Starlog

  • The books I read in 2013: Listed from “Best” to “Not So Best”

    Wow. Totaling them all up, I read 21 books in 2013. That’s not too shabby. Ten of these are novellas, so I guess that would equate to the equal of 16 full-length novels. Up until two years ago, I felt accomplished if I finished ONE book in a year.  I’ve found that reading GOOD books… Read more

  • Write a Story With Me # 74: Mamma? by Richard Leonard

    Write a Story with Me is a group endeavor just for the fun of it.  A different writer adds a new 250 words each week.  It is the ultimate Flash Fiction Challenge! If you’d like to sign up, come on over.  There’s always room for more! Here’s this week’s excerpt.  We hope you enjoy! 74… Read more

  • How to make Your Reader Care About Your Character #2

    I am skimming over notes I took from a class about creating characters that your reader will care about. Disclaimer:  I honestly don’t remember where this handout came from. I’m going to paraphrase the topic and think up my own ideas, but I don’t want anyone to think I’m stealing without giving credit. It should… Read more

  • How to make Your Reader Care About Your Character #1

    I was cleaning off my desk this weekend and I came across a handout from a seminar or class that I don’t even remember taking.  I read through the page and considered my current work in progress.  I’m pretty sure that by this time in my career I am doing what the handout recommends as… Read more

  • What makes you abandon a novel you are reading?

    I recently finished a novel that was truly painful. In respect to the author, I’m not going to name it… but it was NOT an enjoyable read. All the other novels I have lined up were screaming “Try me! I’ll be better, I promise.” And I was pretty sure that ANY of them I picked… Read more

  • 2013 in review, as compiled by WordPress

    Here’s my year-end review compiled by WordPress. I found some of this a bit amusing. It seems you guys like to read about the really fun stuff I blog about… Like my struggles with raising a challenge child (Who just came in and gave me a hug, thank you very much) and the great fun I had… Read more