Lately I've been cursed blessed with an abundance of ideas. I've got viable ideas for three mainstream novels and at least six ideas for novels to write in a new genre I'd like to experiment with a bit. As a professional writer, I'm accustomed to juggling projects. I'll often have an ongoing ghostwriting project (just […]
I've been struggling a bit with my new novel. I've gotten to know my main character quite well and I adore her, with all her foibles and faults. But, amazingly enough, she is not the only character in the novel. I know, shocking, but there it is. Other characters are giving themselves up to me […]
For our second critique volunteer, today we have J.D. Frost, who bravely submitted to my eagle eye, even after reading the first Friday Mini-Critique. J.D. is a loyal and long-time blog reader–thanks, J.D.! He's also a mystery author, in case you hadn't guessed from the following excerpts. Visit his website here. Excerpt #1 Opening: […]
"Make work" is my all-purpose notation to myself that I use for both notes and on manuscripts. It is shorthand for "Make it work," and a very handy two words. If I'm writing notes, and they are a bit sketchy, I add, "make work," because I know in my brain what I mean, I just […]
I'm perfect. I am. I am poised, intelligent, attractive, talented, funny, loyal, passionate. Like I said, perfect. And, already you are bored with me and ready to go elsewhere to read because who can relate to perfect? Already you are thinking, well, if she's perfect than I have nothing in common with her at all […]
Last week at the Fall Writer's Loft orientation, we held a panel on The Writing Life. I moderated, and mentors Bill Brown, David Pierce, and Linda Busby Parker participated. It was a freewheeling and wide-ranging discussion, as I'd hoped. Since I was moderating, I scribbled notes, just in case the conversation lagged and I needed […]
Having some difficulty creating full, true-to-life fictional characters? Why not let Marcel help you? Yes, that Marcel, the most famous one of all–Marcel Proust, author of Remembrance of Things Past, the only part of which I remember is when he waxed poetic about Madeleines, the shell-shaped, mini-cakes that melt in your mouth. Thanks to the […]
The Sinner's Guide to Confession By Phyllis Schieber Today I have the pleasure of hosting a blog stop on Phyllis Schieber's virtual book tour. Wouldn't it be refreshing for an author to pay attention to women of a certain age (especially if you are a woman of a certain age)? Well, Phyllis Schieber has!Her novel […]
Twitter is, of course, the social networking rage. Seems like everyone from corporations to small businesses to solopreneurs to politicians are tweeting. And with good reason, I some people find it addictive. There are posts galore on how to best use Twitter to promote yourself or your business, how to not waste time on Twitter, […]
Its been snowing in Portland since Saturday and now we have about a foot on the ground. I know that most of you consider Oregon a northern state and you thus assume that we always get a lot of snow, but such is not the case. Its been five years since we've gotten an appreciable […]
