Around The “Water Cooler” Again

So today here is more - some of it lighthearted - from fellow authors on Twitter... as they (I am taking a rest after finishing a 600 page novel, and I admit I am not writing currently) again gather around the authors' office's "water cooler" to gab (when it appears at least some of them, uh, should be nose to the grindstone and writing)...

Never Forget: Publishing Is A Business

Writing may be all about "creativity" for you; but never forget that publishing is a business.

(Some) Men

It may still even in 2020 be about getting home alive. So what is the solution to men who behave like thugs?

At Year’s End

Well, 2019 is concluding. The idea for a year end post hit me. I thought post-Christmas I'd offer up some thoughts minus any, uh, colorful metaphors we often used in our casual chats as if I were telling you.

Brave New World(s) (Of Humans)

In a real sense, if you want to be truly fearless now as an author, write about people. As we see increasingly, putting humans on your pages is dangerous authoring territory.

Daydreaming (When You Should Be Writing)

And, of course, when it comes to starring in your film adaptation, let's not forget the women. In my mind, if I think about it, uh, yes, I would love to see...

The Presents We Give

Bearing in mind they were written for adults - but back when adulthood arguably began in the mid-teens and not at today's "18" - my suggestion is teens might be started with a few "classic" books and Christmas is a great excuse to buy wonderful hardcovers as presents.

The “Worth” Of (Your) Writing

"Everyone writes books now": In an innocent and not nasty way, an elderly aunt said that to me a few years back. In a way, she was right.

Thanks For (Giving) The Advice

I blog here for those who like to read (or I hope will want to read) my novels, and unless they have found me first through Instagram, and more lately, Twitter, this site is their introduction to me as an author.

The Keyboard “Seduction”

Let's be honest: Who wants to read a book by a mope who tweets about their "failures"?

To Pass The Word

"You know I don't read this period history mush, but I know you like it for some reason." LOL!

One For The (Not Yet) Book(s)

I decided given she has so many followers and was so clearly knowledgeable as an author, that I really needed to read at least a sample from one of her novels. I went over to Amazon and typed in her name and clicked...

A “Review” That “Spooks And Horrifies” Too

Endings are, uh, I think, reasonably important to us as readers. I am of course interested in what will happen (or why would I be reading the book in the first place?), but I don't really want to know how a book ends... until I get to the end.

Use The “Mute” And Even The “Unfollow”

The U.S. is really, I always remind non-Americans, a continent (Finland has the population of roughly Connecticut), and over the centuries has demonstrated a resiliency and managed - it still does - to evolve.

“I don’t expect everyone to hang on my every word online, but…”

My (now late) uncle had warned me about that type. LOL!