How To Write A Book

Writers — do you have one? Many authors don’t publish their first book. It’s probably the one that takes them the longest to write. The one they mull over the most. The one that starts their writing journey. …

Surviving on caffeine and creativity Being a writer is not for the faint of heart (or the easily frustrated). From the constant need to come up with new ideas to the never-ending editing process, the challenges of the writing life are real. But despite the struggles, we continue to write…

There is something a whole lot of us do this time of year that we can turn into an almost miraculous 2 1/2 hour masterclass on writing. We sit down with the family (or with a bottle of champagne) and watch It’s a Wonderful Life. My books and workshops are…

Even the dumbest stories can be gripping if told with a strong voice — Have you read (or listened to) any Craig Alanson books? Well, if you haven’t, let me tell a little about what, or more accurately, how he writes and attempt to make sense of why he is such a successful writer. His most notable work is the Expeditionary Force, a series…

I always write my novels with three things in mind. How do you plan your books? Do you have the entire outline done? Chapter by chapter? Do you have a vague idea of what’s going to happen but start anyway? In writing terms, are you a plotter or a pantser? A Plotter …