by James R. Preston

In Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, Gene Wilder in the title role finds a book called How I Did It by Victor Frankenstein. Needless to say, he’s pretty excited. 

As writers, we are about books. Let’s step back and talk about some of them.… Read the post

by James R. Preston

Once you finish your story, the penultimate step, proofing the nasty thing one more time may feel a bit like a chore. You can practically recite all of your sparkling dialog and dazzling descriptions, so how can you read it again and this time look for comma splices?… Read the post

by James Preston

Let’s go. Let’s take a walk, you and I. Let’s visit a haunted house in the world we love, the theme park that we make called Storyland.

Come with me. We’ll use real-life examples, poking gentle fun at some people who have fallen victim to the spooks.… Read the post

by James Preston

Remember that great scene in “Jaws” ¹ -– no, not “We’re gonna need a bigger boat” -- where Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss are showing each other their scars? Well, I’m going to do that in this essay.… Read the post

by James R. Preston

“Real writers just write.” 

“Chain yourself to the keyboard and type till your fingers bleed.”

“You need a seatbelt. Stay in front of the keyboard.”

“Just tell your hoodlum friend outside you ain’t got time to take a ride.”