I've devoted a lot of my time and effort during the past few years to developing my advertising copywriting business to the point of where I can support my family and don't have to depend on writing fiction for my…

Quote by George Stephen

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The way I outline has changed quite a bit from when I first started writing.

The way I outline has changed quite a bit from when I first started writing.

I spent two months on the first draft, working 8 hours a day, five days...

I spent two months on the first draft, working 8 hours a day, five days...

For each book, the time is also broken up.

For each book, the time is also broken up.

A couple of weeks after that, Zebra Books phoned with an offer, and I accepted.

A couple of weeks after that, Zebra Books phoned with an offer, and I accepted.

Actually, the 14 novels were written over a period of just over 6 years.

Actually, the 14 novels were written over a period of just over 6 years.

Trying to break into the horror market seemed natural.

Trying to break into the horror market seemed natural.

For the novels I wrote before selling anything, I didn't outline much. I had a...

For the novels I wrote before selling anything, I didn't outline much. I had a...

I'm a fan of short horror fiction... in fact, the most memorable horror I've read...

I'm a fan of short horror fiction... in fact, the most memorable horror I've read...

Many of my short stories (all unpublished) were horror, and the novel I'd just finished...

Many of my short stories (all unpublished) were horror, and the novel I'd just finished...

On the other hand, now that I'm not dependent on fiction for my income, I've...

On the other hand, now that I'm not dependent on fiction for my income, I've...

I got up with my wife, I sat down at the computer when she went...

I got up with my wife, I sat down at the computer when she went...

I've been reading horror since I was five years old.

I've been reading horror since I was five years old.

So, in effect, my first sale was actually two books.

So, in effect, my first sale was actually two books.

When I decided to take writing seriously, I did a lot of reading and analyzing...

When I decided to take writing seriously, I did a lot of reading and analyzing...

When I was a teenager, I got into SF, quite heavily, and that too has...

When I was a teenager, I got into SF, quite heavily, and that too has...

In the first year, 1988, I wrote and sold 3 novels.

In the first year, 1988, I wrote and sold 3 novels.

The benefit of this kind of outlining is that you discover a story's flaws before...

The benefit of this kind of outlining is that you discover a story's flaws before...

During that first year, I felt guilty that my wife was out working bringing in...

During that first year, I felt guilty that my wife was out working bringing in...

Even the contemporary horror authors who have seriously influenced me are a disparate bunch.

Even the contemporary horror authors who have seriously influenced me are a disparate bunch.

So, I outlined a horror novel and started writing.

So, I outlined a horror novel and started writing.