How do you develop the range or adaptability of your unique writer's voice? One thing that I have found helpful in making progress in this is - ironically - imitating others. If you were learning to speak another language, and wanted to sound natural you probably would not settle for just 'being understood' - justContinue reading "Developing Your Writing Toolkit"
Words Per Day and the First Million Words
New Year is traditionally associated with setting goals and making resolutions. But in a writers group I participate in one of the other writers recently stated they had written 100,000 words last month. This caused some consternation amongst others who compared themselves negatively to it and some even felt this stated achievement was perhaps inflated.Continue reading "Words Per Day and the First Million Words"
Year In Review 2023
Last year in December I wrote a 'Year in Review 2022', the main purpose of which was to convince myself that although I had not published my first novel, nor even got an agent, that I had achieved something in the sphere of writing. As we close out 2023 I thought I would do itContinue reading "Year In Review 2023"
20 Craft Books
I tend to read a lot of craft books. My nature is, when I cannot do something, to study it more intensely till I can. I thought I would list the books I have read this year and give just a one line impression of each. Hopefully, someone finds something here intriguing, and if youContinue reading "20 Craft Books"
Fyrecon
I have attended a few conferences over the last year (Worldcon, Boskone, Readercon) and each have had their unique aspects. This past weekend I had the chance to attend Fyrecon, which was again different and I thought I would write a few thoughts about my experience. To start Fyrecon, though it used to be inContinue reading "Fyrecon"
Rejectomancy
So rejection is such an integral part of any writers life that we must all face it at some point. Most of us, repeatedly, and for a very long time. I already wrote one blog post about not letting it get to you here (and in trying to help you with that, listed some ofContinue reading "Rejectomancy"
To Kill, or Not to Kill. That is the Question
I wrote a short story recently where, to me, it made sense that the main character died at the end. This created a sharp division in opinions amongst my critique circle regarding when and why it is reasonable to kill a main character, and the dissent was so visceral I thought I would write aContinue reading "To Kill, or Not to Kill. That is the Question"
Finding Time to Write
A discussion recently came up in an online writers' group I take part in about how we each carve out time to write. There were many suggestions. Some people got up an hour early, some stayed up an hour late, some used 'stolen moments' of time commuting, some used voice-recognition to increase their efficiency, someContinue reading "Finding Time to Write"
Being Part of a Writers’ Reading Group
Hanging out with other SFF fans can be fun. Hanging out with other writers can be a growth opportunity, If you want to combine those, I highly recommend writers join a reading group made up of other writers. Why? Reading is fun. And what more fun way to do it than in the genre ofContinue reading "Being Part of a Writers’ Reading Group"
READERCON 32
So this past weekend (July 13th to 16th, 2023) I attended ReaderCon! For anyone that doesn't know, Readercon is a Sci Fi and Fantasy con focussed on the written word, both reading and writing. Unlike many cons, it does not have video games, role-playing game rooms, dress up/costume events, or many of the other thingsContinue reading "READERCON 32"
Gideon P. Smith 