Starlog

  • If you are thinking of entering a contest – READ THE FINE PRINT

    I was going to keep my big alligator mouth shut, but I can’t.  I just can’t. A call for submissions was recently announced that is an incredible opportunity…  A contest to write a prequel to one of the classic children’s movies from the 1980’s. How cool would that be. Right? A group of friends and… Read more

  • Learning to Draw Manga #5 – Profile

    I cringed when Dude said the next pose was profile.  I looked at that crazy single line of the nose and chin and thought “that’s never going to look right” Again, following the directions, and taking one step at a time it was not that hard.  Here it is darkened, but before I took out… Read more

  • The Little Blue Lady Scares the Pants off Poor Little Amaleen Ison

    Congratulations to our winner from two weeks ago. Caitlin Stern, you are the lucky winner of Rise of the Magi! Enjoy! I’m looking forward to reading this myself.  I LOVED the first book in the series. What’s up with you? You look paler than a Martian sub-terrain turtle. . Right now, I’m rather frightened and… Read more

  • Rule #8 of 32 Simple Rules to the Writing the Best Novel Ever

    I’m dissecting the article Hunting Down the Pleonasm, by Allen Guthrie, using it as a cattle prod to search for little nasties in my manuscript.  Yep, you can join in the fun, too.  Let’s take a looksee at topic #8 8: Show, don’t tell. Much vaunted advice, yet rarely heeded. An example: expressing emotion indirectly. Is… Read more

  • Write a Story with Me # 49 with Danielle Ackley McPhail

    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! 49… Read more

  • When to say “Enough is enough” – Coming to the end of your query rope

    As many of you know, I have been in what I’ve called “Query Hell” for over a month now.   One month and eleven days, to be exact. It hit me a few days ago.  I finished the first draft of Fire in the Woods in 40 writing days. It was 40,000 words at the time.… Read more