I have this fantastic first reader (hi M.!) who saves me from not going far enough. I've subscribed to a newsletter by David Farland, Kick in the Pants, that reminds me of everything I'm supposed to be doing as an author.  Not so that I look awesome.  That's impossible.  It's all to please readers, thank […]

I'm on a short vacation at Long Beach, Washington.  I put some words on the page, but the thing I liked best besides spending some quality time with my favorite person was getting away and getting out.  Intense, icy wind, clear skies and brilliant sunshine followed by wild clouds and bursts of rain.  The air, […]

The wind is sharper and the birds flock more aggressively around the feeder.  It's not quite cold enough to hold the snow, but snow has fallen off and on.  In the mornings after it snows, the light of day reflects into my bedroom with a clear brilliance that I don't have the skill to describe […]

I don't want to be mean, but I will be anyway.  I know, that makes me an awful person. I have friends of all sizes, shapes, colors, genders, etc.  I have no issues with any particular body type or physical expression, except when it comes to violent or harmful expression.  And this one person made […]

I had the great privilege of firing a gorgeous flintlock rifle yesterday.  My friend was very patient in explaining everything as he loaded it and let me fire a blank round.  He also lit some synthetic and 'real' black powder so I could appreciate the differences. I wish I could go back to the books […]

Looks like I'll make my goal of 50,000 words in November, despite my best efforts. Unlike usual months with no goals whatsoever, I seem to have more days when I don't write one bit.  I'm not sure what's going on.  I don't really feel blocked, and I haven't been busier than usual.  Lately, though, I've […]

 The Lord Jester's Legacy is going to have a little debut at Orycon 34. I don't think very many people know about it yet.  I'm not sure if having coupons and postcards out on the freebie table will help or not. I guess I'll see.   I have mixed feelings about becoming more public, assuming […]

Fuck, what a day.  I don't usually start with profanity, but it's been one of those days.   Not a bad day, not by a long, cold stretch, but intense. I started writing on a new series.  Breaking my own rule, I opened with torture and attempted rape.  I have strong feelings about opening with […]

After I write this I'll be sending Innocence and Silence to my first reader.   It's an emotional time.  I'm excited to hear about what she'll think, and I can't wait until she reads my favorite parts.  I hope that she calls me when I really zing her on the page, and I get that […]