How many of you enjoy them? I find them to be the best exercise to warm up for a day of writing. Trying to think of the right word that the hint (the more vague, the better the feeling of guessing correctly) refers to is probably the closest thing to creative writing (or any writing- for that matter)that one can get.The New York Times has some very tough puzzles that challenge me and are very gratifying to solve. If you don't solve crosswords you should try it. Your vocabulary tends to expand... Read Full Story

How many of you enjoy them? I find them to be the best exercise to warm up for a day of writing. Trying to think of the right word that the hint (the more vague, the better the feeling of guessing correctly) refers to is probably the closest thing to creative writing (or any writing- for that matter)that one can get.The New York Times has some very tough puzzles that challenge me and are very gratifying to solve. If you don't solve crosswords you should try it. Your vocabulary tends to ex... Read Full Story

Sometimes I get to the point where my writing is so intense, I forget about the blog. HA! Well anyways, I am back to updating at least weekly.I am finished with the Cemetery Dance story and I am just fine tuning it. I also have 30k words on the latest novel written. Enjoying the time between the two projects and hoping to soon get out there for all to read.I'm addicted to this daydreaming business. :DI also need to find a copy editor. I've been researching First Editors and they seem really e... Read Full Story

Sometimes I get to the point where my writing is so intense, I forget about the blog. HA! Well anyways, I am back to updating at least weekly.I am finished with the Cemetery Dance story and I am just fine tuning it. I also have 30k words on the latest novel written. Enjoying the time between the two projects and hoping to soon get out there for all to read.I'm addicted to this daydreaming business. :DI also need to find a copy editor. I've been researching First Editors and they seem ... Read Full Story

Tonight I have taken the story back to past tense. I think it flows better and I think I am heading in a better direction.Here is an unedited sample: He was still at the in between, the subconscious place where the dark things lurk, when it came. Three quick pounds at the door and he woke. At the shallow layer, the room was filled with the hiss of air, stressed springs, and his own breathing as he flipped around, pulled himself to his knees and thumbed a peek hole in the blinds at the win... Read Full Story

Tonight I have taken the story back to past tense. I think it flows better and I think I am heading in a better direction.Here is a sample: He was still at the in between, the subconscious place where the dark things lurk, when it came. Three quick pounds at the door and he woke. At the shallow layer, the room was filled with the hiss of air, stressed springs, and his own breathing as he flipped around, pulled himself to his knees and thumbed a peek hole in the blinds at the window. As he... Read Full Story

Of course, this is just an example of what can be done to a scene. But I think it still holds the immediacy of the previous draft and doesn't lose anything in the way of needed info.All this scene is intending to do is hook the reader into wanting to know WTH is going on.I even lost the bit of rough dialogue and it didn't affect a thing. Thus, from 468 words to 297 and no unneeded foul language. Three quick pounds at the door and he’s awake. Eddie flips around and lifts himself ... Read Full Story

Of course, this is just an example of what can be done to a scene. But I think it still holds the immediacy of the previous draft and doesn't lose anything in the way of needed info.All this scene is intending to do is hook the reader into wanting to know WTH is going on.I even lost the bit of rough dialogue and it didn't affect a thing. Thus, from 468 words to 297 and no unneeded foul language. Three quick pounds at the door and he’s awake. Eddie flips around and li... Read Full Story

Well, I manage to cut the length from 9800 word, all the way to 6800. Still needs a lot of editing and some clarity.The pace is a little fast and needs some slowing in several places. Rhythm and flow should be consistent and what I have in total is not.Also, I am thinking I need to give Eddie something more to create an emotional attachment between him and the reader.Anyways, it is coming along and the 3rd draft is always the hardest for me. (by then, I've grown too attached to my darlings.)W... Read Full Story

Well, I manage to cut the length from 9800 word, all the way to 6800. Still needs a lot of editing and some clarity.The pace is a little fast and needs some slowing in several places. Rhythm and flow should be consistent and what I have in total is not.Also, I am thinking I need to give Eddie something more to create an emotional attachment between him and the reader.Anyways, it is coming along and the 3rd draft is always the hardest for me. (by then, I've grown too attached to my darling... Read Full Story