Storytellersunplugged

By Weston Ochse Why go to writer’s conventions?Is it the free beer? Is it the free liquor? Or is it an attempt to deplete the vast reservoir of stale chips commonly found at parties at 3 A.M.? Or is a convention merely a reason to get out from behind your computer to interact with humans rather than emoticons? I say it’s all the above, but most importantly, conventions are a writer’s vehicle for networking. So read ... Read More

I know my writing has changed since my first book, but the jury’s still out on whether or not that means I’m growing as a writer. From book to book, I’ve certainly learned to work faster due to deadlines, and I also find myself more willing to take chances with different plot ideas and characters. According to my ‘first readers,’ my ‘voice’ is getting stronger with each book and has become easily recognizable. I suppose that’s a good thing. Still, does that ... Read More

--Bev VincentHypothetical situation: I’ve written a terrific novel. Edited, revised, polished it. Started sending it out to publishers. One is intrigued. More than intrigued, the editor loves it. She starts talking it up in-house. Her enthusiasm spreads. The publisher decides to take a chance on me. An offer is in the pipeline. I expect to hear any day now.Exciting? You bet. The offer comes though. Whoa—that’s more then I expected. Where do I sign?I’ve done all the legwork that an agent usually ... Read More

Oh, Lordy, here I dredge the rusty bottom of my brain for something that could pass for wisdom in last month’s column, and everyone who emails wants to know about the beautiful young thing and the owls. How embarrassing. Not because the wisdom was specious, but because – choke – I never hooked up with the fair maiden, and even the owls have abandoned me. Details about the owls later, but no film at eleven. ... Read More

by Richard Steinberg “I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have," Leonardo da Vinci38 pages 266 paragraphs 639 lines 5,862 words 33,208 characters The first chapter of my recently begun 19th novel. Crap. Technically well done crap. Compelling in places, stirring in others, the story advances, characters begin development, shape and form begin to present themselves. Still crap. Crap . . . because it’s not what it could be, not what it should be, not what it would be. It lingers rather than ... Read More

James A. Moore So, the 12th of every month is when I post my essay (give or take a few hours). This time around, I’m going to see about having Joe Nassise post this little article, because I don’t have a laptop with a modem. I’ll be out of town, and the World Horror Convention. There’ll be a world of stuff to do there. There’s ALWAYS a world of stuff to do there. First, there are panels about the writing process and bloody ... Read More

By Sephera GironIdeas come from many places. Many authors on this blog, myself included, have discussed where they have gotten their ideas. I always find it interesting what events in a person’s life inspire him or her enough to want to spend hours fabricating ideas into stories. A writer never knows what is going to peak his interest. Something he may be anticipating to write about may never materialize as another idea in the fabric of the universe catches his eye. I have ... Read More

So, first off apologies for being in absentia recently. I am back if you want me.- like just about everyone it seems I have wrestled with abandoning Storytellers precisely for all of the reasons given below by better ladies and gents than me. My work load is enormous right now (to write this essay I am actually delaying a contracted story by several hours and that makes me uncomfortable). I have just delivered Sláine: The Exile to Black Flame/Rebellion and have started ... Read More

Please allow me to intrude here a few days past my normal posting time.Like Matt, I must apologize for having missed my last 2 column slots; like Kelley, I must also say fare thee well, and thank you for the wonderful response you've given to the many womderful writers who contribute their time, effort, wit, and wisdom every day.Like Kelley, I could cite writing time as my main reason for having to take the long and winding road from here, and I ... Read More

Kelley ArmstrongLast month, I withdrew from the Storytellers Unplugged team, but it seems my email saying so may have gone astray. A reader emailed me wondering where my post was for this month, so I figured I'd better post something...even if it's just a goodbye!I know blogging is popular. I hear it all the time--have heard it for a couple of years now. I was regularly being asked why I don't have a blog on my site, so when ... Read More