I recently read Boris Akunin’s Murder on the Leviathan. It’s as good an Agatha Christie pastiche as you’re likely to find: a closed-circle mystery with an international cast, full of elegant clues, class tensions, and the familiar contrast between social decorum and violence. Akunin writes in lucid, accessible prose that keeps the narrative crystal clear.… Continue reading 7-5-25
The precise difference between story and plot changes depending on your source. A friend of mine once said that story contains all the meaning—theme, character, the DNA of a work’s soul. Plot, he claimed, is just the roadmap. I didn’t argue. I like maps. I'm a plothead. The idea that one bad decision could destroy… Continue reading Story vs Plot
Since I started my blog, I've posted about the cover after every publication. This is the latest version. At the very end, I'll tell you what might be coming next. If you've read my cover posts of the past, feel free to skip to the end. My first novel was Goodnight Irene (2018). It was… Continue reading Covers and Plans
One of the best things about writing a short story collection is that the process naturally lends itself to editing. Let me explain. Many writers finish a draft, set it aside, and move on to something else. When they return to it a month (or more) later, they come back with fresh eyes. They can… Continue reading May 21 update
If you've read this blog at other times of publishing, you know the story. I get a date in my head. I say it. When the date comes, I find out I need a few more months. Well, in case you don't know, I've been writing a book of short stories. I said that March… Continue reading Update 01/30/2025
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