I couple weeks ago my publisher, Robert Runte’, suggested I changed this website’s tagline from “from an amateur’s perspective” to “from a former amateur’s perspective.” I thought about his comment for a couple days before I went ahead and made the change as he suggested because…well, I AM being paid for my writing (more often than not) which, by definition, makes me a professional writer. That doesn’t mean I have arrived and can quit learning, however. I’ve still got LOTS to learn. That means, I still have lots to share. For example, I’m only just going into my second book’s edits. It is the second book in a series, which is also new to me. In case you didn’t hear, I […]
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Second Guessing
I want to begin by saying I am not trying to come across as being insecure about my writing or myself. Honest. But, the truth of the matter is, I’m second guessing myself and Mik Murdoch: And the Power Within. I’m doing that despite the fact that I KNOW the book is better written than Mik Murdoch, Boy Superhero (which is a totally awesome book you should buy it, <deep inhalation>). I think part of the second guessing is, so many people have enjoyed and had good things to say about Mik 1. I don’t want to let any of them down with a book that doesn’t meet with their expectations. So, how am I dealing with it? Well, I […]
Read moreFinishing Projects/Ignoring the Shiney
One of the challenges that I face regularly is too many great ideas to work on. That may not sound like a challenge, but trust me, it is. If I give in to the temptation to start new projects every time I get an idea I would never finish the ones I’m already working on. Take my current load of projects. I have my recurring podcast, Get Published, Mik Murdoch: The Power Within final polish for submission, submitting Jack Kane and the Statue of Liberty not to mention the marketing for my two books (ahem, Mik Murdoch, Boy Superhero and A Method to the Madness: A Guide to the Super Evil). There are other things on the go, but those […]
Read moreGet Published Episode 116 – Writing for Middle Grade and Young Adult
I attended the 2013 edition of When Words Collide on the weekend of August 9th to 11th. I was on several panels where we had the chance to discuss writing in ways. On today’s episode, I will be playing back one of the panels, specifically a panel about Writing for MG and YA audiences. The panelists were Shirlee Smith Matheson, DK Snape and myself. We had to compete with active air conditioners so there are spots where the sound quality isn’t fantastic. Still, the conversation was a good one that I hope you can take something away from. I know I will be trying a few of the different techniques we discussed in later books. Show Notes 00:00 — Opening […]
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