Of all the skills a good writer needs in order to write well, I think one of the most important is empathy. It doesn't matter if you have excellent grammar, seamless plotting, or snappy dialogue. If you don't have empathy for your characters, both the heroes and villains, then the story is going to show… Continue reading Empathy
Category: Personal
The Coming Storm
I've lived in Florida for most of my life, and have had the opportunity to live in different places across the state. I grew up in South Florida, spent a couple of years in Central Florida, and wound up in North Florida. Funny thing is, I've enjoyed all three environments. And yes, there are differences.… Continue reading The Coming Storm
A Balanced Reading List
Okay, I'll admit it...I have way too many books on my to-read list. The problem is that I want to read them all. All the books. All the books I can get my hands on. I know, I have a problem. Part of the issue is that I have too many interests. Sure, I love… Continue reading A Balanced Reading List
Thoughts on the 4th
Here in the U.S., the 4th of July is sort of a big deal. It's a day to remember our independence from England, the end of a war, and the birth of a nation. What actually happens is people here cook meat on a grill, get drunk, and blow things up after nightfall. What I… Continue reading Thoughts on the 4th
Dealing with Isolation
It's a strange world we're living in. This pandemic has had more of an impact on society than anything else in recent memory. It's affected every country, every city, every individual in some way. Probably the biggest impact is that it has fragmented society, breaking up large gatherings like concerts and parties, and kept people… Continue reading Dealing with Isolation
Busy, Busy, Busy…
I've been keeping myself busy over the past few months. In addition to my blog and fiction writing, I've been keeping up with my (mostly) bi-weekly creativity podcast and started posting cooking videos on YouTube. In addition to that, I just published another collection of short fiction, Reflections in Blue Water. This is my first official… Continue reading Busy, Busy, Busy…
Loss and Understanding
A friend of mine died this weekend. She collapsed at home and never regained consciousness. As far as I know, she hadn't been ill or complaining of any issues. It was one of those instances where the light switch is flicked and the lights go out. If nothing else, I'm glad it was quick and… Continue reading Loss and Understanding
New Short Story Collection
My newest short story collection, Reflections in Blue Water, is now available on Amazon. This collection of stories is a change of pace from my usual speculative fiction. I wanted to explore my creativity and show that I can also write more mainstream fiction. But never fear, there's still a bit of oddness in a… Continue reading New Short Story Collection
Trying to Understand Hate
I have a rule for my blog and social media posts - no politics. My reasoning is that these forums are about creativity, my creative output, and encouraging others in their endeavors. But over the past week or so I've found it increasingly difficult to not say something about recent events here in the U.S.… Continue reading Trying to Understand Hate
Creativity Bullies
I don't understand why some people have to act high and mighty when it comes to creativity. They appoint themselves as gatekeepers, belittling and turning away anyone who doesn't conform to what they think is the right way to do things. "You need to write your story this way" or "No one is going to… Continue reading Creativity Bullies