Okay, people, we’ve got our first batch up! I want you to know I did an especially careful job on these brave folks who stuck their necks out while the rest of you waited to see if I was going to slap them silly. I can make no guarantees about… Read more“HOOKING”
Category: Being a Writer
The life of a writer, unvarnished.
Hating the essay I’m writing this minute
I’m very happy to post this guest essay by the curiously refreshing Amy Carey, author of numerous articles on parenting, fitness, travel, and health: I used to think writer’s block was a myth. Maybe writers got distracted or felt uninspired, but certainly they weren’t unable to write. Then, for several… Read more“Hating the essay I’m writing this minute”
Deadheart: Making Use of Discovery in Writing
I am very pleased to post this essay by my friend Lucia Orth, author of the 2008 critically-acclaimed Baby Jesus Pawn Shop: I came across some old notes in the past few weeks from an interview and the follow-up research I did while working on the early stages of my… Read more“Deadheart: Making Use of Discovery in Writing”
10 Things To Do To Become a Better Writer in 10 Days
How to Find the Best Independent Editor for You Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose. —Kris Kristopherson, “Me and Bobby McGee” Spend one day being a troll Be as obnoxious as humanly possible online. Go around arguing with people on their own sites, expressing opinions they won’t… Read more“10 Things To Do To Become a Better Writer in 10 Days”
6 Personality Types Who Will Succeed as Writers
Never doubt that thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.—Margaret Mead Monday you got the bad news. Now you get the good news. You’re very welcome! THE DILIGENT: those who sit down and write Natalie Goldberg immortalized it without words, the… Read more“6 Personality Types <i>Who Will Succeed</i> as Writers”
Why You’re Not Going to Make It as a Writer,
in 8 Parts
Short answer: you don’t know what you mean by “make it.” Do you mean get an agent? You can get an agent. This country is CHOCK FULL TO BURSTING right this moment with brand new, chomping-at-the-bit, frothing-at-the-mouth, starving agents. People who should not have been allowed to learn to type… Read more“Why You’re Not Going to Make It as a Writer,<br>in 8 Parts”
Negotiating with a publisher, with & without an agent
Dear Victoria, I’ve just been offered my first book deal by a professional digital publisher. They’ve sent me a deal sheet and asked if I have an agent or if I will be doing my own contract negotiations. As I’m a new author and have been focusing my efforts on… Read more“Negotiating with a publisher, with & without an agent”
Using your writing time effectively
How do I make this process faster? And don’t give me stuff like turn off the TV/internet/hole up in a cabin. 😉 How do i make the time I’m actually writing more effective?—Iapetus999 When I was in college, my idea of studying for an exam was to show up at… Read more“Using your writing time effectively”
Prioritizing
How do I get myself to prioritize my novel writing over that of other writing, like articles and blog posts? I love the shorter writing pieces because they’re done more quickly, and then I get comments and feedback, and that feels great! But with my novel, it feels like such… Read more“Prioritizing”
Writing every blessed day
Is it really 100% required that one write every day? Is it true that people who don’t and actively resist doing so (whatever their reasons) really just aren’t cut out to be writers?—Ai Now, see, this is why you guys should never listen to each other. You don’t know what… Read more“Writing every blessed day”