interview, slightly revised below, appeared recently on The Wonderings of One Person blog. Please tell us a little bit about you....
Jun 10, 2014


Twenty feet from being Stephen King
Today’s offering is a guest post from Louise Marley, an award-winning author of historical fiction as well as science fiction and...
Mar 22, 2014


Good books lately
I’ve curled up with some lovely reads lately. Here’s a list of my recommended reads, ranging from fantasy to mystery, thriller and...
Jan 18, 2014


Excellent things that happened to me in 2013
Before we utterly leave behind the old year, I’m looking back in gratitude. I often remember the tough parts of the year: the set backs,...
Jan 1, 2014


Top Writing the World Posts of 2013
Courage, faith, balance. Essentials for the writing life This year on my blog I’ve had fun sharing my views, exploring the writing...
Dec 22, 2013


Best 2013 things
The year was amazing. Hard to pick the best things, but I’ll try: Best literary novel: Beautiful Ruins, Jess Walter. Best SFF: American...
Dec 10, 2013


On incurably loving the beginnings of novels
I’m on page 147 of my new novel in progress. Those of you who’ve been following my posts may wonder why I’ve added so few pages to my...
Nov 3, 2013
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