Whenever I begin a new novel, I do a lot of reading around that project. Whether I’m researching a certain historical aspect or I’m looking to see what other authors have done with that topic, I enjoy learning as much as I can. While not everything I read ends up in the novel (in fact, … Continue reading The Books I Read to Write The Professor of Eventide
creative writing inspiration
When Setting Becomes Story: How To Write About Place in Fiction
Since I spoke about how place shapes my own writing last week, this week I wanted to share some tips about how you might include place in your own writing. I love writing about place because I love reading about place. When I think of my favorite novels, I recall the characters, certainly, but I … Continue reading When Setting Becomes Story: How To Write About Place in Fiction
How Place Shapes My Writing: From Coastal Maine to Victorian England
I’ve been lucky enough to travel a little and see some different corners of the world. As a reader, I’ve even time-traveled from Ancient Rome to Victorian England and countless other times and places in between. There is something about these various places that captures my attention and taps into my imagination. I find that … Continue reading How Place Shapes My Writing: From Coastal Maine to Victorian England
How to Structure Your Novel When You’re a Pantster: A Guide for Discovery Writers
I’ve said several times over the years that I’ve gone from being more focused on outlines to being more of a discovery writer. Some writers do well with an outline, and in the past, when I was less sure of my own writing process, I’d obsess over the outline. The truth is, some writers enjoy … Continue reading How to Structure Your Novel When You’re a Pantster: A Guide for Discovery Writers
One Scene I Almost Cut From The Professor of Eventide (and Why I Kept It)
If you’ve been writing as long as I have, you already know that every novel we write contains scenes that seem to come effortlessly as well as scenes that have to fight to survive. In The Professor of Eventide, there was one scene (or really a series of scenes) that I came very close to … Continue reading One Scene I Almost Cut From The Professor of Eventide (and Why I Kept It)
How I Know a Story is Finished (Or Not)
Since I finished The Professor of Eventide, I’ve had some time to think about how I know when a book is finished. At what point is the book done done and at what point am I still tinkering just for the sake of changing things? I’ll start with the obvious answer: every author is different … Continue reading How I Know a Story is Finished (Or Not)
The No-Tropes Manifesto: Why I Choose the Unknown Over Formula
I feel a little funny saying this, especially since I was the executive editor of a literary journal for 23 years, but I hadn’t paid much attention to the word trope until a few years ago when it seemed like suddenly everyone was talking about it. These days, we see posts or vlogs about How … Continue reading The No-Tropes Manifesto: Why I Choose the Unknown Over Formula
How Summer Affects My Thinking and Creativity
I know I always say that autumn is my favorite time of year, and in many ways it is. I’m not a huge fan of the 100+ degree summer heat we get here in Southern Nevada, especially not the 100+ degree days that are also humid. However, I do get time off in the summer, … Continue reading How Summer Affects My Thinking and Creativity
Why Character Matters More Than Plot in Literary Fiction
Many writers are familiar with the long-standing debate over whether character or plot is more important. If you’re into Greek philosophers, Aristotle believed that, when speaking of tragedy, plot is more important and character is secondary. Others, who are not Aristotle, argue that character is the most important. What is the answer? It’s a trick … Continue reading Why Character Matters More Than Plot in Literary Fiction
The Story Behind The Professor of Eventide
The Professor of Eventide is featured today in the BookBub New Release newsletter! Yay! Way to go, Jonathan! If you’re here from BookBub, welcome! I’m so glad you found your way over. If this is your first time visiting my site, today's post feels like a great place to begin because I wanted to share … Continue reading The Story Behind The Professor of Eventide