Category Archives: Writing

Half-Baked Leftovers and a Freebie

Posted on September 9, 2011 by P. Kirby

Free story. Free! The problem with being a newbie writer, or even an old-bie writer, isn’t the absence of advice and information. For example, wanna know how to writer better dialogue? There’s a book for that. Or an “app.” Likely … Continue reading →

Posted in Dark Elves, Lessons Learned, My art, The Music of Chaos, Writing | Comments Off on Half-Baked Leftovers and a Freebie

Just Keep Clapping

Posted on August 19, 2011 by P. Kirby

Publish America is a crooked vanity publisher in sheep’s clothing. But that isn’t the point of this particular ramble. This morning, I came upon this in the Publish America (PA) thread at Absolute Write. The commenter was responding to another … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons Learned, publishing, Writing | Comments Off on Just Keep Clapping

There’s No Mystery; I Just Don’t Care

Posted on July 8, 2011 by P. Kirby

Alternate Title: “Why This Excerpt Sucks.” PROLOGUE  “They’re coming,” said Mary.  “They should be here tonight.” “Tonight?” said Bob.  “That soon?  Can anything be done to stop them?” “No. Nothing.”  Mary stared out the window, clutching her shawl around her … Continue reading →

Posted in Critiques, Lessons Learned, Writing | Comments Off on There’s No Mystery; I Just Don’t Care

A Troll on an Elevator Is Still a Troll

Posted on July 7, 2011 by P. Kirby

Once upon a time, on a little Celtic island, far, far away, a lovely princess was cornered in an elevator by a drooling troll. The troll propositioned her for sex, and the princess turned him down and fled the elevator … Continue reading →

Posted in Feminism, Writing | Comments Off on A Troll on an Elevator Is Still a Troll

The Music of Chaos, Casting Call

Posted on June 16, 2011 by P. Kirby

Every once in while, I get the feeling something is missing in my life. I look around, find my dog; the horse is where he should be; nothing’s on fire; nobody’s exploded; all’s well.  Now what has got my spidey-senses … Continue reading →

Posted in The Music of Chaos, Vampires, Writing | Comments Off on The Music of Chaos, Casting Call

The Internet Ate My Baby

Posted on June 10, 2011 by P. Kirby

“Careful what you say on the Internet,” whispers the nervous Nelly on an online forum, “An employer or an agent or editor might be listening.” “Look,” says another, “Here’s a case where someone lost their job because of what they … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet, Lessons Learned, Writing | Comments Off on The Internet Ate My Baby

AWOL from the Battle of the Sexes

Posted on May 26, 2011 by P. Kirby

If men are from Mars, so too are women. I periodically come across discussions regarding the depiction of men in romance novels, in particular, how men are written by female authors. The common concern is that the men aren’t “manly” … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons Learned, My art, Romance, Writing | Comments Off on AWOL from the Battle of the Sexes

Clarity Counts

Posted on May 25, 2011 by P. Kirby

Here in New Mexico, the local schools use a program called Character Counts to uh, indoctrinate teach kids to be good little cogs in the machine how to play well with others. Whether or not this actually works is debatable. … Continue reading →

Posted in Critiques, Lessons Learned, Writing | Comments Off on Clarity Counts

You Liked It? Are You … A Crazy Person?

Posted on April 8, 2011 by P. Kirby

Over on Facebook, Smart B*tches Who Love Trashy Novels posed the question: I have many readers who email rants about books they wanted to like but didn’t. Am pondering category of “book rants.” What do you think? Interested? The response … Continue reading →

Posted in Book reviews, Movies, Writing | 3 Comments

Windmills? What Windmills?

Posted on April 5, 2011 by P. Kirby

I’m hardly one to call for civility and decency.  Snark is my primary means of communication.  But even I have mellowed with age. As the story of this author kept spreading across the web, as people apparently couldn’t let it … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons Learned, publishing, Writing | Comments Off on Windmills? What Windmills?