Avoiding POV Pitfalls: How to Keep Readers Glued to the Page
If you’ve ever had a critique partner or an editor ask, “Wait, whose head are we in right now?” — congratulations. You’ve run into a POV problem.
What Are the Core Memories at the Center of Your Universe?
Last week, I watched The Life of Chuck — twice. I’d already read the book, so I knew what was coming. But having just survived colon cancer and stared death in the face, the film landed differently for me. It stirred up all kinds of thoughts about what I’ve done with my life… and what I still want to do.
August 24, 410: The Day the World Changed (And Most People Missed It)
On this day in 410 AD, Rome was sacked—and the world changed. But perhaps the real marvel isn’t that Rome fell. It’s that it lasted more than a thousand years. From primitive huts to aqueducts, concrete, dentistry, and legal systems we still use today, Rome wasn’t just a city—it was civilization. This post explores what a millennium really means… and what we lost when Western Rome fell.
What Happens When You Stop Telling Yourself You’re a Slow Writer
I thought I was stuck at 1,200 to 1,300 words per hour because I had been for years. But I wasn’t. I was just telling myself I was. This month, I’ve finished one book, written another in nine days, and started plotting a third—all while juggling a demanding side gig. If you think you can’t write faster, maybe it’s time to stop believing that.
Four Hobbits, One Expo and an Editorial Frenzy
The four hobbits from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films are reuniting at Fan Expo Edmonton—and I may get the chance to interview one of them. Who would you choose to talk to: Frodo, Sam, Merry, or Pippin? Here’s who I’d pick (and why).
Dictation vs. Typing: The Pros, the Cons, and Why I’m Sticking With My Keyboard (For Now)
After my fourth serious trial, I’m calling it: for me, dictation is dead—at least for now. The modest bump in words per hour just doesn’t outweigh the tech friction, location lock-in, and editing overhead. If dictation plus clean-up time gets you more net words than typing, go for it. But if you’re already a clean, fast typist, the numbers might tell you to stick with your keyboard.
Top 5 Reasons You Should Pay an Editor (Instead of Doing It Yourself)
Let’s get one thing out of the way: you can technically edit your own work. Just like you can technically give yourself a root canal with a mirror, a bottle of bourbon, and a pair of pliers.
But should you?
Here are five good reasons to hire an editor instead of going solo.
Boudicca: The Celtic Queen Who Dared Rome
Boudicca wasn’t just a queen—she was an inferno wrapped in iron. After the Romans flogged her and assaulted her daughters, she rallied her tribe and scorched a path through Roman Britain so fierce, it still smolders in the national memory. She’s not just part of history—she is history. And maybe, just maybe, she shares blood with Arthur himself. The stories blur. The legends tangle. But oh, what a tale they tell.
Mastering Your To-Do List (Or: Why Half-Assing It Will Sink Your Writing Career)
A half-used task manager is worse than none at all. It lulls you into thinking you’re organized while your real workload smolders quietly in the background. As indie authors, we can’t afford that. There are just too many moving parts. The right system—used properly—turns chaos into calm, lets you stop reacting to fires, and helps you finally make space for the deep, strategic work that actually grows your career. Like, you know…writing.
Water, Arches, and Ancient Brilliance: The Underrated Fascination of Aqueducts
“Aqueducts are the perfect intersection of beauty and practicality. They’re not just pretty ruins—they were the arteries of ancient cities, still standing, still defying time.”