Every writer needs a place to create. For some of us, that place is specific and consistent. For others, it is wherever we find ourselves when inspiration strikes. For most of us, that place is both of the above. We are always prepared for that magic to pass from our thoughts, through our heart to […]
Deadheading for Fun and Freedom
First, an brief explanation of the process of deadheading: with a very sharp secateur, you snip away the dead parts of plants so that the plant no longer pumps energy into the dead area. This somewhat similar to ‘phantom limb’ sensation. Since my secateur is buried in storage boxes awaiting the acquisition of a real […]
More Salsa for Sunday
The following is a scene from Salsa Dancing with Pterodactyls (on the iBookstore) and is one of my favorites: … Her boss gripped the steering wheel as hard as his jaw was clenched. “From now, Burdis, this moment, our professional relationship is that. Exactly that.” “I never thought it was anything else,” she murmured. “Really? What […]
Illustrious Company for WALL
My publisher, Montlake/Amazon, is offering my debut novel, WAIT A LONELY LIFETIME, in its January/February Sale. My novel is in wonderful company, as you can see, 25 Kindle books for $0.99 each deal. The sale is on until February 8, 2014. You can choose up to 25 books for $0.99 each. Stock up, and please pick […]
Stone Wallace’s Black Ransom
I’m delighted to have the opportunity to feature the cover image for Stone Wallace’s upcoming release of Black Ransom, a Western in keeping with the Noir tradition of greats like 40 Guns (a Barbara Stanwick film I had the privilege of seeing at the Mechanics Institute in San Francisco last month). Black Ransom will be […]
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Eve – Cover Preview
Exclusive for my EverWriting readers: Here is the cover for the final story in my Nights Before serial novel, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Eve. The photograph is one that I took a few winters ago and the designer is Gwiboz who was able to work Photoshop magic, as usual. The berries are puffy white. […]
Expectations 101
“Have no expectations. Have no disappointments.” – Often heard advice. “Do you mind if I do?” – Right response. Expectation is a powerful tool in a writer’s career. Without expectation of finishing the book, of finding readers, of publishing, of putting words on the page even if no one reads them and a host of other […]
Anticipation 101
If you’ve ever traveled with children, you have a good sense of what anticipation means. “Are we there yet?” repeated a gazillion times from the moment the car door is shut at the front door of your house until either they are worn out or your destination is reached. Anticipation is that state of excitement […]
Fahrenheit 451 Revisited
Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury’s classic novel of book censorship) is back with a vengeance. Whatever you write, this will affect your future in this entrepreneurial industry. Below are posts you should read if you are self-publishing or care about your freedom of expression: Indie Reader gives a good explanation of the activity on WHSmith, Amazon and […]
Gardening in the City
When I was a teenager, my mother asked me to help her in the garden with weeding as part of my contribution to family life. Chores were bad enough, but weeding was about the worst on any Saturday. Chores were a part of being a member of the household and I did my share, unless […]