How goes National Novel Writing Month, you ask? Okay. Maybe you have not asked, but it is a question I'm asking myself. I've managed to pick up a cold this weekend, which hasn't helped. (I've taken two covid tests, and both came up negative. And I've checked various websites about symptoms--cold, flu, or covid19? Cold. …
I might have finished my novel, The Book of Astrophilia. I say might...it is hard for me to know when something is finished. I'll rewrite forever. And I haven't had a beta reader or anyone give me feedback, and that is part of the process. So is it finished-FINISHED? Well, I've done what I can …
Look at all those pages. They contain time-travelers, demons, wayward teens, psychopaths, dragons, and other mad adventurers. They're all clamoring for their stories to be finished. I've made this commitment to them before and then been lured off the path by even more shiny tales of the heartbroken, the daring, and the wicked. So here …
If you had time, I'd ask you to read all my manuscripts and tell me which one is the best. It feels like an insanely important decision, except it isn't, is it? I have too many choices. It was easy when only one novel had been written. As a kid I had elaborate systems to …
I want to write about a time traveler who travels through time and space. I have a beginning for such a story but not much else. Who is your favorite time traveler? Mine, in case you don't know (in which case you're new around here), is the Doctor. I like all the Doctors, by the …
Many of us often love waiting for that magic date or hour to set sail on a new adventure or making whatever change brewing in our minds. But I'm not waiting for the full moon or the New Year or any of that. I designate this moment magical enough. For a variety of reasons (that …
Against my better judgment, I'm participating in Story-a-Day May again this year. (If you're giving it a try, let me know!) I love Story-a-Day because it motivates me. I like the pressure. It's why I like NaNoWriMo as well. With no pressure, I'll just sit and stare into space, dismissing every idea and distracting myself …
What's on your mind today? I've been thinking about my work-in-progress. Well, I have multiple WIPs. Right now I'm focused on a sci-fi fairy tale. I want to finish the manuscript, go back to my Fairy Tale Asylum story and then to drafts of other stories. So many stories fluttering around in my head. I've …
One late afternoon in my Florida childhood, another lightning storm rolled in. A wall of rain moved steadily over the lake towards our house. I love the change in the air and the smell. The lightning flashed and flashed and flashed. I knew to go inside, but the terrifying and amazing light fascinated me. I …
With a little luck, I might write a lot this week before the summer semester begins. Fingers-crossed and coffee mug filled! Also, I have news. My incredibly supportive and lovely publisher has needed to make a change, and Plum Tree Books is no more. I'm sad, but I hope this will allow her to focus …
Marta Pelrine-Bacon 