As I leapfrog onto and over the myriad of author and agent websites and blogs I find that I rarely land on one that I don’t pick up a tidbit of info that helps me advance my campaign to gain…
Going the Distance
Using Criticism as a Tool
What does criticism inspire you to do? Criticism, whether a scholarly critique penned by a renowned person of letters, or a bellow from the dining room that the sauce needs more oregano, is someone’s response to something that you did.…
Why A Fiat?
Why does Dave McGuire, the main character in Dead End File, drive a Fiat Spider? He drives one because I do. Maybe I should say, because I did and do. My thinking is that if Dave is going to be real to…
When Is It Finished?
Next to “Where do all your stories come from,” the most frequently asked question of a professional writer is “When do you know your story is finished?” Bruce Dobler, one of my creative writing professors who sadly died two years…
AWP Chicago— Fueling Station for Newbies
There was no excuse for me to miss last year’s annual Association of Writers and Writer Programs Conference held in Washington, DC. It was only a few Metro stops from my home. But Chicago in February is another matter. I’ve…
Who Told You You Were A Writer?
Professional writers are often asked, “Just when did you realize you were a writer?” This question is different from, “When did you begin viewing yourself as a professional writer?” This second question is easier, so I’ll dispose of it by…