Too Much Smiling

I noticed years ago that when I was at all uncertain while writing, I’d have the characters smile. It served no story purpose, just a nervous tic, attempting to ensure they were likable. I stopped doing it, and it made my writing stronger.

Just now, seeing yet another post about women being told to “smile more,” I realized the connection between that attitude and the bad habit I had developed in my writing. Continue reading “Too Much Smiling”

Baseline Normality in Ocean Horror Movies

I’m watching Underwater (2020), and it seems to have a monster that should interest me… but I’m barely paying attention.

Now, sure, I could TRY HARDER to pay attention, but I’m watching it for fun. And also, I’ve learned from being a slush reader to trust my instincts… Continue reading “Baseline Normality in Ocean Horror Movies”

Tricks and Gimmicks

I’m trying to work out a schedule for the book I’m writing, and my desire to finish the book soon is very much in conflict with my desire to not require myself to write very many words per day.

I’ve been kind of floundering with writing this book, and I think it’s partly because I thought I could rely on the same strategies as I used for the previous book in the trilogy, which I wrote last fall. Continue reading “Tricks and Gimmicks”