I like running gags in novels. No, I’m not talking about boisterous humor, necessarily, more about having threads within relationships… Read more Running Jokes
Category: characterization
“Writing dialogue,” Bill said, “is easy.”
If you write or read fiction, you know that dialogue can make or break a story. Good dialogue conveys important… Read more “Writing dialogue,” Bill said, “is easy.”
Of Race and Character
I’ve been reading articles all afternoon on the dearth of minority characters in books. I find that amusing, as I’ve… Read more Of Race and Character
Writing as the Opposite Sex
I stumbled across an article penned by Michele Willens in The Atlantic entitled, “The Mixed Results of Male Authors Writing Female… Read more Writing as the Opposite Sex
The Making of a Woman
I have written before about my process of creating realistic characters. It’s a bit of psychology, human behavioral study, plot-need fulfillment,… Read more The Making of a Woman
Background Work
I decided that the main character of the new book, Jeanne “Dark” D’Arc, owns a 1972 Renault Alpine. She is proudly,… Read more Background Work
Writing Interesting Characters
I’ve said any number of times that I am a character-centric reader. That is, my interest in a book is… Read more Writing Interesting Characters
Ex-Mess and My Holmesian Endeavor I
Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day to you all. I trust all of you had a safe and enjoyable holiday.… Read more Ex-Mess and My Holmesian Endeavor I
The Fiction of Colored People
When I write, I rarely have a personal agenda. In fact, I try to keep my personal beliefs out of… Read more The Fiction of Colored People
Getting Dark
My next book, which I will start plotting this month, stars a female Security Analyst – a female Sherlock Holmes… Read more Getting Dark