A.C. Dillon's Blog

There’s always one in every writing project of mine. They often begin as a background character. An outline, a sketch of a person. Perhaps they’re mentioned in passing by a primary character. Perhaps someone passes them in a corridor and holds a brief exchange meant to steer the action. However they appear, what comes nextContinue reading "Sonic Sunday: “You could be any man. You could be any woman. Just give me a sign…”"

In 2016, I was confined to bed for medical reasons, forced to be still. Having no distractions, nothing else to do, I slid down a rabbit hole of true crime. It was easy to digest while prone in bed and weary. If my vision blurred, as it sometimes did, I could just listen to theContinue reading "Sonic Sunday: “By nightlights, the children pray…”"

In this new recurring feature, I’ll be spotlighting songs that are currently inspiring me, or feature on the writing playlists of my work. The history of the city I live in, and the complex dynamics between the LGBTQ+ community and police, is a topic best left to those far more eloquent and well-versed than I.Continue reading "Sonic Sunday: “On days like this, you know who your friends are…”"

When I was seventeen, a friend of mine and I impulsively set out on a walk on a summer’s night. It was meant to be an hour to a nearby cemetery. Two haunted young women, chasing ghosts. We kept walking that night, wandering our city. Strangely empowered by the company of each other in aContinue reading "Another Light…"

One of my favourite songs since childhood is the German synth-loaded pop tune “99 Luftballons” by Nena.  Not the English version–the German original.  As a child, it felt deliriously beautiful.  I could dance to it all day. As a teenager, I took German in high school–no word of a lie–so I could find out what … Continue reading Letting Go of the Balloon String

It’s been very quiet in my writing world since the early summer. I know. For an indie writer, this is a cardinal sin of promotion. You must constantly be engaging and building your audience. You must constantly write, share, be real but also be professional, positive, careful… There’s a lot of “must” and “should” for … Continue reading End of Year Update (Or, yes, I am still alive. Ithink.)

It’s that time of year again, at least around here: March Break. When I was in school, this meant ample time to devour new books, while begrudgingly finishing projects and papers that were ruining my fun. My bag of goodies from the library would hang heavy from my arm, but the comfort of those books […]

I can’t write without music. I know, zero surprise. But I can’t. The first step in my writing process (after the initial idea, of course) is building a writing playlist. For those who don’t work this way, it may seem like a diversion. “Shouldn’t you be outlining? Developing character studies? Doing research?” Yes, yes I […]

*peeks out from her blanket fortress of winter cozy* Is it 2016 yet? Yes? Excellent! For many people I know, 2015 was a bumpy ride, self included. It was one of those awkward years, filled with metaphorical growing pains, highs and lows in rapid succession, and Muses that didn’t necessarily want to cooperate on busy […]

It’s three days to the kick-off of Nanowrimo 2015 and as I pull together my prep notes, agonize over which characters will live and which will get nommed by zombies, I have to ask a critical question of those taking this leap with me: Are you a plotter, pantser… or a member of my skeleton […]