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Novel Train

Phase 8: Balancing The Books

You wrote a book. Published that book. Marketed that book. Now it's time to balance the books! Excel is my program of choice to track my...

Phase 7: Selling The Sizzle

Elmer Wheeler was a master salesperson. He's credited with this master seller's credo: Sell the Sizzle, not the Steak! Don't try to sell...

Phase 6: Time To Publish

Your novel is written, edited and polished. Your pitch is slick, entertaining and captures the imagination. Your bio is brief,...

Phase 5: The Best It Can Be

You have completed your novel. You have crafted your logline. You have perfected your pitch. Time to show your work to the world! How are...

Phase 4: Preparing To Pivot

Is it time to publish? Spread the word? Get your story out there? How do you know when to properly abandon your work and graduate to the...

Phase 3B: In The Darkroom

In the olden days of photography, you set up your equipment and took careful pictures. Yet it wasn't until you developed the negatives...

Phase 3A: Get Baking

You've sifted through a mound of ideas. Found one you're convinced will rise to the occasion. Crafted a truly exciting recipe. Roll up...

Phase 2: Testing Testing

You have your great idea. You've committed to breathing life into it. Now you need to test it. Bend it. Twist it. Make sure the story you...

Phase 1: Let There Be Light

The writer stares at a blank screen. How do novels begin? Not talking about the finished story here, ready for the reader. Talking about...

Road Map

Sacred Space

During this pandemic and the shut-down of many businesses, my energy-sector employer has a nifty set-up allowing us to work from home...

Abandoned

They say art is never truly finished, it is only ever abandoned. Well, that's a lot better than watching the art do the abandoning. I...

Change Is The Only Constant

One writing principle many writers prefer is this: Before starting, know your ending. This structural approach captures the essence of...

Zero Hour

One of these days, I will depart my HR career and continue my journey as a novelist. Not start my journey as a novelist; continue it....

Anatomy of a Gap

I define a "gap" as the wonderful opening that develops between experience and expectation, the rift that tears open when actuality pulls...

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