Category: Writing Process

• Beta Readers: Choose Tough Ones

  I just heard back from my first beta reader concerning my newest novel MOSES THE SINGER. She’s ready to answer my questions. Am I terrified? Of course. She is the first person in the world to read this manuscript after myself. I have five other people working their way through it right now. Is it…

  sassevn

  October 26, 2019

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  beta readers, fiction writing, novel writing, writing advice, writing revisions, writing tips

• Novel Finished. Barely. What’s next?

  

  Sometimes writing takes a backseat to life. How dare it! Cutting into my writing time with family and barbecues and travel and house repairs and … You get the picture. And it’s all good, all the time. But even when I’m in the midst of enjoying some time away from writing, the bug to scratch…

  sassevn

  August 31, 2019

  Life, Writing Process

  novel writing, writing time

• 50,000 for the 9th Time

  I’ve hit 50,000 words for the 9th time in my life. That means I’ve written 9 novels. Not sure how many people in the world could ever say that, so that’s pretty cool, I guess. Here’s the proof: That was last week, actually. It’s now over 77,000, probably on its way to 80k to finish…

  sassevn

  August 7, 2019

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  malaysia, novel length, novel writing

• Ironing Shirts & Writing Novels. What’s the Difference?

  I bought a new shirt. It came in a box cause that’s how shirt’s are made these days, right? It didn’t fit. I sent it back. Didn’t even need a box cause that’s how shipping is done these days, right? I ordered another shirt. It fit great. I liked it. But it was cottony and…

  sassevn

  July 22, 2019

  Indie Author, Life, Writing Process

  novel writing, writing inspiration, writing process

• Penang. It’s official. The setting of my new novel.

  I’ve been contemplating using Penang in one of my novels for years. I lived there from 2006-2017, so I got to know the place well. But for some reason, I don’t like to write about places where I currently live. So two years after the fact, my first Malaysian-based novel is happening. It’s a curious…

  sassevn

  July 19, 2019

  Writing Process

  exotic locations, malaysia, novel writing, Penang

• Play Feedback: Drive-By

  

  I regularly submit my plays to theatres and festivals around the world. Some are chosen for production. Most are not. The competition is fierce. I love receiving feedback which is why I always submit to the Pittsburgh New Works Theatre. They have a fantastic process in which two unnamed judges give detailed feedback about all…

  sassevn

  July 8, 2019

  drama, Writing Process

  gun violence, Pittsburgh, playwriting

• Setting: Real or Fictitious?

  Choosing a setting for a novel isn’t always an easy task.  A writer friend advised me once to chose a fictitious setting for one of my novels, and she was absolutely right. In that case. The advantages of choosing a fictitious setting are many. Such as: The writer can make it look and feel however…

  sassevn

  May 18, 2019

  Writing Process

  novel writing, setting in novels, writing process, writing tips

• The Best I Could Is No Longer The Best I Can

  May this always be true: The best I could do is no longer the best I can do. If this is true, it means improvement is happening. And that’s what we want, isn’t it? Growth? I’m not the same writer I was five years ago. Honestly, that’s a very good thing.  When I was starting…

  sassevn

  May 11, 2019

  Uncategorized, Writing Process

  editing process, novel writing, self-improvement, self-publishing

• How do you know if a story ends well?

  How do you know if a story ends well? Cross your fingers? Hope that you’ve tied up all the necessary knots? There is no way. Not really. Okay, I’ve just finished – I mean minutes ago – the final edits on the end of my trilogy, and honestly I don’t know how I feel. I…

  sassevn

  February 8, 2019

  Indie Author, Writing Process

  evaluating a story, writing advice, writing fiction

• I answer questions about the creative process in the journal Crossing the Dissour

  

  Greywood Arts of Ireland released their first online journal about art and creativity. It’s entitled CROSSING THE DISSOUR, and they asked me to participate in the multi-artist interview on the creative process. You may remember that I had a writing residency in Ireland last year and had a terrific and productive time. I very much…

  sassevn

  January 30, 2019

  Writing Process

  creativity, Dissour River, Greywood Arts, ireland, writing inspiration