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”
Tag: Fiction Writing Advice
Being a big ole liar
This afternoon @layinda awarded me the Creative Liars Award. I’m just not sure why. THAT’S A LIE. I know exactly why she awarded it to me. THAT’S ANOTHER LIE. Huh. It’s getting kind of obvious, isn’t it? Now, I am just getting ready to go on vacation for two weeks… Read more“Being a big ole liar”
6 Personality Types Who Will Fail as Writers
You folks have seen them out there. You could hardly miss them. But why are they going to fail? THE WHINY: those who throw hissy fits when writing advice is hard on their tender egos These are the people who write back to agents who send them rejection letters. You… Read more“6 Personality Types Who Will Fail 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”
Interviewing the Bloggess
I think people laugh because it’s bizarre and they feel better about themselves in comparison, but a small part of them is nodding in recognition because they too once wondered why Jesus wasn’t considered a zombie.—the Bloggess You’ve been hearing it from me for months now: the Bloggess found this… Read more“Interviewing the Bloggess”
Interviewing Donald Maass & Lisa Rector
Independent editors definitely are part of the publishing landscape now. Is it an extra burden of expense for writers? You can look at it that way, or you can see it as a level of professional help that was never before available.—Donald Maass, Donald Maass Literary Agency Welcome to June,… Read more“Interviewing Donald Maass & Lisa Rector”
8 Ways Your Story Needs to be Tweaked
Your characters need to be more distinct from each other. We all have different personalities out here. We want to identify with one character. If you make us look less-than-unique, we will get bored and decide you don’t understand us. Your plot needs to be more solidly structured. Cause. And… Read more“8 Ways Your Story Needs to be Tweaked”
4 Ways Social Media Can Screw Up Your Writing
It can EAT YOUR LIFE. Go ahead. Spend all your time and energy blogging, texting, IM’ing, hunting down great writers’ articles and posts on Twitter, connecting with other writers on Facebook, updating your LinkedIn profile, registering with StumbleUpon, Digg, Squidoo, and all the other bazillions of blogonetworking tools out there…. Read more“4 Ways Social Media Can Screw Up Your Writing”
The 1 big secret behind why we write
I picked this up on the Bloggess today, and although she’s applying it to bloggers, frankly I think it completely explains writers. COMPLETELY. Why do we do what we do? You know why? We’re not motivated by the money. No, we are not. It’s not there. Even if a writer… Read more“The 1 big secret behind why we write”
Guest speaking on exposition on Twitter Sunday
That’s today. I know. I’m springing this on you. Sorry about that. Today, Sunday, 3:00-4:30 Pacific Time, I’ll be talking about exposition on #storycraft on Twitter. I’m the guest speaker. I don’t know what time that is where you are—you’ll have to break out the ole calculator. Just go on… Read more“Guest speaking on exposition on Twitter Sunday”