How is a writer supposed to find inspiration in today’s world? With the pandemic raging and the political upheaval and climate change … how can you keep your muse healthy? One thing that inspires me is reading. I’ll admit it’s getting harder to find good science fiction or fantasy that inspires me rather than bringing…
We attended a virtual writing conference this weekend: The South Carolina Writer’s Association. Didn’t pitch anything because none of the agents or editors was looking for science fiction, but the sessions were fun. The keynote speaker was Patti Callahan Henry, NY Times bestselling author, who spoke on “The Soul of Story.” She says we’re hardwired…
It’s once again time for our Insecure Writer’s Support Group post! As I just received another form rejection, it’s a good time to rethink insecurity. I did get a nice personalized rejection last month for one story, though, and the editor said to send him something else next time they had an anthology call out.…
Many writers struggle with “writer’s block.” They say they just don’t feel inspired to write, that the muse just isn’t there any longer. I call bullshit on that idea. Writing –professional writing, that is, where you expect a paycheck — isn’t something you only do when you feel the hand of God reaching down from…
We took a little day trip up into the mountains to see a couple of old bridges. One’s a stone bridge supposedly designed by the same man who designed the White House and the other is the only functional covered bridge in the state. Running water and old bridges inspire me and I love just…
OK, sure… it’s YA and fantasy. But I know the author personally and I enjoyed the trilogy. Plus, there are giraffes … how could you go wrong? Princess Adana of Moniah is sent away to the neighboring kingdom of Elwar to learn to be a “lady.” As a Watcher, one of an elite band of…
Once again, it is time for our Insecure Writer’s Support Group post! Everybody has moments of insecurity, myself included. The question is what to do about those feelings? I’ve been submitting short stories to various anthologies lately (including our own “Dark Matter,” for which my story was not selected). Rejections are painful and they make…
Did you know Earthbeat has Pinterest boards? Check them out under Earthbeat and Darksyde Enterprises. Earthbeat’s board contains photos and images of spacecraft and futuristic vistas, along with some alien cartoons I found humorous. I try to update it fairly regularly (when I’m not writing the novel or a short story). Darksyde Enterprises is more…
People are always interested in how writers work. How do I do my research and how do I organize my writing? Let’s take a look at my process. First of all, I do most of my research on the internet. Sometimes, if I have a particularly interesting setting, or one I’m using often, I’ll pay…
Hope you have a fun, chocolate-filled day with your loved ones!