"Don't Mess With Bunnies" by Craig Crawford

1/9/2026

Multi-genre, multi-volume author Craig L Crawford introduces us to his horror short story, "Don't Mess With Bunnies":
Avery is your average teenager with the usual teenage problems...until a seemingly mundane creature gets into her head. This meek and defenseless-looking animal reveals to her the startling cost for the abuse of its kind. Avery quickly learns that this mysterious animal means business, and that the punishment it metes out is no joke! "Don't Mess with Bunnies" is a Mannison Minibook by Mannison Press.

Bunnies are so cute. I had a pet bunny when I was a boy. It got away from me and became food for a predator.
I enjoyed this story. It had a cute beginning, but the tension started to rise almost immediately. I am committed to not spoiling a story for another person. I will say the ending is very dramatic with an unexpected twist.

49 Comments

Craig Crawford link

1/12/2026 10:01:08 am

Hi Mark,

Seems like we just talked (insert halo emoji...). I love talking about this writing process and we always seem to get into great conversations so why not start up another?!

Mark

1/12/2026 12:13:58 pm

I think that is a capital idea! It's great to be talking about your books and adventures as an independent author who is published by a small press instead of self-publishing.

A note to our visitors, this interview is picking up from where we last talked in the previous promotion of "Closing Dark Doors." The link is just above. In fact, Craig and I have been chatting for several years. I think we are on the third time through my list of questions. My list has changed much over the years; I have added, subtracted and changed questions as seemed good to me.

First questions.

Is using X, previously known as Twitter, and other social media part of your marketing strategy?

How much time do you spend in a week marketing or promoting your books on social media?

Craig Crawford link

1/12/2026 12:56:09 pm

Hi Mark, even though we've chatted many times before, I always get new insights into my own processes and the how's and why's of my writing.

For marketing, I am using social media to push my stories. I have run a few ads on Twitter/X, and while I've gotten many impressions on ads, it hasn't translated into actual sales. Honestly, the marketing you and I do here, and especially your Twitter blitzes for the week we talk have more impact than any ads I've run myself on Twitter/X.

I have started running ads on Instagram even though I don't have much of a presence there. Since Meta bought Instagram, it means getting advertising on Facebook as well as Instagram. I've been getting lots of hits and views, as in thousands, so I am going to continue building ads and releasing them on Instagram.

As for marketing time. It depends from week to week, but I'm finding I'm spending a few hours, which is a juggling act with my writing. Now that can include submitting short stories, getting involved in events like these, going to horror conventions as well as strategizing and planning for my next endeavor.

The bottom line is, as an Indie author I am spending a chunk of my free time trying to get the word out about my books and stories.

I will add that Red Cape Publishing is my primary press (though Don't Mess With Bunnies and a couple of other books have been published by Mannison Press!). Red Cape does marketing on my behalf too. They've gotten my Project Threshold books into at least one book store on the far shore and they peddle my books at conventions they attend. They are also a great sounding board for my own marketing efforts.

Mark

1/12/2026 02:33:11 pm

I am happy that my efforts for your books have paid off. That's icing on the cake. The best part is chatting about your books and such.

Marketing on large social media platforms is not easy, from what I have heard. Many clicks don't always translate into sales. Exposure is a long-term game, and it takes lots of exposures to land in the top place of someone's mind.

That is good news about Instagram. I hope it spills over into Facebook.

A few hours every week does not surprise me. I have recommended to many authors that they allot 1 - 2 hours every week for marketing, at a minimum. It takes time and planning to see any fruit.

Red Cape does more than many other publishers I have heard of. Good on them.

New questions.

How do you convince readers to write a book review?

What are your thoughts on bad book reviews?

Craig Crawford link

1/12/2026 05:04:07 pm

I agree. Lots of "impressions" and "views" does not equal sales. I have taken note of how I personally respond to ads I view in order to get a better idea of the marketing game. The thing I noticed really early is that I rarely respond to the first ad I see for anything. Unless it's the exact perfect thing, I never buy with one viewing. It takes multiple reminders, and I am extrapolating but I am guessing most other people react the same way.

So that's how I am approaching it too. I am about to start running ads repeatedly. I experimented at Christmas with a few single ads to get an idea of where people might be viewing, and am going to go back and run repeat ads in the next few weeks. I'll be running ads for the bulk of the winter and spring months to see where it gets me.

And yes, in thinking about the marketing time spent, I am probably devoting more like 4+ hours a week to it now. Some research but also ad creation, analyzing my horror market and trying to decide where to best put my meager marketing budget.

As to your question, book reviews are still an enigma. I have tried many things. I've gotten a few friends to review, and on social media I've mailed out books to people in return for reviews. I've solicited free books and merchandise in my newsletter in return for reviews and when I've sold books at conventions, I tuck in cards for my website and reminders to submit reviews.

Of everything I've had the best luck when I mail out books to people and then gently remind them to leave a review.

Having said that, it's a hard game getting people to review books. It is literally the pulling of teeth. For me, being an Indie author, I do review every book I read because I know how important they are and how much they mean for rankings. Even if it's not my favorite book, I'll review it and be honest. And even if I hated a book, I will at least offer something positive in the review, because no matter the writer, there are always good things they are doing as an author, even if they haven't mastered the craft yet. Even beginners.

And the dreaded "bad" review? I haven't encountered much of that yet, but I also look at it this way. I could be the best writer in the world and there are people who are just not going to gel with my writing style, or the way I unfold a story.

According to the internet (take that how you will), there are 1.5 billion people who read for pleasure. Horror is a niche genre but say even 10% of that total reads horror (just to keep neat numbers), that's 150 million readers. If even 10% of that could find my books that would leave 15 million readers. If 10% of those could actually get and read my books that would be 1.5 million. Take that down to 10% again who might actually review and we're already down to 150,000 (and obviously it's much lower than that...) Chances are, a chunk of those are NOT going to like my books because of a variety of reasons.

So, I'm going to get negative reviews. The key is to not take that personally. Think about how you react to movies. For myself, I have movies that I adore! Could watch them over and over. However, I run into others who watch that same movie and react lukewarm to it, or don't like it. Happens all the time.

Everyone's tastes are different so there are going to be plenty of people who will read my stories and not get anything out of them or maybe even hate them for some reason specific to them.

And that's okay. Their opinions are valid.

I choose to pay attention to the bulk of the reviews and listen to the criticism, good and bad to see if I'm doing my job as a writer. If I have more positive reviews outweighing the bad, then I'm doing something right. It's akin to running ads to see what's catching people's attention and what's falling flat.

My advice to other writers is--read the bad review. Did they leave that because of something you really did wrong with the story (plot hole you didn't catch, goofed up a character, etc.) or was it because of some personal thing with them. Either way, you come up with an answer you can deal with...

Mark

1/12/2026 07:02:15 pm

Very few leave reviews; every author frets about that. The situation might be worse than I thought. I asked X's Grok how many readers leave reviews online. Here is a portion of the answer:
On Amazon specifically, the figure is around 1–2% for products overall, with some variation (e.g., slightly higher for certain categories).
For books specifically (e.g., on Amazon, Goodreads, or other platforms), the rate is similarly low: often 0.1–2% leave written reviews, while 1–5% might leave a simple rating (stars only). Self-published authors and forum discussions frequently report ratios like 1 review per 100–1,000 sales, or around 0.25–1.5% for ratings and even lower (e.g., 0.25%) for full written reviews.

