Image by Azmi Talib from Pixabay A number of months ago, I mentioned that I had embarked on rewriting one of my early books, Hidden Desires. In a massive case of misplaced hubris, I foolishly claimed I could have it ready before Christmas. In case any of you haven’t noticed, I missed. By a lot. It is now mid-March, and I am less than half of the way through. The further I have gotten into this manuscript, the more changes I’ve made to…
I haven’t done an excerpt in some time, so I thought today would be the perfect day for one. My new novella Bingley’s Indignation is scheduled for release next Thursday, February 8 on Kindle, with paperback and hardcover versions available. This story explores what might have changed had Charles Bingley taken offense upon learning that Darcy did not inform him of Jane’s presence in London, rather than forgiving him as was his wont. This particular excerpt relates a possible solution to…
Feature Photo by JJ Jordan on Unsplash A little over two months ago, I announced that my next work would be a new version of “Hidden Desires”, a novel I published early in my writing career. I made the announcement under the mistaken belief that I could tweak and adjust in short order, intending to reissue the improved version in the first week of the new year (in my younger, formative years, I was judged immature and naive, traits that still seem…
I’m finally making progress on my Hidden Desires rewrite. The process is slow and a bit painful, as my source material has more than a few shortcomings. To confess, when I wrote the novel I suffered from an excess of hubris and actually thought my story was well constructed. For those who read that first edition, I apologize and offer the completed, although unedited, first chapter. Although fairly long, it provides the setting and sets the mood for the remainder of…
As you read in the title, I have a new book that will be available for sale on Thursday, November 16. The book is entitled Only Exceedingly Shy, and will be available on Amazon Kindle, Paperback, and Hardcover, with an audiobook to follow in about March of next year. I would also like to announce a change, as Only Exceedingly Shy will be narrated by the talented Harry Frost! I wish I had a cover to show you, but as usual, I…
My latest novel, If Not For the Entail, is now available on Amazon. I released the eBook late Saturday evening and am now working on the paperback version. The process, from idea to completion, was not easy, so I’m pleased as punch to get to this point. I pray that my next composition goes a little easier but I suppose that is, for the most part, entirely up to me. I’m pleased with this story. It’s a bit more in-depth…
In this episode of Funny Friday, I thought I’d talk about funny as in “weird” rather than funny as in haha. I’ve often spoken about the different parts of the writing process and how I do in the various parts. I do pretty well in outlining, but it’s fairly hot and cold. If I get an idea, I can run with it, but it will sometimes take me a while to get into outlining a story. Editing, proofing, grammar checking…
Writing is not an easy business. As with anything, it takes practice and dedication to improving one’s skill, and while I can not speak for other authors, I am always finding something new I’m doing wrong, things that I can do better, or habits in my writing that I try to avoid. Creative writing can be a completely different beast altogether. While a certain measure of research goes into any writing, much of creative writing comes from within. One thing…
I don’t have much today, other than a blow by blow description of the trouble I have run into preparing my home for the installation of new windows next week. It is doubtful that is of interest to anybody except for me. What I have instead is an early excerpt from my latest WIP, If Not for the Entail. The story revolves around the fate of Elizabeth and her family following the unanticipated passing of Mr. Bennet, and a despicable villain’s…
Though my brother spoke of the coming of spring, I have not seen anything of it yet. We are still cold and we are getting enough snow to bury us until June, as this photo from my front window will attest. As I spoke at some length about this in my last post, I will not bore you any further. But you can likely tell by my choice of image that I am eager to leave the winter behind and…