The Ups and Downs of Writing

I always appreciate you taking the time to read my Journal posts. I try not to post too often, only when I feel I have something meaningful to discuss. Plus, as I’ve often said, I would rather be writing my next book than talking about it.

But the fantastic thing about this Journal is that the more you know about the person writing the book, the better your experience as a reader. You’re able to learn something about me and the reasons why I want to share my stories with you.

In this post, I’ll discuss a few of my thoughts about how I write and the motivation I use to keep writing.

Continue reading “The Ups and Downs of Writing”

How to Write a Novel

During my life, I’ve read a ton of books about writing a novel. From books about character development, world building, dialog, plot development… you name it, I’ve read about it. I have an entire bookcase full of books about how to write.

Many of those books did help me understand the essential techniques needed to develop a well-written story. But for me, the most crucial part of my road to becoming a published author was to sit down and do it.

Of course, my first attempts were horrible. But I kept trying. I put those early manuscripts in the bottom drawer of a file cabinet and began again. And when those results weren’t good enough, I started the process over from the beginning.

Continue reading “How to Write a Novel”

My Twenty Best Inspirational Quotations on Reading and Writing

I love finding inspirational quotations. That’s especially true when I read a quote regarding the love of reading books, or about writing them.

I always enjoy the pleasure others take in reading and writing. Even quotes about the challenges and pitfalls of writing interest me. They help me understand I’m not alone when I hit rough patches as I craft my next novel.

Continue reading “My Twenty Best Inspirational Quotations on Reading and Writing”

Wishing you the Very Best for 2019

Happy New Year!

This is the time of year that marks a transition in our lives from what has happened to what will be. We face a blank page where everything is possible for the good things we have yet to accomplish.

For myself as a writer, it’s an occasion to reflect on how I’ve evolved in this craft. I believe I’ve come a long way, but I’m always trying to improve my skills before I’m satisfied. The feeling is simultaneously one of the banes and one of the joys of being an author.

Continue reading “Wishing you the Very Best for 2019”

My First Three Years

Well, somehow it’s been three years now since I began writing fiction full-time. I’ve learned much during this time, like how to piece together a bunch of disparate ideas into a seamless plot.

But mostly, I’ve learned that a good novel is actually a conversation between two people — the writer and the reader. To me, that’s the magic of fiction, and of storytelling. And it’s what I try to achieve in my books.

Continue reading “My First Three Years”