A flaneur is a person who walks through a city observing life rather than partaking of it, and I think to some degree all writers and indeed artists in general are flaneurs. We do seem to be a little separate from others, watching without joining in. Even when we do join in there is part…
Category: The Writing Craft
On how to make a grimoire
Some people have asked about my post on why I have a grimoire, wanting to know a little more about what goes into it. First, you do not have to have a totally awesome dragon-embossed tome. You can use almost anything with a cover (or you could use a computer file but how boring is…
On not following the rules
I’ve noticed that writers and editors run out of things to talk about so they invent ridiculous rules that don’t exist outside their own heads, or they apply them like a toddler with a hammer. “Don’t use adverbs!” they say. You know, adverbs can be terrific. Writing is never about 1 + 1 = 2.…
On the importance of setting
I’ve never been much of a person for scenery as my friend Diane can tell you, which is probably because I spent many decades in Kansas where the scenery is very subtle, vast oceans of field and sky, and you can only distinguish landmarks after thirty years’ careful study. One of my challenges as a…
On what happens when you stop trying
I’m allergic to cats. I sneeze, my eyes turn red, I break out in big blotchy hives, I can’t breathe. So if I’m ever in the vicinity of a cat, I do not touch the cat, I do not say the cat’s name, I do not even look at the cat. Of course that means…
On how to write just right
Every time a writer asks me, “Do you think if I do what this editor suggests, my novel will get published?” I have to pause to experience a moment of pity before I can respond. If only it were that simple. Let me explain. In one corner are those editors who you might hire yourself…