My week began with my parents celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary and will end attending the wedding of a cousin of mine. So weddings have been on my mind lately, mainly because they are a great excuse to bring characters together… and allow important plot beats to unfold. If I started listing the various storiesContinue reading “How Weddings Can Enhance Your Storytelling”
Category Archives: Posts
Is Historical Fiction That Much Different than Historical Fantasy?
History for those who choose to study it brings to light a number of wonders, atrocities, or curiosities that often are confined to dusty books. For writers, history becomes an avenue to write about current events by taking advantage of the distance that the past allows. But to write historical fiction, means to make a numberContinue reading “Is Historical Fiction That Much Different than Historical Fantasy?”
Writing as Resistance:Past, Present, and Future of a Writing Rebel
I just returned from Seattle. While I was there for WorldCon, I met a lot great people, did a little sightseeing , and had some very tasty meals. Of the many things I got to do at the con, I was part of a few panels. They all ended up being quite good, but WritingContinue reading “Writing as Resistance:Past, Present, and Future of a Writing Rebel”
Discover the Other Hidden Figures at NASA
Both the film and the book Hidden Figures reconfigured for the general public who worked at NACA/NASA during the pivotal moments of the space race. A NASA scientist had always been seen as one particular type but Hidden Figures showed that was far from the truth. With the publication of the book which spurred similarContinue reading “Discover the Other Hidden Figures at NASA”
7 Tips for Writing Historical Fantasy
I’ve been writing historical fantasy for some years now, and have a few thoughts on how to do it well. Historical fantasy isn’t just adding magic to the story. It’s about blending magic thoughtfully to history in a ways that transforms the story. The following rules are mainly personal preference. They’re more guidelines I followContinue reading “7 Tips for Writing Historical Fantasy”
The Real Magic of Educational Television
The author reflects on the impact of educational television, particularly programs like Sesame Street, which emerged from 1960s social change. Their upcoming novel, The Starseekers, includes a subplot about a magical educational show, highlighting the show’s diverse roots and its innovative approach to teaching children while continuing to address relevant social issues.
The Benefits of Going Out Into the World for Writers
The thing they don’t tell you about being a writer is that you have to *gasp* talk to people. Only a rare breed of writers can emerge out of nowhere, release a book, and vanish. For the rest of us talking about books, writing, and other topics (to mix up talking about books) is howContinue reading “The Benefits of Going Out Into the World for Writers”
A Good Title Changes Everything…
When the right title changes (nearly) everything about a new story I just wrapped up a new project this month, that’s very much a rough draft, but one I wanted to finish so it could simmer in the background while I turn attention to higher priority projects. What’s interesting about this book is not thatContinue reading “A Good Title Changes Everything…”
Planting a Family Tree
How to create the past and future of a fictional family I love a good family tree. More books should have them! They are a great way to convey information and help untangle different family relations that could stop the plot if you explained it in text. It’s one of my favorite things about TheContinue reading “Planting a Family Tree”
It's an honor to be nominated….
I’m up for an award I’ll be at RavenCon this April, and I just found out THE IMPROVISERS has been nominated for The Webster Award! According to the organizers, this award was made “to recognize outstanding achievements in writing by Virginia authors.” I’m excited to see THE IMPROVISERS get recognized and I’d appreciate any votes!Continue reading “It's an honor to be nominated….”