Ever wonder why you keep getting all those form rejections from agents and editors? When I was in college, there was a guy in my Early American Lit class who complained that he didn’t understand why the teacher even took his papers, she ought to just carry a big rubber… Read more“The 5 Reasons Your MS Keeps Getting Rejected”
Tag: Fiction Writing Advice
21+ Things Your Characters Should Never Say
“Stand right there and break the wind.” “He was waving his arms and ejaculating at the top of his lungs.” “I have the same problem when my pants get hot.” “What a sweet kitten. So delicious!” “You’re not supposed to spread them that far apart.” “Tie it off with that… Read more“21+ Things Your Characters Should Never Say”
Giving advice & using (lots of) numbers
It’s launched! Dear Editor, my new fiction writing advice column. Come send me your worries, your heartaches, your concerns (about your fiction, I mean). I will do my best to smooth your way. And in celebration, I’m going to spend this week posting posts here about numbers. As in: 3… Read more“Giving advice & using (lots of) numbers”
Philosophizing—drawing a line between good & bad
I believe that writers who have the sparkle suspect, but never know for certain, that they have it. In fact they’re more likely to have doubts about their work, for the simple reason that they experience glimpses of a perfection that no human pen can ever achieve. —Jane Steen This… Read more“Philosophizing—drawing a line between good & bad”
Channelin’
Somebody please tell me this doesn’t mean what I think it means: Ursula James’s THE SOURCE, part fable, part spell-book, an inspirational work that contains prophecies of relationships, love, forgiveness, and healing from Mother Shipton, a 16th century Yorkshire prophetess and healer, as channeled by the author. . . sold… Read more“Channelin’”
Philosophizing—defining writing as good
The pen may be mightier than the sword, but is it mightier than apathy? —Kathryn Estrada You guys. You’re like balm to the editorial soul. So let’s take this one step further. If good writing is writing that will last, what specifically does that mean? We know from our discussion… Read more“Philosophizing—defining writing as good”
Philosophizing—Noticing when writing’s bad
When every author is a marketer, only marketers will be authors. —me Here’s my question for you all to start you off philosophizing this week while I’m in San Jose: if no one notices bad writing is bad, is it still bad? One of the things that’s been bugging me… Read more“Philosophizing—Noticing when writing’s bad”
Starting an advice column for fiction writers
If you haven’t seen it yet, please feel free to visit: An Advice Column for Fiction Writers Yes, I’m going to start an advice column for you. It will be similar to the old Future Topics feature I used to have on this blog, except I won’t be able to… Read more“Starting an advice column for fiction writers”
Selling rights in a cloud
Have you guys been following what’s going on with the London Book Fair? A volcano that erupted in Iceland has whited-out British airspace, making it almost impossible for folks to get to the Book Fair from elsewhere in the world. Not only that. But it’s also making it impossible for… Read more“Selling rights in a cloud”
Analyzing the PW best sellers list
Publishers Weekly (PW) has released its list of 2009 best sellers compiled from information submitted to them by publishers. It would behoove you to check it out. In particular, take a good, hard look at the author names in the top thirty hardback fiction sellers: Dan Brown. John Grisham. Kathryn… Read more“Analyzing the PW best sellers list”