Category Archives: Inspiration
For Writers, “The End” Are Beautiful Words
Writing a novel is hard, so it’s always a relief when I finish one. Earlier this week, I typed my two of my favorite words—THE END—on the first draft of the young adult book I am co-authoring with a good … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Novel, Science Fiction, Writing
Tagged Co-author, Collaboration, Writing Craft
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This Story Sale is Special
I sold a story yesterday, but this sale is a bit more special to me than many of my others. It has nothing to do with the story per se—I’m proud of all my stories—it has to do with the … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Science Fiction
Tagged Mementos from My Lives (Un)Lived, Nature; Futures, Sale
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Feels Good to Sell This One
Every acceptance letter is exciting and uplifting, but the one I got last night was particularly gratifying. Apex Magazine, one of the best pro markets for dark speculative fiction, accepted my story “Gift for the Cutter Man.” This one has … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Science Fiction
Tagged Gift for the Cutter Man, Short Story, Submissions
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You Don’t Have Time to Write, You Make it
I may make a living writing, but much to my disappointment, I just don’t do it writing fiction. I hold down a full time job, sometimes more than one, and I have a family. I have a couple of pets, … Continue reading
Where Writers Earn Their Money
I’ve mentioned several times over the past few months that I’m writing a YA novel as part of a collaboration. For my part, I’ve taken on the task of writing the first draft, which will then be joint-edited by my … Continue reading
The Little Story that Couldn’t
I suspect every writer has a story that they really believe in, and try as they might, they can’t seem to sell it to anyone. Mine is a flash story that I wrote about eight years ago, and has had … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Writing
Tagged Rejection, Short Story, Submissions, Writing Craft
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The Writing Doldrums
I write at several lengths, from flash fiction to short stories to novellas and novels. Each length presents its own challenges, but one thing that I find common to all lengths is something I call the “writing doldrums.” In almost … Continue reading
The Challenge of Putting Music into Words
One of my current works in progress is a young adult book about a group of teenagers in a band who need to use their musical prowess to stave off Armageddon. It’s sort of a Percy-Jackson-meets-King-Crimson story, where the plucky … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Writing
Tagged Collaboration, Work in Progress, Writing Craft
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Rounded Characters and Compelling Arcs
The success of a story often hangs on the presence of a compelling character. When I first started writing fiction and submitting it to magazines, I was fortunate to receive feedback from editors (perhaps they recognized my newbie status) via … Continue reading
Inspiration: “The Memory Plague”
Sometimes writing a story can be easy. An idea comes to you, and the words flow out like a river. Editing goes quickly, and if you’re fortunate, you sell it on your first try. I’ve had that happen a few … Continue reading
Posted in Inspiration, Science Fiction, Writing
Tagged Lightspeed Magazine, Short Story, The Memory Plague
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D. Thomas Minton 