#78 Plague of Rats   Authors face unexpected hazards while trying to get their books written. Historical authors sometimes face unique challenges as historical problems rear up their ugly heads and try to–well sometimes–eat one’s muse.  But never fear, that’s why authors have cats, right? Most recently, imagine my surprise, nay shock and horror that my home was under invasion by a plague of (stuffed) rats. Look at the size of those things! Almost the … Continue reading →

#49 Ghost Writers      Most writers would have you believe that they do their own work. That each precious word on the page came from their own hand. But the ugly truth is that their are ghost writers out there. No, they don’t run about in white flowing sheets with cut outs for the eyes, yelling ‘boo!’ from behind bookcases. Alright sometimes they do, but not usually. And when they do, they generally scream … Continue reading →

#88 Critique Group Feedback             So. Much. Judgment. One traditional way of improving your writing is through the use of critique groups. The idea is pretty simple. You give your writing to other writers and they tell you what you’ve done well. And what you’ve done wrong. Mostly that. Don’t get me wrong, some groups are great. Supportive, encouraging, the works. But others, well not so much. And this bunch? Well, … Continue reading →