I’ve written a number of books over the years in several different genres. While mysteries are currently my focus, I’ve written romantic and supernatural stories, as well. All of them have had the primary purpose of highlighting gay protagonists, but I wanted to make sure that the overall story is fascinating and not just a…
Category: The Writing Process
These posts are related to my writing. They could include excerpts from my published works, but they’ll definitely give you insight into what’s going on in my head as I write.
During a wave of depressing news, maybe we need a little fluff
Much of the news we’re seeing right now is downright depressing with the threat of the coronavirus looming over us. As a journalist covering it from a local perspective, it’s been crazy seeing my community go from a bustling hub of activity with school events, community activities and more to being almost like a ghost…
What the hex is going on with the fantasy tale?
Hex of the Dragon Fruit has been one of those on-again, off-again books for me. I came up with the idea for the book two years ago, eager to come up with a bold, new fantasy world. Even though I was deep into developing the Zachary Gagewood Mysteries, creating Hex of the Dragon Fruit was…
A spelling error that will make you gag
Today, I self-published my 16th book, my eighth in the Zachary Gagewood Mysteries. Over the last decade, I’ve found a way to take the stories in my head and distribute them to a small, but loving, audience, and the process has almost become routine for me. Not so with this latest book. It was quite…
Unbelievable UntitledTown keeps things hopping
It always feels good when you’re surrounded by people who enjoy the things you do. That’s what really made the second annual UntitledTown so awesome for me. I had a single workshop at last year’s event, but this year saw me giving a solo presentation and sitting on three panels. About a week earlier, I…
A return to UntitledTown means more participation, exposure
I participated in my first book festival last year. It was a fledgling festival called UntitledTown and took place in Green Bay, about 30 minutes east of where I’m living. I figured I had just as much of a chance as any other author of being accepted into the festival, as organizers were hoping to…
Authors have to take a stab at evolution when writing
People who read series enjoy seeing the characters evolve, grow into something, make improvements, suffer setbacks and more. Many of us evolve in real life—not all, but many—so it makes sense that our favorite fictional characters do the same. I just finished the first draft of A Murder Shatters Peaceful Valley, and in taking a…
Writing doesn’t always leave time for reading
Writing leaves little time for reading. It would seem like writers would spend their non-writing time reading. However, the stack of unread books on top of my bookcase tell a different story. I will occasionally see a book on the websites I frequent or the bookstores I visit and buy it, telling myself I can’t…
Inspiration can strike with an open palm or a pair of brass knuckles
Inspiration strikes you at the strangest times. Many times, it’ll be when you’re ill-prepared to follow the story down the garden path. I’ve had many occasions where the roadmap for my story suddenly became crystal clear, but by the time I could get to my computer to start typing, the illuminate links in my story…
Thrill of book publishing remains, whether it’s the first or the 14th
It’s the end of a journey. I’m breathing a sigh of relief. There’s no more work to be done. It’s time to let it stand on its own two feet. Wait a minute. Books don’t have feet. Today is a big day as Creampuff of the County debuts for readers. It is the culmination of…
All’s fair in creampuffs and murder
Who has fond memories of going to the county fair? Who remembers riding the rides on the midway, gorging themselves on every fried food imaginable from flashy food wagons? Who remembers oohing and aahing over the assortment of animal entries—big pigs, friendly cows and those cute little bunnies in the cages. I’m really sorry, but…
The day Lee Pulaski sold out
This weekend marked an interesting milestone for me. No, it’s not the completion of my 30th book. No, it’s not the completion of my longest book. Saturday was the first time I sold out. It wasn’t my job or my friends or anything like that. I didn’t sell my soul or anything of the kind….
Rural Roots and American Rainbows 