Gay Degani recently asked me to share some insight about my characters by responding to five questions. Here we go: 1. What Surprises You About Your Characters? And why? How little they represent me and the people I know. Oftentimes, my characters are nothing like me at all. Take the husbands in my recently released … Continue reading Merry-Go-Blog-Around: About Characters
How to Spend Your Time as a Writer
If you are like most writers, then writing is not your full-time job. Many of us spend 40 hours a week at work. When we are home, we don't just sit around and write all the time. We have obligations to family. We are fathers, mothers, husbands, wives. Everyone's situation is different, but everyone is … Continue reading How to Spend Your Time as a Writer
How to Record an Audiobook – and Why You Should
Recording an audio version of something you've written can be a great way to help expand your audience. Aside from giving your readers another medium to "read" your work, it also adds a personal touch. You and your stories get more personality. I mean, have you ever listened to T.S. Eliot reading of "The Wasteland"? … Continue reading How to Record an Audiobook – and Why You Should
Ten Commandments for Fiction Writers
Great. Another one of those "tips for writers" posts. Even worse. Another introduction to a "tips for writers" posts. I'll keep it short. These are ten things I believe in when it comes to writing. Do with them what you will. If you use them, I promise the results will be positive. 1. Seek inspiration … Continue reading Ten Commandments for Fiction Writers
24 Reasons That Don’t Explain Why I Titled My Short Story Collection “Nagging Wives, Foolish Husbands”
One week from today, on what happens to be my 32nd birthday (that's February 20th for those looking to send me a gift), my first short story collection will be published in both e-book and print by Martian Lit. The collection (as I’ve mentioned) is titled Nagging Wives, Foolish Husbands, and features 24 stories that … Continue reading 24 Reasons That Don’t Explain Why I Titled My Short Story Collection “Nagging Wives, Foolish Husbands”
Responding To a Public Attack Against Your Writing
If you've used the internet much, particularly if you've read or posted on blogs, then you've probably witnessed (or even been involved in) the proverbial internet pissing contest. It can be tough to avoid. Inevitably, no matter what you write or who you are, there is someone out there that just doesn't like you or … Continue reading Responding To a Public Attack Against Your Writing
Dealing with Nonpayment for Your Writing
To oversimplify things, there are two types of writing I do: the kind I do purely for fun and the kind I expect to get paid for doing. When I write fiction, I mostly do it because I love it, not because I expect to get rich from it. Of course, I still send out … Continue reading Dealing with Nonpayment for Your Writing
When Not To Submit to a Literary Magazine
In the six years I've been a serious writer, I have submitted stories for publication over 1000 times. While I still have some things to learn about submitting, I've certainly come a long way during this period. I now know better than to finish typing a story and quickly send it off to Glimmer Train, The … Continue reading When Not To Submit to a Literary Magazine
A Rant Against the Minnesota Department of Education
People often ask why I'm not a teacher anymore. I have decided that it is time to publicly answer. For the past nine years, I was a teacher in the Missouri public education system. It surely wasn't been all roses, but for every kid who threatened to kick me in the balls, there were dozens … Continue reading A Rant Against the Minnesota Department of Education
Ten Levels of Rejection (And What to Do About Them)
In the past six years, I have been rejected almost 700 times. That’s an average of about 1 rejection every three days. At this point, you’d think I’d be completely immune. I should at least be an expert on rejection. Why then do I keep getting rejected? Literary magazines can be pretty fickle. They are … Continue reading Ten Levels of Rejection (And What to Do About Them)