Once upon a time, there was a carpet merchant. He had his small business, a beautiful daughter, and a bad habit of borrowing money from a loan shark to keep his business running. When the sum owed was quite large, the loan shark came to collect. The lender was a crafty fellow. He’d had his […]
Ever wondered what life at an artist retreat is like? What about an artist retreat visited by murder most foul? Introducing a new character, and a new series, Death of a Muse is the story of a cat and a damaged artist, both wrestling with death. Here’s the teaser David Peeler, a sculptor poised for […]
Why do we spend time reading a book or watching a movie? Why do we invest ourselves in a good story? The reasons tie into the same motivations that spur us to eat, build a shelter over our heads, and make babies. Survival—and because it feels good. In fact, these survival tactics feel good to […]
Suspense and I, we go way back. I’ve been in love with suspense fiction for as long as I can remember. I learned to read at age four, but I recall afternoon naptimes before that when my mother would fall asleep with the storybook in her lap, freeing me to peruse the bookshelves at my […]
Have you ever tried looking at those Magic Eye posters? You start by wondering what images the bright colors and abstract shapes are hiding, then you relax your eyes and shift your focus until the picture materializes, sharp and three-dimensional. It’s a pretty cool experience, and though their big wave of popularity has long since […]
Not really, no. So why do I have a new dragon story that I’m giving away to my readers? Check out the trailer and get your free copy, but be sure to come back and get the story behind the story. BENEATH BABYLON So what’s the story behind the story? I was recently invited, by the […]
Story Power gurus, from ancient times to modern days, proclaim the universal truth that nothing hooks and holds human attention like story. If you’ve ever damaged a tooth or had a sore spot or irregularity in your mouth, you can attest to the fact that your tongue will seek it out, poking and exploring. It’s […]
As I release this post, I am in the midst of a week spent with the editors of WMG Publishing, participating in one of the most interesting, informative, and entertaining experiences I’ve yet had as a writer. I’m sitting elbow-to-elbow with some of today’s best writers, listening to and learning from some of today’s […]
Okay, so I’ve always had a flair for the dramatic, I’ll admit it. Since I was kid, I loved telling stories, and everything is fodder for my story mill. I remember returning from a trip to southern California when I was 14. Our family went out to dinner and I entertained the entire restaurant with […]
Sun Tzu, the Chinese general and military strategist said: “What enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge.” I think we can all agree that knowing, in advance, what will win would be valuable indeed. But a writer, writing for […]
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