A discussion with another writer brought today’s topic to mind. She told me she selects background music with specific reference to the genre in which she’s writing. For example, if she’s writing fantasy, she’ll play music from a movie in that genre, or general music that focuses on that sort of theme. She’ll even tailor… Continue reading Sunday morning music
Tag: Writing
Saturday Snippet: a fast Viking getaway
Here’s another excerpt from my Viking fantasy novel, a work in progress of which I’ve already published two excerpts in these pages (see here and here). The background to this snippet is that Alvar, now in his mid-teens, has joined the crew of a trading ship that Olaf, his mentor, has taken to the upper… Continue reading Saturday Snippet: a fast Viking getaway
The trials and tribulations of an indie author – review edition
I’ll be very grateful if those of you who’ve bought and read my latest novel, “A River of Horns”, fourth in the Ames Archives, my Western series, would please leave a fair and honest review on its page at Amazon.com. I fear that launching it shortly before Christmas as I did, many people bought it,… Continue reading The trials and tribulations of an indie author – review edition
Saturday Snippet: a Viking hunting adventure
Readers seemed to like the snippet I posted from a proposed Viking/fantasy novel a couple of weeks ago: so here’s another one. The book is taking shape very quickly, and should be ready shortly. In this excerpt, the young Alvar (by now entering his teens) is hunting an elg, which is the Norwegian (and Viking)… Continue reading Saturday Snippet: a Viking hunting adventure
Saturday Snippet: a Viking teaser
During my ongoing recovery from my heart attack last month, I’ve been trying to work on the books I have in progress. It’s very difficult to write creatively when the new medication I’m taking makes me breathless, dizzy, and too easily tired. The combination doesn’t do much for my muse! As a result, when things… Continue reading Saturday Snippet: a Viking teaser
“A River of Horns” is published!
My latest Western novel, “A River of Horns“, fourth in the Ames Archives series, has been published in e-book format. A print edition will follow soon The blurb reads: Walt Ames and his Texas partner, Tyler Reese, know that the U.S. Army is bound and determined to push the Comanche and Kiowa tribes onto the… Continue reading “A River of Horns” is published!
Saturday Snippet: more hazards on the trail
Following my recent heart attack, I’ve found my writing activities severely disrupted. Part of it is the sheer amount of time I have to spend on cardiac rehabilitation classes, seeing doctors, and other related activities. However, much of it is due to medication issues. I’ve been put on one of the most recent anticoagulant/blood-thinner medications,… Continue reading Saturday Snippet: more hazards on the trail
“Trouble in the Wind”
Earlier this year, authors Chris Kennedy and James Young partnered to bring to market a trilogy of alternate-history short story anthologies of combat. They called it “The Phases of Mars“. The first book, “Those in Peril“, dealt with the sea and naval combat. The second volume, “To Slip the Surly Bonds“, dealt with aircraft and… Continue reading “Trouble in the Wind”
Saturday snippet: the perils of trail driving Texas longhorns
As part of writing the Western novels in my “Ames Archives” series, I spend a fair amount of time and money looking up original sources, written accounts of the Old West from people who were there and lived its reality. (Recently, in this series, we heard from famed scout Billy Dixon about the Second Battle… Continue reading Saturday snippet: the perils of trail driving Texas longhorns
Recovery is not as easy as I’d hoped
Following my adventures in hospital last week, I’ve been trying to get back on an even keel. Progress has been in fits and starts, with a few more fits than I’d have preferred! Still, I’m alive to work at it, which is a very good start. I’m on a new-fangled anticoagulant medication, because apparently the danger… Continue reading Recovery is not as easy as I’d hoped