Wakeless River Blog

Welcome to the Wakeless River Blog.

Here you’ll find my thoughts about books, writing, and navigating a literary life.

Or maybe they’ll find you.

The End is Only the Beginning

When you’re writing your novel, story, or screenplay, the end of your story may seem like an eternity away. It might even seem like the easiest part of the process to ignore, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Your ending doesn’t have to be epic or grandiose; it just needs to wrap up…
A Tale of Three Genres

Sci-fi, fantasy, and sci-fantasy are three of the most popular genres out there in books, movies, and video games. But what makes them different? And what makes them similar? Are they all just sci-fi with different names, or do they each have distinct differences? There are plenty of stories that mix and mingle the elements…
The Story Your Bookshelf Tells

Your bookshelf tells a story all its own. If you’re like me, yours is probably stuffed with books that don’t fit on it anymore because you can’t bear to part with them — even if they have no practical use in your life anymore. If your bookshelf could talk, it would tell the story of…

Latest Posts

The End is Only the Beginning
When you’re writing your novel, story, or screenplay, the end of your story may seem like an eternity away. It might even seem like the easiest part of the process to ignore, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Your ending doesn’t have to be epic or grandiose; it just needs to wrap up… Read more: The End is Only the Beginning
A Tale of Three Genres
Sci-fi, fantasy, and sci-fantasy are three of the most popular genres out there in books, movies, and video games. But what makes them different? And what makes them similar? Are they all just sci-fi with different names, or do they each have distinct differences? There are plenty of stories that mix and mingle the elements… Read more: A Tale of Three Genres
The Story Your Bookshelf Tells
Your bookshelf tells a story all its own. If you’re like me, yours is probably stuffed with books that don’t fit on it anymore because you can’t bear to part with them — even if they have no practical use in your life anymore. If your bookshelf could talk, it would tell the story of… Read more: The Story Your Bookshelf Tells
Poetry, Songs, and Lore
Creating worlds and crafting stories can be an enjoyable and rewarding process. However, crafting your world down to the smallest detail can take time and energy, and sometimes it’s hard to figure out how everything fits together in your universe. This is where lore comes in. It’s a great way to add depth and weight… Read more: Poetry, Songs, and Lore
Bring On The Backstories!
What makes a character seem real? Why do we empathize with some characters and not others? Backstory. Every character has one, even if we don’t know it (we’ll come back to this later). It’s what gives them depth and makes them relatable (or not). A well-rounded character needs a backstory. Why are they the way… Read more: Bring On The Backstories!
The Black Hole on the Blank Page
If you have ever tried to write without starting from something tangible, you know it isn’t easy to do so. You might even spend more time deciding on what to write than actually writing it. So why do we keep saying never start with a blank page? There are many reasons. One of them is… Read more: The Black Hole on the Blank Page
The Nine Notes of a Well Sung Story
Every song starts somewhere. We don’t think of it as ‘starting,’ unless we expect to sing the song. Birthday parties, concerts, even alone in our cars, we know the beginning of a song. We know, too, when it gets good, when the pitch changes, and when the singer hits that note. The one we probably… Read more: The Nine Notes of a Well Sung Story
Stunning Stories in Summer Settings
Hey, now! It’s finally summer! And what better way to spend this glorious season than by immersing yourself in the world of some of your favorite authors? Summertime and the reading’s easy. Whether you’re in the mood to read on the beach or just lounging by the pool, summer offers plenty of options for escaping… Read more: Stunning Stories in Summer Settings
Change: Why It’s Good for Writers
Changes are rarely easy, whether you’re the one making them or experiencing them secondhand. Change, though, can be an opportunity to grow in ways that may not have been possible before the change began occurring. I’ve been lucky enough to experience both sides of this equation over the past few years, and I’m here to… Read more: Change: Why It’s Good for Writers
The Many Benefits of Co-Authoring
Co-written books can be exciting and fun to write, if you’re with the right partner. They can also be a challenging and rewarding experience, as long as you follow some basic co-authoring guidelines. With writing, some people prefer to work alone, while others would rather get in the same room with other authors and start… Read more: The Many Benefits of Co-Authoring

