Introduction: Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire
Why does language use differ in fiction versus nonfiction? We might point fingers in several directions: the goal of the writing, the intended audience, the… Read More »Introduction: Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire
writing
2017 State of Kate: Business and Other Musings
It’s that time of year again, when I rehash the business of being. (Actually I’m a month later than last year, but who’s counting? No… Read More »2017 State of Kate: Business and Other Musings
Putting Place Names in their Proper Frames
Whenever I see fanciful or imaginative place names, real or fictional, my first instinct is not, “Ooh, how neat!” It’s more along the lines of,… Read More »Putting Place Names in their Proper Frames
The Official Un-obligatory Project Update
I finally finished my experimental manuscript. I’ve battled this beast for over a year, and my brain wanted it done a long time ago, so… Read More »The Official Un-obligatory Project Update
Dangerous Artifacts and the Characters Who Love Them
When it comes to dangerous artifacts in a fictional setting, every writer faces at least two dilemmas: Why does everyone want this thing? Why is… Read More »Dangerous Artifacts and the Characters Who Love Them
Verisimilitude: A Most Essential Plot Element
NOTE: In case anyone’s forgotten my generic characters’ names, “Totally” refers to “Totally Everyguy,” Average’s male counterpart. (I add this note because my own mother… Read More »Verisimilitude: A Most Essential Plot Element
The Gift That Keeps On Giving
Dear Readers, I come bearing gifts. Well, just one gift, actually. And I made it myself, and it’s not a cat sweater. It is a… Read More »The Gift That Keeps On Giving
Finding the Anticlimactic Way Out
What’s this? An anticlimactic plot twist? Guilty as charged! The Author-Audience Contract An unwritten contract exists between every author and their audience. The author promises… Read More »Finding the Anticlimactic Way Out
A Crisis in Deciding What Matters Most
The crisis nears its end! Last week, in the midst of procrastinating a fair number of tasks, I read a book. It was a decent… Read More »A Crisis in Deciding What Matters Most
Exhausting All Your Options
Long ago in my disaffected youth, I found great solace in the music of The Wallflowers. Fronted by singer-songwriter Jakob Dylan, this alt-rock band rose… Read More »Exhausting All Your Options