Try Not To Tell, Show, But If You Show, Don’t Show Everything…

It has taken me a long time to be able to articulate my thoughts on the common debate on the show, don’t tell advice that is frequently handed down to young writers. And yes, I do believe that such a debate exists the longer you stay in this craft. Le Guin had an article about why …

My Paycheque Comes In The Form of Words

As of today, I have been writing for 24 years. The most I’ve put it off is for a couple of months or so–otherwise, I’ve been consistently writing, rewriting, plotting, planning, researching, learning, and turning the mechanics of writing over and over in my head like there’s no tomorrow. I repeatedly discuss stories with people until they …

I’m Trying to Be a Writer Because I Think I Screwed Up My Kids…

I am mother to a soon to be 7-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy. Like every parent, I started out wide-eyed and hopeful, convinced that my kids are special. They can be anything they want to be, I thought, watching them as little babies, their bright little eyes looking into mine. Being the open-minded parent that …

Writing Milestones: When I Stopped Giving a Fuck and Started Enjoying My Craft

In retrospect, being old(er) is kind of fun. You get to discuss boring shit like politics and actually understand them. You don’t feel obliged to stay out until 3 am getting shitfaced with strangers (okay, so I did this just the one time…). I am not ashamed to say that 10 pm is a legitimate …

The World of the Agartes Epilogues: Worldbuilding

Not a very well-kept secret, but The Agartes Epilogues was supposed to be a JRPG that I co-wrote with my husband (then boyfriend) way back when I was just 16 years old. Some of my readers have since commented on the JRPG feel of the series–big tentacled monsters, angst, fantastic hairstyles (actually, not really–I’ve toned it …