Defining quality and quantity and the balance between them. When it comes to producing anything at all, the argument has always existed about quality and quantity. Normally these are placed in opposition to one another. But does this need to be the way it is? I say no, it doesn’t. You can have quality and…
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Balancing my Writing and Editing Time
Making time for both writing and editing requires some balancing acts. I love to write. Getting the words out of my head and onto the page and screen is exciting. But while the process tends to go fairly quickly for me, there is another step that is less fun – but necessary. Editing. I need…
The Business of the Arts
As a self-published author, I am my own business. That presents numerous challenges. The business end of being an artist comes with a lot of complex needs and issues. I, for example, am three different writers in one. First, I am a writer of fiction. My primary focus has been fantasy, sci-fi, and Steampunk. I…
The Power of the Word Count
Word count lets me better quantify how much writing I am doing. What does a writer do? They write, of course. Over the years, I have played with being a writer. For a time, it was a hobby. Then it was an obsession. Finally, I began to move the pieces to make it into my…
Where Does Inspiration Come From?
This question of inspiration applies to many aspects of life. Different things inspire different people. You could watch a Food Network program and be inspired to cook. Maybe reading a book inspires you to write your own. Watching a star athlete perform could inspire you to get into better shape. And maybe inspiration hits you…
Planning is Not a Bad Thing
Planning is part of my newest approach to my writing practice. I recently wrote about exploring my overall practice of writing. I asked how much writing is enough writing? In my analysis of my writing work ethic, it became clear that when it comes to guaging word count I could do more. I determined that…
How Much Writing is Enough?
This is one of the ultimate questions about writing practices. And it varies from writer to writer. I’ve asked myself this before. Do I write enough? This is a VERY subjective question. Enough writing for me might be too much for you and not enough for someone else. I am currently reading Craig Martelle’s Become…
When a Pantser Starts Plotting
How does someone who normally isn’t into plotting plot out a book? I have an idea. After watching The Clone Wars (finally) I had an intriguing thought. What if you have created hundreds of thousands of warrior clones – and then your war ends? What becomes of them? They were purpose-built to fight a war….
Self-Publishing is a DIY Challenge
Do-it-yourself (DIY) is a great means to an end – but is not without many challenges. I am a writer. If you are looking to have words wrestled into submission in one form or another, I am your guy. Along the way, I have also become an editor. I’ve spent time doing so professionally, and…
What DON’T You Write?
There are things I don’t write for numerous reasons. What don’t you write? I have written many times about the variety of different things that I write about. But I never have addressed what I don’t write about. This can be applied to every genre that I work in. From fiction to non-fiction to business,…