Indy Authors Are Libertarian Capitalists, Even Though They Don’t Know It Yet

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog

I’m a simple man.  Obvious contradictions confuse me.  As I considered the current state of independent writing, especially through the largest marketplace, Amazon, there appeared to be a disconnect between how many make their living and their political leanings. Growing up in a world where entitlement programs, safety nets and heavy government regulation are the […]

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MNINS: Season 3, Episode 12 – Uncharted 4: The Future of Storytelling

Posted Sonlight Press MNINS

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 12 of My Name Is Not Steve – The Podcast by Storytellers about Storytelling (with People Not Named Steve). Pete Bauer and Dorothea Bauer chat about the Uncharted game series, including the latest release, A Thief’s End, and how gaming may be the future of storytelling. Mobile Users Listen Here […]

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Writing Evil

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Gabby Wells - Book 4, Gods & Martyrs, Novel, story telling, Writing

I was writing a chapter in the fourth Gabby Wells novel, Gods & Martyrs, and, when I was done, was so disturbed by what I had written, I pushed the keyboard away in disgust. Creating characters is a tricky thing.  They end up taking on their own lives and making decisions you don’t want them […]

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MNINS: Season 3, Episode 11 – The Castle Collapse, Or How to Destroy a Series in One Horrible Finale

Posted Sonlight Press MNINS

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 11 of My Name Is Not Steve – The Podcast by Storytellers about Storytelling (with People Not Named Steve). Pete Bauer and Dorothea Bauer chat about The Castle Collapse – how horrendous writing killed the show and discuss just about everything wrong with the Castle series finale. Mobile Users Listen […]

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MNINS: Season 3, Episode 10 – Reluctant Heroes – Harry Potter, Hans Solo, Katniss Everdeen, John McClane and Gabby Wells

Posted Sonlight Press MNINS

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 10 of My Name Is Not Steve – The Podcast by Storytellers about Storytelling (with People Not Named Steve). Pete Bauer and Dorothea Bauer chat about Reluctant Heroes – Harry Potter, Hans Solo, Katniss Everdeen, John McClane and Gabby Wells. Mobile Users Listen Here or Subscribe on ITunes In this […]

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MNINS: Season 3, Episode 9 – Page Turners and MI:3

Posted Sonlight Press MNINS

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 9 of My Name Is Not Steve – The Podcast by Storytellers about Storytelling (with People Not Named Steve). Pete Bauer and Dorothea Bauer chat about the concept of page turners and use the film Mission Impossible: III as a cinematic example of one.  THIS EPISODE CONTAINS MI:3 SPOILERS! Mobile […]

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MNINS: Season 3, Episode 8 – Let’s Create a Character

Posted Sonlight Press MNINS

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 8 of My Name Is Not Steve – The Podcast by Storytellers about Storytelling (with People Not Named Steve). Pete Bauer and Dorothea Bauer talk about their approaches to creating characters and whip one up on the fly. Mobile Users Listen Here or Subscribe on ITunes In this episode: Writing […]

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MNINS: Season 3, Episode 3 – Lost & Found Special

Posted Sonlight Press Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells - Book 2, MNINS

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 3 of My Name Is Not Steve – The Podcast by Storytellers about Storytelling (with People Not Named Steve). Pete Bauer and Dorothea Bauer spend some time going over the creation of the second Gabby Wells Thriller novel, Lost & Found. Mobile Users Listen Here or Subscribe on ITunes In this […]

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Paperback Rewards

Posted Sonlight Press Blog, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells - Book 2, Gabby Wells Novel

In a digital world, writing can sometimes feel like I’m moving ones and zeros in a virtual world where nothing is real.  Even when I’ve finished the book and output it into various ebook formats, it still doesn’t feel like I’ve completed my goal until I hold the paperback novel in my hand. This week […]

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Why There Should Always Be Books Printed on Paper

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Writing

Technology changes everything and you can’t un-invent disruptive tools once they enter the marketplace.  E-readers and portable computers masquerading as phones have made the world’s libraries one click away. But, I hope books will also continue to be available in paper. Reading a book that is intended to be nothing more than a single story […]

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My Divine Launch Team

Posted Sonlight Press Gabby Wells Novel

Every writer needs help.  I’m banking on the saintly kind. Any new business could use the assistance from a group of advisers that can guide them through the pitfalls and challenges they will face in their new endeavor.  Not only have I pursued that in our world, but the next. I’ve enlisted the guidance from […]

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MNINS: Season 2, Episode 3 – Your Muse Can’t Be Lazy

Posted Sonlight Press MNINS

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 3 of My Name Is Not Steve – The Podcast by Storytellers about Storytelling with People Not Named Steve. This time we talk about how to answer the call of your muse… and, hint, it takes a crap tone of hard work. Mobile Users Listen Here or Subscribe on ITunes […]

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Writing through the Valleys

Posted Sonlight Press Gabby Wells Novel, Writing

Writing is fun.  Writing is hard. Like any creative endeavor, it has its peaks and valleys.  Moments of inspiration are short and writing through incomplete ideas, long.  For the hobbyist, indulging in your chosen art only when inspiration hits gives a false impression that, if one were to do it full time, everyday would offer […]

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Writing on Vacation

Posted Sonlight Press Author, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells - Book 2, Gabby Wells Novel, Writing

I just got back from a great vacation with my family in Virginia.  There were so many wonderful things to do that everyday was packed with activities.  There were a couple of times, however, when everyone else went out and I stayed back in the room and wrote. I loved it. The idea that I […]

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My Fears on Paper

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Faith, Gabby Wells, Gabby Wells Novel

It’s not uncommon for writers to use their work to express their fears.  This is true for me as well.  The Gabby Wells Thriller series is infused with my internal struggles. Gabby faces a lot of serious crap in these novels, stuff no 15 year old should have to face.  She’s a bit broken by […]

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Setting Expectations When Launching Your First Novel

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Independent Publishing, Novel, Social Media, Writing

The dream of everyone that wants to be a writer is to draft the next great American novel, release it to public accolades and sit back while the money and notoriety roll in. There’s one word for that… fantasy. In today’s publishing climate, its never been easier to get your idea into novel form.  However, […]

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Making Your Characters Suffer is the Best Part

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Writing

My job as the author of the Gabby Wells Thriller series is to make Gabby’s life a living hell.  And I do, relentlessly. That’s what every author is supposed to do.  To torture the protagonist so you can torture the reader. Do I like making Gabby’s life an insurmountable mess?  Yes and no.  I like […]

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I Want it to Be Difficult

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Blog, Gabby Wells Novel, Novel, Writing

Writing is hard.  Writing a series is harder.  Being successful as a writer is nearly impossible. And I love the challenge. I want it to be difficult, because then, only those most committed will make it.  And I’m committed. Sure, there are some things that also come into play… talent, luck, timing, communication skills, marketing […]

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Kneel & Prey Draft Complete

Posted Sonlight Press Author Blog, Blog, Gabby Wells, Gabby Wells - Book 1, Gabby Wells Novel, Novel, Novella, Writing

It’s taken writing over 500,000 words to get here. From the first attempt of converting 13 television scripts into a novel to 100 drafts later to a near finished product to tossing it out and starting over.  From turning the idea of five novels into five novellas and five novels to then deciding to write […]

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Don’t Let Pride Diminish Your Opportunities

Posted Sonlight Press Author, Author Blog, Faith

Many years ago I worked in television for a bit and, like everyone else, started out at the bottom. I was a runner/gopher for over a year.  That meant I had to feed the crews, get lunches, run errands, etc.  Some people may think that would be a waste of time or “below me,” but […]

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