When I decided to take writing seriously, I did a lot of reading and analyzing of the books I liked, and came up with what I thought were pretty sound plotting and structure basics.

Quote by George Stephen

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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.

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

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

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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

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

I've devoted a lot of my time and effort during the past few years to...

I've devoted a lot of my time and effort during the past few years to...

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.

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.

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'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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...