I hit a creative barrier 8 weeks ago. I could still generate ideas for stories, but my attempts at turning them into prose failed each time. I’ve heard authors debate whether “writer’s block” is a real thing or not. Whatever the case, I found myself staring at my screen with my fingers unwilling to type. … Continue reading Recharged and Inspired
horror
Short Story Fever
I did the whole writing thing backwards. I started out writing novels, all through my teens and into my late 20s. It wasn’t until 2018 that I became serious about short stories. My enthusiasm for the short form has only grown since. And lately, I’ve decided that I want to focus on it exclusively—at least … Continue reading Short Story Fever
Outliner’s Disease
Authors of speculative fiction often joke of “Worldbuilder’s Disease.” One spends so much time working on their setting that they neglect the project they’re creating it for. About six months ago, I experienced a similar affliction but with plotting. I try to accomplish three things before I start writing a first draft. I begin with … Continue reading Outliner’s Disease
1st Draft Finished
Earlier this week, I typed the two most satisfying words: THE END. Considering that this is the first long project I’ve drafted in three years, the satisfaction was double. It’s called Beyond the Dark Shore, a cosmic horror novella. And I almost didn’t finish it. The idea came to me in 2020. Its first iteration … Continue reading 1st Draft Finished
Writing with Passion
For me, a writing project needs passion to succeed. These last six months, I’ve been writing stories that, while they interested me intellectually, I wasn’t passionate about. And ultimately, they failed. There was no heart in them, and I didn’t particularly bond with the characters. My latest project, however, has reinvigorated me and reminded me … Continue reading Writing with Passion
A Spontaneous Novella
Many of my best stories started out as accidents. I would be messing around with words and ideas for no real purpose when out of nowhere a complete story would blossom in my mind—plot, characters, and all. In the case of M: The Plastic Prometheus, it turned out to be an entire novel. Earlier this … Continue reading A Spontaneous Novella
Building a Mythos
For years, I’ve wanted to tell stories that have different exteriors yet share a common thread. They could take place in the past, future, or present. Set on Earth or in a world far different than ours. They could span the spectrum of speculative fiction. Yet all these stories would be interconnected, taking place in … Continue reading Building a Mythos
My Novel Graveyard
I have trouble finishing long writing projects, which is why it felt so great to complete the final edits of my latest novel last week. First drafts take me no more than a couple months to write. I’m in the zone, obsessed with the words I’m putting on the page. The problem comes later. I’ll … Continue reading My Novel Graveyard
Finishing a Novel
The last time I completed the final edits of a novel was back in 2018. The book was called Snap. It was my first long submission and received several polite rejections. A couple years later, I submitted a novella called The Preposterous Theater, which was deservedly rejected. Now my novel M: The Plastic Prometheus has … Continue reading Finishing a Novel
What I Read – December 2023
I’ve been immersing myself in good horror as I finish the final edits of my novel. Two of the books below are Bram Stoker Award recipients. I also focused on reading gothic literature so I could get a better understanding of its pacing and atmosphere. December is my month for reading longer books. Around then, … Continue reading What I Read – December 2023
Zé Burns | Blog 