Jul 20, 2022Member-onlyHow “Stranger Things” Uses Brain Science to Hook You (Part 1)A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post reviewing Lisa Cron’s “Write for Story”, which is a must-have book for any modern writer. …Stranger Things4 min readStranger Things4 min read
Jul 10, 2022Member-onlyThe Psychology of Hooking a ReaderMaybe you clicked on this blog post because you figured I possessed some kind of secret to getting readers to be hooked on what you are writing, but really the fact that you are here shows that the title I wrote was enough to get you here. Now I won’t…Writing2 min readWriting2 min read
Apr 13, 2021Member-onlyHow to Teach Research: 5 Solid TipsResearch, but specifically how to research has, in the last ten years, become crucial in understanding our world. …Teaching5 min readTeaching5 min read
Mar 23, 2021Member-onlyWriting Science Fiction and Practicing FaithI’m a science-fiction writer, but I’m also a Christian. These things do not have to be separate, as my love of science fiction is not in any way dampened by my faith in Christ. …Writing4 min readWriting4 min read
Mar 15, 2021Member-only5 Takeaways from Interviewing Author Erik BuchananIf you follow this blog at all, you know that I also host a little podcast called Writing Is Hard Work. This week’s podcast is one you should probably listen to if you haven’t been listening. I had the privilege to interview Erik Buchanan this week. You can find the…Writing4 min readWriting4 min read
Mar 6, 2021Member-onlyAn AltruismEdwin Avery eased into a parking space he had used for over twenty years. One piston inside the engine of his fifteen-year-old Hyundai puttered oddly as he twisted the key to silence it. Stepping onto the gritty parking lot on a warm spring day in mid-March, Mr. …Short Story8 min readShort Story8 min read
Mar 1, 2021Member-onlyWhat Makes a Great Story?Zoom is a wonderful thing. This last week I was able to sit down with my former student teacher and chat about story. …Writing Tips3 min readWriting Tips3 min read
Feb 21, 2021Member-onlyA Template for Creating Quirky CharactersAs a student and teacher of writing and a writer of over six novels, I can say I have been through the gauntlet of character creation. It’s not easy creating believable characters who are quirky enough to keep a reader interested. I’ve spent over 20 years in college, as a…Writing4 min readWriting4 min read
Feb 15, 2021Member-only5 Surefire Ways to Melt Writer’s BlockI suppose you landed on this article because, like this berry on the end of this branch, your ideas for your novel, short story or other writing project are frozen in place. …Writing4 min readWriting4 min read
Feb 9, 2021Member-onlyWhy I Use Mind Node for Planning Writing ProjectsI’ve written a few novels in my short career, but all of them go through the meticulous planning process before I ever sit down to write. I am, in no sense of the word, a “pantser”. When Stephen King and Peter Straub wrote The Talisman they wrote a chapter each…Writing2 min readWriting2 min read