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Stress
It’s funny how brains work. You can want to do something so bad but sometimes the motivation just isn’t there. Sometimes it’s something we might not want to do but should, like exercise. Sometimes it’s something we need to do but keep putting off, like the dishes. Sometimes it’s avoiding that book you just purchased…
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Is realism necessary?
I’ve been seeing some complaints that realism is necessary for storytelling. But is it? Well, that all depends. If you’re writing something where realism is integral to the plot or setting, like urban fantasy or any sort of police procedural, then it’s definitely needed. But in at least some cases, not only do you not need…
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Another book release
Other Worlds, a short story collection involving demons and death, is live on Royal Road! I’m updating it every few days with a new story that spans genres. From horror to science fiction and even some lighthearted stories, I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing them. You can find the collection…
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LGBTQIA+ characters and me
As someone both bisexual and nonbinary there is a decided lack of representation for people like me. Obviously, things are shifting away from that, and it’s a good thing. But within fantasy and science fiction itself there is still a lack of representation. That is changing, especially with things like self-publishing becoming increasingly popular. I…
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Reading
I think it’s a given that I’m a reader. A lifetime ago I’d do a book every day or two but nowadays my reading is often interrupted by day-to-day life. But it doesn’t answer what I like to read. Well, the short answer is I’ll read almost anything I can get my hands on that I find interesting. Be it autobiographies, historical fiction, urban fantasy, even thrillers and…
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Book Announcement
I am excited to announce I released a collection of short stories on the web novel site royal road! They’re a bunch of the stories I’ve posted to Patreon, cleaned up and ready to read for free. It’s been out for a little bit because I wasn’t expecting to be quite as ready as I was.…
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Motivation
I have executive dysfunction. I don’t have a diagnosis of ADHD, but I do have bipolar disorder, and executive dysfunction is often a symptom people struggle with and I am no exception. When I was in school as a kid it was common for me to either show up or do my homework, but it was rare I did…
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Imposter Syndrome
In the beginning, it’s hard to get started. There are always last-minute ideas to hammer out and things left to consider before a proper start gets underway. And once underway, it can take a while to get into a comfortable groove. After a few thousand words though, I’ll settle into a rhythm and make substantial progress. Towards the middle, which…
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Influences
Every creative person that has ever existed has their influences. Many of them are in our own fields. But plenty of them are outside of our fields as well. I can list a dozen authors that have played an integral part in driving me, but it’s not just authors I draw inspiration and motivation from. For one…
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Underwriting
I am a chronic underwriter. It’s something I’ve had to accept. My first drafts are lean, clocking in between 35k and 50k words for the first pass. It’s because I’m in a race to the end and my first goal is to get out as much as fast as possible. Details, unless they’re especially loud,…