I finally figured out why I hate success stories. It's because I look at them and say, "Great for you, but that can't happen for me." Now sometimes this is pure psychological/spiritual crap. My mind can't comprehend any iota or greatness or the devil whispers in my ear that I'm nothing and always will be. … Continue reading A Creator’s Journey #20–The Success Story I Want to Write
Month: March 2017
Trope Teardown: Good Twist, Bad Twist, Cheap Twist, Seuss Joke
Some tropes we just love. We've seen them 8 million times and we'll happily see them again...if they're done right. This series explores good and bad tropes in books, film, anime, and video games. What was the very first twist ending? I'm guessing it was the whole Jesus-came-back-to-life moment, but plot twists are some of … Continue reading Trope Teardown: Good Twist, Bad Twist, Cheap Twist, Seuss Joke
The Venn-Triagram of Great Villains
Yes, yes, the official term is three-way Venn Diagram, but that's not nearly as catchy. Look across the great villains of art history, in film, in movies, in video games, in anime, in anything at all, you'll find three major themes that the writers exploited. All great villains have one, two, or even all three … Continue reading The Venn-Triagram of Great Villains
Which Book Would YOU Support?
Whenever you ask for something, you need to offer something of proper value. Want food? Bring cash. Want a job? Show them you're good. Want a $30 video game at Gamestop? Bring $320 worth of games. Apparently. Me, I'm a writer. All I have are words. But WHICH words should I offer? Currently, I have … Continue reading Which Book Would YOU Support?
Writing Extremes are Always BS.
I'm a writer and editor. I know the rules. Don't use "felt." Don't use "very." Don't use "-ly" words. Don't use adverbs at all if you can help it. Don't use to-be verbs. Show, don't tell. Don't use flashbacks. Start in scene. Don't use passive voice. These are all good rules. But there's one more … Continue reading Writing Extremes are Always BS.
What Makes an Otaku?
While I've loved anime for several years now, I never considered myself an otaku. If you haven't heard that phrase, picture the guy in the expensive World Series seats, with no shirt and a team logo painted on his chest, crying tears of uttermost bliss when his favorite player hits a home run. Switch that … Continue reading What Makes an Otaku?
“Compound Suck,” and How to Avoid it In Your Writing
Ever notice how something can get so bad that it achieves a life of its own and gets exponentially worse the longer it goes? I'm sure it has a fancy, scientific name, but I call it "Compound Suck." The more crap there is in a book, the more that crap starts to link together, each … Continue reading “Compound Suck,” and How to Avoid it In Your Writing
A Creator’s Journey #19–Who Are You?
I freaking hate the concept of "branding." It sounds so corporate, so money-hungry, so un-artistic. That and I suck at it. That may have jaded me a little. If you're new to the writing world, or art in general, your "brand" is whatever you're selling. As an artist, you're selling what you create, but also … Continue reading A Creator’s Journey #19–Who Are You?
Why I Cut Some Adult Content out of my Adult Book
I've never been shy about being a Christian writer who dips into adult content. The Bible is Rated R, so there's more leeway than you think. And I'm certainly not writing to children, not this time at least. Plus, I self-published this novella. I can make my own rules, right? So...why did I change my tune … Continue reading Why I Cut Some Adult Content out of my Adult Book
Dear Reader, Will You Tear My Book a New One?
Ferryman is out and about (*coughfreeifyouSubscribecough*), which means it's time to write something new. Hey, how about that book I've been writing for TWELVE FREAKING YEARS?! Sadly, it still needs work. Unfortunately, I don't know how. It's gotten some good praise, but my frequent reading habits make me wonder if it's too same-old, so I … Continue reading Dear Reader, Will You Tear My Book a New One?
Fencing With Ink 