How do you sum up a weekend adventure that had approximately 865,342 high points? I'm not sure I can, but I'll at least attempt to highlight a few moments that made my time at the #UCIJretreat2021 amazing and memorable and oh-so-worth-it. (That's Unforgettable Characters & Incredible Journeys, in case you were wondering.) A few months [...]
We don't talk enough about how difficult writing really is. I mean, as writers, we talk a lot about how much we love writing. Characters - yay! Plot - so good! Setting - build those worlds, Queen! Tropes - all the tropes! "I can't wait until you can all see what I see in my [...]
I shoot some stats just about every year, mostly to prove to myself that, yes, I *am* actually moving forward in this thing called a writing career. Given the craziness of 2020 all around, *I* wouldn't even blame me if I'd chosen to fall off the face of the earth, or hide under a blanket [...]
Every writer knows one of the very best feelings in the world is the moment a shiny, new idea takes shape in your head, and you can't shake it. And when that shiny, new idea involves collaborating with your 14-year-old kiddo, it's even better. A few months ago, my very artistic and talented daughter had [...]
Did some cool things this past week. Set-up The Heart of Death (The Tarrowburn Prophecies, Book 2) for publication, put it on Goodreads, queried a handful of literary agents with a different manuscript, and shared my query spreadsheet with a fellow writer so he can begin his foray into querying a YA fantasy. Yes, I [...]
I missed March, April, and most of May on the blog. I bet you can all guess why. Wow. What a heck of a year so far. Global pandemic, hundreds of thousands dead, and so many people refusing to do something as simple as wear a face mask to protect themselves and others. It's mind-boggling. [...]
Hey, guys! So, it's, uh, February 29th. I almost missed posting this month. But, whew! Just made it in time. Okay, so peace out until sometime next month when book 2 is done and I can finally start breathing again. (Yep. That's it. That's the blog post.)
With all the technology that exists today, why, oh why, hasn't a 16-year-old tech whiz come up with a way to record our thoughts as we fall asleep each night? I would hand my money over in a heartbeat. I'd pay yesterday. I'd take a second mortgage on my house to cover payments. And so [...]
Welcome to December! I should be working on my WIP right now instead of tallying up numbers from this year, but what is a writer if not a procrastinator, right? So I bring you my 2019 writing stats. People often ask me how long it takes to get a book written and what a writer [...]
Twitter is a blessing and a curse in one, but following the right people makes all the difference. Here’s a list of some of my favorites to follow. Get them on your list, too! Maria Stout (@MariaStout) - I’m a writer, so I really enjoy following other writers, especially upbeat ones who give their all, [...]
L. Ryan Storms 