Dramatis personae: The Characters of TAU CETI
TAU CETI is a big, complex story with a large cast of characters. This non-exhaustive list gives all of the important characters.
Tau Ceti, writer's life, Writing
writer’s life
Ambrose Bierce, Creativity, Douglas Adams, Mark Twain, Monty Python, Politics, Social Discourse, writer's life
Writing Prompt: Favourite Quotes
There are three quotes that are favourites; two well-attributed to Monty Python and Douglas Adams, and one misattributed to both Mark Twain & Ambrose Bierce.
Maiden Voyage of Novyy Mir, Namibia, South Africa, Space, Tau Ceti, travel, writer's life, Writing Prompt
Writing Prompt: Living Dreams, Big and Small
From an early age, I dreamt I’d live on a sailboat, I dreamt I’d be an author, I dreamt I’d go to Africa. I dreamt I’d have adventures.
writer's life
Is Six Books the Goldilocks Zone for Authors?
There’s a discussion evolving about the optimal length of a book series over at SFF Chronicles website. Do readers grow tired of a series after six books? If you write from passion will readers stay with you for however long you take?
Tau Ceti, writer's life, Writing
TAU CETI: Michelle’s Lost Prologue
TAU CETI has had two different prologues over the course of its existence. Neither are in the final edit of the book. This is the second prologue, told from Michelle’s perspective, a flash forward from very near the end of the story.
Creativity, writer's life, Writing
The SpeckLit Years
There have been two important people on my path to writing short fiction. I’ve talked about one of them, Janet Reid, many times. The other person, I don’t know as much about: Alex F. Fayle.
Family, Tau Ceti, writer's life
TAU CETI: The UNIQUE FIRST EDITION from 2014
My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014. As much as she had become a fan of my writing, I knew there was a good chance that by the time I actually finished and published TAU CETI, it would be too late for her to appreciate or understand.
Creativity, Deacon Carver, Tau Ceti, writer's life, Writing
Strategies to Fix a Broken Story
There’s four different ideas that I’ve picked up in writing courses, in interactions with other writers, and on the advice of a literary agent.
Creativity, writer's life, Writing
Author Brand Identity (Updated 2026)
It’s hard to disagree with someone more successful than you. So maybe you need to figure out why you disagree.
Cover Art, Creativity, Tau Ceti, writer's life
The Evolution of a Cover
I am a creative person. I’ve always had creative impulses, and I continually tinker with my creations.