No joy in that answer for authors. There is a disconnect for a lot of readers, I think. They choose a book based upon reviews most of the time but they forget to leave one themselves.

You make a good point about readers' tastes, each are unique in some combination. It's impossible to write a book that will be universally acclaimed. There will always be the curmudgeon that detests the popular flavor of the day.

Trolls. The first rule of troll reviews is don't feed the troll. Trolls crave attention and they are happiest when they can make another person cry. Ignore them. They don't read the book much of the time and their review is obviously ignorant of the story and written with malign intent. Don't feed the trolls.

New questions.

Have you thought about doing an audiobook?

Who would you pick to do the audiobook?

Craig Crawford link

1/12/2026 09:22:57 pm

Yes, so why do we worry about reviews? Because people do pay attention. I shame Amazon, B&N and GoodReads on that front. They have the same statistics so they know reviews don't necessarily mean good books. For good or ill, they started that framework but it ought to be adjusted for books. People do seem to rate other products better than they rate books....not sure why.

On the other hand, I do look at reviews for certain products. Books, I give more weight to reading samples. I really need to like the voice and the story telling to really get into a book. It makes all the difference. And, as I said, I review every book I read now.

I completely agree with your statements on trolls. Same as on social media. I don't interact and more often than not, I block them straight out. Obviously you can't do that with a book review, but if you have one or two trolls leaving bad reviews but you have a bunch of other good reviews, then people are going to figure it out.

As to your question, we have done an audio book for Project Threshold Season One: Wading into Darkness. It was fun. I got to talk with the narrator and if we do another for Season 2, I hope Anthony gets to work with us again.

If I had carte blanche to hire hire anyone to read my stories for an audio book....hmmmmnnn....

Denzel Washington. He's an awesome actor--one of my favorites. His voice is softer but strong and clear. Yeah, that would be great!

If I chose a female celebrity to read my stories...Emma Stone. I really like the sound of her voice :) :) :)

Mark

1/13/2026 10:45:38 am

Good thoughts about reviews. Around 8 years ago, Amazon was flooded with fake reviews, people on Fiverr were selling reviews and charging per star, in some cases. Authors were trading reviews also. I clarified the language on my website after Goodreads kicked me off their platform because someone accused me of selling reviews. I don't sell reviews, I sell promotion of books. I still had to start a new account on GoodReads. Review-gate must have been hurting Amazon because they removed a lot of accounts from their platform. People who were banned lost access to books on their Kindle, books and/or reviews were removed, and in some cases authors lost unpaid royalties. Any platform credits were lost also. It was a mess. Some authors were able to get reinstated. Amazon instituted a new rule that cut down on trolls. If you didn't buy at least $50.00 in product of any kind each year you could not review anything. I give Amazon props for that.

Celebrity voices. Denzel is a great choice! Emma also. At this time, an author should be able to find a narrator that offers celebrity voices. It will cost extra and most likely be done by AI trained for those voices. Even with the licensing fees it would be cheaper than the actual celebrity doing the work.

I am assumiong that Red Cape is handling the audiobook.

New questions.

How do you relax when you're not writing?

What is your favorite motivational phrase that keeps you going?

Craig Crawford link

1/13/2026 12:12:49 pm

Yes, I know reviews are a conundrum all to themselves. While I'd love to have everyone who reads my books review them, there is reality :) It's one of those things where I prod and encourage people to review without being too pushy.

The entire correlation between reviews and visibility feels broken to me, but what are you gonna do?

Relaxing...that's a fun question :) Growing up, my dad basically had three jobs. He worked as a mailman for our local school system. He also worked part time security for a private group. 3rd, he was in a band. The man was one of those people who was rarely content to sit idle watching the world go by. For good or ill, I inherited that from him. I think it's partly why I jibe so well with writing as a side career.

I work full time but I'm often writing or dealing with some aspect of writing or marketing when I get home. I'm honestly content being "busy" vs sitting around doing nothing. And by "nothing" I mean simple distractions like reading or watching movies. I always seem to be "busy" doing something.

So for me, relaxing is doing something. I relax taking walks, occasionally watching a movie (horror being my favorite genre), or even listening to podcasts. I relax by getting together with friends and hanging out having some food and a couple of beers.

There are days I truly wish I could sit on a porch and just watch the clouds for hours, but I get fidgety after about 15 minutes and then have to be involved in something. I guess I do multitask--we have a puzzle going in our living room so I may watch TV but I like working on it while something's on. Either that or I'm on my phone or doing something else :)

It's probably a bad thing, but I have a really hard time just sitting idle.

Motivational phrases....I have a couple.

I ran across one and I cannot find the actual author. I also can't remember the exact wording. I have a small poster on my wall at home but basically it says, "It's not up to the author to decide what his art means. Once he finishes it, it's up to the audience to make that determination."

It really applies to any art and not just books, but I like the principle idea, and it really is true. An author writes his book, it gets published and sent into the world, but it really is up to the interpretation of the audience as far as what it means. The author, by unleashing his story into the world, much like a parent with a child, no longer has control over what it will ultimately become.

It's that idea that once I publish a story or book, it's no longer mine to control or dictate, and I think it rings true. And I'm okay with that.

My other favorite quote or motivation, I do know the original person who said it :) It was Confucius and he said, "No matter where you're going, there you are."

Always makes me laugh but it also punctuates for me that you're doing your thing so just do it and don't worry about the where of what you want or where you want to be. Just be there on the journey and keep going. That quote I have on my own website just to remind myself to focus on that...and not to take this journey of life too seriously...

Mark

1/13/2026 03:26:49 pm

My favorite activity is reading. I engage completely with the story and shut out most of the world ever since my school days. Reading on a school bus filled with other children is good training to focus and a touch of ADD/ADHD doesn't hurt either. I think that is part of what makes me so good at proofreading.

I love that first quote: "It's not up to the author to decide what his art means. Once he finishes it, it's up to the audience to make that determination." I have repeated the following maxim more than once, that every person who reads the same book actually reads a different book because they read it through their filters and life experiences.

The last time I recall hearing that quote from Confucius was in Kung-Fu Panda. True and funny, nonetheless.

New questions.

Which famous person, living or dead, would you like to meet?

Which famous author?

Craig Crawford link

1/14/2026 09:08:50 am

Reading really does give you a breath away from the really real world and that's why it has endured.

That first quote was driven home to me in college. I took a creative writing course which ended up turning out to be mostly poetry. I was out of my element and ironically every "poem" I wrote ended up being more of a story but you know, I guess the lines of my words had been drawn. I submitted a "poem" called The Butterfly Man for the class to read and critique and the responses made me shake my head.

It was basically the story of a drifter come to town and the local kids hanging around and flying kites with him. Until the parents got wind of it and "convinced" him to move on. The class really liked it even though it was more of a story than actual poetry, but their comments included everything from drug imagery to Jesus. Obviously not what I consciously intended, but there it was, AND it was my first glimpse into that idea that what a person writes is not what it may end up being for readers.

