

- Jun 25, 2020
- 2 min
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...
- Jun 11, 2020
- 3 min
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...
- Jun 1, 2020
- 3 min
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,...
- May 19, 2020
- 3 min
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...
- May 11, 2020
- 4 min
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...
- May 5, 2020
- 3 min
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...
- May 1, 2020
- 5 min
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...
- Apr 28, 2020
- 3 min
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...
- Apr 26, 2020
- 2 min
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...
- Apr 15, 2020
- 2 min
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...
- Jan 29, 2020
- 1 min
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...
- Dec 2, 2019
- 3 min
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...
- Nov 8, 2019
- 2 min
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....
- Oct 9, 2019
- 2 min
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...