This week I share a method I’ve come up with to help me write every day that I’m calling a story sketch. It’s also a great way to practice as a writer, experiment, and try out new techniques. I also talk a bit about how writing longhand is very different than typing when writing and some distinct advantages it has. Even though it’s not how I would want to write most stories, it’s perfect for the story sketch. Finally, I share how the story sketch will help with improvisation in writing and why that’s important no matter what kind of writer you are. Links Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify. Get a f ..read more

This week I discuss the differences between writing and storytelling. If you’re like me, you may have spent a lot of time and energy focusing on your writing while giving little thought to the art of telling a good story. I illustrate how point-of-view violations are anathema to good storytelling. Finally I explain how whichever path you’re taking—traditional publishing or independent publishing—good storytelling is far more important to your success than good writing. Links Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify. Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel F ..read more

This week I catch you up to what I’ve been doing writing-wise. I discuss protagonist flaws and problems. I also explore the limitations I’ve found in the misbelief concept. I think these limitations are overcome by realizing a misbelief is just a type of flaw. Links Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify. Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word. Join my Book Club. How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library. Wired for Story by Lisa Cron Story Genius by Lisa Cron Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody Writing Excuses ..read more

This week I share some of what I learned at a local writing conference I attended recently. I also share some decent writing craft books I’ve discovered that I’ll likely be talking some more about in future episodes. Links Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify. Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word. Join my Book Club. How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library. Wired for Story by Lisa Cron Story Genius by Lisa Cron Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody Wonderbook by Jeff Vandermeer Writing Excuses episode on Th ..read more

This week I share some of what I’ve learned about independent publishing compared to traditional publishing. I also give some of my thoughts on The Wheel of Time TV show thus far. Links Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify. Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word. Join my Book Club. How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library. Wired for Story by Lisa Cron Wonderbook by Jeff Vandermeer Support the show. Join my Discord server. Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391 ..read more

I discuss my thoughts on Starlink, Starship, and the colonization of Mars. Will we really use chemical rockets to get to Mars? Will we ever have cities on the surface of Mars? Links Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify. Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word. Join my Book Club. How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library. QueryTracker qtCritique Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines Nuclear Fission Rocket Engines Project Orion & Fusion Pulse Propulsion Direct Fusion Drive More on Direct Fusion Drive Support the show. J ..read more

I discuss what I’ve learned about how the creative process works in the human brain and how I’ve used this to revise and improve my daily writing goal. I also talk a bit about the nested cylinders of Union City and growing trees in space. Links Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify. Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word. Join my Book Club. How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library. Big Picture Science episode on The Creative Brain. Support the show. Join my Discord server. Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391 ..read more

This week I explain why the novel I’m writing is allowed to suck. I also talk a bit about why it's best to focus on a genre & subgenre in the beginning of your writing career. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word. Join my Book Club. How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library. Support the show. Join my Discord server. Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391 ..read more

This week I share an example of how not to receive a critique. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word. Join my Book Club. How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library. Support the show. Join my Discord server. Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391 Episode on Receiving Negative Reviews. Episode on How to Receive a Critique. Episode on Writing Groups ..read more

Today I talk about why I now think writing Critical Balance for mainstream readers was a mistake. I also talk a bit about beginning the first draft of my new novel. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word. Join my Book Club. How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library. Support the show. Join my Discord server. Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391 Episode on Making Writing a Habit. Episode on Setting the Right Writing Goal for You ..read more