Free is a gateway. In the self-publishing world, giving away the first book in a series for free is one of the ways authors can get people to take a chance on their work. The phrase is called “perma-free,” meaning permanently free and it allows readers to check out a new author or new series […]
In order for comedies to be successful there needs to be an anchor in reality. Without one, the show becomes untethered and floats away into frivolousness. A current example of this is the show Psych. I’ve always been a fan of the show because of its overt silliness and funny writing. In the show, Shawn […]
I once read that successful people surround themselves with people who are strong in areas they are not. I continue to do this in the creation of the Gabby Wells novels. As I’ve mentioned on this blog, my history is writing screenplays, but am migrating my way into novel writing. This process hasn’t been easy […]
I’m in a funk. A writing funk. I’ve been working on my first novel for a long time. A LONG time. Not always in novel form, but the story itself has been in my life everyday for about four years. Four years. First as a screenplay idea. Then as a TV script idea. And now […]
Every writer doubts their abilities. It’s the nature of the process. When working on a novel, invariably I will write something of which I am certain is effective that, upon further scrutiny, seems to suck. The reality is none of these are true; it is neither effective or awful. The fact that it can in […]
Wounds, by long time, successful Christian author Alton Gansky, delves into the victims of a serial killer whose motive is evil and whose crimes are biblical. Gansky’s approaches the subject matter in a way I love, not as Christian fiction, per se, but as a book that has characters who are actively Christian. This is […]
“I have an image of Prim in a white room, strapped to a table, while masked, robed figures elicit those sounds from her. Somewhere they are torturing her, or did torture her, to get those sounds.” In my last podcast I talked about the process of adapting a screenplay to a novel. The opposite path […]
Today’s podcast discusses some tips on how to adapt a screenplay into a novel. Here are a few steps to consider when adapting a screenplay to a novel. Step 1) Overview. Look at the story from a 30,000 foot level. Sketch out the basics of the plot (beginning, middle and end). Also, write down the […]
Does where you write effect how you write? When I was starting out writing screenplays, I read an interview with Patrick Sheane Duncan, screenwriter of the film Courage Under Fire, who said that he taught himself to write anywhere with a pad of paper and a pencil so that he could write whenever he was […]
Video games can make you a better writer. I know what you’re thinking. I’m nuts. My wife would agree with you. She is fond of calling them “stupid little video games.” She’s also fond of calling anything that she thinks is a waste of time as “stupid little.” Like this “stupid little blog entry.” But, […]
Writing can be a painful experience. I spent the majority of my life around, involved in and pursuing a life in film. I studied it, I performed in it, I wrote for it, I directed it and I loved it. Some of my work made it to Hollywood, but most was of the independent nature. […]
I’ve read a lot of blogs and posts and articles and advice columns about writing and a lot of them come down to one basic conclusion: Writers write because we don’t really have a choice. It’s not that someone is holding a gun to our head or anything. Well, maybe there is a writer out […]
Lynne Hansen has participated in just about every facet of the publishing industry. From writing to editing to marketing to book design, she has seen and done it all. In this podcast we get insight into the many paths her career has taken and gain valuable insights on what makes a powerful and effective book […]
Want to start writing or publishing novels? There are a lot of great websites out there to help new writers learn from experts and for starting publishers to get a feel on the marketplace. Here are a few that I’ve found helpful and the ones I visit most often. Alton Gansky – a successful Christian […]
Trying to determine the best path for a new novel series is like trying to find your way through a wild jungle with only a pocket knife at your disposal. When we look at how best to release our Gabby Wells novel series, we have extensively researched, evaluated the marketplace and have come up with […]
The Book of Jotham, written by Arthur Powers, is a novella written from the perspective of a mentally challenged man-child who becomes a disciple of Christ. Jotham is cared for by Mary and others during Jesus’ ministry and his innocence gives him insight into Christ’s real identity. Some of the apostles question why God would […]
Awakening, by Claudia Cangilla McAdam, is a marvelous book that expertly weaves many of the Bible accounts around the events of Good Friday into an enjoyable young adult novel. McAdam uses a simple and effective device to bring this ancient world to new life and does so with such wonderful invention and skill that you […]
