Gail Force: An Interview With The Indomitable Gail Simone
March 15, 2022
One of my favorite interview with one of my favorite people. … More Gail Force: An Interview With The Indomitable Gail Simone
Tag: tips on writing
Writing to the Non-Existing Audience
April 12, 2017
Originally published at Thagomizer Recently I was having a conversation with a couple of friends and acquaintances regarding the release of my novel, Hollowstone. As I explained the premise behind the book, they expressed it was a novel they would be very interested in reading. They then expressed that they don’t read books. As the … More Writing to the Non-Existing Audience
My Steps To Creating Characters And Building Worlds
April 11, 2017
Originally published at Twinjas Book Reviews One of the questions I’m constantly asked (which admittedly I never get tired of answering) is what my process in terms of world building and developing complex characters. My approach to world-building and character development ultimately corresponds to my overall approach to storytelling. As a writer, I personally … More My Steps To Creating Characters And Building Worlds
Shonda Rhimes: A Screenwriter’s Advice
November 10, 2014
Hat tip to my buddy Benjamin forwarded me this webcomic. I definitely appreciated what Shonda Rhimes wrote as I’ve lived Rhimes’s point on many a day. It’s great to dream, and the good book says that faith the size of mustard seeds can move mountains. But the Bible also says that faith without … More Shonda Rhimes: A Screenwriter’s Advice
The Value Of A Blogger
September 18, 2012
My good buddy, the beautiful and brilliant Sisterspooky has a most excellent post on the value of bloggers and the roles we play in the publishing industry. As I stated on her blog in a reply comment: “This is a most interesting topic as I identify as much as being a blogger as … More The Value Of A Blogger
Ankh Speaks: The Day Job
August 31, 2012
So over on Middle Child Press, Ankhesen Mie explains why artists being unemployed is not a good look. ________________________________________ I recently viewed a trailer for a film we shall not speak of here. In the trailer, the protagonist is a struggling writer who totally sucksis having money problems because he won’t buckle down and get a damn … More Ankh Speaks: The Day Job
The Heterosexist Narrative
August 19, 2012
And my girl Ankhesen Mie comes out swinging, HARD!!!!! __________________ After battling the worst bout of writer’s block I’ve had in a while, I finally rescued myself by coming to one of my momentous decisions: no more stories where love is a central theme, and no more sex scenes (unless they have a comical edge). … More The Heterosexist Narrative
21 Lessons Learned As A Debut Novelist
July 11, 2012
So a little over a year ago, something very special happened. My novel Hollowstone was released. To say it changed my life forever would be a vast understatement. From traveling across the country to promote the book, to connecting with extraordinary people all over the globe, I’ve had so many wonderful experiences thanks to … More 21 Lessons Learned As A Debut Novelist
The Writing Group: To Group or Not To Group
February 4, 2012
The following guest post comes from the very lovely and talented Jess Faraday, author of Affair of the Porcelain Dog, a novel that has been getting some serious buzz and some nice accolades. You can find Ms. Faraday on her official blog at http://jessfaraday.com/. _________________________________________________ The Writing Group: To Group or Not To Group Jess Faraday Hi … More The Writing Group: To Group or Not To Group
A Novel Pro-Tip
January 14, 2012
Pro-Tip for authors: If you receive a negative a review on your novel, story, DO NOT ENGAGE! Maybe the reviewer misread the piece. Maybe the reviewer is too dense to get your genius and is an idiot. Maybe the reviewer has a hangup on one issue and it’s blinding them to the overall story. Maybe … More A Novel Pro-Tip
The Craft: Author vs. Writer
December 20, 2011
So my good friend and fellow novelist, Corruption author Amaya Radjani, recently penned a most brilliant piece about when a writer becomes an author based on a previous discussion she and I had. You should definitely stop by and show her some love. _____________________ The Craft: Author vs. Writer By Amaya Radjani During … More The Craft: Author vs. Writer
You Have Questions, I Have Answers
October 27, 2011
Just a quick reminder, I’m doing a Hollowstone Q&A for a forthcoming post and I’m still taking questions. I’ve got a lot of great ones so far and would be happy to answer them. So if you’ve read the book and wanted to know what inspired the characters, certain storylines, ask away. Wanna know how … More You Have Questions, I Have Answers
Reading, Writing, And Musing In The Dark
October 4, 2011
A few writing posts that are definitely worth checking out: My good friend Amaya Radjani has a new book out entitled Corruption. She discusses that and her experiences in becoming an author a co-founding an independent press. An excellent post on the importance of POCs pooling their resources and supporting each other in the media. … More Reading, Writing, And Musing In The Dark
Joss Whedon’s Top 10 Writing Tips
August 29, 2011
Anyone who’s known me for five seconds knows that I’m a hardcore Joss Whedonite. Suffice to say, I was beyond stoked when I came upon this article. Even though Whedon is referring to screenwriting, these tips definitely apply to storytelling in general. ___________________________ Joss Whedon’s Top 10 Writing Tips At the Screenwriters’ Festival launch last week, I … More Joss Whedon’s Top 10 Writing Tips
Everytime You Bring The Gay, You Crush A Writer’s Dreams
August 15, 2011
Last weekend I was reading Peter David’s blog and came across this nugget. I haven’t been able to stop laughing since for reasons that are about to be obviously clear: _____________________________ This is a new one on me I’ve become used to the typical reasons that hostility is aimed at me. The guys who assail … More Everytime You Bring The Gay, You Crush A Writer’s Dreams
Writing To The Non-Existing Audience
August 2, 2011
And we are so having a Kyle XY Day today. And in related news, yours truly has a guest post up over on Thagomizer.net. Hat tip to the beautiful and ever-awesome Debi H. Linton for having me. I discuss (as you guessed from the title of this post) writing to the non-existing audience and what … More Writing To The Non-Existing Audience
My 20 Steps To Getting Published
July 19, 2011
So since Hollowstone’s release, most of you know that I’ve been doing overtime promoting the novel. Not surprising, one of the things I’m asked the most are steps and advice to getting published. Several colleagues at work asked me for some tips on writing a novel and seeing it published. The following is an email … More My 20 Steps To Getting Published
Cult of Personality
June 22, 2011
And while Hollowstone is out, The Magical Mystery Virtual Book Tour isn’t over. My next stop is at The Jack Fiend’s Lair where my main girl and I sit down for a Q&A on Hollowstone, writing and being from the Dirty South. After that I’m stopping by the website of the lovely and talented Corinne … More Cult of Personality
Writing Sympathetic (Gay) Characters
May 29, 2011
Over on DiversityInYA, author Brent Hartinger recently penned an excellent post on writing sympathetic characters. I definitely recommend you check it out.
DENNIS R. UPKINS 