… the story-universe informs its characters that the world is a dark and shadowed place, and demands that they fix it. And the characters are all, “Ummmmm …” Or is that just me?
That moment in every story when … Read More »
Dear Protagonist and Her Fearless Band of Followers Friends, Wait, what? You want to defeat the giant killer scorpion WITHOUT killing it? No, no. it’s totally doable. I … I like the way you think. Giant killer scorpions have feelings too. No, really. I mean that unironically. Mostly. Me
Writing, writing, writing, writing Read More »
That lovely moment in the story when a phone rings, and you let your character answer it so that both of you can find out who’s on the other end. Really, knowing where the story is going before you get there is overrated.1 Meanwhile: Dear Characters, I’m sorry, but you cannot organize yourselves into one
Writing, writing, writing Read More »
Dear Characters Who Stubbornly Refuse to Become Distinct from One Another, Each of you has, like, only a couple distinguishing characteristics. You surely know this. But if we combine you, you’ll have a whole bunch more. Right? Right? Hello? — Me =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dear All Characters on Deck, See this nice little quest I have ready
Dear Recently Promoted Secondary Character, No, I’m sorry, but you can’t have All the Things. Mad fighting skills: denied. Mad healing skills: denied. We’re going for interesting here, not unrealistic. Seriously, most people would be content with the mad flying skills. I promise you’ll get to use them, by the end. Me P.S. What? No.
“‘Cause you can’t jump the track / we’re like cars on a cable” Read More »
So a few weeks ago, I was truly hating this book I’m working on now, and wondering if I ought to just give up and work on something else. I did give up and work on something else–several something elses–and along the way got the opening of at least one future project just far enough
That moment you suspect the story’s just fine, after all Read More »
Dear Book, So there I was, just about ready to give up on you, when you offer me … that. A reason to write you, and a glimmer of what you’re really all about. Was it the threat of being trunked that made you give in? Or did you actually choose to wait until the
Then again, maybe the book is just shy Read More »
Dear Book, You are either brilliant or the worst thing I’ve ever written. No, I don’t expect you to tell me which. Not now. Not ever, really. I know how these things go. Me =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dear Protagonist, You are either awesome or the most irritating protagonist ever. No, I don’t expect you to … see
Dear Book, You promised me you’d be easier than the last book to write. Instead you’ve taken twice as much time and three extra drafts. Explain yourself. Me P.S. Yes, I’m very happy with the current draft. Quit changing the subject.
Listen, book, we need to talk Read More »
Dear Short Story Protagonist, This story does not have enough space or scope for you to have a best friend. I’m sorry! I really am. I should have seen it sooner, but, well, that’s what happens when I get distracted and don’t write short fiction for a while. The next short story protagonist will have
If you leave your assigned universes one more time I’m turning this car around Read More »