Category Archives: Writing

Automatic Digi Super-Duper Readi Payments

I’ve taken Harlan Ellison’s advice into consideration and enacted Automatic Digi Super-Duper Readi Payments™ on this site. Your credit card will be billed $1 if you continue reading this fine post. Still reading? Wonderful… processing. Thank you! April Fools’ aside, this … Continue reading

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Who Needs Fiction When You Got Mountains?

I spent a long weekend on Orcas Island, holed up in a private and utterly comfortable cabin on the water with stunning views of the Puget Sound and Mt. Baker… when the clouds cleared long enough. This is the third … Continue reading

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No More Hardy Boys, Enter Golden Age of Kid Lit

The day I realized that my stories are best suited as middle reader fiction was perhaps the only true epiphany I’ve ever had. I was working on short stories, all of which naturally emerged as quirky tales that soon grew … Continue reading

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Short Story Writing Tips from Ray Bradbury

It’s a Friday and the sun is actually out in Seattle, so cutting straight to this Ray Bradbury video that’s chock full of tips for the short story writer. There’s three that jump out at me. One, keep a large … Continue reading

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SCBWI Annual Conference: Guys Who Write Kid Lit

I’ve registered for the annual conference put on by the Washington Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, better known as the SCBWI. Two days all about scribbling with about 400 other likeminded folks, small enough to not be overwhelmed, … Continue reading

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Small Books on Writing by Big Authors

No matter how a book is ultimately brought in front of readers, its success all comes back to the writing. I love books on the craft of writing by pretty much anyone, but those that I’ve found most helpful are by writers … Continue reading

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How to Get More Writing Done

Midway through last year, I scribbled down a few rules for myself. They’ve been on my desk ever since and seem to be working, last year was one of my best for total output. As it’s time for resolutions, I’m … Continue reading

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Words, I Want Words!

In the so-called golden age of the novel, the writer had little more than his pen and ink fountain to foster procrastination… yet I wonder how much time many a great author spent searching for the right pen tip, making … Continue reading

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Taking Another Shot at the Pros

I’ve been a terrible lurker around the internet spat that John Scalzi started about Black Matrix Publishing offering the princely sum of one-fifth-of-one-cent per word to their esteemed writers. Scalzi’s posts were followed by a guest post from Rachel Swirsky … Continue reading

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