Do you need to know grammar to be a good writer? No. Not really. But you do need to know it. My mother-in-law is visiting. Among other things, she teaches English. She was talking about some of the grammatical things she was teaching students this year, listing off a bunch of terms. It was enoughContinue reading “Grammar and the Good Writer”
Tag Archives: writing tips
Reading to Write
If you’re gonna write, you’re gonna have to read. There are a lot of things to read. You want to absorb your own genre. You’ll likely be best at writing things that you enjoy reading, so get reading. Thankfully for me that involves reading a lot of fantasy and science fiction. I can handle that!Continue reading “Reading to Write”
Stay in Your Lane
There’s a bit of conventional wisdom I’ve ignored that may bite me. Yesterday, one of my new short stories debuted, “Miles to Go Before I Sleep.” You can go read it for free. You’ll find it a quiet science fiction story. I’ve got a few of those out, like “The Singularity Loves You.” It’s notContinue reading “Stay in Your Lane”
Why I Belong in the Museum of Failure
I’m a failure. “But Jon, you’ve come so far!” you say. Sure. Check out my works published tab. I’ve got one novel out, one on the way in December. Lots of short stories in various places, and more coming out. “How could you say you’re a failure?” Easy. Do you have any idea how manyContinue reading “Why I Belong in the Museum of Failure”
Why You’re Having a Hard Time Writing
I’m a little sore. I’m working some muscles I’ve let get a little… soft. Wobbly. Gelatinous, even. Today I sat down to outline a novella. In the course of an hour and a half, I only got 1100 words written. Simply put, that’s not enough. Maybe you look at that number and you’re impressed. Well,Continue reading “Why You’re Having a Hard Time Writing”
Jonathon Mast: Author 