-
Gulf War Syndrome Causes Writer’s Block
This winter I showed up to the VA hospital complaining of Writer’s Block. It seems like every time I move to a new place—now that I’m not drinking anymore—I must go through this adjustment period where, until my surroundings are familiar, and until my life feels routine, I’m on my guard all the time. Even…
-
Cybertruck Giveaway
Here in Tallahassee, we’ve been grazed. But many residents of the Caribbean, Florida, and Western North Carolina have lost everything to hurricanes Helene and Milton. I’ve never seen a hurricane season like this, but it isn’t an anomaly: most scientists now agree that climate change will produce more frequent and more powerful storms. “I can…
-
Should You Talk about That Novel?
Writing never stops—never fully stops—even during a period that feels like vacation. I’m drafting another novel now. Without giving away too much, I’ll tell you that it’s a young adult horror novel about Elmo Avila, the 12-year-old son of a high-ranking Marine, and Elmo’s visit to a haunted tattoo parlor that his father has blacklisted.…
-
New Story Dropping
Hi everybody! My new story, “Wolfpacking,” might upset some people—fellow Marines and family members alike. If that doesn’t encourage you to read it, I don’t know what will. “Wolfpacking,” the runner-up for phoebe’s spring fiction contest, is the explanation of military hazing that you’ve never heard before. Contest judge Nick White called it “haunting, meditative,…
-
No More Doors: How to Really Write an Ending
I read, not long ago, a craft book called Mr. Potato Head vs. Freud. It’s by my friend and mentor Clint McCown. It’s a good book. There’s much nuance and sound advice in it. But I never agree with everything I read in a craft book, even a book by a friend. In the case…
-
New Publication
Hi everybody! A new piece of mine, “This Is a Windsor Knot,” has just been published on Every Day Fiction. It would mean a lot to me if you gave the story a read and a rating. EDF has a star system like goodreads, and if you love me, you’ll help me inflate the rating…
-
Wolfpacking
I’m happy to report a tremendous failure. Last month, I submitted a short story, “Wolfpacking,” to about eight different magazines. I wasn’t sure it was ready, but as you may know, I’m collecting rejections. My goal this year is fifty rejections. Unfortunately, before Wolfpacking had the chance to earn a single rejection, phoebe accepted it…
-
Embracing the Wastebasket
In the summer of 2018, I got addicted to the wastebasket. Tossing a poem into it gave me a buzz—like a puff from a Marlboro Red. So, I threw away a short story—more intoxicating, like a shot of Camarena tequila. You know how these things go. I wound up sliding a 300-page memoir into the…
-
AWP
Hi everyone! Unfortunately, today’s won’t be the kind of post you can really sink your teeth into. But if you’re intent to procrastinate, follow this link to a new table of contents for my blog. You can now read all my best posts without scrolling past the duds (like this one.) Tomorrow I fly out…
Nolancapps.com
officially the best writer in my chair
Nolancapps.com 