When writing a novel, one of the crucial elements in addition to a damn good plot, is substantial characters that incite a range of emotions from the reader. Does the villain truly make your reader want to jump into the book and murder him his/herself? Can you laugh and cry with the lead characters? Are... Continue Reading →
Afraid? No, not I
There is a wonderful poem of Dr. Maya Angelou that I don't come across very often but encapsulates my state of mind on good days, and manifests the hesitation that every writer has at the beginning of a project: Life Adventures don't frighten me ©FrogDiva Photography Shadows on the wallNoises down the hallLife doesn't frighten... Continue Reading →
If*
If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you But make allowance for their doubting too;If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,Or, being hated, don’t give... Continue Reading →
The Parable of the Pencil*
Here is a golden nugget from my archives that I unearthed last night in a fit of insomnia. This is dedicated to all those struggling with their craft and searching for purpose, regardless of whether you are a writer, photographer, artist, dancer. May you find the courage, meaning and direction. The pencil maker took the... Continue Reading →
Long-term goal: digital nomad
Let's face it, unless you have broken into the mass market and are selling books by the thousands, every writer has to keep a day job. This is the tragic reality that I face, with stacks of bills staring back at me from my desk. There is nothing I desire more than to simply have... Continue Reading →
The Hunt (is on)
Great writers are born, not trained. No amount of training or sophisticated degrees will ever turn you into a great writer if you do not have the gift. A good writer at best, but if that extra special element that captivates the readers from the first to the last page is missing, then you will... Continue Reading →
The Past Is The Best Archive
For someone who dislikes social media as much as I do, marketing demands have catapulted me into this bizarre world that I am trying very hard to master. Unfortunately there is no way around it in the current world and if you want to build up a network of sorts to project an image, social... Continue Reading →
The Wonderful Realm In-between Worlds
Fiction or Reality? As a writer, one has one foot in each realm and it is truly a magical place. Some will refer to it as escapism, others will judge it as an inability to cope with the facts of the present. Here's the thing, without such minds that dwell in both worlds, we would... Continue Reading →
On becoming an interesting person
I am going through my Elizabeth Gilbert phase at the moment, devouring her books and stories with great pleasure. For the past two months I revisited every possible Isabel Allende book (in Spanish) that I could get my hands on, in whatever medium. Then I switched over to Elizabeth Gilbert, whose personal style of writing... Continue Reading →
