Inspiration - Tom Hogan

The Forever Game and Novel Writing Insights

by Tom Hogan | Aug 4, 2022 | Writing, Inspiration, So You Want to Be a Writer

Having written and published three novels, as well as one business book, I’m getting the hang of this writing thing. It doesn’t mean I’m any good at it, but I’ve got scars and lessons that I’m applying to the fourth novel and that I believe can be of interest and...

So You Want to Write a Book: Why

by Tom Hogan | May 19, 2022 | Writing, Inspiration, So You Want to Be a Writer, Teaching

With The Empty Confessional coming out at the end of this month, I’ll soon be the proud author of four books: one business book (The Ultimate Startup Guide) and three novels (Left for Alive, The Devil’s Breath, and The Empty Confessional.) The business book was...

Writing Characters and Politics: The importance of listening

by Tom Hogan | Feb 21, 2022 | Inspiration, Personal

(This is my last political blog for a while, but I want to address a few items that came up in the wake of my Bulwark Op-Ed and Lincoln Project interview. Then I’m on to promoting The Empty Confessional.) In the previous blog, I wrote disparagingly about those who...

Write What You Know: Part 5

by Tom Hogan | Dec 8, 2021 | Writing, Inspiration, So You Want to Be a Writer

NOTE: This is the fifth and last of a blog series about the writers’ maxim: Write what you know. Each blog focuses on one of my novels and the experiences that hopefully enriched and informed them. Tumor Humor I lied. I said the last blog, about the happy...

So You Want to Be a Writer: “Show, don’t tell.”

by Tom Hogan | Oct 15, 2021 | Writing, Inspiration, So You Want to Be a Writer, Teaching

If there’s one sentence or guideline that has impacted me the most as an author, it’s the title of this blog: “Show, don’t tell.” As simple as the dictate is, it’s almost impossible for new authors to practice. The reason is this: we don’t trust ourselves...

The Devil’s Breath: Screenplay VS Novel

by Tom Hogan | Sep 24, 2021 | So You Want to Be a Writer, Inspiration, Writing

The nice thing about shifting from writing a screenplay to writing a novel is the freedom that comes with it in terms of what you have to say/tell. You’re no longer struggling to keep it under 120 pages, the guideline offered to most new screenwriters (“Unless you’re...