What is this? -- This is what remains of a concrete ship run aground at Sunset Beach, NJ.

writing: A writer observes and sees what others glimpse. He strips bare an idea to the emotions behind it. Sometimes, if he's lucky, there's monsters to expose.

The rough draft of a novel is always ugly.

Pigs on the Beach

There seems to be a story here.

Writing: A scene and a story is build in layers. There is what is seen and heard (think play), the second is what the characters feel and experience emotionally. And third, never to be forgotten is the plot (where the scene is going.)

Writing projects need preparation. An Idea, Research, an Outline, an operational Computer, a Place to write, Time ...

I've cleaned my writing office today. I'm running out of excuses. Time to get going.

Dreams of lofty goals send us on our journey. We follow these dreams of fame and fortune, long after we stop believing in them. In time, we realize the journey is the goal and dream the means.

On writing: Writing your best is the goal and the journey.

The space to dream comes from inside.

Dreams feed writers.

When writers sleep, their minds continue to work. Sometimes the ideas are shrouded in symbols and must be deciphered. Other times a story is given as a gift. Before becoming fully awake try to grasp your dreams and sift them for gold.

The picture was taken from the plane.

Yes, I've been away from my computer a lot lately. I wish I could say it was warm and sunny while I was in Florida, still it's good to get away.

Writing: Sometimes getting away gives you a different perspective on your life. In writing, perspective --point of view character and the framework (the genre)-- drives the story. When the writing doesn't flow, you're telling the story from the wrong perspective. Because my book was not moving, I tried the story from another character's vantage point. I may have found a new protagonist. I'll let you know how it goes.