This is no illusion, my third novel is complete and ready to go after several edits, reviews, re-edits, re-writes and some additions, this is the most complete project I have done to date.Here is the synopsis: When Jeff Smith awakens in a Columbus, Ohio, hospital, he is a man devoid of any memory. With no missing persons matching his description, and no family to speak of, the man is forced to pie

I think of myself faced with an interesting dilemma. I completed the first draft of the current novel as far back as October. I did not submit it to agents at that time preferring to have a full review on which I could base my editing process. That took nearly two months putting me into the first part of January. From there I went into full edit mode which I completed about a week ago.I have sinc...

This is more of a 'foreword' to an idea that came upon me as I watched a concert. First, I would like to thank the source of this inspiration. He does not really know that it was an inspiration, and he probably never intended for any moment to be some revelation or inspiration. Nonetheless, Bart has this gift at music and the bands to which he has belonged over the course of the last thirty years ...

Our least favorite thing as an artist? Marketing our work. It is difficult and expensive for those of us who are still without an agent or publishing contract. It is laborious and loathsome at times. Yet necessity being what it is, if we want our work to be read, we must find avenues with which to share our work.To that end, earlier today I read an article about the critical importance of creating

This is the title of the last chapter of Grand Illusion. I loved writing the last few chapters because I got the chance to use a different kind of prose. It felt very similar to writing the end of Middle of Nothing. Look, when it all comes down to the final parts of our story - the human condition is all about that most cliched sentiment of all; love. And I like writing about this concept from uni...

That is the question of the day. Do I need the validation of a traditional agent getting all dewy eyed - making promises which will probably not be kept, but putting his own marketing 'genius' behind my hard work? Or should I just publish on my own and keep working?In some ways, I still really want that validation. I want to hear someone who is supposed to be in tune with what readers and publishe

Basically just an update here. Been working hard on my most recent edit. I once read a review of a book where the reader (and this was a reader review, not a periodical/journal/etc.) said that it appeared as if every sentence was carefully crafted. As if the writer spent years looking at each sentence to make sure that it was as perfect as possible.Do I pretend that I can come to that type of perf

This will be a bit disjointed. there are several different, unrelated tales from the past week which make me somewhat sensitive tot he perception versus reality barrier.Yesterday I was in Eugene visiting family and there were two subjects which came up in separate conversations which really made me wonder how it is people come by their perceptions when they so clearly differ from the reality.The f

Today was a productive day. I have found that I still need to challenge myself physically. I may no longer be able to bench press 500 pounds, but I need to push myself. So my workout today was a great way to vault myself into a productive evening.Monday is an article night. I have had no real problem getting my articles written, but sometimes, especially recently, have found myself unable to move

From Wednesday through yesterday afternoon was a long time – it felt like three years not three days. So, I took some time away from the day to just do those regular things that tend to get neglected when a laser like focus on one topic consumes more time than anticipated. I cleaned house, played fetch with my dog, ran some errands, grocery shopping. I did those things we all do, but had felt neg...