“Few people, nowadays, remember the comedy team of the Marx brothers: Vladimir, Karl, Mao, and Tito.” #writing #throwawayline

“The job of a good prophet is not to foretell the future, but to warn of potential disaster, real or imagined. Prophets, sane or insane, are god’s mouthpiece. And god always speaks in riddles–not because god enjoys jokes, but because god is insane.” #writing

“It’s not about who you can overwhelm and subjugate. It’s about who you can raise up to your own level or higher. That is the true metal of a leader.” #writing

“He cried, as an infant cries. Which was appropriate since he was an appropriated infant.” #writing #throwawayline

“Magicians are charlatans, because they have no source of power. That’s why sorcerer’s are to be taken seriously.” #writing #throwawayline

“Why do human infants get slapped at birth? Other animals don’t get slapped into existence. It’s because human adults want obedience and power—and it makes the parents feel good.” #writing #character

“An interesting character is one who either does something you want them to do, or does something unexpected that makes you want to do what they did.” #writing #character

“A blank page, like a blank person, can be molded and shaped into something almost human.” #writing

“He went around sniffing chairs to see if anyone had sat in them.” #writing #character

“The Reliquary of Endless Caffeine” #writing #throwawayline

“Just because someone hates you doesn’t mean they don’t want to kill you. Still, that’s no excuse to killing them first.” #writing

“Put your nose to the litterbox.” #writing #throwawayline

I’ve written paranormal, but I’ve never written a novel based on a magic system. Which makes me wonder. What is the difference between “genre” and life? And why do people focus on one over the other? #life #genre #writing

Conflict happens because you disagree with the universe. #writing #character

“Life is the nightmare you live.” #writing #life

A MacGuffins, in fiction, doesn”t need to be something everyone wants. It can be an item one character (crucial to the plot) wants. It doesn’t need to be the protagonist who wants it.. A McGuffin, does not define the protagonist/antagonist. #writing #character

In writing, we all look for people we with whom we can identify. The universe doesn’t provide enough of those. #writing #character

“The problem with dumb luck is that it tends to happen to the dumb.” #writing

“Life is an exercise you try to do until you’re dead.” #writing

Simple objects can be critical to the meaning/existence of a character, not just the universe/reality. #writing #character

Do you write books with symbolism? Why use symbolism over just stating your point? Yes it’s more “high-fallutin’” but can be lost. “Sometimes, a dream is reality.” #writing #symbolism

“Some people are just reactions to what happens in their life, and not a complete person.” #writing

Things I’v learnt as a pantser: outlining is time well-spent. an outline should be thrown out once complete. It’s bound to be broken. trust your instinct/muse/money/drugs/rocknroll write for the love not the money. You don’t want to be an artistic prostitute. Flame on! #writing

I got a nice response to “The Cat and the Warlock” this morning. That’s always appreciated. #writing

“Being “found out” isn’t a bad thing. It reveals (not exposes) to the world who you are, not what you present. It’s your job to ensure you are what you present.” #writing #life