Happy Valentine’s Day! Those of you who read last Friday’s article on author Donnell Ann Bell’s blog learned about a weird story involving clowns and runaway acrobats. If you missed it, check it out here. Long story short, the book that grew from that weird tale of inspiration is ready to see the light. Exceptionals is available for pre-order and due to release on April 18, 2023! Exceptionals is a novel that started as short story response to a writing prompt at an improvisational writing session. Now, after years of submitting the manuscript to the… Read Article →
Posts Tagged: fiction
Award-winning romantic suspense and mystery author Donnell Ann Bell connects with me about inspiration. Check out my wiseass words of wisdom on her weekly blog.
This week’s blog is somewhat of a two-parter. This first part is a tease to read the second, and check out the amazing work of award-winning mystery and thriller author Donnell Ann Bell. Her blog this week features a contribution by yours truly talking about inspiration and rabbit holes and clowns for some reason. What can I say? Author’s get their stories from odd places. Check out the whole thing and explore Donnell’s website and works HERE.
I have a new release coming out tomorrow, Wednesday, February 1st. First Family is the humorous story of a day in the life of Adam and Eve. Dad kicked them out of Eden so they settled in the suburbs. Here Adam keeps busy naming everything in Creation while Eve fixes his blunders and pines for a vacation. Meanwhile, their two live-in sons have a case of sibling rivalry that would make a therapist’s career. When Dad drops a line saying he’s coming for a visit, it opens up a world of possibility for Adam and… Read Article →
When to Stop Submitting Short Works and Self-Publish The short story marketplace is vast and growing vaster by the month. Any subscriber to Duotrope or user of Submission Grinder or any other of the consolidated listings of markets for flash fiction, short stories, novelettes, and novellas can see that there are near infinite places to submit work for publication, be they in print or an e-pub. The trick is to know when to stop submitting your short works and self-publish Why is it that most writers don’t get their work accepted into the pages of… Read Article →
Of Rabbit Holes and Revisions My current work in progress was born of two parents. One, to create a humorous, offbeat fantasy a la Terry Pratchett and two, to follow a writing guide, i.e. the Hero’s Journey (and Donald Maass’ Writing the Breakout Novel). The tale started well enough. But by the fourth and fifth chapter I was hip-deep in banal epic fantasy normality. I followed the tale where it led me, even though I had laid out the outline and four act structure beforehand. It felt like I was on track. The characters were… Read Article →
Paradise is out of reach, but the suburbs aren’t bad. Dad kicked them out of Eden, so Adam and Eve got a place in the suburbs. Here Adam is swamped naming everything in Creation while Eve fixes his blunders and pines for a vacation. Meanwhile, their two grown, live-in sons have a case of sibling rivalry that would make a therapist’s career. When Dad drops a line saying he’s coming for a visit, it opens up a world of possibility for Adam and Eve, and a can of worms for their boys. Available on Amazon… Read Article →