Characters: The Heart of Your Story

What’s your favorite book? What do you remember about it that makes it your favorite? Was it the plot? Or was it character? One of mine is Lonesome Dove. Read the first chapter and tell you don’t know who all those characters are by the end of it and want...

Goodfellas; and Barge?

Since every idea has been done, a job of the writer is to absorb as much idea and story from the world around them. Not to plagiarize: it’s research. It’s our job. In the evening, my wife and I, and our dogs, pile into bed and watch TV. My wife always has...

Idea Is Not Story

I often see writers who are concerned about someone stealing their idea. The problem with that is that every idea has been done. I know there’s always someone who thinks they have a truly original idea that has never been thought of in the history of mankind,...