It’s the last draft, my final read-through and edit of ETERNITY'S MIND, the 700-page manuscript I’ve been working on all year. The grand finale of the Saga of Shadows trilogy, tenth novel overall in my Saga of Seven Suns universe. And it’s complicated, 34 different point-of-view characters and storylines. I needed a place to concentrate so I could fit the whole story in my head, with minimal interruptions. It was time to head off to Estes Park, Colorado, again, one of my favorite writing retreats, with a cabin on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, kitchenette, refrigerator, bed, fireplace,...
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As I write this blog, Colorado has been hit with the first big snowstorm of the season, 8-12 inches overnight. School is closed for a snow day, and my snowplow guy just called to say that he can't even get up our road to plow the driveway. So, we'll sit inside all nice and cozy with a fire. A perfect time to read. Holidays are full of magic, good cheer, mystery, and wonderful fantasies. This time of year—from Thanksgiving through Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, New Years—is packed with possibilities, and great fodder for writers to tell some of their best...
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When I was learning to become a writer, then a published writer, then a novelist, I read a lot of writing books, looking for the key, trying to figure out the next step. Since there were writers ahead of me on the curve, better than me, I knew I had to catch up. Of course, my goal was not just to be a “published” author, but a “successful” author so I could make my living at it. A bestselling author. The problem was, a lot of the people writing these How To books didn’t have any real credits of their...
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For the second year, I worked with Storybundle.com to put together a massive batch of useful books that will help you survive—and thrive—during National Novel Writing Month. A dozen books on writing craft, productivity, and business—the full spectrum of useful information.  And you name your own price From the wide-ranging to the specific, the NaNoWriMo Writing Tools Bundle is a treasure chest of books vital to your success not only in writing your novel but in launching your long-term career as a successful writer. This is a toolkit, a drill sergeant, a mentor, and a cheerleading section, all in one....
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