The Nine Notes of a Well Sung Story

Every song starts somewhere. We don’t think of it as ‘starting,’ unless we expect to sing the song. Birthday parties, concerts, even alone in our cars, we know the beginning of a song. We know, too, when it gets good, when the pitch changes, and when the singer hits that note. The one we probably shouldn’t keep attempting. If I focus on the moments behind the main plot points of my story, I can really make them sing. Here are the Nine Notes of a Well Sung Story.
The Hook
I know within a few seconds what kind of song I’m listening to. The instruments are all introduced; they set the mood; lyrics draw me in. The same is true of stories. In a few pages, I need to present a complete picture of the world that I have invited the reader in to. I need to set the stage and show the band. There will be one note in particular – the hook – that peaks the reader’s interest. If I don’t play it at the right time, they’ll never hear it and may not bother to listen to the rest of the song.
Without a good hook, the story sounds more like a research report. Rather than the beginning to an adventure of discovery, the reader feels invited to leave the conversation altogether. There is no need to divulge all of your truths or spoil the ending you have planned, but here is where you tell the reader that the ending is worth the wait. The reader should feel a beckoning, a newfound purpose – to read the story, to hear the rest of the song. Once you have the reader’s ear, though, the work is just beginning.
Crescendo
“Let’s see where this goes.”
My preference is escalation. It’s a good time to speed up the beat. Bring in a fresh voice and let it present a counter melody. Create a sense of urgency that makes the reader want to skip ahead to the chorus just to verify their lofty expectations. Hold them, though. Don’t let them get away. Here is where you define the story, the way ahead. Here is where the lyrics unfold like thick ribbons and wrap the listener in the weighted blanket of thought.
You’ve introduced the band, now a familiar song plays. An old one, popular but from their earlier work. Nostalgia appears peppered through the crowd as whispered singing. The stragglers shuffle in, called by the siren sound of anticipation. They take their seats…
The Minor Fall
Following the first plot point, the story takes a turn. A new verse plays. Not a different one, but an entirely new one. Instruments the band has never used before take center. The drums fade out. This is no chorus. This is an affront to the song itself, a sudden refrain cutting through the predicted lyrics. The protagonist has had their world shaken.
Here, lean into the somber melody that haunts the higher frequency just out of audible range. Don’t linger, but let the feeling stay awhile. Let it sink in like blotted ink and spread throughout the pages. If the hook and buildup were effective, the song still has its listeners. Listeners that are invested in every note. This change will, rather than shake them, draw them in more.
Solo
Sometimes a singer or instrument hits a note that vibrates more than just the air. Faces seem to wince in pleasure, heads tilt as if to let the results of that brief pleasure spill from a down-turned ear. Nearing the midpoint of your story, the protagonist will find their world forever changed. They will find that they are out of tune with the new world. This realization is sharp and cuts like an eclipsian contrast across the landscape.
The audience has unknowingly fallen into the doldrums of a low melody made aware only thanks to a piercingly discordant twang that tilts their heads, makes them wince. More than anything, though, this realization note should resonate with the reader on a deeper level than the preceding prose. Humans live in cycles of wins and losses and those moments between them define us. Hit the note again. Then hit it again.
The First Chorus
It’s time for the audience to stop reacting. This song belongs to them. Where the realization leads into the midpoint of your story, this moment escorts the reader back out. The true power of the song is shining through. The reader is singing along. All the instruments have a say here. All the voices as well. There may be surprises later, but none that I haven’t at least hinted at by the end of this all important note. The story derives its title from this moment.
These are the words that the audience will sing in the parking lot, in their cars, long after the show. The hero of the story, with a new understanding of the path ahead, can make the preparations needed to survive. In the meantime, they thrive. If there is a mountain that the protagonist intends to climb, the first chorus is the training montage.
The Major Lift
The only way to predict change is to enact it. Or, y’know, move past the midpoint of a good story. Change is as good for writers as it is protagonists. Here the hero reaches the peak that they so long prepared to ascend. Your reader should feel the elation surging through the pages. In terms of the perfect song, this is where the crowd is emotionally as one.
Lighters dot the sunken canopy. More rush to join, like fireflies called to dance in moonlit glades, creating a star scattered reflection of the moment – the major lift. The rhythm here is steady, confident. A metered march where once uncertain ambling took center stage. There is a definite destination here, and the reader knows it. Keep your pace. They’ll likely move a couple of steps ahead of you…
The Bridge
Another abrupt change. Swayed by the euphoria of the previous note, the audience takes the reins prematurely. They belt out the first words of the chorus before seeing their error. That peak was only the beginning. A far larger mountain looms in the distance.
You charlatan.
Following the major lift, the third plot point shatters the protagonist. It should shatter the reader as well. Having been so invested in the singular goal of reaching the peak, learning it was merely a precursor can break anyone. This is the recovery phase. This is the bridge, a moment of change defined by tension that breaks up the expected exchange between chorus and verse. A time for the protagonist where reflection on how far they have come gets shadow stricken and diminished by the hulking figure of where they must now go. Through the bridge, they gather themselves and push forward.
Second Chorus
The chorus again. Harder now, and faster. Each movement is precise and practiced. Every note perfected during the first chorus gets put to good use here. The reader, the audience, you owe them this release. Let the world explode into a jubilant vibration of song. This is the confrontation – the moment where wins and losses are tangible, permanent.
The audience can hear the desperation, the finality, the strain against going back ever again when forward promises an end to the pain. Drums thrum like a clash of swords over a lightning lit precipice. The weight of the moment is unrelenting. They know these words and they refuse to let go until they have had their say. When they are ready, they reach the last note as one with the band, holding it, extending the moment. Finally, it’s done. Everyone can breathe. The protagonist has won the day or lost everything.
Coda
The perfect song’s outro is the story’s resolution. This is your chance for a neat little bow, or teaser, if you’ve planned a sequel. This is the last note before the crowd shuffles towards the exits, happy to have experienced the music but sad to say goodbye. The curtains close, the lights go down, the hope for an encore fades into the night. The buzz is still in the air, though. Some will no doubt sing the song on the way home, tilting their heads at an imaginary twang.
The end is only the beginning. Gently lower the reader from the heights of the story’s climax onto the soft cushion of closure. Recall the world that was once the normal, the hopes that the hero had to abandon and how they relate to their new circumstances. Escort the audience back around to the beginning of the song to make it easier for them to play it again. If you’ve hit all the right notes, hearing the song again is exactly what they will want to do.
We know when the song ends. The same is true for stories. As we read them, we can feel the crescendo welling up to prepare for an epic climax. When they slow too much, we can feel the weight of them sag like sandbags against the side of a hot-air balloon. Whether you’re a pantser or a plotter, by following a structure, you can ensure that every note gets played right when you need the reader to hear it. When I write a story, I listen for nine specific notes. If they don’t ring out, I know it’s time for some changes. When I get it right, it’s music to my ears.
-R.E.

January 14, 2025
Stunning Stories in Summer Settings

Hey, now!
It’s finally summer! And what better way to spend this glorious season than by immersing yourself in the world of some of your favorite authors? Summertime and the reading’s easy. Whether you’re in the mood to read on the beach or just lounging by the pool, summer offers plenty of options for escaping with a book.
Throughout history, many writers have set their books during summer—or at least in an obvious summer setting (such as beach towns or tropical islands). Whether they’re romantic dramas, scary mysteries, thrilling adventures, or tear-jerking tragedies, these stories will keep you reading late into the night, which makes them perfect for relaxing nights spent by the fire pit. Pick up one of these page-turners and set out to enjoy some summer fun!
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The setting of The Great Gatsby is probably one of its most famous aspects, along with its twisting plot. The novel takes place mostly in Long Island, New York and describes a time before air conditioning was common. Nick Carraway is a Wall Street trader who rents a house next door to his old college buddy, Jay Gatsby. Their homes face each other over a small body of water that had once been an attractive part of the North American coastline but has since filled with factories, shipyards and slums. While there are many characters in The Great Gatsby, it’s F. Scott Fitzgerald’s descriptions of life on Long Island during summer that make it such a memorable read.
Besides being set during summer, The Great Gatsby also deals with themes related to summer: hope for better times ahead (the Jazz Age), overcoming personal tragedy (Gatsby lost Daisy years ago) and making bad decisions because you don’t want to wait for something good (Gatsby pursues Daisy even though she’s married).
Watership Down by Richard Adams

