Category Archives: writing process

What’s in a Name? The Naming of Elisha

Posted on April 17, 2013 by

It has come to my attention from two different and equally interesting directions that some people are wondering about the name of my protagonist, Elisha Barber, specifically, his first name. Some folks have even wondered if it’s my name (it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in books, character development, Elisha Barber, etymology, fantasy, fiction, history, medieval, writing process | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Focus Groups Taking over the World!

Posted on April 10, 2013 by

This morning’s Wall Street Journal features an article entitled “Test-marketing a Modern Princess,” about how Disney Junior is developing their new Sofia the First television series. Yes, folks, these executives are sitting down with pre-schoolers, reading them storylines and filming … Continue reading →

Posted in books, essays, fiction, marketing, publishing, social media, Uncategorized, writing process | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Three-act Structure Eureka!

Posted on November 28, 2012 by

Okay, I’ve heard about the three-act structure for quite some time, from a variety of sources, and had it sketched out for me in at least one workshop.  Quite frankly, it didn’t seem all that relevant.  But I finally picked … Continue reading →

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Writer’s Blech

Posted on November 7, 2012 by

Over the weekend, I had a chance to talk with a writer-friend about one of the problems we all seem to face:  the moment we realize the work-in-progress (WIP) is, in fact, crap.  I think there is at least one … Continue reading →

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. . . From a Certain Point of View

Posted on September 26, 2012 by

Hands up everyone who immediately recognized the source of my title quote?  Okay, that was an easy one. In a post a couple weeks ago, I referenced the special difficulty of writing a book in a single point of view … Continue reading →

Posted in fiction, writing, writing advice, writing process | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

When Revision Goes Too Far. . .

Posted on June 20, 2012 by

Just finished a fourth round of revision on the first book.  Empirically speaking, this sounds like too many rounds, to me–I’ve never been keen on revision.  (You may recall my method for revision which involves lots of beer and stomping around … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, fiction, revision, Uncategorized, writing, writing process | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Why Your Book Stalled at 100 pages

Posted on May 1, 2012 by

As I talk with other writers, (especially newbies) I often find they have a book (or several) stopped dead at about 100 pages or 25 to 30,000 words.  They have thrown up their hands in despair. This project which once … Continue reading →

Posted in fantasy, fiction, writing, writing advice, writing process | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Abort/Revise/Fail?

Posted on April 12, 2012 by

Yes, it’s me, still obsessing about revisions.  I got two books at once from the editors, which is kinda handy ’cause I can keep in the right frame of mind.  Except that I turned book 1 back over to them, … Continue reading →

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A Twelve-step Program–er–Process for Manuscript Revision Based on the Suggestions of Others

Posted on March 30, 2012 by

Step 1:  Stomp around the house, kick things (inanimate things only!)  scream that your commenter is insane or stupid or both.  Go for a beer.  Do NOT email your commenter at this time.  Especially if he or she is an editor who … Continue reading →

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Interviewing Fantasy Author Benjamin Tate, part 2

Posted on January 25, 2012 by

I now return you to our chat with Benjamin Tate/ Joshua Palmatier, with his new book, Leaves of Flame. 3.  What’s your first-draft process?  outline, edit as you go, speed-writing? That is my first-draft process:  sit down and write, see … Continue reading →

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