What is Story?

"What is story?" That’s one of the prickly questions tackled by screenwriting guru Robert McKee in his book Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting, which does a remarkable job of both dissecting the craft of the storyteller, and inspiring the reader to stop shirking and get to work. At the heart of … Continue reading What is Story?

“The Dark Tower” by Stephen King

Although it comprises eight books, Stephen King's Dark Tower series is really one gigantic novel told over many volumes. The first book - The Gunslinger - was first published in novel form in 1982. The final book, The Dark Tower, appeared in 2004. In 2012, King published one additional novel, The Wind Through the Keyhole, which … Continue reading “The Dark Tower” by Stephen King

Five Scary Monsters

Without the dark there is no light. Here’s a list – in no particular order – of five monsters that still have the power to keep me awake at night if my mind makes the mistake of inviting them in. Are they my top five? It’s hard to say. Ask me again tomorrow and I … Continue reading Five Scary Monsters

Werewolves Rule

I once wrote a story called Dead Wolf in a Hat in which I fooled around with some of the standard werewolf conventions. In researching the story, I stumbled on a Bavarian variety called a Boxenwolf, whose ability to shapeshift was controlled by a special belt, and I got to wondering what other accessories or articles … Continue reading Werewolves Rule