One of the most thrilling moments in a writer’s life is receiving that long-awaited yes—an acceptance letter after dozens, maybe hundreds, of rejections. It’s the kind of moment that’s meant to be savored, a bright spark of validation in a career often defined by perseverance and uncertainty. But sometimes, even that joy can curdle. Recently,Continue reading "When an Acceptance Turns Sour"
Why Rejection Doesn’t Mean Your Story Is Bad
As a slush reader for various speculative fiction magazines, I’ve learned one fundamental truth: taste is messy. It’s subjective, inconsistent, and often deeply personal. If you’ve ever submitted a story and been rejected in the first round, you’re in good company—and you might be surprised to know how many of those rejections have less toContinue reading "Why Rejection Doesn’t Mean Your Story Is Bad"
When Revision or Feedback Kills the Magic
As a slush reader, one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve experienced is seeing a story I loved—a story that stood out from the pile, that felt fresh and alive—come back as an R&R (revise and resubmit)... and lose everything that made it special. It’s not that the writer lacked talent—far from it. The originalContinue reading "When Revision or Feedback Kills the Magic"
The Myth of the ‘One Piece of Advice’
To be succesful at writing, I've come to believe that its more your ability to juggle, than anything else that will help you. But there’s a peculiar myth that runs through popular culture—the idea that success boils down to one secret, one golden rule, one repeatable habit that will unlock greatness. Ask a Hollywood starContinue reading "The Myth of the ‘One Piece of Advice’"
The Creative Power of Chaos: Why Randomness Makes Your Writing Stronger
Writers love control. We plan plots, build worlds, craft character arcs, and agonize over word choice. Writing can feel like architecture—careful, precise, calculated. But sometimes, we need a little chaos. Enter randomness. Randomness might seem antithetical to craft, but it’s actually one of the most powerful tools in a writer’s creative arsenal. Whether you’re rollingContinue reading "The Creative Power of Chaos: Why Randomness Makes Your Writing Stronger"
Writing Is Like Going to the Gym: Why It Gets Harder, Not Easier—and What to Do About It
When you start going to the gym, it’s hard. Your muscles ache. You’re not in the habit, so every visit feels like a chore. But then—suddenly—it starts to click. You feel stronger. You might even look a little better in the mirror. The early “easy gains” roll in. You get hooked. And then? It getsContinue reading "Writing Is Like Going to the Gym: Why It Gets Harder, Not Easier—and What to Do About It"
The Struggle of Long-Form Writing: How to Overcome Midway Meltdowns
Earlier this year, I found myself hitting a wall with my longer writing projects. I don't mean my novels here, I'm referring to the longer short story, novelette territory. The same issue kept cropping up: I'd get to about 7,000 words, and then... poof. The excitement fizzled out, and my story would lose its spark.Continue reading "The Struggle of Long-Form Writing: How to Overcome Midway Meltdowns"
When Is a Story Truly Done?
Five years ago, when I sat down to write a short story, it was a different experience entirely. Back then, my main concern was the plot: What was the neat science idea? What was the twist? Once I had delivered a clean arc with a beginning, middle, and end, I called it finished. A quickContinue reading "When Is a Story Truly Done?"
The Power of Words Inside Your Brain
Sometimes I find it hard to get started. Ironically, this happens most when I have too much time to write. You’d think a wide-open afternoon or a quiet weekend would be ideal—a golden opportunity to sink into the novel, churn out a short story, or finally respond to one of those tempting calls for flashContinue reading "The Power of Words Inside Your Brain"
Mastering Dialogue: Dos and Don’ts
Writing dialogue can be one of the most challenging aspects of storytelling. Well-crafted dialogue brings characters to life, advances the plot, and engages readers. Poor dialogue drags, bores, disconnects your reader from your character and derails your reader's experience. To help you master the art of dialogue, here are some dos and don’ts I haveContinue reading "Mastering Dialogue: Dos and Don’ts"
Gideon P. Smith 