Archive - A Writer's Notebook

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The Essay Series #3: The Essayist as Unreliable Narrator

What is an unreliable narrator, how can you have one in an essay, and what does it achieve? When lies, exaggeration, or uncertainty can help us arrive…

Dec 6 •

Johnny Hallyday Says Hello

A notebook entry.

Dec 3 •

November 2023

"How To Succeed On Substack"

Anxiety, ambition, professional jealousy, hot tips, vibe shifts, and other things that should make writers wary.

Nov 29 •

Ten Years After The First Rough Draft

A decade ago I "won" NaNoWriMo by finishing an extremely rough draft of my first book. Here's how it set me up to become a published author.

Nov 28 •

Ten Years After The First Rough Draft

A decade ago I "won" NaNoWriMo by finishing an extremely rough draft of my first book. Here's how it set me up to become a published author.

Nov 28 •

1:04:26

Pain Management

A notebook entry.

Nov 26 •

Happy Thanksgiving!

From me to you.

Nov 23 •

The Essay Series # 2: The Vignette Essay

What is a vignette essay and how do you write one? When you want to say the most with the fewest words of all.

Nov 21 •

A notebook entry.

Nov 19 •

Sketchbook Pages

Seeing clearly and an autumn spent in oils.

Nov 17 •

The Essay Series #1: The Essay As Energy

Make your own kind of music: How to write an essay on any topic and of any length that will satisfy your reader.

Nov 15 •

A notebook entry.

Nov 12 •

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