Category: fiction writing

  • Friday’s Findings

    Friday’s Findings

    I’ve always heard badly written characters can bring down a good story, but well-written characters can save a mediocre story. A few things I’ve learned over the years about writing characters: give each one distinct physical characteristic so the reader can picture them in his mind; give each character an inner goal, such as finding…

  • A Look at Tolkien’s Ten Tips for Writers

    A Look at Tolkien’s Ten Tips for Writers

    I read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings years before the movies made them more well-known. Even though one part of me is happy Frodo, Gandalf and Gollum are now household names, the other part of me misses not having to share them with the rest of the world. Just the other day…

  • Friday’s Findings

    Friday’s Findings

    I mentioned last week I am currently working with an illustrator for the book cover of my novel, Oblivion’s Hope. Now I am looking for an editor. I found this article and I’m using it as a guide: The Comprehensive Guide to Finding, Hiring, and Working with an Editor And finally, here is a link…

  • Successful Writers

    Successful Writers

    Click on infographic to see enlarged version. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

  • Epic Characters: How to Create Them

    Epic Characters: How to Create Them

    Creating characters for your story may be the hardest part of writing. But it’s the most important. Infographic from the blog Something Delicious: A Creative Catalyst for the Writer’s Soul

  • Friday’s Findings

    Friday’s Findings

    Two days ago, I engaged in a Skype call with an illustrator who specializes in book covers for science fiction and fantasy novels. While we were on the call, he produced a rough sketch of what will become the cover of my current WIP novel, Oblivion’s Hope. Yesterday, he sent me the first draft. I’m…

  • Author Interview: Willem Neill

    Author Interview: Willem Neill

    Willem Neill, who hails from the city of Brisbane in Australia, just published his debut fantasy novel, Embered Soul. I’m currently reading it and enjoying it thoroughly. Thanks, Willem, for participating in my Author Interview series. How did you decide to become an author? I’ve always harboured a vivid imagination and a desire to escape…

  • Author Interview: Kyle Alexander Romines

    Author Interview: Kyle Alexander Romines

    Although we live in the same city, Kyle and I have never had the chance to meet in person. He’s a prolific writer and I’ve read a couple of his fantasy, horror and science fiction books. I’m honored he responded to an interview for my blog. Check out his Amazon Author page. How did you…

  • Friday’s Findings

    Friday’s Findings

    One of my former co-workers has more free time because he is quarantined at home. For the past few years, he has been telling me about the fantasy novel he’s been working no, but with his job and family, he hadn’t had much time to work on it. Now he’s been catching up on his…