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)
writing inspiration
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
Why Some Fictional Mysteries Don’t Want To Be Solved
Last week, I wrote a bit about the differences between traditional mysteries and inverted mysteries. I realized when I finished that post that I had more to say on the subject, so this week I wanted to talk a bit about the endings of mysteries and how sometimes there isn’t a convenient ending for some … Continue reading Why Some Fictional Mysteries Don’t Want To Be Solved
What Makes a Mystery an Inverted Mystery?
Some of the more general questions I’ve received lately have to do with inverted mysteries and what specifically makes an inverted mystery. To put it in its simplest terms, an inverted mystery reveals the central event (the murder or whatever the mystery is about ) early in the story. Instead of focusing on the solving … Continue reading What Makes a Mystery an Inverted Mystery?
Ask Me Anything: The Professor of Eventide (Author Q&A)
Welcome to The Professor of Eventide edition of Ask Me Anything! Here are some of the questions I received from my newsletter friends and from readers of this blog. This is a spoiler-free discussion, so if you haven’t read the novel yet but you’re curious, you’ll be safe here. When I do my next #AMA … Continue reading Ask Me Anything: The Professor of Eventide (Author Q&A)
How I Protect My Creative Energy on Days That Aren’t Writing Days
I'm not a fan of that old writer's adage that insists that we should write every day. Maybe that works for some writers, but it doesn't work for me. When I'm working on a project, I tend to treat it like a job. I write Mondays - Fridays and take the weekends off. Not every … Continue reading How I Protect My Creative Energy on Days That Aren’t Writing Days
The Slow Burn: Why Some Stories Need To Take Their Time
I’ve been hearing the term slow burn a lot lately when it comes to books. I knew what slow burns meant in terms of romance, but I hadn’t considered the concept of slow burn when it comes to other genres. A slow burn story is a narrative technique that focuses on gradual tension, deep character … Continue reading The Slow Burn: Why Some Stories Need To Take Their Time
What Is Upmarket Fiction?
For a long time, I didn’t know what to call what I write, which is fine in one respect because I’ve never been particularly tied down in what I write. One of my favorite authors is Kazuo Ishiguro, and one of the things I love about him is that he isn’t tied down to any … Continue reading What Is Upmarket Fiction?