A true learning moment for me.

As for meeting a famous person, I'm going right to the top. I am religious and very philosophical in my own terms even though I don't follow a particular religion. I really try to live by the primary concept that you treat others like you would want to be treated and everything else follows from there. In that light, I really would like about an hour to sit down and hang out with Jesus Christ. Not for necessarily great sweeping questioning but just to chat about anything and everything that comes to mind. I suspect the man was very interesting and well worth talking with. I've always wondered what he was like when he wasn't talking to people. I wonder silly things like what his favorite food was or what kind of sense of humor he had. And if they'd had ice cream back then what his fav flavor would be :)

For famous authors, I'm going with Roger Zelazny. He was my baptism into science fiction and fantasy, and while he was still alive when I was reading his books, I never did get to meet him. He had such a unique and fantastic view of world building and word smithing, it would have been good to sit down and chat with him too. I've read a few interviews on him and gleaned a few things here and there, but I would have liked to have met him.

Mark

1/14/2026 12:54:09 pm

Form-free poetry has saved many a poet's bacon, I am sure. The Butterfly Man is a perfect example of how readers' perceptions color what they get out of a poem or story. Thanks for sharing that.

Somewhat similar is a writing exercise, where a number of writers use the same prompt and each submits a different story. I love that kind of variety.

A fantastic choice! Jesus certainly had a sense of humor. He was always making fun of the hyper-religious people and the common folk loved it because they recognized the hypocrisy and enjoyed how Jesus' barbs made the religious elite so uncomfortable.

Roger is a good choice, also. Such a prolific writer! He has more than 700 books on Goodreads.

New question.

Do you start a writing project using a typewriter, pen & paper or PC?

Craig Crawford link

1/14/2026 02:14:32 pm

Occasionally I do like writing prompts. It's more of a challenge to see if I can come up with something. I didn't get it published but Inky Bones Press put out a contest on Twitter. Robin put up a picture and said the top six would get a free book. I really loved the picture--creepy bulbous headed demon in almost a hospital gown and after about an hour, I came up with a story. Sad and dark, but it sparked my imagination and I ended up winning a book with "It Told Me It's Name is Mot."

When I start a new writing project it almost always starts with notes. Usually on a scrap of paper or sometimes, occasionally in a notebook. Most times I get ideas when I'm out and about in the world, either at work or driving or doing some mundane thing when inspiration strikes.

When it comes to actual writing I almost always resort to the keyboard. I have a desktop and a laptop, and over the last couple of years I've realized it's because I can put down words so much faster on a keyboard than by writing them out. I'm a lefty and I write sideways on my paper. Also, I'm just not very quick at writing by hand so when ideas and scenes are coming fast, I can get things on the page at least twice and maybe three or four times as quickly typing vs hand writing.

It helps when I'm in the "writing zone" and action, description and conversations are happening behind my eyes.

Having said that, there are still times I like writing by hand in a notebook of some sort. There is a special something to writing by hand. I think it's being forced to a different tempo and having your thoughts match your natural writing rhythm that allows for a different kind of creative flow, but it can create a different kind of vibe for writing.

I would encourage writers to do it both ways. Especially if you get writer's block. I think mixing things up and writing in a different way can help shake up the mental side of things and it might give you new insights into whatever you're stuck on.

In the past, I've gotten "stuck" on a story and the physical act of writing my thoughts about it on paper has actually allowed me to talk it through, in a sense, and I've been able to come up with my "Aha!" moment to get the story moving again.

Mark

1/14/2026 03:45:56 pm

Congratulations on winning that book. Pretty sweet.

I love the idea of writing by hand to get past a creative block, it makes perfect sense to me.

New questions.

Have you ever thought about speaking to a college or high school writing class?

Have you thought about contacting a book club and offering your book to them and/or to speak to them?

Craig Crawford link

1/14/2026 04:06:42 pm

It was pretty cool--I was more happy that I came up with a quick hit story that I thought had punch in less than 350 words. Usually I like a longer set up but this one just came to me.

For speaking, I'd love to teach writing. In my decades I like to think I've learned quite a bit and I would really like to get into a classroom and update some of the learning models I grew up on about processes. I think a lot of the "old" ideas are still in place about how to write. Several of them need to be tweaked. For example, the idea that you have to 'write every day.'

On the surface, it seems like good advice but as I continue to preach in my own circles, it's not healthy. I'd like to reshape that statement into "you need to write regularly." In my own writing, I've had the biggest breakthroughs in story creation simply by taking breaks from it. Sometimes your creative side needs to recharge. It cannot be on point every single day. Even our work weeks are limited to 5ish days for a reason. People need breaks from absolutely everything they do in life that they enjoy. Otherwise it becomes real work and then you hit burnout.

Also, I would love just sharing my long journey to publishing. I'm a poster child for patience even though I hate that word :)

Actually, where I currently work, there is a staff committee and occasionally they'll get other staff members to share the things they're interested in for anyone interested. Twice now, I've been asked to speak about my writing journey and it was great fun. I spoke to around 30-40 people each time, some in person and some viewing online, giving them a rundown of what I write, how I manage it and all the complexities of being an Indie Author.

I spent a lot of time prepping which made it easier. I shared my processes, read from one of my stories and held a Q & A. While I never thought I'd enjoy public speaking, when it comes to writing I like it.

Concerning Book Clubs, it's another marketing avenue I'd like to try, but at present I'm not even sure which clubs are legitimate and which ones would be interested in my writing. From my personal email I've been approached by several people now, claiming to be part of some book club, only to discover they were actually mimicking actual book clubs in order to try some scam or get me to give them money. I've gleaned several ways to ferret out the impostors and thankfully have never been taken advantage of on that front.

However, amidst all my other marketing endeavors, I do need to start looking into that venue too. I'm convinced an Indie Author's best offense in the marketing arena is to have your hands in many things and to try out every marketing road you can in order to get the word out about your books.

Mark

1/14/2026 05:23:58 pm

Short stories are fascinating to me. With practice, it gets easier, I think. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong, because I am not a writer. It reminds me of doing wheelies on a motorcycle. You have to do it fast and stay balanced. I do love short stories because they get to the heart of the story so quickly.

Public speaking is fun and exciting when you are the expert. Honestly, who knows more about a book than the author? Knowing that the audience wants to hear what you have to say helps also. It's okay to take long pauses; the audience will wait. I know that because I pause frequently since I have lived with a stammering problem most of my life. I love public speaking.

Glad you are being careful about book clubs. You might be able to find them locally through a library or bookstore. The Nextdoor app could also be useful.

New question.

What are your thoughts about mentoring beginning writers?

Craig Crawford link

1/14/2026 08:21:06 pm

Yes. I avoided writing short stories for a long time because I couldn't quite get the hang of it. You have to be really mindful of pacing and steering your story toward the end. It was about five years ago that I was listening to and reading lots of short stories in my main genre. I finally got curious about writing them again and started looking to see if there were presses out there taking shorts. :)

Turns out there are a bunch...who knew? :) A 5000 word short story is typical which comes out to around 20ish pages. These days many presses are going even shorter at 1000-3000 words so you really have to tell a succinct tale in the span of a few pages. I think they also take more editing because you can't waste words.

