Tag: Writing
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A Year of Gas Giant Gambit
One year ago tomorrow, September 16th, 2025, my debut novel Gas Giant Gambit was released. It’s been an exciting year, and I thought a look back at some of the highlights might be fun. There have been a few other things in there as well, including a couple additional convention…
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The Offspring Garden
This week I’m going to do things a little differently. Rather than blather on about a subject, I’m going to share a short story that I’m quite proud of, but never could seem to get published anywhere else. This story was written for the NYC Midnight Short Story Contest back…
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Book Research
One of the things I love most about being an author is the research. That may sound boring to many, but I have a passion for learning. I love that “aha!” feeling when you understand a new concept or learn some interesting or fundamental factoid. If I could have remained…
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Writing Prose vs Screenwriting: What’s the Difference?
Most people are familiar with prose (even if they aren’t familiar with the word), but screenplays aren’t general seen by the movie going audience. So, as someone interested in writing one, the other, or both, the differences can be a little mystifying at first. But, as a writer that has…
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My Outlining Technique
If you’re one of my dear “Constant Readers” (to borrow a turn of phrase from one of the masters), you may have seen the post before. A couple of times, in fact. But, once again, one of my outlines got a fair amount of attention on social media recently, with…
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My Favorite Things to Write: Genre Mashups with a Historical Bent
Wow. Yeah. That’s a mouthful. But as I look over the projects I’ve had published, as well as those I’m currently working on, this is undeniably true. I really love writing genre mashups that have a certain (if varying) historical element. Here’s what I mean by that. Cibus City, and…
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Writing Roundup
We’re more than halfway through 2026, so it feels like a good time to share a run-down or roundup or whatever you prefer to call it of my writing so far this year! Let’s start with what’s been published! Short Stories While I have ramped up my novel writing, short…
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Overcoming Writer’s Block
Today, we’re going to talk about a subject every writer faces from time to time: Writer’s Block. Everybody deals with it, and everybody’s got their own two cents to add to the discussion on how to overcome it. Here’s mine! I want to start by making a distinction. When I…
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Visitors: A Sci-Fi Short Story
Today is one of those rare occasions where one of my short stories has been published where it can be read for free, and on the same day that I write my weekly blog! Am I using it as an excuse to not write a blog? Maybe. But I also…
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Characters vs Plot: What Inspires Me First?
I’ve seen this question come up several times among writers: do you think of characters or plots first? I can’t speak for every writer, but for me, it’s both–and sometimes neither. Character First The story idea that inspired me to become a writer (and is still rattling around in my…
