There are a few things that are preventing me from finishing up stories on a consistent basis: a general lack of self-discipline, toxic perfectionism, time management skills, and an inability to stick through the end of a project. As I've gotten older and learned more about how my brain works, I've realized that developing a … Continue reading (Writing) The View From 10,000 Feet
Tag: writing process
(Writing) Marvels of Character
One of the benefits of holding myself to a regular writing schedule is being able to quickly identify the things I should be working on. The first couple of chapters of THE CULT OF MAXIMUS feel a little boring to me, and that's mostly because my main character -- Officer Thomas Beck -- is so … Continue reading (Writing) Marvels of Character
Spillage
There's a Zen story that goes something like this: a Buddhist scholar comes to a Zen master and asks him for teaching. The scholar then proceeds to establish his credentials, talking about how long he's studied, the doctorate he's received, the professors he's associated with, the whole thing. The master listens while pouring the scholar … Continue reading Spillage
Lessons of the 2015 Clarion Write-A-Thon
The Clarion Write-A-Thon is over for another year. This year, I wrote 40,570 words and raised just a hair over $400 for the Clarion Workshop! I didn't quite manage to hit my word count or fundraising goal, but I did finish two short stories, gotten well underway on a third, post a series of extensive … Continue reading Lessons of the 2015 Clarion Write-A-Thon
The Clarion Write-A-Thon, Week 4
We're halfway through the Clarion Write-A-Thon, and I've been fairly remiss with hitting my goals consistently up until now. I'm up to 14,535 words now, 7K short of the 21,500 that I wanted to have by now. I'm still working on my second short story, but Civil Engineering should be done today or tomorrow. Still, … Continue reading The Clarion Write-A-Thon, Week 4
What Are You Working On?
Well, thanks for asking, me! I thought you would never ask! Here are a few of the things I'm hoping to make progress on this week: A Stable Love. This is a story that was commissioned by a friend, way back last year when I was toying with the idea of maybe offering commission slots … Continue reading What Are You Working On?
The End is the Most Frightening Part
By the time you read this I will have taken my very first behind-the-wheel driver’s test, with the hope of getting my license. Yes, I do realize that I’m pretty old to be getting my license for the first time, but that’s all right. I’m excited by the possibility of getting my license, buying a … Continue reading The End is the Most Frightening Part
Working in the Nooks and Crannies
There are still too many projects but not enough time, but I'm beginning to think this is just the way of things as you get older. There are always so many things you want to do, but for some reason there's just not enough time and/or energy to get to them. Right now I'm still … Continue reading Working in the Nooks and Crannies
Making an Author’s Disaster Recovery Plan
One of the constants of my life has been a distinct lack of consistency. I'll start many projects with the firm belief that I've cracked whatever problem has prevented me from seeing something through to completion in the past, lay it all out so that I see the path to victory before me, make a … Continue reading Making an Author’s Disaster Recovery Plan
What I Learned from the 2014 Clarion Write-A-Thon
What did I learn after writing 50,000 words in six weeks for charity? Well, I'll tell you...
From the Desk of Jakebe T. Rabbit 