editing – A Mad Pursuit

April 25, 2018

editing, fantasy, fiction, glassmere, people who rock, publication, writing

Where Hath April Fled?

April has a certain literary weight to it, doesn’t it? Regardless of what Chaucer or Eliot thought, one thing is clear: April has come and gone too fast for my liking. This in-between month has lived up to its reputation here in North Carolina, however, and we’ve had lots of rain and a very cool... / READ MORE /

December 27, 2014

editing, publication, writing

novel distance, novel editing, novel writing, queen of none, stephen king, writing advice

On Achieving Writing Distance

Ever since I read Stephen King’s On Writing twelve years ago, I’ve been acutely aware of my biggest fault as a writer: my inability to achieve distance from my own writing. King talks about finishing a manuscript and then putting it away for a few weeks, letting it mellow a bit, in order to return to... / READ MORE /

February 13, 2014

editing, fantasy, fiction, geek, gothic, publication, watcher of the skies, WIP, writing

pilgrim of the sky, process, progress, publication, publishing, watcher of the skies, writing, writing advice, writing issues, writing problems, writing process, writing rants, writing tips

How Pinterest and Process Saved My Novel (And Can Save Yours, Too)

Writing a book, as the old adage goes, isn’t the hard part. I mean, yeah, it’s hard. It’s a butt-ton of work. For me, writing books isn’t the hard part. It’s something I do, more or less, whether or not I want to. But while the writing part isn’t exactly a mystery to me, there... / READ MORE /

January 18, 2014

editing, music, Rock Revival

editing, fiction, learning from writing, music, natania barron, progress, publication, rock revival

Being as Good as My Word: On Getting Distance from Writing

Writers. We’re a funny bunch. I fully believe that in order to cope with the general stress and chaos of having many worlds and stories and people in our heads, we impose odd deadlines and limitations on ourselves. We don’t always share these with the masses, and some of them are downright personal. But it... / READ MORE /

January 4, 2014

aldersgate cycle, editing, writing

publication, the aldersgate, writing

A note of appreciation to Mssr. Samuel Montgomery-Blinn

The first time I met Sam Montgomery-Blinn in person, it was 2009, and he got me very, very drunk on Fat Tire beer. Not my usual fare, but he was buying. I was nervous as hell after my first public reading, so not really arguing. I’m still not sure how I got invited to the... / READ MORE /

April 2, 2013

editing, fiction, music, watcher of the skies, weird, WIP, writing

inspiration, muses, stamina, writing, writing process

Lightning Strikes: From Whence Inspiration?

Sure, sure. You make your own inspiration and all that. You sit, you write, you create. I get that. It’s 90% of the equation. But what about those moments that are unplanned? I know I’m not the only writer out there that’s found profundity in hot showers or strains of music (in fact, most... / READ MORE /

December 4, 2012

blog, editing, fantasy, fiction, Rock Revival, watcher of the skies

beer, cherie priest, employment, flyleaf books, hillsborough, old town cemetery, the inexplicables, winter, writing

Welcoming Winter, Gravely

It was in the 70s today here in North Carolina. After a few weeks of absolutely amazing weather–chilly and in the 50s during the day, scooping down into the 20s at night–we’re in a bit of a mini heatwave. The flannel sheets seem rather preemptive. But I guess that makes sense. This week has been... / READ MORE /

from Flaxman's Iliad - 1792. Public Domain.

November 14, 2012

blog, editing, fantasy, fiction, nanowrimo, pilgrim of the sky, poetry, watcher of the skies, WIP, writing

friends, Joss Raddick, karen gadient, life, nanowrimo, poetry, progress, Romanticism, writing

Watcher of the Skies and Thoughts on NaNoWriMo

So, my last post really did make it sound like I wasn’t doing NaNoWriMo, mostly likely. And apparently that’s the thing that got me going. Or something. I’m not going to try and explain it in too much details, but it goes something like this. I screwed up my back. I had to take medicine.... / READ MORE /

October 22, 2012

editing, music, Rock Revival, WIP, writing

accomplishment, draft zero, elation, life, music

Rock Revival: Draft Zero

I’m very happy at the moment. This weekend I finished the first (zero) draft of Rock Revival. Now, I know, I’ve written books before. I’ve figured out “the method” or whatever of “being a writer” and all that jazz, sure. Except, since having my surgery in 2010 I hadn’t actually finished a novel. Yeah, there... / READ MORE /

July 31, 2012

blog, editing, fiction, publication, social media, WIP, writing

manifesto, secrets to writing, tips for new writers, twitter, writing, writing manifesto

The Middle Eight Manifesto or; Behold! The Secret to Writing!

Well, I’ve reached the middle eight. Almost. At least, I’m cruising just about to the 30K mark, a little more than a third of the way through Rock Revival. Musically speaking that might be where I put a bridge. Or a pre-chorus. Or something interesting. Certainly we’ve established the verse and chorus, and now we’re shaking... / READ MORE /