Running Jokes

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

“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