In Richard Adams’ classic adventure tale, Watership Down, a group of rabbits trek through England during what should be a carefree summer. However, as rabbit society collapses around them, their future and well-being become uncertain. This novel is a hauntingly vivid portrayal of life’s fragility and how quickly it can change for those we hold dear to us. A beautiful book that remains an all-time favorite for children and adults alike!
After reading Watership Down, you’ll never look at your backyard in quite the same way again. A timeless story full of heartbreak, love, hope and resilience. What more could you ask for? An incredible read that is sure to leave you with a newfound appreciation for nature and its creatures! Summer is fleeting like life, like the buttery popcorn on top. Read all that you can.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Life of Pi is a survival story of Piscine Molitor Pi Patel, an Indian boy from Pondicherry who explores issues of spirituality and practicality from an early age. His story takes place on a lifeboat where he shares his time with Richard Parker, a 450-pound Bengal tiger. The third person narrative and unfolds on two levels: one detailing events occurring during Pi’s lifeboat ordeal, and another centered on telling his story to the Japanese authorities investigating his shipwreck.
It won’t take you long to notice that author Yann Martel drew heavily upon some unusual sources for inspiration. For example, many of Pi’s animal companions are references to Hindu deities. This adds depth and complexity to a simple tale. Life of Pi is worth reading, if only because it will make you think twice about whether animals really have human qualities… or if humans really have animal qualities.
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
The Old Man and the Sea is a perfect example of Ernest Hemingway’s style. The novel features Santiago, an old fisherman who has gone 85 days without catching a fish. On his 86th day, he reels in a giant marlin but after harpooning it. It escapes and causes him to be stranded alone on his small boat at sea for two days before he can reach land. The old man is a true symbol of life and hope.
Hemingway’s Nobel Prize-winning book about Santiago struggling against great odds may not seem like a beach read at first glance—but it totally is! The Old Man and The Sea is as much about man versus nature as it is about man versus himself. There are plenty of beautiful passages that capture summer perfectly. You can almost smell the salt water and feel those summer breezes whipping through your hair. It’s truly one of those books you can’t help but get lost in. And if you haven’t read it yet, what better time than now?
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s shortest and most comedy-driven play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is also one of his funniest. When a group of four Athenian lovers stumble upon a pair of feuding fairies, chaos ensues, with magic and romance around every corner. The play is set during summer, although it is often not clear which season… and all kinds of other things are less than obvious as well. You’ll have fun trying to figure out what’s going on—and rewarded with lots of laughs along the way.
If you’re looking for a light read for your next beach trip or road trip, try A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It will leave you feeling just as happy and carefree as its characters. (And if you’ve never seen it performed live before, check out some local theater companies near you.)
Holes by Louis Sachar

Under a longstanding curse, generations of the Yelnats family have been sentenced to various sorts of bad luck and struggles. When Stanley finds himself at Camp Green Lake after being wrongly convicted, he stumbles onto a secret that might finally bring about the end of the family’s suffering.
Holes is an adventure story with just enough darkness to keep things interesting. It’s also a coming-of-age tale about overcoming personal challenges. Plus, it’s got a great ending. It’s one of those books you won’t be able to put down until you finish it, but once you do, you’ll want to pick it up again immediately and read it all over again. It has enough suspense for adults but is still appropriate for younger readers.
Regardless of age, while digging through this story in the blistering sun, readers may wish for an ice-cold drink or two.
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

Dandelion Wine is a classic American coming-of-age novel. Ray Bradbury wrote it when he was only twenty-one years old and remains one of his most loved works today. The story follows a young boy named Douglas Spalding as he wends his way through summer in Green Town, Illinois, meeting new friends, learning lessons, and experiencing life’s special moments. Filled with warmth and nostalgia, it’s easy to see why Dandelion Wine is considered a modern classic. For anyone who has ever loved summer, or wished they could live forever within its warm embrace, it’s a book you must read.
The Body by Stephen King
Stephen King is probably most famous for his horror stories, but he has several outstanding books that are more drama-leaning. The Body is one of his most famous and beloved works and follows four boys from an area outside Portland, Oregon as they investigate a dead body and learn how to stand up for themselves. The first thing that comes to mind when you think of summer is sunshine, but it’s really those long days with nothing else to do that makes it stand out. Stephen King understands these days.
His novella follows the boys who decide to walk twenty-four miles through a humid Maine summer just to get away from their troubles. But trouble follows them wherever they go. The book is almost entirely set during summer and captures many beautiful images of Maine that may make you want to grab your pack and jump on a train yourself!
This is definitely a must-read if you’re going to be spending any time in Maine over the next few months! The Body was made into a movie in 1986 starring Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, and Corey Feldman called Stand By Me. The movie has been one of the most beloved coming-of-age films of all time.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding

This acclaimed novel is set on a deserted island, where a group of British schoolboys fend for themselves. It’s about society and how human nature can be shaped by what we’re exposed to at a young age. This book takes place in one of my favorite settings: summer! What better time than summer to read about being stranded on an island?
There’s also lots of water—important for islands—and there’s plenty of opportunity for fun outdoor activities… as well as dangerous ones. The result? Lord of Flies! And with that, one of modern literature’s most-referenced books about children and society was born. If you like reading dystopian novels or are looking for something new to read (and don’t mind being scared by vicious little boys) try it.
News of the World by Paulette Jiles

