There are many ways we can talk about and/or analyze a novel’s structure.  But one of the blunt tools I use when writing a novel is to think of two broad threads that run through the narrative.

There’s an emotional thread, which is more or less the emotional pace of a book, the way in which events in the book, by way of the characters’ experiences, resonate with a reader’s emotions.   This is the thread … Read the rest

Man, October came on fast, didn’t it?  I believe I may have come unstuck in time, but that’s between me and the Tralfamadorians, so let’s just move on.  Here are some new releases for October.

In the Forgotten Realms, we have Neverwinter, by R.A. Salvatore, book II of the Neverwinter Saga.  Neverwinter continues the story of one of fantasy’s most iconic characters, the dark elf Drizz’t Do Urden.   From the back matter:

With the … Read the rest

And lo, in those years the shadow of the Amazonian reached forth from the dark, dread realm of the Internet to blight the world of print.  Seeing the darkness rise and spread, the Six Lords of Publishing trembled in their towers to the East.  They sought a champion, but found none; communed with the spirit of Gutenberg, and yet found no solace.  Fearful, they reinforced the walls of their keeps, festooning them with banners that … Read the rest

A very hearty Happy Bookday to Erik Scott deBie, whose novel, Shadowbane, hits digital shelves today.  Shadowbane is the sequel to Erik’s well-received Downshadow.  I recommend you grab this while the gettin’s good.… Read the rest

The most excellent Susan Morris interviewed me for Amazon’s Omnivoracious blog on the subject of anti-heroes — my thoughts on them, how I write them, and whatnot.  Susan asked some great questions.  Alas, I make no claims about the quality of the answers.  Still, have a read and see if I at least made sense.… Read the rest

Star Wars Books has posted a sixth mini-excerpt from Riptide, my next Star Wars novel (sequel to Crosscurrent).  With the release date fast approaching, I’m hoping they’ll release a longer excerpt soon. Anyway, here’s the mini, with Khedryn, Marr, and Jaden chatting about the lightsaber Jaden came to possess at the end of Crosscurrent.
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“You do something to that? It looks different.”

Jaden smiled. “It is different.” He took the hilt … Read the rest

One of the hardest parenting lessons I’ve had to learn since the birth of the boys is to let my sons be the people they are. There were times when I thought that this or that aspect of their personality was going to make things harder for them in life, so maybe I should try to teach them/steer them in a different direction. This was a mistake. They’re not me. They don’t have to be … Read the rest

The Troy Davis case is at or near the top of the news cycle at the moment, but I don’t know enough about the particulars of the case to opine on it (though there appear to be significant questions about his guilt).  The case should, however, cause us to think about the death penalty.

I could write a long post about the pros and cons of the death penalty, capital punishment jurisprudence, etc. (having had … Read the rest

My friend Colin McComb, a talented writer, game designer (of Planescape fame, along with many other credits), and all-around fine human being, is kickstarting his fantasy novella series, Oathbreaker.

The details are here. Please have a read and consider supporting Colin and his work.… Read the rest

This is the second most boring post of all time, exceeded only by my infamous “Poetry inspired by watching beige paint dry” post from 1996.  In fairness, that post did generate 200 heated comments in the inevitable “ecru v. tan” debate, but that’s neither here nor there for purposes of this post.

Anyway, in hopes that maybe one or two of my fellow authors might find this edifying, here goes.

I ship a fair amount … Read the rest