Writerly Things

Rustin Lovewell's State of the Story

DARKBREW EMISSARY
Draft 15%
MORTICA
Draft 15%

Updated Mar 2026

The heck is Rustin doing?

Currently Writing...

Working titles: DARKBREW EMISSARY, also MORTICA, also untitled historical horror novel
Multiple irons in the fire these days. Drafting two separate books in the STRANGEBREW universe, as well as outlining a separate supernatural horror novel set in Bangor, Maine in 1861, at the time one of the most dangerous ports in the world (so much so it was called The Devil's Half Acre)

Updated Mar 2026

Currently Reading...

BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN by M.L. Wang
From an author I'd not read before, this dark academia novel came highly recommended. The first chapter is one of the most brilliant and harrowing openings I've read in a fantasy book. Early career writers (which I consider myself) take note: This, right here, is how one begins a story.

Updated Dec 2025

Currently Distracted by...

SPLIT FICTION on PC
My spouse and I are different types of gamers, so it's a challenge finding co-op games we both enjoy. A game about SFF writers stuck in VR/Matrix versions of their own stories is obviously my choice. Fortunately, the game is clever and offbeat enough that we're both having a good time. (The concept of a book publisher as an evil Oscorp-like super-tech corporation is also pretty amusing.)

Updated Dec 2025

Resources for New Writers

One should be weary of writing advice from early-career authors.  Instead of trying to tell you how to practice your craft, here are resources I’ve found helpful.  Maybe you’ll find them helpful, too.

Just type “Writing Advice” into Amazon and you’ll be inundated with a bazillion books on “How to tell a story” or “How to get published.”  I haven’t read them all.  I have read a few.  Here are five I found particularly useful.

  • Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass.  

    Don Maass is a successful literary agent with 30-odd years experience and the author of several books on writing and publishing.  This one does a good job of breaking down story elements and techniques, with lots of quoted examples from literature.

  • The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler.

    Interrogates the classic Hero’s Journey concept, with special attention paid to the stages of the journey and character roles (e.g. the Hero, the Mentor, the Threshhold Guardian)

  • On Writing by Stephen King.

    Part memoir, part writing advice.  Even if you’re not a fan, it’s an interesting autobiography from one of the most successful authors in the world.

  • Violence: A Writer’s Guide by Rory A. Miller.
    If you write action, this is one to check out.  Written by a military Special Forces trainer, and published specifically for writers, Miller dispels romantic notions of cinematic action and presents an authentic viewpoint.  Each chapter ends with a writing exercise, several of which will “push your buttons.”  A fascinating read.
  • The Kick-Ass Writer by Chuck Wendig.

    Chuck Wendig is an author, screenwriter, and game designer.  He’s also hilarious.  His writing advice book, which reads like it was written by Deadpool, is filled with single paragraph anecdotes on storytelling, publishing, and the author life.  For pure entertainment value, the Kick-Ass Writer is the most fun I’ve had with a how-to book.

Many podcasts feature interviews with authors, but my favorites are those hosted by authors and trade publishing industry professionals that talk business, craft, and career in equal measure.

  • Publishing Rodeo: The Good, the Bad, and the Bloody Ugly with Sunyi Dean and Scott Drakeford 

    This is simply the best podcast for any writer who wishes to be traditionally published.  Hosted by two debut authors, the conversations are exceptionally eye-opening.  As their tagline states, they say the quiet parts out loud.  A must listen. 

  • Ditch Diggers with Mur Lafferty and Ursula Vernon

    Mur Lafferty’s publishing podcast, now with co-host Ursula Vernon aka T. Kingfisher, focuses on the business side of writing.  It’s prone to tangents that have little to do with writing, but the commentary from two veteran authors rings genuine, and I can’t help but feel that they’ve seen it all.

  • Print Run with Erik Hane and Laura Zats

    This podcast by two professional literary agents is great for keeping one’s thumb on the publishing industry.  They also regularly do live office hours (for free!) where they answer listener questions.  A terrific resource.

 Ye’ old Internet is filled with blogs and vids and websites detailing how to write good fiction.  A lot of it contradicts itself.  Here are a handful of sites where I managed to glean something.

  • Writing Advice at www.Brentweeks.com

    Fantasy author Brent Weeks (one of my favorites) has a writing advice page on his author site that’s quite comprehensive.  He breaks things into sections with a question and answer format, and offers his thoughts on craft and publishing.  He also includes a number of useful tools and resources.