Despite its name, Paulette Jiles’s 2017 novel isn’t set during your typical run-of-the-mill news cycle. News of The World is a beautifully written coming-of-age story with an action thriller twist—which makes it perfect for summer reading. The book begins in Fort Richardson, Texas on June 13, 1871, as Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd sets out on horseback to deliver news of President Lincoln’s assassination to army outposts throughout Texas and beyond. As we soon learn, though, not every outpost is eager to receive this news. In fact, many have gone so far as to burn newspapers or deny newspaper delivery altogether — forcing our protagonist into treacherous terrain.
Don’t let that description scare you away from what is actually a delightful read! The pace of News of The World is slow and steady, making it easy to pick up and put down, losing no momentum. It also has a few surprising twists that are sure to keep you turning pages well past bedtime. If you love historical fiction, adventure stories or just want something new to read while relaxing by the water, then I highly recommend giving News of The World a try!
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Tuck Everlasting is one of those summer books that stays with you. It follows a girl who gets mixed up with a family of immortals and learns that immortality isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. If you loved fantasy as a child, give it another read now that you’re older. Natalie Babbitt’s novel will surely take you back to your childhood summers—even if your summers weren’t anything like Winnie Foster’s.
While reading, you’ll likely think about what you would do with eternal life (or even an endless summer). You might even reminisce about all of your favorite childhood reads. Just don’t forget to come back down to earth once in a while; that way, when summer comes around again next year, you can really enjoy it!
Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row is about a group of individuals living together on a sunny California street. This is about summer, life, and loss. It’s one of my favorite books. It has some of Steinbeck’s most famous characters (Doc, Hazel), some grand descriptions of Monterey Bay, and it shows how lovable and funny people can be even when they’re down on their luck. Steinbeck recounts an adventure set during summer in a hub of American marine culture.
In order to escape their responsibilities, Mack and his friends decide to get themselves into an array of trouble with unexpected consequences. Summer heat and willful unruliness pepper this town thanks to the author’s penchant for noble characters. The book is full of people that can be beautiful even when they’re not perfect. Steinbeck shows us we don’t have to be a hero, or even good, to make a difference. We just have to try.
-R.E.

January 14, 2025
Change: Why It’s Good for Writers
Changes are rarely easy, whether you’re the one making them or experiencing them secondhand. Change, though, can be an opportunity to grow in ways that may not have been possible before the change began occurring. I’ve been lucky enough to experience both sides of this equation over the past few years, and I’m here to tell you it gets better with time! When writers find ourselves on waves of change, we ride them until they buck us off! Here are some reasons it’s good for writers to ride that wave.
Embrace Change
Change is not just a part of life, it’s a part of every moment. This truth resonates throughout the lives of writers – especially in our work. If there are two things that I have become accustomed to as a writer, they are rejection and change. Rejection has always been a part of my writing career. It started with poetry and short stories in middle school. My teachers would tell me how much they liked my writing, but then explain why they couldn’t accept my submission. I would get frustrated, but then move on to another story or poem and try again next time. Eventually, I learned to write what was in my mind and make the changes that I knew would work. I always kept that original, though. Writers are a stubborn bunch.
Flexibility is a tool in the writer’s utility belt that gets good use. The market is always changing and writers need to keep up, even after they find their niche. The market will shift, readership will decline, or new opportunities will present themselves. As long as you keep up with these changes, you can ride them out until they buck you off like a wild horse! So, embrace change and enjoy riding those waves!
Writing: Life
I’m currently riding waves of change in my personal life, my primary career, and even in my writing. These changes can be scary, but it’s best to embrace them as opportunities. They will improve who I am and what I do as both an individual and a professional writer. Plus, these changes have made me more aware of the skills I need to become even better at what I do. That awareness has helped me improve in more ways than I could have imagined.
When people talk about the uncertainty of being a writer, they’re usually referring to one specific form of uncertainty: How do you know if your writing will bring in the money you need to survive? However, there’s another kind of uncertainty that most writers face at some point or another, and it can be even more challenging than having an inconsistent income stream. It’s the uncertainty that comes from experiencing change in your life and your writing. This type of uncertainty is different because it’s not based on external factors—it’s based on internal ones. And while we can’t control all external factors, we have control over how we respond to those that affect us internally.
Embrace Uncertainty
This is probably one of the hardest things to do when faced with change—but also one of the most important things you can do if you want to overcome it. In fact, embracing uncertainty means accepting that you won’t always know what’s going to happen next. You’ll ask questions like:
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What happens if _?
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and
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How am I going to handle _?
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You don’t always have answers to these questions, but embracing uncertainty doesn’t mean giving up. Instead, it means understanding that no matter how much planning you do ahead of time, something unexpected will come up eventually—and that’s okay! In fact, embracing uncertainty is necessary if you want to overcome existential writing challenges like fear of failure or self-doubt. While uncertainty can be scary, it can also liberate and empower. If you’re willing to embrace change and let go of a little control, then you’ll be able to handle just about anything that comes your way as a writer.
