Columns

Poets Who Bled on the Page

November 6th, 2020

Header: Hughes, Sexton, Baudelaire All images via Wikipedia Poetry has seen a surge in popularity during these uncertain times we find ourselves facing—a worldwide pandemic, fluctuating financial markets, and never-ending military conflicts, to name a few—and quite often crises of any kind, whether on a global or personal scale, create catalysts within an individual to become more introspective about their place in the world and their very own existence.

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Five Things to Keep in Mind for a Great Opening

November 4th, 2020

Original image via Tim Mossholder Without a great hook, a boxer will never be a champion. Without a great hook, your narrative won’t grab readers from the start, and you run the risk of them bailing on your story. Trust me, they have plenty of books on their TBR pile, and if you don’t get them hooked from the start, some of them will opt to close your book and move away from it. That’s why we’re talking about beginnings today. Yes, I’m aware of how hard they are.

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David Sedaris' 'The Best of Me' for Readers and Writers

November 2nd, 2020

David Sedaris is putting out The Best of Me, a book of his self-selected best stuff. What would a David Sedaris fan get out of the intro, and what’s the big idea behind a “Best Of” collection anyway? And what can writers learn from the existence of this book (without ever reading it)? Greatest Hits: A Good Idea? Actually...yeah! I think it’s a great idea. Lots of writers put out collections, but they’re more along the lines of…”complete” collections. 

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Five Must-Read Poetry Collections for Halloween

October 30th, 2020

Halloween is right around the corner, and as you continue to craft and work your way through your TBR list this month, I want to make sure that horror poetry is front and center in your mind. Over the last few years, we’ve seen speculative poetry bring out its claws as it slashed its way into our hearts…only to leave us bleeding and crying, desperate for more. As such, I’ve compiled a list of five must-read collections (both new and old) that will be sure to keep you up all night and have you screaming well into the day. 

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How to Write Horror That Sticks

October 28th, 2020

Why do we still talk about The Shining? Why did someone make a documentary about off-the-wall Shining theories in 2012, almost 25 years after the movie’s release, and 35 years after the book came out? Why can you still buy pajamas patterned after the rug in The Shining? Why don’t we talk about The Long Walk this way? Why hasn’t Slither become the movie that’s referred to time and again?

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The Holidays Are Here: How to Take Care of Yourself

October 27th, 2020

Images via GiftPundits & Anna Shvets The holidays are upon us and we are entering a time that is unprecedented for many—celebrating during a pandemic.

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Why NaNoWriMo is a Terrible Idea, But I Keep Doing it Anyway

October 26th, 2020

Images via Jordan Benton & Ketut Subiyanto I’ve been a full-time author since February of 2013. I remember the day I quit my teaching job in the middle of the week. It was a Thursday. I walked outside the school no longer employed. I had no idea how I was going to make it work. The air smelled fresher, colors were brighter, and I remember the song that was playing on the radio as I drove away.

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Storyville: Foreshadowing in Fiction—How to Set the Stage

October 23rd, 2020

When it comes to telling a great story, there are many essential elements. One of the more advanced techniques, whether it’s in your short story or your novel, is foreshadowing. Today we’re going to talk about what foreshadowing is and how it can make your stories more tense, believable, layered, and effective.  DEFINED From Wikipedia:

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Conjuring Strength Through Poetry: Battling the Slasher Movie in Your Head

October 22nd, 2020

Images via Karolina Grabowska & Engin Akyurt I’ve always been attracted to the word conjure. Even the way it rolls off the tongue—all thick and slow like hot, dripping honey—makes it feel strong, otherworldly, almost like a verbal talisman or charm.

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Paying Respects to Ursula K. Le Guin: The Queen of Spec-Fic

October 21st, 2020

Author photo via Wikipedia There is only one Ursula in the sci-fi/fantasy writing world. She inspired many of us before her passing a couple of years ago, paving the way for imaginative creatives (especially females). Without her Earthsea series it is very likely that Harry Potter would have never existed.

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