A place for those who find and create meaning through words
Many interns I have worked with possess the common misconception writing multiple-choice items is quick, easy, and assessments composed of these items are a breeze to administer and score. Reality sets in as they draft their first sets of questions and submit these to me for feedback. They find themselves suddenly in the weeds of communicating... Continue Reading →
Plot, character development, and setting are expected ingredients for an engaging and moving story, but what about energy? A pivotal moment in my evolution as a writer occurred in the late nineties when Stuart Jaffe and David Bender, fellow members of a writers’ group, helped me to see the relationships between pacing, rhythm, and scenes, which... Continue Reading →
Here is the final cover spread for Jimmy Grits, Private Eye. Thank you to Aubrey Brown for the incredible cover art and Stephanie Fowler of Saltwater Media for the cover design. The last of the logistical decisions are being made, and next comes the proof from the printer. See the blog post entitled “Cover Art for Jimmy Grits,... Continue Reading →
A quick update... Saltwater Media had sent me the Jimmy Grits page spread, and I completed the proof this weekend. Next comes the final cover and back material. Stay tuned!
Sometimes, I know exactly what I want then someone shows me what I really want. This is the story of how my poor attempt at concept art for the cover of Jimmy Grits, Private Eye became something brilliant when placed in the skilled hands of Philadelphia-based artist Aubrey Brown. Drawing is not in my skill... Continue Reading →
I am excited to announce my first novel, Jimmy Grits, Private Eye, is scheduled for release late this fall from Saltwater Media Publishing. Jimmy is a man who feels he needs no introduction, but he is going to give us one, anyway. "I did more than my part sweeping miscreants from Ocean Mist’s streets, and... Continue Reading →
“Think of the presidential election process as having two parts.” A student in the third seat of the second row caught my eye, and I drifted toward her as I continued our lesson. “The first part involves state-level elections.” Lily tapped her iPad screen woodpecker-like and bit her lip. I leaned toward her. Lowered my voice. “You okay?” “It’s... Continue Reading →
Revising a first draft often involves sifting through pages of setting, backstory, catchy phrases, not-so-catchy phrases, and everything dumped onto the page to find the point where something actually happens. A friend asked me to read the first chapters of his novel based upon his experiences in The Air Force. I highlighted a line about three pages... Continue Reading →
On a basic level, artificial intelligence is based upon the theft and recycling of writers’ ideas and word-craft— the works of artists and intellectuals of all sorts, really— who have uploaded the fruits of their sweat and hard-won skills into the cloud. Pretty cynical, I know, but perhaps an important realization in trying to figure out... Continue Reading →
Reader groups have helped my writing short-game. Spelling errors, grammar foibles, scene inconsistencies— you name it, readers have found it in my articles and short story drafts and have guided me through corrections. I cannot begin to describe all I’ve learned from engaging in the writing process with those who love story-telling and the craft,... Continue Reading →
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