Launching head-first into NaNoWriMo

“Knock me down, pick me up, knock me down again. Break my heart, steal my gold, slander my good name.” —Gordon Lightfoot, “Sixteen Miles” You’re alone in a room with your keyboard. It’s 11:55 on Halloween. You’re about to start NaNoWriMo. Your fingers are poised. Your heart is racing. You’ve… Read more“Launching head-first into NaNoWriMo”

Linking to the Red Room

Today we’re linking to the Red Room—specifically to an interview Andy Ross, past-owner of Cody’s Bookstore in Berkeley, did with Alan Rinzler, Executive Director of the San Francisco Jossey-Bass imprint of Wiley and Sons and an independent editor. Andy has a previous interview with Alan, too. I had lunch with… Read more“Linking to the Red Room”

Querying with a little help from Writer’s Digest

Chuck Sambuchino of Writer’s Digest runs a regular feature in which he interviews literary agents. This week it’s children’s literature agent Erin Murphy of Erin Murphy Literary Agency. He also runs a Successful Queries feature showing actual, real-life queries that actually, in real life, worked. And, finally, Chuck got 20… Read more“Querying with a little help from <em>Writer’s Digest</em>”

Pulp Rag: Unmasking the world

I’m Europe, baby. I sent you Dutch Elm Disease, German Measles, and Russian Roulette. You sent me World Wind Vacation Tour #225. Now we’re even. —Suzanne Pleschette movie from 1969, If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium Hey! If it’s Tuesday, this must be Pulp Rag day! You know what… Read more“<em>Pulp Rag:</em> Unmasking the world”

Talking brass tacks with the editor

Is it possible to look forward to rejection letters? Because that means I’d be finished writing my WIP. And also finished writing query letters. And yet right now I feel light years away from either. So, despite probably what is a general consensus, I will someday look forward to rejection… Read more“Talking brass tacks with the editor”

Guest essay for NaNoWriMo

As the clock strikes midnight on Halloween, 2009, Penultimate kicks off NaNoWriMo with a guest essay. By me. At a few minutes after midnight, it will be my wedding anniversary. Yes, exactly a few minutes. Coincidentally, today my husband discovered the most extraordinary interactive site in the world—a comparative illustration… Read more“Guest essay for NaNoWriMo”