Despite its lurid reputation, Gothic literature has always been a subversive vehicle for social commentary. It tends to enjoy a renaissance during times of political and social upheaval. It’s no surprise to me at all that Gothic fiction is once again trending, considering the state of current affairs in our world.

While we all have different approaches to time management when it comes to writing, this daily workflow schedule helps me keep the chaos at bay. Your workflow may look very different than mine, and that’s the beauty of being a creative person.

Fear gets in the way of a lot of things when we become writers, and the fear of trying something new is one of them. All writing requires research. Historical fiction is not harder than any other genre, it just requires a passion for learning and a story that interests you.

I recently had the opportunity to chat with fellow Gothic-lover Nicole Eigener about her debut novel, BEGUILED BY NIGHT, published by Polidori Press. We had a great time talking about her book, which follows Vauquelin, an ancient vampire living in self-imposed exile in modern-day Los Angeles.

CW: Genocide, colonialism, the Civil War, the American Indian Wars, guns, child loss, and a brief mention of slavery.

Rambling old houses have long been a subject of interest for me. I based the haunted house in PARTING THE VEIL on several historical mansions,

When I first started writing PARTING THE VEIL, way back in August of 2018, I had no idea it would become my debut novel. I was merely writing for the pleasure of writing, after many years of not writing…at all.

Writers are wonderful people. They are supportive, inspiring, and empathetic. When one of us gets a “win” we celebrate together. As I gather my thoughts on Writer In Motion for this final post, it’s the relationships I’ve formed that have the most meaning.

Something I’ve come to realize over the course of my journey as a writer is that I cannot edit my own work, at least in its late stages. I lack perspective and get so wrapped up in the details that I lose the big picture. We’re always learning as writers, and I have learned that I need editors.

One of the things I most enjoy about being a writer is the opportunity to give and receive critique. I firmly believe that our work begins to live and breathe when someone else views it and offers feedback.