killing it at bto 2020

“What I’m about to say next may strike some of you as vile, base, heresy.” That’s what I told a jam-packed room this past Saturday, March 7, at the 23rd annual Bay To Ocean Writers Conference held at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, MD. I was there presenting my course Continue reading killing it at bto 2020

getting “lost” again

I thought that 6 years after I published my most popular novel, Lost Dogs (recently revamped with the new, badass cover below), that it would be difficult to revisit that book as I write Stray Cats, its sequel/follow-up. “Difficult” in that it would be hard for me to get back into Continue reading getting “lost” again

looking back, looking ahead (and a peek at “stray cats”)

This past decade was when my childhood dream of becoming an author became reality.  I began the 2010’s with a manuscript of a fantasy novel, and ended it with 5 published books.  Here’s a glance back at some key events: 2010: Went to Paris in April, and Disney World in Continue reading looking back, looking ahead (and a peek at “stray cats”)

a great “wasted” year

This Wasted Land, my third published novel, was released a year ago.  As I mentioned in this post, it was in 1988, when I was a senior in college, that I first began working on what would become TWL.  I developed the premise, created some characters, and did extensive research, Continue reading a great “wasted” year

know your monsters! 15 terrors, and what they mean

It’s Halloween, so let’s talk monsters, a staple of horror films and fiction. As a kid, I spent many a Saturday morning in front of the TV, slurping down cereal and watching such cerebral fare as Rodan, The Creature From the Black Lagoon, and Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster (the Continue reading know your monsters! 15 terrors, and what they mean

doing “5 to 10” for writing (part 2)

Lately, I’ve done a few talks for high school students who are writers, or are interested in becoming one.  In addition to disabusing them of the idea that becoming an author is a fast and easy ticket to fame and fortune, I’ve shared with them a lot of tips and Continue reading doing “5 to 10” for writing (part 2)

doing “5 to 10” for writing (part 1)

Lately, I’ve done a few talks for high school students who are writers, or are interested in becoming one.  In addition to disabusing them of the idea that becoming an author is a fast and easy ticket to fame and fortune, I’ve shared with them a lot of tips and Continue reading doing “5 to 10” for writing (part 1)

“what does the eastern shore mean to you?”

That’s the question I answered this past Saturday, February 16, when I spoke during “A Place We Call Home,” the first session of the Queen Anne’s Council’s Eastern Shore Heritage & History series.  Historian and novelist Brent Lewis; poet and founder/director of Salisbury Poetry Week Tara Elliott; and I had Continue reading “what does the eastern shore mean to you?”

how it took me 30 years to get “wasted”

On November 26, 2018, I launched my third published novel, and my fourth published book.  This Wasted Land is not your typical teenage-love story.  No, it’s more like: Boy meets Girl Evil Witch takes Boy Girl goes to get Boy back Though TWL just came out this year, its genesis Continue reading how it took me 30 years to get “wasted”