I have very little in the way of understanding when I start a story. I know only what I know, and usually that’s what someone said while doing something. Vague, I know, but that’s the point. Life starts out the same way. Hell, most days start out that way: a single idea that must form its own intent. Like beloved children, we watch those ideas grow – and change. There is discomfort in not knowing what the change will bring, sure, but so much comfort in knowing that change will occur.
Sometimes it comes from an unexpected place. It can come from inside you. Sometimes it just happens because life is weird like that. Either way, embrace it. Let go of control and see where your characters take you. They may surprise you with their wisdom or foolishness, strength, or weakness. They may even surprise you by how well they do or don’t fit into your plans for them – but whatever happens, embrace it as part of your journey as a writer… and as part of your journey through life!
Don’t Fear Failure
Change may not always lead to great things. That’s part of why we’re wired to fear it. Sometimes rewriting a poor passage leads to regrettable results. No, that’s not right. OFTEN. It often leads to bad things. That poorly written passage had to go, though. It had to change. Eventually, the final version was acceptable to read. You can’t be afraid of failure if you want to write well.
Accept failure as an inevitability in your writing process and move on from there. Nothing teaches faster. Your First Draft is Not Your Final Draft: If you are going to write something worth reading, you need to get out of your own way. So what does that mean? It means don’t stop yourself from writing something because it isn’t perfect. Let go of perfectionism before it stops you from creating anything at all. The first draft is simply practice for when you get stuck later on down the road. The more words you put down now, even if they aren’t great ones, will help smooth out any rough patches later when crafting your story into a masterpiece. Write your way into the change. Embrace it. Ride it until you fall off. Then start again. You’ll eventually reach shore where everything looks different from how you left it… but better!
Set Goals
Change is always a goal I list when setting goals for a new writing project. This time last year, I was trying to change my life and make it something that suited me better. This year, my focus has been on changing my professional life in concert with my personal life. The best thing about these changes is that they are self-imposed and not something forced upon me by others or an outside force.
The worst thing about these changes is that they are still scary and sometimes I want to hide from them but know that would be worse than facing them head on. These changes have brought with them many challenges but also many opportunities to grow and learn more about myself and what it means to be a writer in today’s publishing world.
A goal not set is an achievement not celebrated. I have made great strides in my writing and publishing career. There are still many more goals to achieve and many more waves to ride. I look forward to seeing what these changes bring me as a writer and a person. I can’t wait to see where they take me next.
Ride the Wave
The only certain way to predict change is to enact it. If you’re a writer, you know that nothing ever goes as planned. You might have an idea for a novel and think you can write it in three months. That doesn’t account for life getting in your way or other ideas popping up that need writing first. If you’re not willing to ride with these changes, they’ll buck you off and leave you feeling defeated and unmotivated. Instead, get on board with what life throws at you—the good and bad—and write through each wave of change until they eventually crash down on your head, leaving behind a new world that was never there before.
This is how we grow as writers. We embrace change and allow ourselves to be carried along by its current until we emerge from it wiser, stronger, and better than we were before. And isn’t that what every writer wants? To be better than they were yesterday? So why resist change when it’s here? Ride those waves! Let them take you where they will! They’re really more like gentle swells, anyway. Don’t fight them so much as relax into their rhythm… then grab onto a swell when one comes along and let yourself float along its length until you come out on top again! See? Not so scary after all!
Keep Writing
Writing is a habit. Sometimes it can feel more like a bad habit. The last thing you want to do when struggling with writer’s block is give up and stop writing. If it seems hard now, just think about what you would give up on if you stopped writing altogether—that’s an idea worth pursuing. As long as your head can form coherent thoughts, keep putting them down on paper or in digital format. Don’t worry about publishing anything or even editing what you wrote. If it helps, make a new file with Ramblings as its title and fill that puppy full of half-baked ideas and fragmented sentences until your wave picks back up again.
Many times, when people face major life changes, they get stuck and stop making progress. Instead of allowing yourself to become stagnant, embrace change by using it as a reason to move forward. Though things will never be exactly like they were before, you will discover something new about yourself. Work through these transitions. Who knows? Maybe you’ll start writing thoughts you hadn’t considered before! Change can be good—even though it may feel scary at first. Ride out your wave until it crests and crashes on shore. You’ll find there is another one right behind it waiting to take its place. So, sit back, relax and enjoy being swept away by change. After all, life’s a beach (and what’s a beach without waves?).
Find Inspiration Everywhere
One great thing about being a writer is that you never have to stop writing. Maybe your life has changed and you’re going through a rough patch, but it can still be incredibly useful to put words down on paper, in a private journal or on a public platform. Even if you don’t feel like putting words on paper, don’t just sit there. Let those words flow out onto some form of digital media. That way, they’re there when you need them and can be your refuge when everything else is falling apart around you. If you avoid writing, recognize it. It’s okay to be scared sometimes. What scares us most often turns out to be something that strengthens us in the end.
-R.E.
January 14, 2025
The Many Benefits of Co-Authoring

