Fictionaut Blog

I wanted to write something that met some of the requirements of the suspense genre. And that is to hook the reader quickly, hold tight, and set the plot in motion.

Recently:
   Checking in with Dirty Theologians
   Fictionaut Five: Roy Kesey

The work of a dirty theologian isn’t found in the Inspiration Section, but in jars hidden in caves, between mattresses, and in the locked drawers of the clergy.

Recently:
   Fictionaut Five: Roy Kesey
   Checking in with Atticus Books

By the time I hit the end of what I already know the character will say or think, I’ve built up enough momentum that the character will keep on talking or thinking or acting, and I’m just sitting there taking notes.

Recently:
   Checking in with Atticus Books

We pulled into a gravel parking lot and as I got out of the car the first thing I noticed was a wooden sign for sale: ATTICUS BOOKS.

Recently:
   Fictionaut Five: Jane Bradley
   Monday Chat with Robert Vaughan
   Line Breaks: “White Bread” by Jessica Anya Blau

When you feel stuck blocked, lazy, just write to your lowest standard. Get any, as many as you can, words on the page — or monitor. This works. Often I’ll just keep scrawling out awful stuff, and then in the process, suddenly hit gold. This bit of advice has gotten me through many a tough day.

Recently:
   Monday Chat with Robert Vaughan
   Line Breaks: “White Bread” by Jessica Anya Blau

In this story, I wanted that ambivalence, the unanswerable question of gender to be as haunting as the story itself.

Recently:
   Line Breaks: “White Bread” by Jessica Anya Blau
   Fictionaut Five: Timothy Schaffert

   New Twitter Feed: @FictonautRx

The story was worthless, she said, a narcissistic, solipsistic, repugnant waste of time.

Recently:
   Fictionaut Five: Timothy Schaffert
   New Twitter Feed: @FictonautRx
   Introducing Fictionaut Front Page
   Checking in with @Geek

When I say I don’t write every day, it feels somewhat like a dirty confession. But I think “writing” is more than just sitting hunched over your computer, pecking away.

Recently:
   New Twitter Feed: @FictonautRx
   Introducing Fictionaut Front Page
   Checking in with @Geek

In addition to our regular, 100% handmade @Fictionaut Twitter feed, we are now offering an automated stream of community recommendations called @FictionautRx.

Recently:
   Introducing Fictionaut Front Page
   Checking in with @Geek
   Fictionaut Five: Alan Heathcock

I’m happy to announce Front Page, a monthly post where I get to showcase your success stories in a more formal capacity. So, if you have any news to share - A book contract or published story, award or grant etc. etc., send links and/or relevant info to me so that I can include it in Front Page.

Recently:
   Checking in with @Geek
   Fictionaut Five: Alan Heathcock
   Monday Chat with Meg Pokrass