However, as you well know, I'm into it now and I've got that window in my head so I can feel when I've got the setup and need to start pushing the story toward the end.

I'll check the Nextdoor App and start delving into book clubs. If I could find a horror club I'd be in the right place :)

Mentoring new writers can be a difficult proposition. Part of the process for writing is learning and a lot of getting "good" at it means you just have to write. Over and over. It takes time to develop your own style and voice and it's not something you can simply tell people how to do. They have to write enough to find theirs.

The other issue I've run into with newer writers is they're not always open to advice even when they ask for it. As a new writer, I remember thinking I had my skills in place and I wasn't keen on critiques because it's basically someone else trying to tell me everything I was screwing up :) It took me a while to get comfy with feedback. I also like to learn by doing so for me, writing story after story was the path to me learning more about my voice and my writing style.

When I have mentored, I always start with the premise that I am not the be-end-all and don't know everything there is to know on writing I emphasize that they should take my advice with the proverbial grain of salt. Then I try to be honest about what works and is good, and also what doesn't work and why not. I am not judging other writers on their stories and I try to be extra mindful of style and word use.

I write the way I do because of my learning, experiences and what influences I grew up with. Every other writer is unique for the same reasons so I try to give a lot of space for that. To date, my mentoring experiences have amounted to steering people and not grading their work like a term paper. I couple of people have taken it the way I intended and a couple of others have not.

At the end of the day, I figure my job was to offer advice but it was up to them to take it or not.

I will still help people if I'm asked but I don't offer those services. One, it can get complicated for all the reasons I stated, but two, I've got my own writing to pursue and I don't have a ton of time leftover to really delve into another person's creations. Maybe some day though if I run out of stories to tell ;)

Mark

1/15/2026 09:10:54 am

I hope the Nextdoor app proves useful. I use it to post funny and useful stuff several times a week, and I also post book reviews there. Maybe a writer could make a little money writing short stories.

Here is a copy-and-paste link about leveraging writing skills, or hit the search box below: https://www.writingforward.com/creative-writing/creative-writing-careers

People who think they know it all are a real pain for those of us who do. ;-) I used to say that a lot. Not so much anymore. Hubris has been my worst friend and best enemy most of my life. My brain is always trying to write checks my body can't cash.

Not offering is a good idea.

New questions.

What books do you think every author should read, and why?

What books do you think horror writers should read?

Craig Crawford link

1/15/2026 11:40:43 am

I was looking at the link. I always thought it might be fun to writing greeting cards. I think I've got a sarcastic enough wit to come up with some smart-alecky cards...I should look into that as a side gig.

You also got me to thinking...I know academically things are getting tighter, but we have a local community college and I took a writing course there once. I will look into it to see if I have to have advanced degrees or if I can just apply. I really do love the world of books and reading and writing and I feel like I've got some learning to share. Thanks for putting the bug in my head :)

Concerning books a writer should read. It's hard because there are literally millions. Still, I think you have to start with the classics of literature. I don't always like everything on the list but if you're going to be a writer, you do need some history and you have to know where writing began in order to move it forward.

If nothing else, reading older "classics" can create some inspiration for you. In another interview I talked about William Faulkner. I've always been on the fence about him because some of his work is really depressing. However, I'm still enamored with his creation of his own county and the way he had characters showing up in other stories he wrote. You've read enough of my work to know that rubbed off on me.

Then, when you decide on a genre, you have to read in that genre too. Again, you have to know what's been done in order to find something new in your own psyche.

I grew up on fantasy and science fiction so for specific books, I'm going to fall back on my greats. First, we're talking about Roger Zelazny again. His Amber Chronicles, to me were the pinnacle. It was the first thing I read dealing with a multiverse (see any parallels with my own bent on writing?). My other favorite series of his was 2 books, and he died before he could finish it (I'm still grumpy over that). They're called Changeling and Madwand.

IF you're looking for good fantasy with scifi crossover, Changeling is a great book. Again with the multiverse but Zelazny jumped into magic and he took a really unique view of magic. It wasn't just enigmatic spells being cast into play, but it was a system almost like science. Wizards could see existing energies in the world around them and then manipulate strands and lines in order to create "magic." I thought it was mind blowing as a concept.

The other great thing about Zelazny was his ability to use words. His Amber Chronicles were very succinct. Each book is roughly 200 pages but they're complex intricate stories. The Changeling series is much longer, each book probably twice that, but it shows his versatility.

There are other greats for scifi like Aasimov and Bradbury. For fantasy I also liked Fritz Leiber, and a guy named Joel Rosenberg wrote a Guardians of the Flame saga which was really good. It follows a group of RPGers who get sucked into the world they were playing characters in.

For horror, again, start with the classics. The slow build of people like Lovecraft and Poe are worth the time to build the base. I'm also a fan of Ambrose Bierce. He didn't always write horror, but he puts out some eerie tales.

And honestly, one of the best books I've read about writing is Stephen King's book called On Writing. He's got great advice and tactics for writers and I still refer back to it from time to time.

Beyond that, you find authors who you really gel with their style and just read.

Mark

1/15/2026 01:33:45 pm

You are welcome for both of those. I think you could teach well.

The classics are a great place to start. Not only in a preferred genre. A writer should read as many classics as possible. Some are hard to classify. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is a good example, in my mind. Is it Sci-Fi due to the theme of reanimation? Is it horror because of the way Dr. Frankenstein treated his unnamed creation? I think the doctor is the real monster in the story because he rebuffed any attempt at connection from his creation.

I read several stories by Poe in high school. In college, I found Lovecraft and marveled at his command of words and vocabulary. I read several books in a row and overdosed on his horror. I haven't been able to read more since then.

New questions.

Is there a genre you have secretly wanted to try your hand at, but haven’t?

What genre is it?

Craig Crawford link

1/15/2026 01:52:41 pm

Which is a great point you make all around. Read. If something doesn't click with you, then find something else to read. But read. It's a great way to happen upon great stories but also how to see how great stories unfold and the language behind them.

And yes, I agree with you on Mary Shelley. Frankenstein is about "monsters" but they're not always who we think they are.

And yes on Lovecraft. He's definitely got a style, but a little can go a long way. On YouTube I discovered a channel called Stygian Sagas and I swear it's Lovecraft reincarnated by the way the creator crafts his stories. However, they are much easier to read--actually listen to. It's still that slow build and unfolding but he is a great storyteller! I keep waiting for him to publish his books in print.

As to your question, honestly, I will attempt a novel at some point set in our world without science fiction, fantasy or horror to it. I'd like to try a slice of life and probably my character trying to overcome his or her own personal issues. I haven't decided the what's or where's yet, but something grounded in day to day life actually sounds like fun to me. :)

Otherwise, I've never had a yen for a romance book, historical fiction or the like. Perhaps someday I'll pen something on the nature of horror as more of a non-fiction, or similar.

Mark

1/15/2026 04:41:16 pm

Slice of life sounds interesting. I hope you write that sometime.

