In many ways, I wasted my twenties. In others, I loved them. Sometimes I failed to learn a lesson, other times I did the right thing almost by accident. Today, I turn thirty. I can officially look back on those ten crazy years and see where I goofed and where I succeeded. So if you're … Continue reading 10 Tips for your 20s from a Guy Turning 30.
"I could write a book." How many times have people told me that? And I'm not famous; these are just people who hear I'm a writer and think they can be, too. Because that's not insulting at all. Let's put aside that megalomaniacal assumption of "can" and ask another question no one asks: "should." "Should … Continue reading Should You Write a Novel?
Those of you who regularly follow my blog (Hi, Mom and like two other people!) might think this is a strange shift in topics for me, but not really. I've blogged in the past about my own struggles with pornography addiction and my desire to help others with it. But more than that, I'm a … Continue reading 5 Tips for Sexual Addicts Who Want Out
Go ahead and laugh. I know fanfiction is often regarded as Real Writing's ugly step-cousin. It's the dregs of the written word, where art and creativity go to be brutally murdered. If you don't know, fanfiction is any story written in or about an existing piece of art. Like writing a new episode of Lost. … Continue reading Why Fanfiction Is a Great Place to Start a Writing Career
I've once again run into the enemy of all writers: employment. Granted, it's only temporary employment, but it's amazing how much less time you have to write when you're contributing to society and feeding your family. But whether you're a full-time writer or a hopeful on Wattpad, if you want to be a serious writer, … Continue reading A Creator’s Journey #21–How Much Should A Writer Write Every Day?
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
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.
Fencing With Ink 