Storytellersunplugged

by Kealan Patrick BurkeThis summer, I put the finishing touches to a pair of novels that had been rolling around in the pockets of my mental overcoat like spare change. They're pretty good, I think. Of course, if I didn't think that, I wouldn't have mummified them in brown paper, tattooed them with stamps and sent them on that long uncertain journey to Editorville in the first place. Next, I cranked out a few short stories for markets that had been patiently ... Read More

We’re all familiar with the many external things that can distract us from our writing. Some of them are worthy and necessary distractions—family, job, paying bills, eating, etc. In the coming weeks, we’re also going to have to deal with the fresh crop of distractions: the launching of the fall television series. I know that writing is going to take a back seat when Lost is on, and possibly one or two other programs, though I try to keep the TV to ... Read More

When I worked a job many years ago (eons ago), I lived in a place with perfect weather all year 'round. Sometimes, when I really needed a break from work, I'd just take a two-hour lunch and go see a movie. Somehow, a movie can solve so much it changes the nature of time a bit, because although it might be two hours long, it can take you through several years in those two hours. Escapism is underrated among a lot of ... Read More

In my last column, I talked about foreign markets and how making use of them can give prolonged or even new life to stories and works that have already been published here in the States. Today I’m going to talk about another method I’m using to expand my writing horizons. My latest novel, HERETIC: Book One of the Templar Chronicles, will be out from Pocket Books on Sept 26th. (For more information on that, go here.) The series revolves around ... Read More

by Tim Lebbon I fully intended having a column ready this month but events both good, and not so good, have conspired against me. So I’d like to offer a heartfelt apology, and I shall return next month. I’ll be talking about why writing is one of the least time-consuming things a writer does. Believe me. I know. Read More

Are we there yet? One of the more interesting questions that I’ve run across from readers and fans is: “So, when is it coming out?” The “it” in question being whatever book of mine happens to be the topic of subject—I’m not picky, I’ll discuss any of my books. It’s a good and fair question, but one for which the answer seems to change almost constantly. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes when it comes to writing a novel. ... Read More

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected ':' in /homepages/44/d91377444/htdocs/StorytellersUnplugged/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/exec-php/includes/runtime.php(42) : eval()'d code on line 1 Read More

Wow, where to start... here's the thing, I just had my first 'true' convention experience down in Hotlanta... Compared to our lovely smooth (if rather staid) British Fantasy Conventions Dragon*con was something of a monstrosity... a lovely one for sure but a great big fat beast of a convention just the same. Gone are the days of the sad little annoracks chit-chatting about all things Dr Who. Here we've got gloriously costumed Cyphus Cain's and Blood Marines, beareded Princess Leia's (there goes ... Read More

One of the things many published writers often encourage newer writers to do is read across a wide spectrum of genres. In my opinion, this is decent advice because it exposes the writer to a vast array of techniques and approaches to writing that may positively influence those writers and enable them to learn different ways of best bringing a story to life. Only reading within the horror field may stifle the newer writer and not allow them to fully ... Read More

--Kelley ArmstrongI noticed a few weeks ago that someone asked for more blog entries aimed at the "aspiring author." I want to be helpful...but being published doesn't make me an expert by any means. However, here is one thing I can speak on with some degree of comfort. The secret to getting published. Ready for it? There isn't one.When I tell people that, their faces fall, because I know everyone's looking for that secret handshake that will ... Read More