So, You’ve Spoken (and I’m Listening… Mostly)
From SRP Author Mark Posey: Well, my friends, the ballots have been counted, the hanging chads examined, and unlike certain […]
September 2025
What’s on Tracy’s Desk? (2025 Edition)
Fourteen years ago, I shared a snapshot of my writing desk—and a surprising number of you still remember it! That desk is still with me, but the world around it has changed: the landline is gone, the monitors have multiplied, and only Strider remains of the original furry trio. This year, I revisited that 2011 post with a photo tour of my current workspace, the oddball trinkets that inspire me, and a glimpse into how I really write now—recliner and all. Spoiler: dusty fantasy author chaos is alive and well.
Let’s Bury “Fast = Crap” Once and for All
The “fast = crap” myth is creeping back into author circles—and it’s time to shut it down. Whether you write fast, slow, or somewhere in between, what matters is craft, not the clock. This post unpacks why speed doesn’t equal sloppiness, how believing otherwise can harm your writing, and what the Artisan Author mindset really means. Spoiler: it’s not “write slow or else.”
The Antagonist Doesn’t Think They’re the Bad Guy
A great antagonist isn’t a cartoon villain twirling a mustache—they’re someone who truly believes they’re right. The most compelling conflicts come when your villain’s goals clash with your hero’s in ways that feel uncomfortably relatable.
Jacobine vs. Billings: Who’s More Fun to Torture?
One of the perks of writing thrillers is getting to torture characters. Jacobine makes me work harder—she’s deadly, clever, and never blinks. Billings, though, is convinced he’s in control…until the floor drops. Who’s more fun to torment: the nun with a gun, or the cocky spook?
Grace O’Malley: Ireland’s Pirate Queen Who Refused to Stay in Her Lane
Grace O’Malley didn’t just defy the odds—she defied an empire. Born into a world where women were expected to fade quietly into the background, she carved out a life of rebellion, leadership, and high-seas adventure. From commanding a fleet to negotiating with Queen Elizabeth I, Grace rewrote the rules for what a woman could do—and dared anyone to stop her.
Four Hobbits Walk Into Edmonton… And I Stayed Home
This weekend, the four hobbits of Lord of the Rings fame are reuniting at Edmonton EXPO, and while thousands are lining up for a few seconds of face time, I’m staying home with the extended editions and some decent takeout. In a world of high-speed, low-contact fandom, is the convention experience still worth it?
The Perfect Life for an Author? It Looks Boring as Hell.
If you’re serious about writing — I mean serious-serious — then at some point you’re going to have to give things up. And not just a Netflix show or two. I mean real, soul-wrenching, this-or-that decisions.
I’ve made them. I gave up socializing. I gave up making clothes and jewelry. I took lower-paid jobs so I’d have the energy to write.
Writing takes time. And if your life is already full, then something else has to go. That’s the reality. You can’t wedge a writing career into the margins of a life that’s already packed.
Lights, Character, Action! Why Every Scene Has to Earn Its Keep
Every scene in your novel has to earn its keep. If it doesn’t shift a value, reveal character, or drive the plot forward, it’s nothing more than wallpaper—and readers don’t show up for wallpaper. Learn the three tests that will keep your story moving and your readers hooked.
Back to School: The 1970s Edition
Remember when back-to-school meant fresh pencils, leaky lunchbox thermoses, and polyester outfits instead of Chromebooks and checkout lines? In the 1970s, September was pure chaos and excitement—and we wouldn’t trade it for today’s tech.