On February 6th the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) kicked off 2015 with its winter conference in New York City. This was the third conference I’ve attended, and my first as a member of the faculty. If you’re interested in writing or illustrating children’s books, I really can’t recommend . . .
Learn MoreThis past week I attended the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) national conference in Los Angeles. For those unfamiliar with SCBWI, it’s an organization that brings together people from all areas of children’s publishing — writers, illustrators, editors, agents, art directors, publicists, etc. If you’re interested in making children’s . . .
Learn MoreEvery author is a world builder, an architect of settings and characters that interact in various ways. Fantasy and science-fiction writers are particularly reliant on world building because the settings, denizens, or rules by which their world(s) operate are more imaginative. The best are able to balance fantastical elements with plausibility and . . .
Learn MoreHenry discusses “Hook, Line, and Sinker” — his approach to developing characters for The Tapestry.
Learn MoreI receive many emails from fellow writers who want to get their work published. I’m often asked how this process works and what “secrets” I can share. While I’m short on trade secrets, I’ll address the topic as best I can. Keep in mind that my take is simply that — my . . .
Learn MoreThere are times any writer hits a wall and has difficulty pushing forward. Whenever I get stuck, I’ll spend some time drawing the scene I’m trying to write. This has several benefits — it keeps me engaged in The Tapestry’s world, allows me to use different creative “muscles”, and permits me to . . .
Learn MoreOne of the most important things any writer or artist can do is reflect upon their work, recognize what’s gone well, and — more importantly — what they have learned and would do differently if given the chance to tackle the project again. After all, almost any major creative endeavor has its . . .
Learn MoreFantasy writers are bound only by their imaginations and can choose their world, its characters, and even the rules by which their world operates. While the writer has complete flexibility, he or she does have to take care that their world and story have credibility and emotional resonance. This is particularly important . . .
Learn MoreMany readers have asked me if I listen to music when I write. The answer is yes and no. Music is an incredibly powerful force – one that has the potential to flavor, shape, and even dictate mood and creative output. It’s no accident that Frank Herbert’s God Emperor outlawed music as . . .
Learn More