Every novelist knows that writing a story is just the beginning. After the first draft, the manuscript often feels rough, with awkward sentences, unclear ideas, and inconsistent flow. This is where line editing plays a crucial role. It is a vital step that transforms a raw draft into a polished, engaging novel ready for readers. Line editing focuses on the clarity, style, and flow of your writing at the sentence and paragraph level. It goes beyond basic proofreading to improv

Writing historical fiction requires more than imagination. It demands careful research, attention to detail, and respect for the real people and events behind the story. My newest short story focuses on Mary Webster, a woman from 1600s New England who was hanged but survived. This remarkable event inspired me to dig deep into history and bring her story to life. Here, I want to share how I researched Mary Webster’s story, the methods I used, and why keeping an annotated bibli

The Italian sonnet, also known as the Petrarchan sonnet, stands as one of the most enduring and influential poetic forms in Western literature. Its structure and rhythm have shaped poetry for centuries, offering a clear framework for expressing complex emotions and ideas. For poets today, understanding and using the Italian sonnet can open new creative paths while connecting with a rich literary tradition. Handwritten Italian sonnet on aged paper What Defines the Italian Sonn

I'M BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN, but first.... This Blog is dedicated to the late Harvey Wilson: Christian. Friend, Writer. I’m a writer with two feet firmly planted in two different worlds—the traditionally published and the indie press. I'm a hybrid author. Yet, my training began in the pre-digital age: I trained as a journalist when the Internet wasn't even a common word, and concepts like digital publishing, indie writing,  or citizen journalists  were completely foreign. Th