I’ve always been uncomfortable with genres as a writer, which has led me to be pigeonholed into the very broad category of “literary fiction.” That suits me fine on a certain level, but it’s not a great fit when people pick up my books expecting a cozy book club read. But I’ve been inspired by … Continue reading My first foray into crime fiction: “Red Warning”
War is not a genre
I’ve previously written about how the demands of the algorithms that drive online marketing have created more genres than ever (over 13000 distinct genres on Amazon!). But even before this proliferation of categories within literature, some commonly accepted genres were problematic. The “war” genre is one of these. The modern “war novel” as a genre … Continue reading War is not a genre
Self-Discipline unlocks Creativity
When the average person thinks of an “Artist,” or even just a very creative person, that they don’t necessarily associate them with the idea of “discipline.” Lots has been written about the business of being an artist, and what it takes to be commercially successful – planning, hustle and drive. Perhaps in this context, the … Continue reading Self-Discipline unlocks Creativity
How to Outline a Story with Index Cards
I began writing seriously with screenplays, and learned about using index cards to outline a story from my writing partner. Screenwriters have been using them for years, but I use them whenever I am writing a story that is too long or complex for the outline to easily fit on a page. They’re also particularly … Continue reading How to Outline a Story with Index Cards
On Algorithms and Genre
It’s generally accepted that in modern literature there are two broad kinds of fiction – literary fiction and genre fiction. While it is often said that the difference is that genre fiction is principally concerned with plot and convention, while literary fiction elevates character and theme, this is not the only difference. The sub-text, sometimes … Continue reading On Algorithms and Genre
Women are the Price of Peace in Afghanistan
The rights and role of women in society has long been a thorny issue in Afghanistan, well before the Taliban regime that brought international interest to the subject. It’s useful to understand the history of the issue as a driver of conflict to also understand what is happening today. While the issue of women’s rights might seem … Continue reading Women are the Price of Peace in Afghanistan