Co-written books can be exciting and fun to write, if you’re with the right partner. They can also be a challenging and rewarding experience, as long as you follow some basic co-authoring guidelines. With writing, some people prefer to work alone, while others would rather get in the same room with other authors and start the collaborative process right away.
In this blog post, I’ll discuss the most common types of co-written books and how they benefit both authors and their readers. I’ll also look at some of the most successful co-written books ever written, to give you some ideas about what works best. If you’re an author who wants to learn how to co-write a book and make it a rewarding experience, this guide will help you make the most of your experience and craft something you can be proud of that your readers will love as well.
Examples of Books That Were Co-Written
The best co-written books are those where the authors complement each other’s strengths.
Two of my favorite collaborators have always been Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. They collaborated on Good Omens with outstanding success. Their writing styles differ from one another, but they work so well together. Though their storytelling approaches are different, reading a book by them feels like one succinct package. It’s really cool to see how they’ve grown as writers through their collaborations.
Other famous co-authored books include The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub, Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, and The Norby Series by Issac and Janet Asimov. Each is an exceptional example of why collaborating can be rewarding. I highly recommend reading some of these amazing books if you’re looking for something new. Consider how concise these stories feel when you read them. Also, it’s interesting to see how successful these novels were because of the collaboration between two talented authors.
Series Finished by Another Author
Though it’s not always the case, sometimes an author will die before they’re able to finish a series. Sometimes, another author finishes the series. This can be a daunting task, but it can also be very rewarding. The Wheel of Time series was finished by Brandon Sanderson after the death of the original author, Robert Jordan. The Chronicles of Amber by Roger Zelazny was completed prior to his death. Still, we were treated to a prequel series (The Dawn of Amber Series) written by John Gregory Betancourt after Zelazny passed away. With proper respect paid to the original author and their work, writing a series that someone else has started can lead to success. It takes hard work and dedication, but it pays off in the end!
Benefits
There are many benefits to co-writing a book. For one, it can help to divide up the workload so that each author is only responsible for a portion of the book. This can make the writing process more manageable and less daunting. When you co-write a book, you bounce ideas off of another person and get feedback in real-time. This can help improve the quality of your work. Collaborating with someone else can help you stay motivated and on track. It’s easy to get sidetracked when you’re working on a project alone, but having someone to hold you accountable can make a big difference.
Co-writing can also help you learn new things. If you’re collaborating with someone who has different strengths than you, they can teach you things that you wouldn’t have known otherwise. You’ll also have the chance to make new friends or business connections when you co-write a book. You may be surprised by how much you learn from other people about their knowledge and experience.
Don’t Wait For Perfect
We’ve all been there. You have this great idea for a book, but you can’t seem to get started because it’s not perfect yet. And so you wait. And wait. But no book is ever going to be perfect. At some point, you just have to write. You know the saying. Don’t wait for perfect, because it will never happen. It applies to co-writing too. You and your co-writer will never agree on everything, so don’t wait for that to happen before you write. Just dive in and see what develops. More often than not, you’ll work with a partner who isn’t exactly like you but still has things they are great at.
Choose Your Partner Carefully
When you decide to co-write a book, you’re essentially getting married. You’re committing to spending a lot of time with this person, sharing your innermost thoughts and feelings, and working towards a common goal. So, it’s important that you choose your partner carefully. You need someone you can trust, who shares your vision for the project, and who you can work well with. When co-writing goes well, it’s like magic. The finished product is better than either of you could have accomplished on your own. Plus, the process is incredibly rewarding. Whether it be collaborating or just trading ideas back and forth, each author brings something unique to the table. And when two people bring their individual strengths together, they are much more powerful than they would be alone.
You want someone who shares your vision for the project and who you can trust to see it through. Ideally, you should also choose someone with complementary skill sets to yours. That way, you can divide up the work and make the most of each other’s strengths.
Pitching to Potential Partners
When you’re ready to write a book with someone, it’s important to have a clear idea of what you want to write, why you want to write it, and what your writing partner’s strengths are. Once you’ve found a potential co-writer, the next step is to pitch your idea. Someone can do informally this, over email, or even in person. How ever you do it, make sure you’re clear about what the book will be about, what each of your roles will be, and how much time you’re willing to commit.
Remember, co-writing is a partnership, so communication is key. You’ll need to work out where the responsibility for various tasks lies, who’ll own copyright for any material created jointly, and how decisions will be made. The first decision is usually whether one or both authors will take on the role of lead writer (the one who writes most of the text). This is an intensely personal choice which should reflect not only skills but also preferred working style. Some people like to plan every detail before they put pen to paper. Others prefer just getting on with things.
It’s important to have a clear idea of what you’re looking for in a partner. Do you want someone who shares your sense of humor? Who has experience in the genre you’re writing in? Once you know what you want, reach out to potential partners and pitch your idea. If they’re interested, great! If not, don’t take it personally. Just keep looking until you find the perfect fit. In the meantime, though, continue drafting chapters on your own or with other writers you meet online. You never know when that perfect person will show up. Plus, while you wait for them to come along, you can still hone your skills and enjoy creating something new.
Share the Load
Writing a book is no easy feat. But when you have a co-writer, you can share the load (and the glory). Perhaps you’re not the best at outlining or structure, but your friend has an excellent sense of pacing. Or maybe you know more about plot than dialogue, but your writing partner has remarkable characters to bring to life. What’s more, there are other advantages. You’ll always have someone to brainstorm with, and it will be much easier to get through that inevitable rough patch because there’s always someone there for you.
If one of you is too busy to work on the story, then it won’t stall as long as both parties take a break and come back later. If you live in different parts of the world, time zones don’t matter either. Each partner can continue to write from their own perspective without constantly updating each other. The only downside is not being able to collaborate in person, but with all the advances in technology, this really isn’t a problem anymore. If you meet up physically now and then, make sure you’ve got plenty of snacks handy.
Get Involved In Each Other’s Projects
Once you start, be sure to give each other regular feedback. That feedback should be on their other projects as well. Reading your partner’s other ongoing work serves two benefits. First, it helps keep the creative juices flowing for both of you. Second, reading someone else’s project is a great way to get an outside perspective on what they are doing and how they approach storytelling. It can also be helpful when deciding which projects are more promising than others. For example, if one person has a really cool idea but doesn’t know where to go with it, you might suggest that they write up a synopsis or outline and send it over to the other person. You could provide suggestions or even take a crack at coming up with something yourself.
Know When To Let Go
In order to make a co-written book work, let go of some control. You can’t be precious about every single word, because chances are, your co-writer will want to change some of them. It’s important to be open to suggestions and willing to compromise. That way, you can create a book that’s even better than either of you could have written on your own. If this is your first time working with someone else, remember that it might take a while for the two of you to get into the groove. Be patient and don’t expect everything to happen right away. The more you work together, the easier it will become. Remember too, that if something isn’t working out, don’t be afraid to ask your co-writer if they’d like to take over in an area where they excel.
There May Be Turbulence
There are some challenges involved as well. Your relationship has the potential to suffer if there are any major disagreements in opinion. If one author seems to want all the power in a partnership or if one feels like they were treated unfairly, that could lead to problems down the line. However, if you choose your co-writer wisely and respect each other’s opinions and contributions, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. You’ll get input from someone who understands the nuances of storytelling and who will give you feedback on plot points and ideas that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. It’ll also help ease the workload by having someone share responsibility for tasks such as plotting out scenes, editing, or deciding about art direction. You will not be lonely in this process either!
Try Co-Writing
Writing a book with another person can be a very rewarding experience. You get to bounce ideas off of each other, help each other stay on track, and learn from each other. Plus, it’s just plain fun! Try your hand at co-writing with a trusted collaborator today and see for yourself how rewarding it can be.
-R.E.

