I want to preface this article by noting that I am not a professional by any means. What I’m hoping this article will do is help other beginning authors like myself learn from the struggles and mistakes that I made in my first year. I published my book as an ebook in April 2017 and … Continue reading What I learned in my First Year of Self Publishing
Tag: Novel
Book Review : Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore By Robin Sloan
Every so often there’s a book that comes along that leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy in a way that feels so genuine you can’t help but smile and tear up. This was what happened to my significant other had as she finished Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. When she lent it to … Continue reading Book Review : Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore By Robin Sloan
Healthy Living, Meditation and Flow State Writing
Lately I’ve been watching a lot of videos regarding self improvement and living a healthy lifestyle. My goal, like many others, was to improve my day to day life and generally be healthier. At first I thought it would be a simple endeavor but soon realized it required a discipline I had not really cultivated … Continue reading Healthy Living, Meditation and Flow State Writing
Book Review : Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Typically when I finish reading an amazing book, there’s an apprehension that fills me when I hear of a sequel. Many might hear of a sequel and be overjoyed to learn that the story continues, but there have been many that end horribly so. Thankfully Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo turned out to be an … Continue reading Book Review : Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Worldbuilding : Maps
At the start of the year I started looking into releasing a second edition of my book with new additions I had learned about. There were many lessons in marketing and design I wish I had known initially when I first published my book to make it appear more professional. I finished a new cover … Continue reading Worldbuilding : Maps
Finding a Character’s Voice
Character development is already a difficult task. I can’t fathom how many hours I’ve spent struggling with creating characters and understanding exactly who they are. It’s not simply how the characters grow as the story progresses, but how the world reacts to them. Do they give off a different aura about them than they had … Continue reading Finding a Character’s Voice
Book Review : Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
YA Tropes are becoming more common to anyone familiar with the genre. There’s the grumpy loner, the badass girl hiding her feelings, the pretty girl with a hidden nature, and a misunderstood tough guy with a soft heart. However just because a trope is a trope, there’s nothing wrong with it so long as it’s … Continue reading Book Review : Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Book Review : Mechanical Failure by Joe Zieja
I can’t remember the last time I genuinely enjoyed a comedic novel for its humor and its plot progression. Mechanical Failure by Joe Zieja is both a well written work of science fiction and genuinely one of the funniest books I’ve ever read. I’ve had several moments where I put the book down because I … Continue reading Book Review : Mechanical Failure by Joe Zieja
Motivated Writing vs Disciplined Writing
Creating consistent results in writing had always proven to be the most difficult goal for me as a writer. I feel that I’m also not alone in this as other writers I’ve talked to have also struggled with achieving results. I wrote an article a while back when I heard about the idea of discipline … Continue reading Motivated Writing vs Disciplined Writing
Character Design : How do you write a deity?
While reading Norse Mythology by Neil Gaimen, I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the adventures of Thor, Loki and Odin. We live in a time where characters are expected to be deep and often complicated with various emotions. My first criticism of any story I read is whether or not the characters are … Continue reading Character Design : How do you write a deity?
Raph's Cozy Musings 