I have read some literary fiction that fits that description. The author used a lot of fancy words, I had to pull up the dictionary on my Kindle quite a few times and had to resort to a more complete source of information a few times. It was about four people at a dinner party, there were lots of flashbacks in their relationships, a few moments of confusion for me. It didn't have a strong conclusion, sadly. Exploring the relationships was quite deep; I think that was part of the attraction for that type of reader. Since I was new to the genre, I didn't appreciate it as much as others might.

New questions.

Have you ever gone on an organized writer's retreat?

What benefited you the most from that time?

If you haven't been on a retreat like that, what would entice you the most?

Craig Crawford link

1/15/2026 06:08:06 pm

I think my favorite part of writing is the psychology behind my characters. Why they think and act the way they do, and what motivates them or holds them back. I think it can work in any setting, but I always seem to prefer something creepy or fantastic going on in the background :)

I have never attended a writer's retreat. I've thought about it a few times, but especially these days, I just do not feel like I can take the time, even for a week. First off, it would have to be fairly inexpensive and I do not believe they are. Second, it would have to be a group of writers I'd feel comfy with. No literary writers because they tend toward the pretentious ;) But perhaps a horror writer's retreat could be fun. Who know, maybe some day.

I've gone to a few writer's conferences but in retrospect, those are geared more toward newer writers. Also, I went several times and had absolutely no one bite on my stories. While I was there, the agents that attended sounded enthusiastic but after getting home it was a huge disappointment. Those I would not bother attending anymore.

I have become very jaded against the traditional publishing world in the last few years. I honestly don't know what kinds of books they actually buy but it's not my style for sure. I've read a few books on the "best seller list" but I have also not been impressed. I haven't found a single book that I read and was wowed by. I do not think they publish books for great stories anymore, or if they do, I do not think it's at the top of their agenda.

On the plus side, I've read several Indie books now that are 100% more interesting and fun, and it's where I've been putting most of my energy when it comes to reading. There are good authors out there, but they're having to forge their own ways too. It's all good though. I've got a decent press to work with that's supportive and I keep finding homes for my stories.

Mark

1/16/2026 11:20:34 am

Time is certainly a valuable commodity, perhaps the most precious because we don't know when the bell is going to ring.

Retreats are not cheap, no question.

Most traditional publishers are putting out anything that can make them a buck. Red Cape is helping you. They seem like a good bunch.

New question.

Have you attended a seminar or lecture to improve certain skills a writer needs to know?

Craig Crawford link

1/16/2026 12:50:17 pm

Yes, on the traditional publishers. And I get they're trying to be financially responsible. However, as with the movie industry and other artistic companies, they've forgotten that many times it's the random thing that goes viral, becomes the cult classic and the big money maker. It seems to me that the movie industry used to pick a few movies they were confident that could do well but then also made some less sure movies to throw out there, hoping one or more would catch on with the public.

They also don't seem to do that much anymore, and it should become so again for movies as well as books. I'm more well versed in movies as far as box office successes. Movies like the Blair Witch Project which cost almost nothing to make scored huge at the box office. Indie movies have hit home runs precisely because they're able to take a chance on success and failure and end up connecting with audiences over time to find financial success.

The book industry would do much better if they would follow that model. Bank on a few safer investments but also keep a portion of their budget open to less mainstream novels to see what might resonate with readers.

When Harry Potter finally got picked up, they had no clue it would become that huge. But it resonated with readers and then movie goers, and became a billion dollar business. Bottom line, playing it safe only ensures wasting away over time.

Enough of my soap boxing! They'll do what they will and so will I :)

As to your question, I've attended a few different lectures by published authors over the years. Living in a university town they are more readily available.

I did get a chance to listen to Stephen King live here. That was pretty interesting. I think he often appears as kind of "goofy" but when he talked about writing it was extremely apparent he knows the craft inside and out. Mostly he talked about getting your audience to buy into what you're writing which means you have to get them connected.

Connected to your characters, the setting, all of it. There's a reason he's a master storyteller and so popular.

For the local authors I've gone to listen to, it's interesting because they have gone through very similar processes we all do. Starting down the path to writing and then finding their way as they keep writing. Most all have had that moment where they stepped into an opportunity to publish. Again, it emphasized to me that the most important thing is to keep writing.

Keep putting down words and try to get them out there to presses and publishers in order to find readers.

Of all the things I think writers need to know, it's that persistence and determination are your two best allies. They'll keep you going when there seems like no hope. They'll push you until you do walk into opportunities.

I think it's two of the core traits of authors. That unwillingness to give up and the need to keep writing and continue trying to get your words out there in front of the public.

Going along with that is believing in your ability to craft stories, and also an open mindedness to realize you can always improve your story telling. If you keep those in your back pockets, eventually you'll get somewhere...

Mark

1/16/2026 06:10:10 pm

Hearing SK speak had to be interesting and an amazing opportunity. I recall that he is purported to have said that he doesn't like reading horror. It scares him. He knows the story he is writing is good when it scares him a lot.

I agree with the idea of writing and not quitting. It will take years, but the more books published means you will sell more books. If an author can write two to four books a year, that author is on the way to success.

Writing is a lot like golf or any other sport; you can always improve your game.

New questions.

Are you a plot-driven writer or a character-driven writer?

What are the easiest parts of writing for you?

Craig Crawford link

1/16/2026 07:37:11 pm

When I start writing on a new project, the plot always shows up first. Usually it's very vague. With Don't Mess With Bunnies, it was a theme for a press with 2 parameters: the rabbit must die, and number 2, someone else is next. That's it.

At first I thought it was a silly idea. It made no sense and I only rolled my eyes and didn't think any further about it. Then about an hour later, I got an idea and how those two elements could work into a story.

However, then the characters started showing up. Avery was my main, and the more I considered who she was and her part to play, the clearer she became. It was almost like she was blurry but then the more I concentrated on who she was, Avery came into focus. And next her friend, Sara.

With characters I always need to know a lot about them before I start writing. I need to understand who they are and how they see the world, how they approach people and everything around them. Once I have that, it's time to write.

So overall, while I need the plot to drive the basis of the story, it's the characters that are the most important to me. The stories are always about the characters, how they are affected by what they encounter and ultimately how they choose to deal with the situations they're in. And somewhere in there, the story is always about their journey. Even when they don't make it to the end.

So I guess that's my answer :)

Mark

1/17/2026 09:02:06 am

The real answer to the question is, are you a plot-driven writer or a character-driven writer is yes. If I recall correctly, most authors have replied that the plot comes first. I think nearly every novel comes from one question, "what if ..." everything after clarifies that original thought.

Avery and Sarah are memorable characters in the story. The final scene remains in my memory.

New question.

Do you use character sheets, timelines, maps or anything else to keep the reading smooth and avoid logical errors in your writing?

Craig Crawford link

1/17/2026 12:01:48 pm

The plot drives the story, but it's the characters who keep it running. I like to think I write a combination of both. Especially with my Project Threshold stories, the plot is what gets my characters out in the field, blending their own personal issues with the story.

The "what if" is kind of the primal genesis of stories. Like DMWB. What if there was a supernatural aspect to animals of nature and actual beings who watched over them?

