The Ilmar (plural) or Ilmarin (singular, descriptive) go by many names: savages, barbarians, wildlings. Given their total lack of clothing and their propensity for living in forests, hills, and river valleys, they are viewed by most other races as a lesser developed human subspecies closer to animals than a civilized people. This view is perpetuated... Continue Reading →
Fyodor Dostoevsky: Greatest of All Time?
Is Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821—1881) the greatest author of all time? I think the answer to that may quite possibly be yes. It puts you in mind of some frail and sickly girl you sometimes note with pity, even a sort of compassionate love-and at others simply fail to notice at all, who suddenly, in an... Continue Reading →
The Langoliers and 2025 Year-End Review
Hey everyone, I am a bit under the weather today (a phrase coined by sailors forced below deck when falling ill and a term I learned after reading The Wager). So, given my weakened immune system, I am getting straight to the point here. My last review for 2025 is for Stephen King's The Langoliers.... Continue Reading →
Rediscovering Childhood Magic in Peter Pan
Peter Pan made me cry. Ashamed as I am to admit it, JM Barrie's 120-year-old novella, a book intended for well-to-do British kids refusing to go to bed, made this jaded author---who scoffed at the overly saccharine storytelling in The Alchemist--- ball like someone who's never read a sappy story in his life. Mrs. Darling... Continue Reading →
The Intersection of Science and Fantasy: King, Sagan, and Dunsany
I have this crazy idea. I want to get Stephen King, Carl Sagan, and Lord Dunsany (Edward Plunkett) in a room together ... At first glance, these writers could NOT be further apart in terms of tone and subject matter. One of the books I am reviewing for this post isn't even fiction. But as... Continue Reading →
A Master of his Craft: King and Shawshank Redemption
Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption proves why King is a master storyteller. This novella is a masterclass in storytelling technique, demonstrating flawless pacing, excellent use of dialogue, and natural character development. While King can be overly descriptive in his other works, he shows remarkable restraint here, stripping everything from the writing but the bare essentials.... Continue Reading →
How AI is Creating New Scams for Writers
I have been at this forever, it seems. I began my storytelling journey 44 years ago, after turning six --- and in 2010, fifteen years ago, I started this blog. My goal was to promote my work, encourage aspiring authors to succeed in this ever-changing literary landscape, and share with readers my love for books... Continue Reading →
Good vs Evil: Lessons from the ’80s
For the first time in my life, I am genuinely afraid. Afraid to speak my mind. Scared to express my feelings in public. Afraid to title this post the way I wanted to title it. This is not due to any radical change in my beliefs. I do not condone violence in any form. I... Continue Reading →
The Magiq of Aenya Production Diary #4
I am hammering out the details on the last chapter of my latest book (42 of 42), which currently stands at 165k words. While it's a bit dense for a YA debut novel, stories are organic things with a life all their own, and often go places I don't intend. I hope, however, my future... Continue Reading →
Meet me at the *Page and Pen Festival* in Oviedo Mall, Orlando!
Have you been dying to meet me? Perhaps you'd like to discuss your favorite scene from the Aenya Series, or pick up exclusive signed copies of Ages of Aenya, The Princess of Aenya, or The Feral Girl? Or maybe you'd like to pick my brain about my upcoming book, The Magiq of Aenya? Well, if... Continue Reading →
The Art of Storytelling 
You must be logged in to post a comment.