Tag: Writing

Science Fiction and Paranormal Fantasy with a Noir Twist

What I’ve Learned from Yukon Cornelius

You know who I’m talking about, right? The mustachioed miner from the Rankin & Bass claymation Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer from the mid-60s. He’s a bit rough around the edges but helps Rudolph, ends up on the Island of Misfit Toys, and finally helps save the day in the end. The thing I keep…
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November 11, 2012 0

Dead Man’s Hand Free Sample

Over the summer, I released my urban fantasy novella, Dead Man’s Hand, as an e-book on Amazon. Maybe it was a timing thing, but it really seemed to fly under the radar, so I thought I’d post a sample. What follows is a short excerpt from the third chapter. If you’d like to see more,…
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November 5, 2012 0

Why I Don’t Teach Creative Writing

I have a few friends who are taking creative writing classes, and some of their comments have gotten me thinking about why I’ve never taken on the job of teaching such a class. First of all, I know that I should just get over it and teach a class the next time I get the…
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October 22, 2012 7

Creating an Active Table of Contents for Kindle

If you’re thinking about turning that manuscript into a Kindle file and starting on your own path to indie authorship, you’re likely to find it a pretty easy process–but maybe with one exception. Your Kindle file is going to need an active Table of Contents so users can go to the different chapters in your…
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October 3, 2012 59

Strictly Analog–New Science Fiction Novel

I’m pleased to announce that my new science fiction novel, Strictly Analog, is now available in print and e-book editions. The cover art is by Mark Walsh, and I’m really pleased with the way it turned out.Here’s a taste of the first chapter: I was dreaming about Las Vegas again when the ferret woke me.…
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September 16, 2012 2

Strictly Analog Release Coming Soon

My new science fiction novel, Strictly Analog, is just about ready for release. My good friend, Mark Walsh, just finished with the cover art. The proof copy is on its way, and I’ll have the book available on Amazon shortly after that. This one will be available in print and Kindle formats. Here’s the blurb:…
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September 12, 2012 0

The Jack London Method

Anyone who’s given writing a shot knows it isn’t easy. The key to doing it, though, is just to do it. You have to have to write. You have a story that has to come out–a compulsion, an obsession. It’s in your blood, or it’s bleeding out of you as the old line about sitting…
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August 26, 2012 5

World Building 101

When I wrote my first science fiction novel, Take Back Tomorrow, I didn’t have to worry too much about “world building” since it’s a time travel novel set in 1940. Even though it’s technically an alternate history, the world of the novel is essentially the same as the Los Angeles of 1940 familiar to just…
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August 20, 2012 4

My Journey to Indie Authorship

Welcome to my blog. If you read through the posts I plan on adding as time goes on, you’ll find my thoughts on various things having to do with books, reading, and writing as well as a few other things thrown in when the inspiration strikes. I suppose it makes sense for my first post…
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August 7, 2012 0