Saturday, April 27, 2024
Friday, April 26, 2024
Thursday, April 25, 2024
May Events
I have a couple in-person events coming up in May. Come out and say hi, get a book signed or just point and laugh!
- May 11th - Manassas Reads
- May 19th - Spring Lot Con
- May 24th to 26th - Balticon
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Tuesday Tips: Beta Readers
Beta readers can provide valuable feedback on your manuscript, helping you identify areas for improvement and ensuring that your story resonates with your target audience. Additionally, beta readers can catch errors or inconsistencies you may have missed. This can ultimately lead to a stronger final product that is more likely to be well-received by readers.
I like to have a mix of beta readers. Some are fellow authors, some are avid readers of the book's genre, and some have never read any of my other books.
The key is that they all need to be brutally honest and specific.
I like to have about ten beta readers. About 30% don't have time, and that's fine. I have had as many as thirty (too many) and as few as three (too few).
--They always help make my books better.
Monday, April 22, 2024
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Monday, April 15, 2024
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Friday, April 12, 2024
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Monday, April 8, 2024
The Eclipse!
--Did you notice?
Sunday, April 7, 2024
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Friday, April 5, 2024
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Tuesday Tip!
You may have a great idea for new scifi gadgets and tech. You may have done some amazing world building and created a scifi setting that's kick ass. You may even have a good plot, a detailed nine act structure.
None of that will matter if you don't have great characters.
A great story NEEDS compelling characters that the audience can relate to. Include a clear protagonist, the antagonist(s) AND secondary and even tertiary characters.
--Even if it's a cat...
Monday, April 1, 2024
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Book Club: Sole Survivor
I really love this book club. Not only are the people great but it leads me to read books I may not otherwise read. Sole Survivor is no exception.
This book was really brutal in detailing all the hardships Poon Lim went through. These kind of stories will help make me a better author.
Here is the description from Amazon:
On November 23, 1942, German U-Boats torpedoed the British ship Benlomond and it sank in the Atlantic in two minutes. The sole survivor was a second steward named Poon Lim, who, with no knowledge of the sea, managed to stay alive for 133 days on a small wooden raft. Finally rescued at the mouth of the Amazon River, Poon was hailed as the "World's Champion Survivor." He still holds the Guinness World Record for survival at sea.
--Great book, highly recommended.
Friday, March 29, 2024
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Tuesday Tip: Ending First
Try this: Write the ending first.
If you can see where the destination of the idea goes, write that climax. You may find it easy when you flesh out the ending, to back up into the inciting incident.
--Give it a try.
Monday, March 25, 2024
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Friday, March 22, 2024
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Tuesday Tips!
A Great Writing Tip for New Authors: Habit
To establish a writing habit, consider the following tips:
Monday, March 18, 2024
Sunday, March 17, 2024
Saturday, March 16, 2024
Friday, March 15, 2024
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Can We Unleash Creativity Harnessing AI to Write a Novel?
Enhancing Creativity: AI can be a powerful tool for writers, acting as a creative assistant by generating ideas, suggesting plot twists, or even developing unique characters. By feeding the AI system with relevant data and prompts, authors can tap into a vast reservoir of information, expanding their own creative boundaries. AI can provide fresh perspectives, offering unique ideas that may not have occurred to the writer otherwise.
Enhancing Efficiency: Writing a novel is a laborious task that requires time and dedication. AI can significantly enhance efficiency by automating certain aspects of the writing process. Grammar and spell-checking, proofreading, and even generating drafts can be streamlined with the assistance of AI tools. This allows authors to focus more on the creative aspects of their work, saving time and energy.
Balancing Human Touch and AI Assistance: While AI can be a valuable aid in the writing process, it is crucial to maintain a balance between human creativity and AI assistance. It is essential for authors to maintain their unique voice and style, ensuring that the final product remains a genuine expression of their creativity. AI should be viewed as a tool to augment and support the writing process, rather than as a replacement for human imagination.
Ethical Considerations: As we embrace the potential of AI in writing, it is important to consider the ethical implications. Plagiarism, copyright infringement, and the authenticity of the creative process are concerns that need to be addressed. Authors should be transparent about their use of AI tools and give due credit where necessary. It is vital to understand the limits of AI and to preserve the integrity of the writing profession.
Conclusion:
The integration of AI into the writing process opens up exciting possibilities for authors. From inspiring creativity to enhancing efficiency, AI tools can be powerful allies. However, it is important to strike a balance between human creativity and AI assistance, ensuring that the final work remains an authentic expression of the author's unique voice. As we venture into this new frontier, it is essential to navigate the ethical considerations and preserve the integrity of the writing profession. With the right approach, AI can be a valuable asset, helping authors unleash their creativity and bring captivating stories to life.
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Quote of the Week
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
22 Story Tips from Pixar
1. You admire a character for trying more than for their successes.
2. You gotta keep in mind what’s interesting to you as an audience, not what’s fun to do as a writer. They can be very different.
3. Trying for a theme is important, but you won’t see what the story is actually about til you’re at the end of it. Now rewrite.
4. Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of that, ___. Until finally ___.
5.Simplify. Focus. Combine characters. Hop over detours. You’ll feel like you’re losing valuable stuff but it sets you free.
6. What is your character good at, comfortable with? Throw the polar opposite at them. Challenge them. How do they deal?
7. Come up with your ending before you figure out your middle. Seriously. Endings are hard, get yours working up front.
8.Finish your story, let go even if it’s not perfect. In an ideal world you have both, but move on. Do better next time.
9. When you’re stuck, make a list of what WOULDN’T happen next. Lots of times the material to get you unstuck will show up.
