The Inquisitive Inkpot
Exploring Tales and the Art of Telling
Tag: writing
The Secret Character Arc
Every good story needs a character arc. Plot arc and character arc—those are the two essential ingredients in any story. Without those two, you have something less than quality storytelling. What I’ve noticed, though, is that not all characters see their own arc. Now… Continue Reading “The Secret Character Arc”
The Power of the Pitch
Have you ever had to pitch an idea to someone? Of course you have. We pitch ideas to other people all the time, whether we realize it or not. Whether you get what you want out of it is a whole separate question. Authors… Continue Reading “The Power of the Pitch”
Developing New Skills and Defeating Demons
Before developing new skills this year, it’s helpful to take stock of your existing inventory. Basically, before moving forward, you need to know where you are now. Taking a personal inventory is helpful for more than just skill development. Examining our minds and hearts… Continue Reading “Developing New Skills and Defeating Demons”
An Unexpected Children’s Book Series
It’s official: what I had thought would be a one-off project has turned into a franchise. I am creating a children’s book series! No, this is not a continuation of Melvin the Missing Sock—it’s a collection of stories dedicated to teaching kids vocabulary and… Continue Reading “An Unexpected Children’s Book Series”
Stepping toward the Sequel
For those of you who have already read The Exile, I have some perhaps long-awaited news: a sequel is underway. I’ll admit that this decision came with some difficulty, largely because of my own fondness of open endings. The beauty of open endings is… Continue Reading “Stepping toward the Sequel”
When Does a Signature become an Autograph?
Autographs: we worship them. We cut in line for them. We spend money for them. Everyone has that person whose autograph they would do most anything for. And yet, what makes an autograph so special? Isn’t it just a glorified signature? Yes, basically. But… Continue Reading “When Does a Signature become an Autograph?”
Of Saplings and Stories: What We can Learn
When I’m not writing stories, I work with trees. Let’s be clear: I’m not the one cutting trees down or doctoring them up—no, no, you will not see me wielding a chainsaw or fertilizer. Instead, I run the marketing and communications department for a… Continue Reading “Of Saplings and Stories: What We can Learn”
Reading Aloud to Young Listeners
When I found myself reading aloud to twelve hungry-eyed elementary students, I suddenly realized why I had written a children’s book. Well, “suddenly” is perhaps incorrect, since parents had already been sending me pictures of their kids reading my children’s book. That’s pretty fulfilling.… Continue Reading “Reading Aloud to Young Listeners”
Publishing: When an Author gets down to Business
Any aspiring author will one day come face-to-face with a formidable opponent: that opponent is called logistics. All right, you’ve written your book. You’ve revised the heck out of it. Maybe you’ve even found an illustrator. And now…? If the honeymoon phase with your… Continue Reading “Publishing: When an Author gets down to Business”
Illustrations that Breathe a Children’s Book to Life
I will never forget the first pictures I saw of my children’s book—pictures I didn’t draw. Oh, I’d storyboarded and thrown together some third-grade quality sketches, but I had yet to meet my own character face-to-face on a page. Or should I say, face-to-foot?… Continue Reading “Illustrations that Breathe a Children’s Book to Life”
