My first novel was the most fun I’ve had while writing. There are a number of reasons for that; most of them obvious: It was my first attempt, therefore the outcome was uncertain. I had many mental scenarios stored away over the years to draw upon. Everything was available - I could use any imagery, … Continue reading Five Ways to keep Your Joy in Writing
Writing
DEVIL TOWN
My research of late has taken me to Alta California and the restless pioneering souls who first settled it. I am pursuing links to certain colonial families but as often happens while hunting treasure I stumbled across an entirely unexpected gem. I call this one Devil Town. Here's the story. Along with the Missions … Continue reading DEVIL TOWN
Just For You
It is New Year's Day and as my mind wanders back over the year just past I think of opportunities not seized and words not spoken. With each passing year these omissions grow in importance for me and I resolve to improve. So often it is not the will to seize these opportunities that fails me … Continue reading Just For You
History is an Artichoke
I am immersed in research. The project began over five years ago out of curiosity and has grown sufficiently to become the infrastructure for a historical novel, or maybe even a biography. History, I've found, is like an artichoke; a cultivated thistle with a flower of tough outer layers that protects a tender heart. My … Continue reading History is an Artichoke
Six Ways to Start Your Creative Juices Flowing
I share with you some of the my ways to overcome the curse of Creativity Deprivation. 1. Exercise. I run. Not every day, but frequently. And I find that plots and scenarios pop into my head unbidden as I jog along (I don't use an iPod). But I don't believe that creative resurgence is limited … Continue reading Six Ways to Start Your Creative Juices Flowing
For Whom Do I Write?
I've embarked upon a series of books. Not intentionally, but in response to my readers. When I read reviews asking "What's next?" for Zack Tolliver (my protagonist) I am buoyed by such enthusiasm and charged to respond to it. As a writer I am flattered when the characters I create take on a life of their … Continue reading For Whom Do I Write?
Getting Away
I've just returned from a week away from home. Not a vacation, as such. My computer and all that goes with it came along with me. And I attended to it every morning at the villa where we lodged. I may in fact have done even more work than usual. Yet it was refreshing simply to … Continue reading Getting Away
Does Twitter help?
Recently I've become somewhat disillusioned with Twitter, at least in terms of my intended use of it, which is to sell books. I've read other blogs in which the authors suggest that Twitter does nothing for sales at all. My immediate thought is that one's results must depend upon what how one uses it and … Continue reading Does Twitter help?
It’s Just A Review, Right?
I've recently had some thoughts regarding Amazon reviewers. I've come to recognize that many reviewers fall into certain types. At another level, I suspect that the reviews for each type reflect the personality type that resides behind them. Follow me here. So far I've received 20 Amazon reviews for my book, THE OTHER. Of those, fourteen … Continue reading It’s Just A Review, Right?
Dealing With Critical Reviews
First of all, may I point out that a critical review is better than none at all. Way better, in fact. There are books that have risen from obscurity to notoriety simply because of critical reviews. On a lesser scale, a critical review serves several functions, not the least of which is to cast a … Continue reading Dealing With Critical Reviews
R Lawson Gamble 