10. Pull apart the stories you like. What you like in them is a part of you; you’ve got to recognize it before you can use it.
11. Putting it on paper lets you start fixing it. If it stays in your head, a perfect idea, you’ll never share it with anyone.
12. Discount the 1st thing that comes to mind. And the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th – get the obvious out of the way. Surprise yourself.
13. Give your characters opinions. Passive/malleable might seem likable to you as you write, but it’s poison to the audience.
14. Why must you tell THIS story? What’s the belief burning within you that your story feeds off of? That’s the heart of it.
15. If you were your character, in this situation, how would you feel? Honesty lends credibility to unbelievable situations.
16. What are the stakes? Give us reason to root for the character. What happens if they don’t succeed? Stack the odds against.
17. No work is ever wasted. If it’s not working, let go and move on – it’ll come back around to be useful later.
18. You have to know yourself: the difference between doing your best & fussing. Story is testing, not refining.
19. Coincidences to get characters into trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of it are cheating.
20. Exercise: take the building blocks of a movie you dislike. How d’you rearrange them into what you DO like?
21. You gotta identify with your situation/characters, can’t just write ‘cool’. What would make YOU act that way?
22. What’s the essence of your story? Most economical telling of it? If you know that, you can build out from there.
Monday, March 11, 2024
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Friday, March 8, 2024
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Quick Software List
I got several emails recently about what software I use. Here is a quick list:
Some useful software for sci-fi authors includes Scrivener for organizing and structuring your writing. There are lots of Scrivener training vids on YouTube and books on Amazon.
Plottr for plotting and outlining your story.
I also recommend ProWritingAid and Grammarly for editing and improving your writing. Neither is perfect but both are useful.
That's my quick list!
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Tuesday Tips!
Here are five great tips:
1. Develop a unique and believable world: Create a detailed and immersive world for your story, complete with its own history, technology, and social structures.
2. Focus on character development: Make sure your characters are well-rounded and relatable, with their own motivations and flaws.
3. Use science and technology creatively: Incorporate scientific concepts and futuristic technology in a way that enhances your story and adds depth to your world.
4. Explore ethical and philosophical themes: Sci-fi is a great genre for exploring complex ethical and philosophical questions, so don't be afraid to delve into these themes in your writing.
5. Keep the plot engaging and unpredictable: Make sure your story has plenty of twists and turns to keep readers hooked, and don't be afraid to take risks with your plot.
I hope these tips help! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Monday, March 4, 2024
Sunday, March 3, 2024
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Friday, March 1, 2024
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Writing a novel for fun!
Once you have your idea, it's helpful to outline your novel to give yourself a roadmap to follow as you write. This can include creating character profiles, plotting out key events, and establishing the overall structure of your story.
When it comes to actually writing your novel, consistency is key. Set aside dedicated time each day or week to work on your manuscript, even if it's just for a short period. This will help you stay focused and make progress on your novel.
Don't be afraid to let your creativity flow and explore different ideas as you write. Writing a novel for fun should be an enjoyable experience, so allow yourself to experiment and take risks with your storytelling.
Remember, writing a novel is a process, and it's okay to make mistakes along the way. Editing and revising your work is an important part of the writing process, so don't be afraid to go back and make changes to improve your story.
Overall, writing a novel for fun is a wonderful way to express yourself and unleash your imagination. Enjoy the journey, and have fun bringing your story to life!
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Tuesday Tips: Getting started.
The hardest part for new authors to finish their first book can vary from person to person. Some common challenges include finding the time and motivation to write consistently and overcoming self-doubt.
Perfectionism has killed many a good story. Navigating the complexities of storytelling and plot development is a skill that can only be learned by practice.
Additionally, many new authors struggle with finding their unique voice and style, as well as dealing with writer's block and the fear of failure. I personally don't believe writer's block is a thing. Bad discipline and planning are what stop writers.
New authors just need to persevere and seek support from fellow writers or writing communities to overcome these challenges.
--Good luck. Finish things.
Monday, February 26, 2024
Kindle Unlimited!
Do you have Kindle Unlimited? It's like Netflix for Books! It lets you check out my books for free! All my novels and short stories are available on KU!
Sunday, February 25, 2024
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Friday, February 23, 2024
Thursday, February 22, 2024
Author Snacks: More important than you think...
Some common choices include fresh fruit like grapes or berries, nuts such as almonds or cashews, or even a small bowl of popcorn. Ultimately, the best snack for an author may vary depending on their personal taste and dietary preferences.
My best snack is chocolate-covered, roasted, coffee beans...
Click the image to get yours now...
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Soon: Spring Writer Retreat
- Write a detailed outline. 20-30 pages. Scene-by-scene bullets.
- Character sheets for all the main characters.
- Plot location planning with maps.
- A playlist that sets the tone.
- No distractions. No internet except my phone.
- Great food and drink for all 12 days, so I need not go anywhere.
- Lots of DVDs to watch in the evenings.
- Put the Outline into Scrivener before you go.
For this retreat, I will be in a mountain cabin in West Virginia. I go places by myself to remove the distractions of my daily life. Mostly because I LOVE my favorite distractions. My wife, my pets, my ultra high-speed Internet, and every streaming service available. I love all of that.
Plus, it doesn't hurt that this cabin has a hot tub...
Monday, February 19, 2024
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Friday, February 16, 2024
6 Years ago today!
Today, six years ago, was my last day at work. It's been a fast, glorious six years.
I think I will take my wife out to lunch to celebrate! 2,190 days of freedom!
I still don't know why I wake up at 6am every day...
Thursday, February 15, 2024
I started outlining my next novel today...
1. Act 1: Introduction - This act introduces the main characters, setting, and conflict of the story. It sets the stage for the events to come.