Category Archives: The Troubles

It’s always interesting coming back to a story after you’ve left it simmering. You discover new twists  and things to cut because they no longer add to the overall story. Some might make for interesting visuals in a movie, but … Continue reading →

I hate busy work. I’m trying to work on my current manuscript as well as future manuscripts, plus scripts, plus all kinds of other stuff. I’ve now read so much about “how the publishing world works” that my eyes are … Continue reading →

After adding about five hundred words to my Chapter 1, I’ve gone back and found some fat to trim, bringing the word count back down by three hundred. Tightening the prose is well worth the effort as I prepare for … Continue reading →

Last night I attended a book signing for Norman Ollestad, author of Crazy for the Storm. I was impressed. Mr. Ollestad is very much a gentleman who added depth to his story in the passages he read aloud. Though I’ve … Continue reading →

It’s funny how things work out. I finished my manuscript back in April and then set it aside to “simmer” while I started thinking about getting an agent. Every now and then I’d pick up the manuscript, open it to … Continue reading →

And I think I’ve done just that. Took a couple of days but I finally hit every target I intended. Very pleased with the result.

I just heard from one of the main characters from Portora – Robert “Sammy” McElroy. That connection really came out of the blue and I’m very appreciative for it.

Yesterday (or was it the day before), I thought I might have hammered out my query letter. Yeah, well, I was just a tad premature in that thinking. However, the good news is that I have had some help, and … Continue reading →

Could I finally have a query letter an agent will like? I sure hope so. Funny thing – I’ve now read hundreds of messages and letters and blogs all describing how to write a query letter, and no one agrees … Continue reading →

While I’m pounding away at the query letter, I’ve made a small change to the website, adding a new image that I think shifts the overall tone in a positive way. Other than that, all’s quiet.