Category Archives: Lessons Learned

Clumsy and Insane; What’s Not to Love?

Posted on March 14, 2012 by P. Kirby

Ask any horse owner for the defining characteristics of equines and they’ll likely say “accident prone” and “frequently paranoid.” The second is a function of the horse’s position on the food chain, herbivore, aka, a carnivore’s happy meal. While the … Continue reading →

Posted in Horses, Lessons Learned, Writing | 4 Comments

In Which an Author Discovers Stinging Insects

Posted on February 2, 2012 by P. Kirby

After following the latest bouts of reviewer vs. author, it occured to me that the controversy is driven, in part, by the collision between one of the oldest professions and technology. Storytelling vs. the Internet. It reminds me of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fan Fiction, Lessons Learned, Writing | 2 Comments

A Woman’s Perogative

Posted on October 13, 2011 by P. Kirby

The average size for a home in the U.S., as of 2009, was 2700 square feet. Our little casa, at 1200, is a mite shy of average. It, along with a half dozen other houses in the neighborhood, was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Home repair, Lessons Learned | 6 Comments

Half-Baked Leftovers and a Freebie

Posted on September 9, 2011 by P. Kirby

Free story. Free! The problem with being a newbie writer, or even an old-bie writer, isn’t the absence of advice and information. For example, wanna know how to writer better dialogue? There’s a book for that. Or an “app.” Likely … Continue reading →

Posted in Dark Elves, Lessons Learned, My art, The Music of Chaos, Writing | Comments Off on Half-Baked Leftovers and a Freebie

It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

Posted on August 26, 2011 by P. Kirby

We don’t need no steenkin’ repairmen. We’re Kirbys. Together, me ‘n my man have built a barn and an art studio, remodeled the kitchen, and converted a garage to a dining room.  Like a toddler who’s tied her shoes for … Continue reading →

Posted in Desert life, Humor, Lessons Learned, New Mexico | 5 Comments

Just Keep Clapping

Posted on August 19, 2011 by P. Kirby

Publish America is a crooked vanity publisher in sheep’s clothing. But that isn’t the point of this particular ramble. This morning, I came upon this in the Publish America (PA) thread at Absolute Write. The commenter was responding to another … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons Learned, publishing, Writing | Comments Off on Just Keep Clapping

There’s No Mystery; I Just Don’t Care

Posted on July 8, 2011 by P. Kirby

Alternate Title: “Why This Excerpt Sucks.” PROLOGUE  “They’re coming,” said Mary.  “They should be here tonight.” “Tonight?” said Bob.  “That soon?  Can anything be done to stop them?” “No. Nothing.”  Mary stared out the window, clutching her shawl around her … Continue reading →

Posted in Critiques, Lessons Learned, Writing | Comments Off on There’s No Mystery; I Just Don’t Care

The Internet Ate My Baby

Posted on June 10, 2011 by P. Kirby

“Careful what you say on the Internet,” whispers the nervous Nelly on an online forum, “An employer or an agent or editor might be listening.” “Look,” says another, “Here’s a case where someone lost their job because of what they … Continue reading →

Posted in Internet, Lessons Learned, Writing | Comments Off on The Internet Ate My Baby

AWOL from the Battle of the Sexes

Posted on May 26, 2011 by P. Kirby

If men are from Mars, so too are women. I periodically come across discussions regarding the depiction of men in romance novels, in particular, how men are written by female authors. The common concern is that the men aren’t “manly” … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons Learned, My art, Romance, Writing | Comments Off on AWOL from the Battle of the Sexes

Clarity Counts

Posted on May 25, 2011 by P. Kirby

Here in New Mexico, the local schools use a program called Character Counts to uh, indoctrinate teach kids to be good little cogs in the machine how to play well with others. Whether or not this actually works is debatable. … Continue reading →

Posted in Critiques, Lessons Learned, Writing | Comments Off on Clarity Counts