If you venture much beyond the exosphere of planet earth, the concept of Thursdays begins to break down. Seeing as earth days are measured relative to earth's position relative to earth's star, you're already in trouble before you get to the moon. That Thursdays specifically were named after the Norse deity Thor is an additional…Read more I don’t like Thursdays
Where I’m at and Where I’m Going
Writing and I have a long history together. Best friends through grade school and high school, sometimes my only companion through hard times. We were like this (holds up two fingers, crossed) long nights spent over the scratching pencils and clicking keys, pouring reams of paper into the inferno of our love affair. We seemed…Read more Where I’m at and Where I’m Going
William Goldman
Deadline and other outlets are reporting that the great William Goldman has died. He was an amazing writer in all fields of endeavor and you could learn an astonishing amount just by watching him work. Marathon Man, All the Presidents Men, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, Chaplin... the astonishing list goes on and others with…Read more William Goldman
Shyness Unmasked: Using ancient Italian theater to combat anxiety.
Yesterday, my publisher, Laurence, asked his stable of authors whether we consider ourselves "Shy". I think he was hoping to get us to push aside some author stereotypes and rally us to get out there and make some noise, sell some books, rattle the glass, throw our hats on the ice... Um... yeah... I've…Read more Shyness Unmasked: Using ancient Italian theater to combat anxiety.
A Literate World
Outside of my family, there are two people who inspired me to become a writer: Jim Henson and Dr Seuss. But that would have been a meaningless dream if there had not been someone inside my family who told me it was okay if I wanted to write that novel... as long as I got my homework…Read more A Literate World
A sense of place
It seems counter-intuitive, but writing is a visual medium. Authors have the delightful task of imagining vivid worlds, peopling them with interesting characters, and then inviting readers to join us for an adventure in our own peculiar land beyond the wardrobe. We can see it so very clearly in our heads, and we just want to take you…Read more A sense of place
WRITE A NOVEL IN THREE EASY STEPS!
It is November and you know what that means: Writing advice season has begun. It seems to get here earlier every year. The stores are stacked with new keyboards and copies of Bird by Bird. The interwebs are humming with tweets tagged #amwriting and Pinterest boards are filling up with pictures of typewriters and inspirational quotes, some…Read more WRITE A NOVEL IN THREE EASY STEPS!
Gene Wilder – My Favorite Mad Scientist
On Monday, we lost the great writer and comedic actor Gene Wilder. The world lost a paragon of gentle silliness and I lost a particularly inspirational figure in my own life. There were many influences that contributed to the writing of Howard Carter Saves the World, ranging across the spectrum from Jim Henson to John Carter…Read more Gene Wilder – My Favorite Mad Scientist
Why we write
Write. Whether or not you want to be a "writer" you must write. Inscribed on metal, incised on clay tablets, ink on paper, you must write. Your life is an historic moment, a unique part of the vast tapestry and your story will be lost if you do not write it down. To refuse to…Read more Why we write
On the Edge: Random thoughts on mountains and manuscripts
If I had one talent as a mountaineer, it was the complete absence of a voice in my head telling me to be afraid of the edge. I have zero fear of falling and an absolutely unfounded belief in my own sense of balance. Maybe I am stretching my metaphor too far, but my brain's…Read more On the Edge: Random thoughts on mountains and manuscripts
Scott Perkins, Author 