tl;dr
It’s awesome. Continue reading Traditional Publishing: What was your first sale like?
My dream was to sell a book. We did.
My heart is full and my life is good. Solaris officially announced that my book, EVERY MOUNTAIN MADE LOW, will debut in 2016.
Featuring Pullman-esque world building and set in a future Alabama city known as ‘The Hole,’ Every Mountain Made Low tells the story of Loxley, a young autistic woman whose family have the ability to see the restless dead. But for Loxley, the spirits of the deceased can see her back; they’re drawn to her like a bright fire, and their lightest touch leaves her with painful wounds. She avoids them as best she can, but she can’t say no to the spectre of Nora, her only friend, who was alive just hours ago. Swearing to take blood for blood and find her friend’s killer, she finds herself drawn into a conspiracy that will see her hunted down by the brutal enforcer of the corporate interests who reign over the hellish city.
For every GEARHEART fan who wondered what happened to my writing career, there’s the answer. I thank you all for graciously sticking with me on my journey.
For all of my friends who read my stories and gave encouraging words, thank you. For my agent, who exhibited many forms of genius during this sale, thank you.
Most of all, thanks to my wife and parents for taking care of me during my writing career. We’re at the beginning, but I’m sure I’ll impose on you again soon!
Skeptics: Here’s why your anti-vax Darwin jokes aren’t funny.
tl;dr
The anti-vax movement contains more collateral damage than just its uninformed members.
Continue reading Skeptics: Here’s why your anti-vax Darwin jokes aren’t funny.
Powerful Writing Music: Kaki King
I love writing to music. I carefully curate my playlists for each book, for each mood. For example, I’m working on a space opera right now, and so I’ve selected several bits of electronica for intense scenes, for ambient scenes and sad scenes. I keep it carefully compartmentalized for emotional content. There’s no point in getting super amped-up if I’m supposed to be writing a quiet confessional. Likewise, sad piano music wouldn’t get me through a laser-strewn dogfight.
I’m Skeptical, But Not a Skeptic™
tl;dr
While I share almost all of their inclinations, the mainstream skeptics movement is too caustic for my tastes, often ignoring any information that doesn’t suit its needs.
Writing as a Hobby: Never Tell Me the Odds
tl;dr
Writers have enough difficulty without people calling them amateurs… and it’s just as bad to force a career discussion.
How I Write My Novels – Pt. 2 (Software to Finish)
tl;dr
I’ve got some sweet organizational software that works for me. It might work for you, too.
Continue reading How I Write My Novels – Pt. 2 (Software to Finish)
How I Write My Novels – Pt.1 (Pens, Paper, Planning)
There are many reasons not to play HATRED.
I was asked my opinion about Steam pulling the abominable game HATRED from Greenlight by British newspaper, The Independent.
Concepts of UX in Writing: Progressive Disclosure
tl;dr
Use the UX concept of progressive disclosure to keep your readers interested and alert when describing difficult settings. Use of this concept will give facts a more organic, natural revelation.
This is the first part in a series on User Experience (UX) Concepts in Writing. For more information on UX and other important software design ideas, check out the Wikipedia article.
Continue reading Concepts of UX in Writing: Progressive Disclosure