I am enamored with the Native American view of our world and our place within it. Much like my Project Threshold world, there are larger forces at work, and you have to show respect and work with Nature not against it. Or eventually you'll lose.

As to your question, the answer is, it depends on the story. Some stories are fairly straightforward and I don't keep track of much outside of my head. Others, and especially novels, I at least have running pages of notes.

For my YA scifi I finished last year, I kept an extensive spreadsheet of the characters which included their names, name meanings, age, skills and interests and psychic abilities. Plus I had to keep track of the "bad guys" and other players including where everyone was at in that world. It's probably the most complex story I've ever written and early on I was getting confused with simple things, forcing me to write things down and all of the details associated with it.

I've got a fantasy trilogy where I created my own mythos of deities so I created docs on all of them and how they fit into the world. Plus it involves mercenary groups so I was keeping track of those groups: where they were at on my maps and their persuasion on working with other groups and ruling factions. I also have maps of my world there.

I grew up playing Dungeons and Dragons, and as I've talked about before, I prefer running the game to playing though I've done both. I still count my time there as training for writing. As the "dungeon master" I had to keep the story in my head but I also had to build maps, towns, political structures, major players not connected to the characters, etc., so it was good practice for world building.

It also helped with my building of story narratives. I brought up the maps because for my fantasy trilogy I created maps using grid paper and drew in very simplistic terms :) Upside down "V's" for mountains, etc. I still have them and use them as reference but their more nostalgic now because I know that world so well.

So that was the long answer. The short answer is it's the complexity of the story and characters which decides how extensive I get with notes and details to the back story.

I did used to create character sheets on all of my main characters. It helped me flesh them out so that I knew exactly who they were and how they'd react in any situation. My Project Threshold website has "BIO's" on all of the main characters which visitors can download as PDF's.

My main website has a free download as well. On the "Extra Stuff" page, there is a Character Development Questionnaire visitors can download for free. It has 76 questions to ask of your main characters and I found it very helpful early on in my writing career. I got a 20 question form from an online writing class I took back in college and I expanded it. Anyone and everyone can feel free to access it.

Mark

1/17/2026 01:53:24 pm

Maps, drawings, pictures, world files and character files all contribute to the richness a story can have. I love discovering a map in a book. Many times, I have found myself returning to the map to understand the actions and movements of characters or groups.

A short story like DMWB would have very little to gain with a map.

For our visitors: click on the small arrow beside Craig's name in the divider bar, you will go directly to Craig's website and you can check out the extra stuff.

New question.

On average, how many words do you write at a time or how long do you spend writing in one stretch, in one day?

What type of environment is best for your writing? Noise, quiet, public, private?

Craig Crawford link

1/17/2026 08:16:04 pm

Thanks for sharing that. I do like helping other writers and authors as they grow their craft.

When I write, it just depends on the story, the moment and how inspired I am to put down words on a story. I have nights where I only type a few hundred words. Other nights, I'll type until I'm tired. I've written up to 3000 words or even more before in a single setting.

Back in the late 2000's I happened upon a writing internship with a non-profit group. They paired me with an editor doing pro-bono work and we went through my fantasy novel which is now a trilogy. At the end of the initial process, the editor offered to continue working with me if I wanted to flesh it out further. She got me into a schedule of writing 5000 words per week. She'd edit those words, expect me to get back to her with approval of those edits and then turn around and do it again the following week.

We did that for over four months and only once did I ask her for an extra week because I wanted to contemplate a plot twist. It was excellent training for me to be able to learn how to write and write hard. I've never forgotten that experience and I credit it with my ability to work steadily on new projects. It was, by far, the best writing experience I've ever had.

For writing environment, at home I have what we all refer to as "the computer room." It's basically a den upstairs where my desktop sits. My wife also has a space up there for working remotely, but it's where I do the bulk of my writing. However, if I'm inspired I really can work anywhere.

I've written at a table in a noisy mall and in other open areas. I do have ADHD and one of the side benefits of that is that I can hyper focus. I can literally tune out the world around me and focus on what I am engrossed in. It's very useful for distractions.

At home, I'll be writing and my wife and son will pop in from time to time to talk or ask questions and I can stop writing, tune into what they need and then drop right back into my story. I am very grateful for that skill.

Mark

1/17/2026 08:29:05 pm

I bet you learned more than disciplined writing from that editor. That was an amazing opportunity.

My ADHD has gifted me with hyper-focus also. I have used it for reading. I learned probably in the sixth grade to concentrate enough to read a book on the school bus. I think it took a while to close out all of the distractions, but I eventually succeeded. My reading life was nearly unlimited, pesky school work got in the way sometimes.

When I got married, my bride didn't appreciate being ignored. I learned quickly to keep my ears open to her voice.

New question.

I have already mentioned that visitors can access your website by clicking on the arrow beside your name, above your answer to my previous questions.

Who did you build your website with and why did you choose them?

Craig Crawford link

1/17/2026 10:33:46 pm

ADHD is a mixed bag. I am easily distractible and I am terrible at keeping factoids in my head...other than story related things. It's just something I've figured out how to cope with and use to the best of my ability.

Because I don't retain every day things well, I tend to create cheat sheets for processes--like my newsletter. Things I do often, I generally remember well, but things I do monthly or even a few times a year I have trouble remembering all the steps.

On the other hand, it's got advantages too, like the hyper focus ability. Non mundane things that I'm really interested in, I can retain and keep track of minute details. Not really sure why it works like that, but it does. I can't follow instructions past about two steps but ask me about a cryptid I read about in detail five years ago and I can call up just about everything I've read about it. :)

For my personal site I used GoDaddy. It was many years ago I built it, and at the time GoDaddy was one of the top website builders. I also used GoDaddy for my Project Threshold site but I suspect there are easier website systems out there now. Occasionally GoDaddy is difficult to adapt to what I think I want to do.

Eventually I do want to overhaul my personal site. I believe it might have been you suggesting I make P/T a sub domain off of my main site and I plan to look into that, but I just don't have the time at the moment. Eventually I may look at hiring someone to do just that, and I don't know that I'll stick with GoDaddy. I really do need more of a "plug and play" type of build that I can get in and tinker with without extensive research beforehand.

Mark

1/18/2026 09:30:32 am

I feel your pain, excitement, forgetfulness, difficulty with directions and all of it as you described. You sound like me, to a tee. I am so grateful for GPS and the map app on my phone. I use it almost all of the time. I use a lot of sticky notes and I have 3 separate steno pads for my business. Focus amplified by intense interest makes things more permanent in our brains.

I use Weebly for my website. It's copy and paste. I place the different types of blocks where I want them and paste stuff into them. Weebly is owned by Square, which might be useful for selling on your website.

New questions.

Do you have a favorite quote from a book?

Do you have a favorite fictional character?

Craig Crawford link

1/18/2026 12:09:26 pm

Thanks Mark. I will check into Weebly when I get ready. I'm sure I'll have to do some prep before transferring my Project Threshold website over--I do like the layout.

I really am leaning toward hiring someone, mostly because they may come up with some new perspective on how to make it really cool.

