
You're Such a Character!
Characters are, in my opinion, some of the most important aspects of a novel, or any story, for that matter. Sure, plot twists, the environment, and the building action (climax!) impact the way people remember a story. But, what is it that people actually remember about a story? How the characters REACTED to the plot twists. How the characters ADAPTED to the environment. How the characters DEVELOPED in moments of action, climax, and resolution. There's a lot of advice out the

Once Upon a Time...
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"Starving Artist" Has New Meaning...
Alright. So I'm not a starving artist. But it sometimes feels that way, especially when the ideas swarming in my head are anxious to be put to paper. And, when the fate of my characters or, you know, the mystical world I am creating hangs in the balance, eating a meal just doesn't seem quite as important. The Truth I was recently asked where I found the time to manage a full time job, graduate classes, and, most importantly write my novels. Do I sleep? Do I eat? Do I spend ti

There Are No Great Writers, Only Great Editors
There was a seminal statement made to me as a young English major: "There are no great writers, only great editors." (Thanks Dana) This phrase has stuck with me throughout the years as I have edited academic papers, articles, professional documents, and now, my first novel. But, the editing process for fiction is so much different than the academic and professional writing I have grown accustomed to over the years. Thank goodness for great editors. Or, in this instance, one e