Last week, I had a crisis of confidence. I suppose it had to happen, but I also sincerely hope never to have another. But now that I’ve survived it, I’m ready to embrace my understanding of storycraft. I won’t say that I’ve mastered storycraft, because I believe that I – or any other author – […]
Previously, I thought I had a way to portray dual timelines–vignettes. Now I know that they will work for some cases, but not for all. I have to use the best technique for story advancement. It may be a flashback. It may be one or more scenes. It could be a chapter. It could even be […]
Chaos is here. Wait…that’s not true. I may as well own it. Whiplash or not, I MADE the chaos.My life is – and always will be – a mashup. I’m into more than just a single theme, or even variations on that theme. But it’s my choice whether it will be an artful mashup or have […]
This is probably the third or fourth time I’ve whined about my characters, but I truly do wish they would behave. It’s extremely rude, I think, that while being intricately painted, they should snatch the brush out of my hand and proceed to paint themselves. I’ve even had a few paint themselves out of the […]
After struggling with the structure for my new book, I gave up. Yep – I did. Me, the incurable optimist. I waved the white flag, threw in the towel, and then I red read. Lots. And I’m the better for it. I have learned that I was having so much trouble with this new novel because […]
They’re lurking. The miniscule clumps, strands, and bits of primeval origin that were essential in the inception and growth of the story, but now hamper its ability to flourish. The story has outgrown them, but still they cling, abetted by the author who is complicit in their continued existence. I don’t know that this is […]
Just as with Sparks, my second novel is in the driver’s seat and I’m just along for the ride. For months, when I’ve had spare brain cycles, I tried to figure out whether or not a portion of it should be shown in flashback. Now that finishing it is one of my main activities, I began […]
Consider a clear, still mountain pool. Beautiful, isnt it? A disturbance – maybe a passing automobile – causes a rock to slide down the mountain side, hit a ledge and bounce into the water. Immediately, there are easily discernible ripples from the point of impact. Now visualize that the pool has several waterfalls at one […]
Not my Big Distraction – that’s an entirely different story. It’s my Big Decision. The one I’ve ignored for as long as I could. It’s time to answer the question. Am I writing a series – or not? The fictional Skye Pointe community and its residents star in my current story and several more that […]
It’s finally happening. I’m at the end of preparing for rewrite. I celebrated early, dancing around until I was dizzy(er). After all, this past Mardi was Gras. Inevitably, Mercredi des Cendres rolled in; bringing clarity and sobriety. I was forced to remember that though I was at an end, it merely heralded the real beginning. To […]