And yes on all those things you mentioned about ADHD. The best description I can come up with for people who don't have it is that many times I approach tasks and problems backwards to the way they would. Doesn't mean I can't come up with the same answers, but that I have to tackle them in a different way. Over the years I've been accused of being stubborn because I won't do things the way other people would but it's because their way literally makes no sense to me.

Ah, as I said, though, it's got it's good side too.

Favorite quote from a book...I'm going back to my favorite: Nine Princes In Amber by Roger Zelazny. It's the last line of the book: "A demon wind propelled me east of the sun."

That quote is a triumphant moment for the main character, Corwin, who had escaped from an institution and battled through so much to get to that point. He even overcame being blinded by his own brother (gotta read it to 'see' how he did that ;) )

For whatever reason that quote has always stuck with me and I've never forgotten it.

As to favorite character, I'm going to be what seems arrogant here but really is not. I think it's Darby Xanthe. She's the main character in a dark, horror science fiction series I'm working on that has not been published yet.

I have lots of characters I've read in other people's books who I love to death but being a writer, I just feel close to most of the main characters I write about. And to be fair to Kali, Berger, Talise, Riker, Emi, Colin, Simon, Samuel and a multitude of other main characters in my stories, it's not that I like Darby more than the rest of you. Not at all. It's just I feel the most connected to Darby for a variety of reasons. :)

And I don't prefer Darby over other author's characters because I'm arrogant, but there's a certain connectedness you gain when you write about characters. You get to know them inside and out, and much like reading a novel, when you write about them, you struggle with them too. You feel bad when they're grasping to survive, you cry when they hit their lowest moments and cheer when they win.

I feel like I'm more connected with my own MC's because you're right there at ground zero with them as the story is unfolding.

Darby's an average mid-twenty year old woman who's pragmatic and grounded, with strengths and weaknesses like everyone else. She's got a best friend and the usual life trials and tribulations. Except she accidentally gets thrust into a side of the world most people never see, up ending her views on reality.

She really faces some tough situations and the more I write about her, the more connected I get to her. She's one of those characters that manages to face some terrible things but keeps going with the help of her friends. I admire Darby and am continually impressed with the way she handles being tossed into circumstances way over her head.

Now, I sound like a crazy person, talking about a fictional character in that way, but it's how I view her. And the others. This writing thing is a very complex beast and I still don't know how it works, but by the time I'm done with a novel, I feel like they're real people and I'm grateful for having gotten to know them through my pages.

Mark

1/18/2026 12:53:52 pm

Thinking and doing things differently is true, especially at home. My wife and I tried to share budgeting and checkbook duties when we got married in 1976. Debit cards were rare back then. Paper checks were the norm. I couldn't track how she was doing it and my method made no sense to her at all. After I forgot a payment or two, she took it over. Her way worked better than mine.

I look forward to meeting Darby.

I am not surprised that she seems like a real person to you. I know that when I read a good story it impacts me deeply. It must be much more for you because writing takes much longer than reading.

New questions.

Do you have a favorite scene in this book?

Do you have a favorite quote or line from any of your books?

Craig Crawford link

1/18/2026 01:35:36 pm

Ironically, I keep the bills paid. While I've got my ADHD, I am very good at doing basic math in my head without a calculator. My wife was actually a math major and does financial things where she works, but I think she's content to let me do financial things for the home since I can do it. She doesn't look at how I do it--would probably drive her crazy, but I keep good records so I've still got a job ;) I just can't follow directions to save my soul...

Favorite scene in the book? Are you talking about Roger Zelazny or Darby?

For Zelazny's Nine Princes in Amber, Corwin has amnesia and is escaping to a safe place while being led by one of his other brother's and a sister. In that world, it is very Machiavellian and several of Corwin's kin are actively trying to kill him to keep him from getting his memory back. In their escape, Corwin descends a stairway leading down into the ocean and it was a vivid scene to me of him going down a stairway under the water but still being able to breathe, a circle of air about his head as the ocean around him darkens. Roger wrote that very well.

For Darby, I don't want to give too much away, but it's in the third book and involves a giant rabbit taking on a very demonic form and moving into protect Darby ;)

Like this book we're discussing, rabbits have become a mainstay in my writing and especially in horror. I think it's the challenge to see what I can do to flip the cute cuddly, nose twitching bunny on its head...

For favorite quotes, it actually happened in the Project Threshold Season Two Finale at the very end. Kurt is talking to my side character and that being, Q, breaks the fourth wall. Below is the quote:

Kurt frowned.

“You think you’re any more real than all of this that just happened?” Q asked, gesturing to everything around them. “What would you think if I told you you’re just the creation of someone else? Could you sleep at night if you knew you’re only a dream coming from the imagination of some other being? Just a cantankerous character in an ever unfolding drama, adding a few dark, heroic moments and some chuckles along the way?”

It just hits me when I read it and Kurt's response just makes me laugh :)

Mark

1/18/2026 03:54:35 pm

I am pretty good at mental math. I did a lot of it as a sheet metal worker. I discovered another talent while in construction, I was good at estimating the sizes of ductwork when it was in the air.

I deliberately leave some questions open-ended. I let the author choose the context. In this case, we got 2 for 1. I like what you chose. I need to get my hands on some of RZ's writing.

New questions.

If you could trade places with one of your characters in your book, which one, which scene, and why?

Craig Crawford link

1/18/2026 07:11:27 pm

I've been sitting here thinking over your question. Considering I write horror and stories where the characters really do have to struggle against extreme odds and some incredible situations, I'm not actually sure I'd like to trade places with any of them :)

At least not until the novels and stories are finished :)

The Project Threshold world is still fascinating and fun to me but I would not be keen to step into that world, working for Project Threshold, and especially not if I was any one of the team members who directly wade in :) I love being scared but from the safety of my own home or a theater watching someone else endure the scares of face to face confrontations with monsters :)

I'm not nearly as tough as my characters...

Mark

1/18/2026 07:58:25 pm

You are so right! I wouldn't want to be in the field either. I had a hunch your answer might be something like that.

New question.

If you could meet one of your characters in real life, which one would it be, what would you do for three or four hours, and why?

Craig Crawford link

1/19/2026 01:55:31 am

The fantasy world I created, called Cy, tempted me for a bit but it's very feudal and can be rough. Lots of mercenary groups roving and hiring out to any and all kingdoms who will pay. I'm actually comfy staying right here and writing about all of those places.

As for meeting one of my characters...Of all of my characters, it's a tough choice. Kali is one of my fav's but she's so closed off and full of attitude, she'd probably put me on edge :). Talise would be cool to hang with, but she's very reserved too and I don't know that I could get her to relax and just chat without a lot of time getting to know her too. Probably same with most of the other Project Threshold crowd...haha....maybe Bodi because he's pretty chill.

Which takes me to my other books...part of the problem is that I know them so well, it's not like meeting someone new and you can take time getting to know them. Maybe Ran from my fantasy trilogy. She's an elemental mage who looks after Collin and the others. She's a little dark and mysterious but I could probably have a couple of good conversations with her. Just hanging out, probably in a tavern because she mothers Collin, and keeps an eye on Axle because he's always getting out of hand.

In my YA scifi, Emi and her peers are still too young and figuring themselves out, but Proteus there--I have a Kali in that story too and her dad is Proteus. He's smart and crafty, and I wouldn't mind hanging out and talking to him about everything under the sun. Probably meet him in an ice cream shop or a coffee house and just chat.

