Category Archives: Writing the first book

A Bevy of Secondary Characters Walk into a Bar: The Messy Middle

Humor, Under 750, Writing, Writing process, Writing the first book, , , , ,

I’m finally moving on from the Barrel of Chaotic Monkeys that is plot focus and jumping into  the Barrel of Different Chaotic Monkeys that is character focus

Eight drafts and three years later. That’s a lot. I was trying to fit the whole world into a book. (Pro tip – don’t do that.) At first, I wanted to pour my hurt into it. Then I wanted to pour my hope into it. Now I just want to pour the truth into it. That’s the only thing that works.

It’s also the best way to have fun.

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Ducking Flying Dookie – September 2020 Month in Review

Month in Review, Recommendations, Writing, Writing process, Writing the first book

Where have I been all month? I have to look back at calendars and charts to double-check that time has passed, that I’ve grown older, the moon has waxed and waned and I have along with it.

My goal this last month was simply to write. I came here to blog a little more than usual. I am wary of committing to continuing that; whenever I do the proverbial shit flings itself onto the proverbial fan. Maybe ducking flying dookie is just how it’s going to be for a while.

Why no, I don’t write Successories posters. Why do you ask?

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Adopt, Adapt, Improve — August 2020 Month in Review

For the love of a dog, Knitting, Month in Review, Parenting, Recommendations, Writing, Writing process, Writing the first book, , , , ,

My dog has a nemesis, a stupid fat squirrel I’ve nicknamed Dumbo. Dumbo wants nothing more than to enjoy the seeds in our birdfeeder. Not content to roll around like Scrooge McDuck in the seeds that blanket the ground beneath the feeder, Dumbo tries to get into the bird feeder via the tree to which it is attached, scurry along the post, defeat the squirrel baffle, and eat from the feeder.

Dumbo is rarely successful, but he sure is committed and determined, if not oafish and stubborn.

Continue reading Adopt, Adapt, Improve — August 2020 Month in Review →