Columns

Storyville: The Books You Should Read Every Year

November 11th, 2021

So every year there are certain books I think a writer should read. Some are books they've read before and some are books they've never even seen. Here are my tips, suggestions, and reasons for why writers should do this. Have fun!

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Are You a Writer or an Author?

November 8th, 2021

Image via Andrea Piacquadio This isn’t really a debate, but it may present an internal conundrum for those seeking to create with words. It touches on the notion of identity and self-image. Wordsmiths at all levels of success discuss imposter syndrome, the idea that they don’t belong, that they are pretending to be something they are not. There is a question of worthiness this industry struggles with on a personal level.

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Why We Take Grammar So Personally

November 5th, 2021

In case you don’t believe the headline, here are a few select comments from a LitReactor grammar article: Please, find a new topic in which to meet your deadline and/or quota. You have begun to bore those of us with both sense and sensibility. You and I both know you are a poseur, unfit to preach to others. Mend your ways.

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Lucky me, Lucky You

November 4th, 2021

I went to an energy healer once, years ago, because someone had done me wrong and I could not seem to lift myself above my anger. I thought I would get to tell the healer all the gruesome details, but she didn’t want to hear them. She said, “That’s your story; it’s not you. I’ll be healing you. If you want to change your story, you’ll have to do that yourself.” I didn’t say so, but I was thinking, What do you mean, that’s not me? Of course it’s me! I had to live through it and now I own it!

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The Importance of a Writing Community, and How to Find One

November 3rd, 2021

There’s a hashtag on Twitter. There are Facebook groups, Slack workspaces, and myriads of Discords. There are probably, at this point, daily discussions on social media. There are countless ways to join a writing community, whether it’s strictly virtual, hybrid, or in-person.

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Value Your Fucking Work (Pt. II)

November 2nd, 2021

Original Header images via Monstera And we're back. To recap, you can read Part I HERE.  We left off talking about token payments, which brings us to the most controversial form of compensation of all: none.  IT’S “FOR THE LOVE,” MAN No, it really isn’t. 

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Value Your Fucking Work (Pt. I)

November 1st, 2021

Original Header images via Monstera Hi, folks. This article is aimed at the newer writers in the audience. That said, even if you’re a reader or a fan who cares about authors and their place in the publishing world, this may still be useful for you. 

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10 Indie Halloween Horror Reads

October 29th, 2021

TRICK OR TREAT, SMELL MY FEET, GIVE ME SOMETHING GOOD TO READ! All Hallows' Eve is finally upon us, which means it's time for some spooky reads. If you're like me, you seek out a grim tale that evokes a deep sense of nostalgia, a reminder of Halloween's past. We may be "too old" for trick or treating, but there are books that are guaranteed to transport us to those long coveted nights of dressing up and hoarding enough candy to last until the next year's festivities.

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Storyville: My Top 12 Horror Films of the Last Four Years

October 28th, 2021

Over the last four years, I’ve seen a few good horror films, and so, this being October, I thought I’d share my top  horror movies with you. So here we go, in roughly chronological order

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Writing Good Gore

October 27th, 2021

Webster’s defines “gore” as “a small usually triangular piece of land.” Wait, that’s not right...the definition we’re all looking for is...EIGHT definitions down?! Does anyone cool work at Webster’s? Can they hire like one cool person? We’ll just use our own definition: Gore is the gross stuff, the stabbing, the shredding, the exploding heads and pierced eyeballs, the blood and guts and then more blood that usually make for peak disgust in a horror story.

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