Note: I have written a lot about writing in my blog, but sometimes I just want to write. This is my first science fiction story, which I am introducing as a series of three parts. After you have read them all, let me know how I did. At 44 Maxwell was the most ancient person on the planet. Behind the […]
My First Science Fiction Story: “The Atavist” Part I of III Read More »
For most of my life I thought my biggest problem was “discipline,” or how to “make myself” do things I should do. In my mind, the more of them I did, the better. For example, writing for 24 hours a day would have been ideal. Basic needs like eating and sleeping were only unfortunate obstacles
Writing: How Setting Limits Grants Freedom Read More »
For someone with bipolar disorder, I have apparently been way out of the loop in terms of knowing about all of the intense controversies raging within the bipolar community. However, my recent post “My Bipolar Event in High School” met with an overwhelmingly supportive response from most who read it. But there was a problem.
Why I Love the Word “Bipolar” Read More »
Note: Lately I have been writing a short fiction story every weekend. I am going to start sharing a few of them with you, while continuing my regular posts. This story is about a tortured and gifted 8 year old boy.Be HumanThey called him “Alf the Calf.” But not for long, he hoped. Alf set his
“Be Human” (A Short Story) Read More »
Note: In writing about my bipolar disorder, I have always focused lopsidedly on the depression; it was easier that way. But I am inspired by bipolar bloggers like Dyane Harwood, who have more fully shared their fascinating stories. I decided it was time to share mine. Here it is. Changing from a religiously restrictive private school
My Bipolar Event in High School Read More »
Words have no value in the wild. If you show your fictional masterpiece to a starving lion, it will still eat you. Confronted with the most scandalous comment by a politician, a cat will not care, nor will she rave over your oil painting.The reality of certain things is determined by a lot of people
How Real is Social Media? Read More »
“Good writing is rewriting” is a common adage that reflects the belief that writing, regardless of its level of completion, is always either good or bad. Furthermore, blocked and perfectionistic writers are often advised to write “badly” on purpose in order to lose their fears enough to let themselves write at all. The act of
Think of Shaky Writing not as “Bad” but “Incomplete” Read More »
It has been about a year since I published my e-book A Trail of Crumbs to Creative Freedom. Though I consider myself primarily a fiction writer, its content was important to me. It was a record of my transition from depression and block to recovering creatively, which led to finishing my newest fantasy novel, The
From Creative Block to Creative Freedom: “Trail of Crumbs” Unearthed Read More »
Note: I started this a few months ago and put it away, thinking it was too serious for my blog. But whenever bullying appears in the news, it catapults me back into the sixth grade. Also, many people seemed confused about the topic. I picked the article up again and finished it so that I
Life After Bullying Read More »
What makes fictional characters seem real, like you could reach behind the wall of words and find a living, breathing person there? A related question is: As a writer, how can I pretend to inhabit the mind of someone who has a different world view, background, knowledge, obsessions, and longings than I do?
Is There an Emotional Barrier to Creating Convincing Characters? Read More »
