Intelligence and belief

Why do we believe weird things? As smart as we can be, why do we believe weird things? I am reminded of Michael Shermer’s view, when he’s asked why smart people believe weird things, like creationism, ghosts and (as with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) fairies: “Smart people are very good at rationalizing things they came…

Advertisements

Progress report: Sorcery

My progress report on my novel Sorcery (holder title) is that it is moving along swiftly. As you go along with a work you get a real sense of the world you are writing in. While I had a basic plot for this one, all those details about the world have got to the right…

How to find that thing I lost

I lost my wallet in the house. Which immediately made me think I lost it outside of the house. And then, of course, thinking I had to order new cards and watch for unusual activity. But I had to check the house first. Because I excel in losing things. And I knew just how to…

A short: Dreamscape

This is a story of possible alternate world, sleeping meds, and insomnia “It’s sleep paralysis. I Googled it,” I said. “I value your internet skills, but remember I am the doctor,” Dr. Smythe told me dryly. I got the impression he was mocking my self-researching abilities. “I’m just saying, sounds like it to me.” Dr.…

Writer confessions

I'm a writer. And I have some confessions.   I only write at night because I have pervasive insomnia. I think caffeine is a food group and it gives me pervasive insomnia. I have a fear of failure. I also have a fear of success. Apparently every time I spell 'Accidentally' I spell it wrong. Except…

Interview: self to that other self

Who better to interview me but me. Going with that theory here is this interview. It occurred on a windy and stormy night. A product of some fine sleep deprivation. When did you start writing stories? Good question. And I would answer it if I remembered a thing about my childhood. But I remember my…

Writing music

This isn't a post about writing music but rather writing music. The tunes you play while writing. I can actually write music sheets. It wouldn't be music per se, but I know my notes. Actually, I suck at playing the piano. So producing music? Not for me. Writing with some awesome tunes playing? More my thing.…

Why I write

There are many valid reasons for becoming a writer. The fame The glory The big bucks And all three of those are lies. All of them don't involve money. I feel like starving helps with my art. Here are some reasons I am a writer: The stories in my head will slowly drive me mad…

Be a Patron

I have added a Patreon profile to my account for anyone who wants to help support my blogging and writing. If you become a Patron it does come with perks. There are the ones I am offering at the moment: I thought for some time on this. What sort of perks can a writer offer?…

‘Cocky’ and all the words I want to own

Faleena Hopkins, who I have never heard of, is a romance writer. A real cocky romance writer who has decided it is in her best interests to Trademark the word 'Cocky'. And then is allegedly demanding other romance writers with the word in their titles change them or she will sue. Read all about #cockygate…

How I stay organized

I'm not what you call an organized person. I forget plans. I forget what day it is. If I don't write an appointment on the calendar I forget it exists. My desk is always a mess. I literally have a stack of books 'to read' in every room of the house. But there are a few…

Poem: Shattered

A little migraine poetry for you guys.

Marketing: The author platform

  In 7 Reasons Books Fail to Sell the number #2 reasons aside from the book itself and the cover is the author platform or lack thereof. It basically helps with book marketing when we have an established author platform to achieve that with. I know an author who recently published who has no social media…

When to kill a character

Not every novel is going to have a death in it. But when do you kill a character in your writing? Authors kill characters for reasons, man, lots of reasons. Here are some:   They are getting on your nerves Turns out, that character is quite annoying. So they much die a painful excruciating death…

9 ways to boost creativity

You know sometimes our creativity just stalls. It isn't writer's block, it is just bleh 'I can't seem to produce anything worthwhile'. Sometimes we need ways to boost creativity for our writing. Like right now in the novel I am working on my main character is just bleh. I still to just haven't found her unique…

Content of an author blog

So you have an author blog as step one to your author platform. This is a good thing. Apparently for an author platform you actually have to have content on your author blog to build an audience. I was blogging whimsically. But that is a no. So I have been blogging regularly on here. Here…

My writing habits

My Writing Habits I am a pantser when it comes to writing. That is a pretty set in stone writing habit for me. I am not an organized person. I have my general plotline, my world, and my character and then it is all flying by the seat of my pants. It is how I roll. And…

How you know you’re a writer

How do you know you are a writer? What is it that makes you a writer? I'll tell you. You write a lot. This one is pretty obvious. Maybe you blog when you are not writing your novel. Maybe you freelance. Maybe you do all of them. You thrive on an excessive amount of caffeine. And…

Insomniac ideas

I loathe insomnia. I've had chronic insomnia since I was a teen. Back then it never was a real problem because, well, you don't have any real obligations and responsibilities you have to adhere to. It was the same at university, I'd just schedule classes for a little later. But as an adult, I have to…

Writing: What pets to put into your fantasy

I have written books with pets before. And it is a great concept. I love my pets in the 'real world' so of course, it makes sense some characters would have a pet they adore in their world. In your writing have you considered putting a pet into your fantasy fiction? Here are some pet ideas…