writing process – A Mad Pursuit

Ever since I first put pen to paper, I’ve thought in novels. I never set out to write short stories. No, from the get-go, I wanted to produce mighty, expansive, world-sweeping novels. And for the majority of the last ten years, what you might consider my professional publishing career, novels have made up the bulk of my... / 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 /

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 /

October 16, 2012

fiction, music, Rock Revival

music, process, romance, writing, writing process, writing progress

The middle of Octember.

These -ember months do seem to pile up rather quickly, don’t they? Last week I went away to the West Coast, spending some time with family. I don’t know what it is about me, but every single time I make a trip like that I somehow think I’m impervious to jet lag. The truth is,... / READ MORE /

Image by FEMA - public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

September 6, 2012

aldersgate cycle, blog, Rock Revival, WIP, writing

Aldersgate, novella, the wind through the wheat, writing, writing process

Burning down the house. Again.

If you’ve been following this blog for any amount of time, you may notice that I occasionally redecorate. Well, I did it again. The last template was okay, but I wanted something cleaner that had a similar look without the clutter. I’m happy where it is, now! It’s not finished completely, as I’m working on... / READ MORE /

August 14, 2011

aldersgate cycle, editing, fantasy, indigo and ink, peter of windbourne, pilgrim of the sky, publication, steampunk, ward of the rose

drafts, editing, fancy, rewriting, struggles, success, the aldersgate, the aldersgate cycle, writing, writing process

The Perils of Early Success: Or, Writing With the Pointy End

So I started blogging “as a real writer” at the very beginning of 2008 in order to share a draft of my novel, The Aldersgate, with the world at large. I had already written two drafts, and then decided to start again and record the new chapters and launch them out into the world for... / READ MORE /

June 20, 2010

blog, fantasy, indigo and ink, publication, WIP, writing

agent search, rejection, writing, writing process

Finding the power in rejection.

I would be a liar if I told you that rejection doesn’t matter, that every time a short story market or an agent lets me know my work isn’t for them, I don’t sulk a little. This last year rejection has set the tone for just about everything in my writing world. While I’ve had... / READ MORE /

May 10, 2010

indigo and ink, steampunk, WIP, writing

cat, family, hands, indigo and ink, mother's day, writing, writing process

Cats, hands, and words

We’ve been looking for a new furry friend for the family since our beloved Minerva (the cat) passed away. We went back and forth between wanting to get a dog and a cat, and after every attempt to get a dog was foiled, we opted for the feline variety instead. I love dogs, and I... / READ MORE /

March 9, 2010

writing

carpal tunnel, rsi, writer injuries, writing, writing process, wtf

Rewiring the writing approach

So, it’s been over a month and I’m still the gimpy writer. The wrists have certainly improved, but 99% of that has to do with, you know, not typing. I would be lying to say it hasn’t been beyond frustrating, especially considering the move and the many other things I won’t bore you with. Suffice... / READ MORE /

January 4, 2010

blog, publication, writing

2010, new writers, resolution, writing, writing goals, writing process

One more time, with feeling!

In many ways, 2009 taught me about all the myriad things I don’t have control over. It’s been humbling, to say the least, to learn so much about this industry. It’s been a little embarrassing to admit just how much I didn’t know, walking in to 2009. What I didn’t have in business savvy and... / READ MORE /