My novel is moving along. I am always impressed with people who can actually complete the National Novel Writing Month (or whatever it is called). 50,000 words in 30 days is no small feat. I don’t think I could do it – and not have it turn out into anything worth reading (or editing). That… Read more »
Posts By: Neal Sandin
Journal Entry – Nov 1, 2015
In writing (or reading), imagine how boring a character would be if they were just angry or only sad. A purely evil or good character is not only unrealistic, but also quite dull. Yet, think of how interesting a murderer would be if he/she also always visited his grandmother with flowers.
Journal Entry – Oct 30, 2015
The novel I am working on, fitfully for far too long, keeps changing underneath my very well laid out plans. This is a good thing, as it seems that the characters are more fleshed out, more real, have stronger personalities that can move about on their own, while I am desperately try to keep up… Read more »
Journal Entry – October 25, 2015
I have been making strong, steady progress on my longer piece of fiction. It has taken me quite some time to get to this point, a lot of frustration and self-doubt, but the story is finally coming together.
Journal Entry – Oct 20, 2015
In the past, I have read that one should always “stay hungry.” I have generally taken that to mean that one should always be ambitious, never to rest on one’s laurels, etc. But it seems that there is a more literal truth to this – being hungry is not only good for me to lose… Read more »
Journal Entry – Oct. 16, 2015
For me, the activity itself is not enough. When I go for a walk, I want to have a purpose for the walk beyond itself (e.g., seeing a sight, finding a clue on a treasure hunt, etc.). If I exercise, it is not just to lose weight and get healthier, but rather to develop a… Read more »
Journal Entry – October 14, 2015
Watching bad B-movies makes me wonder if my own writing is as stilled and one dimensional. I suppose many authors (aspiring or otherwise) feel this way. But the goal for me is to create something enveloping, but how does one know if it is so? If a story is not enveloping, not immersive, if it… Read more »
Journal Entry – Oct 13, 2015
I am making strong progress on my longer piece, will probably be about as long as Neil Gaiman’s Coraline. I have to be careful about the tone of the story. I find that when I force it, it comes off as distracting to the moment described. Yet, I want the story to be fun –… Read more »
Non-Conventional Weapons and a Lasting Peace
Currently reading the book Greek File, Poison Arrows and Scorpion Bombs by Adrienne Mayor, detailing the use of unconventional (i.e., chemical and biological) weapons in the ancient world.
Flaws Make Beauty
Flaws make beauty. Anyone can draw a perfect tree. It happens to look like a lollipop. However, with a crack in the bark, a wilted leaf, a hole from a worm, a knot in the wood, the tree takes on character and depth.
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