A dad joke, releasing raw footage, and more

Every week I'm adding to my presentation on Forging Unforgettable Stories with my three so-called secret elements of literary alchemy. Even if I don't present it, it's a worthwhile exercise in identifying important story elements and ways to think ab...

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Mar 16, 2024
Presentations, Panels, the last short story

I'm looking for panel/presentation ideas for the Writers Cantina in June. I've been accepted as a panelist/presenter, but no one has come forward to say, "You do such a fantastic job at writing _____ in your books that we want you on a panel to discu...

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Mar 01, 2024
A short note and contest for books

I've got more books to share. Here's how to get your choice:Flash Fiction Contest: Submit a story of 500 words or less. The story must include a pool table OR a piece of farm machinery. Submit your story in the body of your email, or you may attach i...

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Feb 16, 2024
Coming at you with Bugs, Cowboys, Cavalry, and Excerpts

I've got bugs in my system--6 chapters worth, a space cowboy short story in the works, and another story about the cavalry at Leipzig still in research mode. The bugs and cowboy stories are moving along at a satisfying pace.Is the collaborative story...

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Feb 01, 2024
New books in progress and the secret language

The big news is that my giveaway for two autographed paperbacks is live now.The lucky winner gets two books! I may throw in a third book for second place.Today, I read to my wife and daughter an article entitled "How to Know If a Woman Likes You." Ap...

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Jan 16, 2024
The stories for the year to come

It's a brand new year! I've got projects in my head and they all want to speak at once. Maybe you can help me decide which to do first. I've got the bugmaggedon story, a near future dystopian which features ferocious dog-to-horse-sized insects as a c...

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Jan 01, 2024
Erudite discussion new book and accents

Before I get to the usual erudite discussion and intriguing links, let me set the phasers to stunning with this cover of my newest book.The cover picture represents a scene from the early chapters.Crisis in Fire and Snow is available in ebook and pap...

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Dec 16, 2023
From Apocalypse to crisis to saints and to ambush

This is a little out of the ordinary, I know, but what are your thoughts on the Book of Revelation?I'll get to my motivation for the question shortly--and the next paragraph in our collaborative story is at the end of the newsletter, after the links...

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Dec 02, 2023
Most bestest most villainest of villains

Who's your favorite villain in fiction?I think I've narrowed my favorites to Richard III from Shakespeare's play of the same name, and Milady de Winter from Dumas' Three Musketeers.Oh, timeout from the villain subject to let you know I've finished wr...

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Nov 15, 2023