Opinion
Book Review: Scrivener Superpowers
As a writer and editor, I discovered the Scrivener writing software about three years ago, and I was immediately hooked. Scrivener, developed by the Literature and Latte group located in the United Kingdom, is the premier writing platform for fiction and nonfiction writers. Scrivener is very…
Read MoreWrite what you love
I’m a big fan of Jeff Martin’s blog “The Oak Wheel”, which was why I was interested in what he had to say about how important it is for writers to write what they love, not necessarily what they think will become the next blockbuster. This isn’t to…
Read MoreBad words in good places
“But what about the bad words?” My first book, The Mayonnaise Murders, is more than 350 pages long. There are about 3-400 words on each page. The vast majority of those words, I promise, are not “bad words”. But I confess, some of the characters in the novel…
Read MoreWhat should black sci fi look like?
I ask the question only because I do wonder. As someone who has been a huge fan of science fiction, fantasy and horror ever since I was old enough to turn a page (and keep the light on), I never even considered the fact as…
Read MoreThe best children’s book is an intelligent children’s book
Since I’ve already written my first, now may be a little late to ask the question. Still, I’ve been thinking more and more about what exactly it is that makes for a good children’s book as I continue working on my second. What is it that makes…
Read MoreGame of Thrones offers masterclass in storytelling
After more than six months of on-again off-again reading, I finally managed to finish all five volumes of R.R. Martin’s still-not-finished fantasy saga, “A Song of Ice and Fire.” Five books, and nearly every single one of them over 1,000 pages’ worth of exquisitely (and excruciatingly)…
Read MoreFinding your own wild things as a writer for children
So I’m now in the process of attempting to write a children’s book for very young children, meaning those youngsters around 8-10 years old. And as I sat there in front of my screen this afternoon, praying frantically to the muse who I pay by the…
Read MoreMayonnaise Murders Part 2 coming soon!
“The Mayonnaise Murders, Part 2” is scheduled to be released in late September/early October 2014. This is one of a series of posts leading up to that release. Like with most of my characters, I’m not quite sure where the Gerruh really came from. They just…
Read MorePutting some color in your sci-fi
The first thing that comes to mind when you see a lot of these science fiction movies and shows, especially the ones set sometime far far away in the distant distant future, is that black folks aren’t expected to be around in that future. Science fiction…
Read MoreControversy over Sons of Anarchy opening proof of why it’s so good
Apparently the opening episode of this season’s “Sons of Anarchy” has infuriated a few folks when the issue of gun violence was introduced via a young, innocent-looking kid/character who just happened to be packing an assault weapon on his walk to school. Throughout the episode there would be…
Read MoreReflections on a Low Winter Sun
I’m not surprised at those Detroiters who criticize AMC’s “Low Winter Sun” for being too bleak and dark. This is definitely not a series that seeks to focus on the more upbeat, positive aspects of Detroit. I doubt we will be treated to many shots…
Read MoreGame of Thrones a great show, but you gotta read the book(s)
LIke all the other fantasy nerd freaks out there, I got hooked on “A Game of Thrones” from the very first episode. But unlike the truly devoted, I wasn’t aware of the series of books until the TV drama first made its appearance. And as a…
Read MoreThe Self Employment Chronicles, Part 2
The gap between unemployed and self-employed is about the size of the Grand Canyon… After losing my “good government job” with Wayne County in August, 2006, I gave myself 24 hours to get myself together and that was it. The mortgage company couldn’t care less what…
Read MoreNothing like a little support from the home team
There’s nothing like a little support from the home team. As I have written in earlier posts, I first started writing my novel “The Mayonnaise Murders” 20 years ago. I had to put it down after about a year due to various life circumstances, primarily going out on…
Read MoreStill a self-employed writer and wouldn’t change a thing
So it’s been close to two years now since I lost my good government job. Laid off. Walked into work on a Monday morning, got the call that the boss wanted to see me, and that’s when he said to take a seat. After the…
Read MoreWhy I love Stephen King
Even masters have flaws. It’s what makes them human Man, I love Stephen King. He’s not my favorite horror writer (that would go to Clive Barker), but he’s still a no-doubt-about-it master of storytelling. I think what King is better at than some may…
Read MoreIf Floyd Mayweather was a writer
Who would you be if you were another you? Sure, OK. It’s violent as all hell. But I’m quite sure even in hell some things might appear to be beautiful. After all, I’m told Lucifer was the most beautiful of angels before… OK maybe that’s not…
Read MoreKnow what you know, and know what you don’t. Need help? Ask for it.
The hell with Superman. I need some backup. Not long after I finished “The Mayonnaise Murders” I was busy searching high and low over the internet for any sci fi/fantasy group, book club, old folks home, you name it, where I could email my handy dandy…
Read MoreFunny helps
For those who have already read the first two parts of The Mayonnaise Murders, you may have noticed that humor plays a big role in the narrative. If Vid, who serves as the primary narrator of this tale, isn’t cracking wise about something or other, then…
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