CM Simpson: Writer & Gamer

Last week I wrote about reading other writers’ blogs. I had wanted to write about something I had read that morning on another writer’s blog. Quite a few of you will know there are two people whose blogs are my first ‘go-to’ point whenever I start a blog-reading session, at least when it comes to writing. They are kriswrites.com and deanwesleysmith.com , the blogs of Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Dean Wesley Smith, respectively. These two people have been making a living in the world of publishing for over twenty years each. They have been traditionally published, have run their own publishing business, and, most importantly for me, been successful writers for all of that time. They have followed the changes of publishing and made their own way, and they have both unstintingly shared what they learned doing that, and continue to do so today, so, when they say something, I take the time to listen, and then see if it’s something I should apply. A couple of weeks ago, in her blog on...

There are many things I do as an independent writer and publisher that might not, on face value, appear to be important. Reading the blogs of other writers is probably one of them, and yet, it is important. Most of you know that writing is an isolated activity. For me, it’s because I work better in a relatively uninterrupted environment—and I say relatively, because I like to work out near the kitchen where I can see through to the lounge room, and keep tabs on my kids, and on what’s going on in the house. I also write facing a sliding door, which gives me a great view of the walking path and open parkland outside, as well as letting me shift focal lengths by looking up and out the window. Both these things help me feel less isolated, less cut off from the rest of the world, and I find that important. However, just because I don’t feel isolated doesn’t mean I’m not. I’ve taken to turning off social media when I work, as well as the television, and I prefer the phone to stay quiet,...

I’m going to start up, or restart, a series of posts titled ‘The Writing Life:’. These will consist of things that I’ve found important as a writer, things that have made me stop and think, and mostly just my thought processes and opinions. If it bothers me, and it has something to do with writing, or being a writer, or the business of writing, you’ll find it here. And because these posts will be dealing with my thoughts on writing as I find my way in this crazy old business, they might even get contradictory, or even, heavens forbid, get it wrong. They’re not intended to be a ‘how to’ series to give direction, they’re just going to be my own thoughts and my own opinions. If you think something in them makes sense for you to try, go ahead. If not, then don’t. What I’m doing is taking a leaf out of the book of more experienced writers, and sharing what I learn along the way. Some of it will be useful to you, and some of it won’t, but you can decide for yourself what might, or might not...