Author Profile of Alex Zarate

One Seven

A new year and a new blog. Resolutions include writing more, after all. :) Read More

Among the many nuggets of wisdom shared between writers, one is repeated on a regular basis that I do my best to agree with, but mostly see as a promotion for discouragement: “Every first draft is Read More

To Like Or...

Over the past few years (Okay, decades) I have noticed a change in people around me. I am among the quiet folk, so I keep such observations to myself. True, changes happen all the time. Weather Read More

Covers

Since returning to the world of writing I have found that illustrating has proved to be just as challenging as crafting the story itself. Once the book is complete, I usually begin with the cover Read More

Blocks

Writer’s block is the scourge of wordsmiths the world over. There is no greater frustration for a creative individual than staring at a blank page or screen and being unable to fill it. All you do Read More

Babs

Writing bugs can be found in many places. Some are found at your local library while others hide in your favorite book. For the most part, these little critters tend to hang out where you least Read More

Process

Every writer has a process by which they tell stories. Some write only after creating an outline while others write without a plan. There are many labels for these types. Plotters and Pantsers, Read More

Images

The writing process I have grown accustomed to entails many levels of involvement. As other new authors soon discover, writing the book is just step one. As soon as you are done with the story and Read More

Thanksgiving

I talked to a friend not long ago about my thoughts on being a writer. It may have come up after being asked something along the lines of why I haven’t put everything on hold so I can promote my Read More

Know

One of the most common pieces of advice I find handed out to writers who are still beginning to develop their craft is to write what you know. I have never liked it. True, it is a well-meaning Read More

Favorites

Questions posed to writers range from where they get their ideas to how they became writers and everything in between. One question in particular continues to come up regularly which I find Read More

Names

Writing a story usually involves dreaming up a scenario or event that prompts a hero into action. Sometimes, it is a group of people who are put into a situation that forces them all to deal with Read More

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