I'd chat with Darby, but I feel very parent like toward her at times and I'd be afraid I'd just be offering advice instead of actually talking :)

Then there's Samuel. Of all my characters, he's the one who has the most on the ball and knows how life works. He might be a little cryptic at times but I think we could discuss a lot of things. He likes Chinese food so we could meet for lunch and maybe I could get some insights. ;)_

Mark

1/19/2026 09:27:59 am

That is a nice tour of characters from different series and books. Proteus sounds like a guy I would enjoy talking to as well.

New new questions.

In Project Threshold, some of your characters have paranormal powers.

Do any of your characters have ADD or ADHD?

If not, what do you think about changing that? Perhaps Bodi?

Craig Crawford link

1/19/2026 11:59:36 am

That's a good question. To be honest, I hadn't thought about that aspect of things for those characters. Or really any of my characters to date. The ADHD prognosis, I didn't even officially get myself tested until a few years ago. I always knew I thought differently compared to "normal" people, but I just assumed it was my quirks and never even considered that I might be on that spectrum. It was only after reading a quiz at work on dyslexia (I do often invert letters and numbers when I'm writing, was actually a slow reader early on and have a few other quirky behaviors) that I decided to undergo formal testing.

I find it funny now that you mention it and I haven't really entered that into my equations--I take that back. it has started. I wrote a short story last year called "There's A Monster In The Woods" that has an ADHD character.

I also find it funny you mention Bodi. He's definitely got some behaviors that could coincide with that. I'll have to contemplate that.

I have tackled other mental conditions like DID and in 2024, I published a story called "Welcome to Fudge Town" which was about a girl with schizophrenia. So, I guess I need to start looking at that as well for my ongoing narrative. On the other hand, being ADHD, I'll have to go back and look at other characters to see if I've unconsciously built those traits into existing characters :)

Mark

1/19/2026 12:41:20 pm

I just thought of that question today. I think I will add it to my list.

Like you, I was not diagnosed until my adult years. I took a test online and spoke to my doctor. The doctor agreed I probably had ADHD. A few years later, I participated in a study to determine if adults could use Adderall. I think it was a double-blind study and I received no benefit from the medicine.

A lot of people have ADHD and as we have discussed, there is an upside; it's not all down.

I will not be surprised if you find other characters exhibiting one trait or another.

New questions.

Has your writing today changed much from your first book?

Have you ever thought of rewriting an early book, why or why not?

Craig Crawford link

1/19/2026 01:13:31 pm

I do take a small dosage of Strattera for mine and the best way I can describe it is that it takes the edge off from my mental flitting. I am better able to stay on task...or at least my brain doesn't wander quite as constantly.

I was very conscious in the beginning because I was afraid that adding a med might affect my writing, but so far it hasn't inhibited my creativity or my ability to juggle all of my story angles.

As for my writing, it has changed a lot since my first attempts at a novel. My first book (which was long enough to be two books) was not as well thought out. Nowadays even though I'm writing a novel and winging it, I'm still making notes and thinking ahead.

When I first started writing I'd just jump in and concentrate on what was in front of me. There was a little forethought to the future of the story, but these days, I keep where I want to go with a book (or where I think the story is going) in the back of my mind as I write.

In Project Threshold 2, the Squishy character came about late in the creation of those books and I threw him in as a side story just for a little comedic shift. However, the more I turned him over in my head, the more I realized he had a bigger purpose in the overall story arc and it fit in perfectly with the McCoy connection and what had happened with the end of P/T-1. Early on, I don't think I would have turned those ideas over in my head in order to affect the larger story.

The first book I wrote was called The Dragon Hunters, later split into The Dragon Hunters and Dragon Hunted. I grew up playing RPG's and dragons were always the pinnacle monsters so I thought writing a novel on a group who gets paid to hunt down and kill dragons would be a great idea. Followed by turning the tables on them. I have over 200,000 words invested in that story and I have seriously considered rewriting it with my current skills, but I also know it's going to be a monumental task so I haven't tackled it yet. Perhaps some day. I liked the characters and the story arc. I just haven't had the time to really take a serious look at it.

Mark

1/19/2026 03:21:08 pm

I think many new authors write similarly and that works well much of the time. Until the author decides the story must be written in order, that can lead to the dreaded writer's block sometimes. I advocate writing the easiest parts first and figuring out the order later. But every writer has to find their way, structurally.

Squishy was fun and surprising. He acted like a giant lapdog at times and a petulant child at other times. He seemed invulnerable, also.

Your dragon fantasy story sounds good. Fantasy is my second favorite genre, especially stories with dragons! Maybe there is a third book lurking in the background of that story.

Last question.

Have you had any experience with plagiarism and how did you deal with it?

Craig Crawford link

1/19/2026 05:09:38 pm

Squishy was just one of those "Aha!" moments as I was tossing around ideas for stories and I wanted a lighter hearted one after some of the rest of Talise's stories. Squishy fit the bill perfectly :)

And I do have notes for a 3rd book in my dragon story. I wrote the first two, took a break but then got sidetracked on a humorous fantasy story. The characters were loosely based on the antics of the players from my Dungeons and Dragons campaign (insert eye rolling). It was a lot of fun and I need to dig that back out and look it over too.

Concerning plagiarism, I don't want to jinx things but so far I have not had to deal with that. At least not to my knowledge. I do not believe there are any doppleganger accounts of me and I don't think any of my stories have shown up elsewhere.

My Project Threshold shield/logo is officially trademarked now so if anyone tries using that I can go after them. It took me about 3 years, but I have an intellectual property rights lawyer I work with who encouraged me to follow through on that and I think it was a good investment. I have copywritten a couple of my earlier novels through the government too.

If it comes up (and I get contacted on Twitter all the time by people pretending to be known authors and celebrities, so I know it happens. It amazes me how much time people waste trying to scam others, especially writers and authors. It's sad but I usually assume someone is not legitimate first and then have them prove otherwise.

Mark

1/19/2026 05:57:47 pm

I am glad to hear you have notes for a third volume.

Piracy is a dastardly deed! Amazon's digital rights management is being loosened up, from what I hear. I fear it will make it easier for the pirates.

I noticed that the logo was marked "trademark." Good idea.

Most of the time, it's easy to tell if a scammer is contacting me. When I err in following them, and they are in my DM within 24 hours, it's a sure bet they have larceny in their heart. I toy with them a little bit and then report and block.

Craig, this has been another super edition of the Craig and Mark show. Thank you for hiring me to promote your books. I am not sure which I enjoy more, your books or talking with you about your books. This promotion ends at midnight and I can't stay up that late anymore.

Until next time, keep on writing.

Craig Crawford link

1/19/2026 07:00:27 pm

Hahahha....I enjoy the Mark and Craig show too. Talking back and forth about this writing game is a favorite of mine. Thank you.

I'll be releasing Project Threshold 3 before the end of the year, I suspect so it won't be that long before we talk again.

Thanks for everything and the very best to you and yours.

Craig

"Don't Mess With Bunnies" by Craig Crawford

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