Diaballein

It's my first attempt at an advertising banner. What do you think? What I think is that it might be a bit dark, the background too strong for the text, or the text is the wrong colour -- but what would a person who's effectively colour-blind know about it? Any comments will be used in …

Arrrrghh! Where did it go?

It's about Goodreads and Titles. Once bitten by the bug that makes things disappear into the ether, I've become a bit paranoid -- and no, it's not about a mosquito or other bitey. Slightly different, but still makes me feel sick. It's a regular habit -- I go looking for my books, and the books …

Purpose

Short versions of deep stories, with no price attached -- shall I tell you about them? An aside: The Goodreads page is difficult to find. It's a lesson to storytellers -- make the title as close to unique as possible so readers can find it when they hear about it! Thanks, Li, for bringing this …

Glass Eye – Scene 1

approx 1800 words, the first scene of a suspenseful thriller about a field agent blinded on her first mission, and her journey toward avenging the death of her training partner in the same event. -- This example may not be exactly the same as the final version (or the first version; amended 26Nov2019), so if …

Who Reads Poetry?

The question is part of a Newsletter sent out by a poet whose words I read regularly. Who reads poetry? Why? How do they find it? What is it about the poetry that appeals? Poetry is a field of words I don't work in much. I read it. Some of it is inspired. I like …

A Stunning Feat

Herja, Devastation came onto the scene last week, made her debut. This week, she's sitting pretty. #1 New Release in its main category on Amazon. Three other categories show her in the top 100. She's spectacular, stunning, a bright, shiny light, new and different. Nouveau Noir in poetry and prose. Have you seen her yet? …

Time, Please

Each morning (after checking overnight emails, of course), I scroll through WP posts, and I saw these opening lines:There are so many things I'd like to write about but the truth is, I don't have the time. It's the same boat, but a different size. I'm not doing puzzles, just the tidying up and finalising …

Next Week, the Valkyries Fly

Herja, Devastation The eBook comes out next week, the paperback later in the month. The legend of Valkyrie breathes, as Herja, Devastation, once wronged, aims her mortal agent at her enemies. This is the man who bears the tale of vengeance in service to a higher, eminently more noble being. He is her assassin and …

Nouveau Noir

Ever heard of Herja? You know, the Valkyrie sister! How about Frank Prem? He's the poet who's had his books listed as No. 1 on the Amazon sites a few times. Yes, a few times! And he's about to put out a new one later this month, too. Did I mention that Frank and I …

What Makes a Happy Storyteller?

Reviews. Especially from people the writer respects and values as professional and sincere, a person with integrity, someone who helps and advises with flair and honesty. Why am I waffling on? Let me fill you in: It was the year 2017. I wrote a quick story during NaNoWriMo and self-published it. The story didn't turn …