This year no excuses
This year, we’re finally going to do it. We’re going to buckle down and write more. If you haven’t started your dream project, you’re...
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KAY KENYON
"Kenyon takes the nuts and bolts of SF and weaves pure magic around them." --Sean Williams
- Dec 18, 2011
What I Believe
Every December I find myself waxing philosophical about myself, the writing life, storytelling and the perfect lasagna recipe. No, I’m...
- Dec 10, 2011
What is the job of a storyteller?
This week I’m so pleased to have a guest blog from Brian McDonald. You can hear more from Brian at his blog and website. Brian McDonald...
- Nov 27, 2011
Forces of antagonism
What stands in your main character’s way? Maybe it’s a person whose goals clash with those of your protagonist. But sometimes it’s a...
- Nov 21, 2011
Inner demons
You know that your major character is going to make or break your novel, so you’ve studied up. You’ve got a list of strengths and...
- Nov 14, 2011
The mistaken desire
Sometimes in stories what the major character wants is a big mistake. Not a mistake in storytelling terms, but in terms of what the...
- Oct 17, 2011
Even chimps can change
Today I’m thinking about how the major character of a novel changes through the story. In other words, his or her character arc. Having...
- Oct 13, 2011
Solo vs. several points of view
The other day someone asked me how many characters in their story should have a point of view. Ever wrestle with this one? Most writers...
- Oct 2, 2011
Secrets of the first page
Last week Larry Brooks and I critiqued 16 first pages submitted by writers aspiring to publication. This was the Write on the River First...
- Sep 7, 2011
Tiptoeing into story
How do stories come to a writer? Usually they don’t arrive whole cloth, with clarity and stunning originality. Sometimes stories don’t...
- Aug 29, 2011
The Power of Crap
Today’s meditation is on crap. You know, as in the kind that sells. The kind that you swear you will never, never write. Whether it’s a...
- Aug 15, 2011
The Saga of a Short Story
This is a tale of luck. It’s also a typical story of how a short story gets published. I’m relating this tale to assure those of you who...
- Jul 18, 2011
Dying by the side of the road
Some days do you think, why the hell am I writing, anyway? The industry is hard, have you noticed? A dozen reasons not to write spring up...
- Jul 12, 2011
Sometimes a great nudge
I was listening to Bob Mayer give a workshop on writing the novel and I heard the voice of God. Now, I like Bob Mayer very much, but it...
- Jul 6, 2011
I might as well quit and other demented notions
Writers often harbor seemingly reasonable beliefs that are actually rather deranged. We see conspiracies, cling to unrealistic...
- Jul 1, 2011
Writing Prompts
I’ve been working so hard on novels the last few years that I’ve forgotten how useful it is to write short. Very short. If you’re having...
- Jun 21, 2011
Playing with subplots
I’ve heard writing teachers say that you should avoid subplots for your first few novels. What? We don’t get to play in the full sandbox?...
- Jun 13, 2011
Publishing Jitters
Big changes are rolling through the publishing industry. It may be good, it may be bad, but the not knowing gives us pause. Often too...
- May 17, 2011
Facing the Fear
This past weekend Chelsea Cain gave a little gem of a talk at Write on the River. Hers was an inspirational review of her climb to fame....
- May 13, 2011
How To Make Conversation with a Writer
This is a stupid-sounding topic. We all know how to chat with people in unique fields, like astrophysics, training Arabian stallions and,...
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