Well, you definitely should finish some of them. If you don’t you’ll never have anything published. I also do think you should finish most things. In part because endings are critical to a solid story, and if you only finish the really good stories, you won’t get in the practice on making the endings stick.ContinueContinue reading “Should you Finish Your Stories?”
Category Archives: mindset
View From the Other Side of the Slush Pile
So I slush read for two spec fiction magazines and have done so prior for one other. Without divulging anything sensitive or non-public, I thought it might be interesting to people to hear at least a little about what being a slush reader is like. Slush piles are different. Editors are different. Processes are different.ContinueContinue reading “View From the Other Side of the Slush Pile”
Writing with COVID
So don’t worry, this post isn’t really about COVID. Or not exactly anyway. It’s about adapting our writing and goals when life gets in the way. The reason for the title is just that COVID is the latest one of ‘lifes mishaps’ that has impacted my writing life. Coming back from vacation I had grandContinueContinue reading “Writing with COVID”
Video Game Psychology for Writers: Achieving Writing Goals through Gamification
I have been fortunate to write guest blog posts before for SFWA on science, and my latest one is on using the psychological science utilized in video games to help you meet your writing goals. The link to it is below. I hope you enjoy, and as always, please do reach out to me directlyContinueContinue reading “Video Game Psychology for Writers: Achieving Writing Goals through Gamification”
Reading Like a Writer: Unveiling the Secrets of Craft
For writers especially, reading isn’t just about enjoyment; it’s a powerful tool for us to refine our craft. But how do you do this? When you read like a writer, you should delve deeper into the mechanics of storytelling, character development, and language use. Here’s some tips people have shared with me, on how toContinueContinue reading “Reading Like a Writer: Unveiling the Secrets of Craft”
Navigating Writing Conferences as an Introvert
As I prepare to go to Readercon next week, this topic is heavily on my mind. Speaking personally, as an introvert, attending writing conferences can be both exhilarating and exhausting. They offer invaluable opportunities for learning, networking, and gaining insights into the publishing world. Here are strategies to make the most of a writing conferenceContinueContinue reading “Navigating Writing Conferences as an Introvert”
Handling Reviews and Critiques: Part 1 (Family and Friends)
If you are going to write, then almost certainly at some point you are going to have to share that work in some way with other people. Whether that is reading it to your kids, letting your significant other take a look, your best friend, your writing group, strangers on the internet with whom youContinueContinue reading “Handling Reviews and Critiques: Part 1 (Family and Friends)”
Breaking Writer’s Block
I don’t really get ‘writer’s block’ but I do have problems with inertia at the start of writing sessions sometimes. Freewriting on something other than what you intend to write, or in a form (poem, list, computer program, crossword, etc) can sometimes unshackle the muse. So today, as I am blocked, I will now demonstrateContinueContinue reading “Breaking Writer’s Block”
Elevate Your Stories: Embracing Creative Vision
When we compare our holiday snapshots of majestic landscapes to the breathtaking masterpieces captured by photographers like Ansel Adams, it’s easy to feel a sense of inadequacy. Yet, if that’s all we see in the comparison we’re missing the most important point. Ansel Adams did it his way. But you too have something to offer.ContinueContinue reading “Elevate Your Stories: Embracing Creative Vision”
Gideon P. Smith 