January 14, 2025
The Case for Unapologetic Writing

I was talking to some friends about how often I apologize as a writer. Whether it’s late at night when I’m frantically trying to get an article written, or on days when I just don’t feel like doing my writerly duties (like any other job), I apologize either mentally or out loud. I apologize to myself for time wasted not writing. I apologize to friends and family for the time spent writing instead of with them. The more I talk to other writers, the more I realize that this isn’t an uncommon practice among us, and it got me thinking about why we do it and why we should stop.
Many people who dream of writing never do. Not because they can’t write, but because they won’t. It’s hard to juggle writing with the rest of life, particularly if you’re balancing multiple roles and many responsibilities. As important as the other things in your life are, writing should be something you hold in equal esteem. After all, this goal of writing got you started in the first place, right? So it’s important to make time for it and not apologize when things get hectic and there isn’t any time.
In fact, consider your writing time sacrosanct. Here’s why and how to do it.
If You Don’t Take The Time to Write…
We define imposter syndrome as the psychological phenomenon in which people cannot internalize their accomplishments. You feel like a fraud. You think that someone will discover that you’re not good enough and then they’ll find out you aren’t who you say you are. It can be a devastating feeling to have. If you don’t take time to write, it becomes easier to let imposter syndrome creep in and take over. Writers have to write. They have to read, too. You are what you read. By definition, though, we write.
We don’t write by magic. Further, there is no machine to speed up the process. What writers use more than anything is time. We invest money, brainpower, and emotional capital at the highest levels. We invest, comparatively, a LOT more time. The investment is an agreement with yourself. What you do with your time makes you a writer or a person who wants to write. You can read all day long and never be a writer because you never invest your time in what it takes to become one: writing. Writers write.
Take your writing seriously if you want it to take you seriously as an author. If you want your writing career to be something that pays off – whether financially or otherwise – then you need to treat it like any other career would treat their chosen profession: with respect and dedication and hard work. Invest the time.
… You Will Miss Opportunities For Success…
When you are not writing, accomplish all of your productive goals. Get that laundry done. Sweat through those workout sessions. Enjoy the calm structure of meal prep moments. Go to work and the bank and the farmer’s market. Restock your must haves and make a plan for managing inventory going forward if you don’t already have one. Do anything but write. The more time you spend on things other than writing, the better.
That’s not to say you ignore the fact that you are a writer. Build your mental gallery of people and images and poetic lighting as you go about your day. Don’t let good ideas slip away just because they came at an inconvenient time. Jot them down and give them no more thought. Come back to them later at your appointed writing time. This is a great way to kill two birds with one stone: 1) capture good ideas, and 2) maintain a healthy separation between writing and not writing.
By creating a true divide between your writing time and the rest of your life, you ensure that when you are writing; it is with undivided attention. Other ideas or thoughts won’t distract you. You won’t feel you’re wasting precious moments. And you will find yourself more able to lose yourself in your work.
… And All-Around Contentment.
When you’re not writing, spend your free time doing the other things that bring you joy. The world is a stressful place, no matter how much (or little) money you have. No matter what happens in life, there are always those moments of stillness that can return us to peace if we choose them. These don’t have to be grandiose activities. You could take a walk alone on a sunny day, read something from start to finish without putting it down, or just lie on your back in bed staring at the ceiling. There are as many ways to relax as there are people in the world. Find yours. Then lean all the way into it. Let it engulf you and likewise encompass it.
Many of us don’t make enjoying ourselves a priority. We put it off until later, but when we’re on our deathbeds and looking back on our lives, will we be able to say that we spent enough time just being still? Will we wish that could have spent more time having fun or doing whatever activities made us feel most alive? Make time every day – even if it’s only 30 minutes – to do something else you love. The peace of mind you’ll gain will give you a much-needed creative boost and help keep your mindset healthy as well. And then see how that seeps into your writing. Chances are good it will improve what you produce.
When You Do Make Writing a Priority…
When you’re writing, just be writing. Close the door, lock it. Turn off your phone. Let the people in your life know that time is your writing time. Respect that writing time. If you are a writer, then nothing should take precedence over writing. You must make it a priority and respect it. Protect your time and energy because there will always be things that come up to pull both things away from you. If you don’t protect them, they will be gone before you know it. If you want to write more than anything else – as I’m sure many of us do – then making sure we give ourselves ample space and time to do so is crucial. So never apologize for needing or using that space and time! It’s not selfish. It’s necessary.
Like any other goal, commitment to achieving the goal is paramount. You must commit yourself to writing if you want to be a writer. Commitment means giving up things in your life that are not conducive to your writing. It means making sure you are prioritizing your writing time and protecting it from anything else that might try to steal it away from you. Commitment means defining yourself as a writer – because if you don’t see yourself as a writer, then how can you expect anyone else to?
People Will Make Your Writing a Priority, Too
Let friends know it’s best to call you before they stop by. If you have pets, make sure someone looks after them while you write (and don’t apologize for it). Parents, let your kids know you need quiet and a lack of distractions. If other members of your household need something from you, make sure they understand when those times are and respect them. Your writing time is important and should be for everyone around you. After all, if those closest to us don’t support our dreams and goals, who will? Your loved ones want you to be happy. They see how happy writing makes you. Let them see how serious it is to you as well.
These tough conversations lead to respected blocks of time. That makes them as valuable as the hard work that you put in once the block of time is secured. The big payoff will come. You’ll receive your first payment for work as a writer. Maybe you’ll tell your family about your full request (and explain what that means). Or maybe your agent will send word of a potential book deal. Whatever the outcome, your family will be so excited for you they’ll never let you hear the end. Until your writing time, that is. Then they’ll insist you get back to work.
Stop Apologizing
You don’t need anyone else’s permission. As a writer, you will probably get asked by others why you spend so much time in front of your computer. Don’t apologize for your choice to be an author. Instead, let them know how much joy it brings you and how happy it makes others. It may sound harsh, but if someone has an issue with your passion project, then he or she doesn’t deserve your attention, anyway. What matters to you matters more than anyone else’s opinion. Never feel guilty about your writing time. For writers, creative work is important and needs to happen often. It’s not just something you do when you have free time or when you’re bored. It’s part of who you are as an individual.
Write Unapologetically
Writing is a job. Because it’s work, protect your work time from everything else. For many writers, writing is a struggle. We force ourselves to sit down, to write even though we don’t feel like it, because we know that if we just set time aside to do it, we will get something done. If you wait until you are in exactly the right frame of mind before you write, you will get nothing done. You must learn to sit down and start writing regardless of what sort of mood you are in or what other things there are going on around you. Creating unapologetic space makes it seem like less of a chore on those hard days.
If you want to be successful at something, you can expect to make sacrifices. Building the habit of cementing a writing time is the first step to forgiving yourself for wasted time. Don’t feel you’re alone, either. Plenty of writers finish the week recounting the hours spent not writing instead of celebrating the writing that they achieved. It’s time to stop apologizing to yourself and everyone else. That time is better spent writing.
-R.E.

June 10, 2022
The Call of the Wild Pulls You In

The Call of the Wild by Jack London, first published in 1903, is still on the shelves of bookstores across the country today, even over 100 years later. That’s because the novel about a dog who abandons his domesticated life to explore the wild has something to offer readers of all ages. The story offers timeless lessons about man’s relationship with nature and how an animal can show us our best, even when we least expect it.

