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Sunday Reflection: St. Andrew and the Transfiguration
Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration. I can’t think of the Transfiguration anymore without thinking of what Dr. Allen Hunt said about it as part of Dynamic Catholic’s “Best Lent Ever” campaign a few years ago. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain to pray . . . And Andrew was left…
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Applying Occam’s Razor to creative writing (plot twists, style)
Occam’s razor is the idea that if there is a simple, intuitive explanation for something, it is preferable to and more likely than a more convoluted explanation. In terms of plot, as I’m sure any mystery writer could tell you, this means you might want to keep these basic points in mind: In terms of…
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Thankful Thursday: thankful for the classics that formed me
I have always loved reading the classics. I was a Spanish and English double major in college, and I got a Master’s in Spanish literature largely thanks to Don Quixote. Today, I am grateful for the classics that formed me: that helped to form my character (and characters), my voice, my writing style, my plots,…
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Should you write to meet genre expectations?
I don’t know if there is a concrete, one-size-fits-all answer to this question. But for what it’s worth, here are my thoughts. We all know different genres have different expectations, including, but not limited too: So, should you write to meet genre expectations? If you care about being marketable more than you care about the…
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The one trait every heroic character must have
Before I reveal the character trait this post is about, I want to distinguish between a protagonist and a hero. There are some fun protagonists who I wouldn’t call heroes. Ok, that said, what is the one trait every heroic character must have? drumroll please… Humility is the mother of giants. G.K. Chesterton Yes, it’s…
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When writing a blurb for your novel, consider various “scopes”
I’m running a Bargain Booksy campaign today for The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope. I had to craft a new blurb for the promo. (They require that for reasons of SEO/Stock Engine Optimization). I love my new blurb. I also love the one from my publisher. I thought it could be a useful exercise…
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The Pearl of Great Price: God, not “God and . . .”
I love today’s Gospel passage: the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. It’s a wonderful reminder that, as I recently read in “Weeds Among the Wheat” by Thomas Green SJ, we are called to seek and to live for God alone, not to hold onto “God and . . .” Even if the “and”…
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There is no wrong way to write, as long as your way works for you
I see a lot of focus on social media and on WordPress on word count. It feels like everyone is in a race just to vomit words upon the page. That’s not my approach at all, but it’s perfectly fine if it that’s what motivates you. I’ve never really cared about writing quickly, to be…
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Why Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale
Seeing I’m a fantasy writer, it’s not surprising that I love fairy tales. Those beautiful, deep, haunting stories are classics that have survived for centuries for a reason. They speak to the human condition, to what it means to be human. They reveal deep, universal truths, and so have a universal appeal. Well, ever since…
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Creative Writing with the Crimson League 