Forging Ahead into the New Year

2021 is almost at its end… and it’s been a heck of a year. I’d say it was the sequel to 2020 in a lot of ways, for better and for worse. But when a year draws to a close, it’s time to review the last twelve months and set some goals for the next twelve.

So, what did I set for myself to do in 2021?

  • An unofficial goal to publish at least 10 stories.

First, I recognize I have little control over this goal. I can’t force anyone to publish my stories. Well, I suppose I could, but I’d rather not hold anyone’s child ransom. It would probably end badly for all involved.

Well, how’d I do on that one? I published:

  • 8 short stories
  • 2 full Vella novellas
  • 1 co-written Vella novella
  • 2 novels

I was expecting 10 short stories. I didn’t get 10 short stories. I’d count this as a major win, though. My first two novels published in the same calendar year, and lots more beside? Yeah! (Incidentally, you can check out everything I’ve published in the Published Works tab.)

Continue reading “Forging Ahead into the New Year”

Don’t be cruel.

Last week I said that authors can’t be kind. In case you missed it, let me spell it out to you as clearly as I can:

Authors cannot be kind to their characters.

Authors, please be kind to anyone who is not your character.

Okay. Just wanted to get that out of the way. I don’t want any authors being jerks and blaming me. There is a difference between fiction and nonfiction, alright? Please keep it straight.

But you need to know this: Your cruelty must know when to end. Do not be kind to your protagonists. Set challenges before them. Beat them up emotionally. Physically, depending the genre you’re writing in. Mentally. Let them be brought to their breaking point and beyond.

Continue reading “Don’t be cruel.”

Don’t be kind.

You must not be kind.

If you wish to write, if you wish your characters to have dramatic stories, if they must overcome, you must not be kind to them.

Authors must be cruel, calculating beasts that tear down their main characters. Leave them sobbing on the ground. Make them beg for mercy.

And then…

Well, then your characters fight back. They grow stronger. They overcome.

And in the end, your story is stronger.

Sometimes this can be hard. If you’ve created a character out of syllables, they’re very much like your child. You control their entire world. Who will they encounter? What strengths do they exhibit? What wonders will they encounter? You may wish to protect your fledgling character.

Kick that character out of the nest. Let it flutter to the ground.

Continue reading “Don’t be kind.”