Long hailed as one of the greatest pieces of American literature, the book takes place during the Klondike Gold Rush in Alaska in 1897. It deals with themes such as loyalty, masculinity, identity, and primitivism. The protagonist is Buck, a domesticated farm dog from California. Buck is kidnapped and sold, eventually making a trek across the Alaskan frontier.
“In other places where life is easier, it is poorer. Other things being equal, a hard environment makes strong men.”
These words have struck deep chords with people since they were first placed at the head of one of 20th century literature’s most enduring tales. London wrote about love between men and dogs—not in a romantic sense, but a special bond forged from living on a hard frontier with its cold and harsh realities. This story speaks volumes about man’s relationship with animals. It also conveys an important message about survival against all odds and self-reliance.
A Personal Connection
For me, what makes The Call of the Wild special isn’t anything literary, but something more personal. My mom read me to sleep with it when I was young and we had our own bond over how much we loved it. We both love how visceral and adventurous it is. And while you may not have a parent who’s read you to sleep with it, chances are there’s someone in your life who loves it as much as I do. No matter where you are in life or what kind of person you are, there will always be someone out there who connects with your favorite book on a deep level. It reminds us that books aren’t just stories – they’re living things that join us to each other and make us feel less alone in an enormous world.
Jack London is a personal favorite, and I’ve read everything he wrote, but The Call of the Wild is his masterpiece. London was an adventurer who explored the American Frontier. He lived the adventure he longed to write about and, as a result, wrote what many consider the best dog story ever told. It’s also arguably London’s best work.
Learn by Living
London explored the frontier during a time when North America was being transformed. Many people were flocking to the West seeking their fortune in the untamed wilds. Some succeeded, some failed miserably. He writes about both the successful and those who fell victim to nature’s unforgiving strength. London explores how we can sometimes be our own worst enemy and how it is often better to accept one’s place in life than fight for something that you cannot get. He wove this theme of acceptance throughout much of his work, including The Call of the Wild. I think everyone should read it at least once every year because it reminds us we need to learn from others’ mistakes so as not to repeat them ourselves.
“I want to go where the white men cannot go, and see what they have seen,”
Jack London told a friend as he sailed for Alaska at nineteen. He was off to experience life in a way that would later inform his books, from works like The Call of the Wild, to White Fang. While we may accept our limitations, London believed in testing them. During his lifetime, London travelled through most of North America and even lived with fishermen in Japan. For all of that time, he was constantly experiencing new things, eating unfamiliar foods and experiencing nature firsthand. His books are full of characters who learn by living.
If you’re looking for an adventure novel or something about survival, you’ll love London’s work. But if you’re more interested in writing fiction based on your own experiences, then read him closely. Every description is clear-eyed and vivid without being flowery or overdone—and every detail you include adds depth to your own stories. You live a unique existence altogether extraordinarily. Write it so.
The American Frontier
With adventure, beauty, and excitement, author Jack London writes about a rugged American frontier. Free to roam, nature and humans alike fought for survival. Call of the Wild is an account of Buck’s transformation from domesticated dog to wild animal in order to survive.
In 1903, London had already established himself as a successful author when he released The Call of the Wild. Despite its new and controversial style for literature, both critics and the public alike received it well, winning him immediate popularity and financial success. Set in 1897, during Alaska’s Gold Rush period, The Call of the Wild is an adventure story that portrays life in harsh conditions as a test for Buck.
Over time, however, Buck learns how to overcome his domestication and adapt to his environment with its coldness and dangers. Throughout history, people have longed for freedom. During times of peace, they seek adventure. During times of war, they wish to protect their homeland from invaders. As we look back into our own lives, we can see ourselves striving for freedom just like animals in wild nature.
Man’s Best Friend
When you read a book that has stuck with culture for over 100 years, you know there’s something special about it. And when that book is written so beautifully that it doesn’t even sound like something from a century ago? It only gets better. Jack London’s classic weaves together his observations about humans, animals and nature into a story about survival, loyalty and morality. I can’t get enough of it—it will suck you in in no time at all.
London uses his experience with dogs to write a story filled with human emotion and connection. Dogs are truly man’s best friend and one can only imagine how hard it must be for them to be separated from their owners. Dogs were first domesticated around 15,000 years ago. Since then, humans have bred them into all kinds of shapes and sizes, but also with diverse temperaments and personalities. Often for utilitarian purpose, we’ve bred dogs to be herders, hunters, trackers, companions and guards. We’ve bred dogs to be like us. And yet there are still plenty of breeds that seem more dog-like than others—and they’re often our favorites because they remind us of our own pets (or even ourselves).
London presents a story that knows full well that relationship between dog and man. It shows, too, the more troubling kind. In domesticating and breeding man’s best friend, we haven’t always treated them so. London brings up questions about whether we’ve been fair to our dogs—and whether they’ve been fair to us. This makes The Call of the Wild such an interesting read. That’s true for anyone who loves dogs—and for anyone who wants to understand their relationship with their own pet better. There are plenty of books out there about dogs and even plenty about man’s best friend. None have ever made me think as much as London’s classic did.
The Call
When he leaves his comfortable home in California and travels to Alaska as a sled dog, Buck must learn to survive in a wild that he has never known. Deep inside of him, though, stirs the adventurous passion of his ancestry. If you’ve ever felt the call of something more primal beckoning you out into the wild, then Buck’s story will resonate with you. His journey teaches him about life, but also about himself. He learns that there are things more important than comforts and luxuries: friendship, loyalty, and love. Jack London knows what it means to feel trapped, alone, cut off from society and loved ones. In The Call of the Wild, he takes readers through an emotional journey. We see man separated from civilization, and from human companionship. Through meeting new friends (both canine and human) along his journey, Buck grows stronger physically and emotionally.
His experiences allow him to understand that while life may be cruel, it is also good. Just as humans can have good days and bad days, so too can animals. This experience changes Buck’s outlook on life forever and allows him to find happiness where he once only found misery. Buck learns what it means to be truly free through hardship. He learns, too, what it means to be wild.
-R.E.

June 3, 2022