Do writers have overactive right brains?

Potters, painters and photographers all have tangibles to work with. Writers work in a sphere of the unseen. What an ethereal realm we are engaged in…weaving the fabric of our stories from little more than imagination and inspiration. Sometimes I feel like one of the weavers from ‘the emperor’s new clothes’, spinning my story from invisible thread and inviting my readers to believe in [...]

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Background music for writers

Some of my writing friends listen to music for inspiration, mostly notably Lia Keyes who is working on her steampunk novel and listens to Phantom of the Opera. Seems like the perfect choice for what promises to be a deliciously, dark mystery. Normally I don’t listen to music while I write, but I’m intrigued by the idea of using my [...]

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Urban Dictionary — resource for writers who lead a sheltered life

From my Writer’s Toolbox: Here’s a good resource to keep you from ‘stepping in it’ literally when it comes to slang and the new urban language. For instance, I want to use the word ‘wuss’ in a children’s book and I need to know if it has any off color overtones that would be inappropriate for [...]

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What is humor?

Humor is… despair refusing to take itself seriously. Arland Ussher (b. 1899 – d. 1980) Anglo-Irish academic, essayist and translator.

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Genuine humor

  “Laughter without a tinge of philosophy is but a sneeze of humor. Genuine humor is replete with wisdom.” Mark Twain          

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Conversation with my muse: follow up

    Marco is the protagonist in my (yet to be published) children’s book, The Dead Cats’ Society.  He’s also a real cat. See photo at left.  Marco has another role in my life, being that of my muse. It’s a complex relationship, but it works. He’s the one I talk to when I need a [...]

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How to explain cyberspace to your cat

“What are you writing?” asks my cat, who leads a double life as my muse. “A blog post,” I answer. There’s small silence while he considers admitting his ignorance. “O.k. what’s a blog post?” “Hmmm,” I murmur. How do I explain this to a cat? “Blogging is writing down your thoughts on subjects you are passionate about,” I begin. “I [...]

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A Conversation with my muse

For the life of me I cannot figure out why certain things catch my attention and others float past with barely a mental nod.  Odd little things, like commas. First it was the Oxford comma.  Now it’s the Comma Splice. “Why commas?” I asked my muse. “Why do I care? It’s a little strange, don’t you [...]

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