Rejection can take many forms. For some of us, it’s our short fiction being turned away by one magazine after another. For others, it’s agents rejecting our novels at the query letter, partial, or full manuscript stage. And if you go the indie route, it can rear its ugly head as poor sales or harsh…
Author: Rachel Craft
Spring Cleaning: Give Your Writing Space a Makeover
I have several writing spaces, including the couch, the library, and (weather permitting) the patio. But when I really need to focus, I have a designated, distraction-free place I can retreat to. I call it my “cave,” but it’s more like a hobbit hole: cozy, comfortable, and colorful. Here’s how I did it—complete with photos!—and…
Lessons Learned from My First Writing Retreat
A few weeks ago I attended my first-ever writing retreat, organized by my friend and fellow writer Natasha Watts (of RMFW’s Writer’s Rehab). I spent a weekend in a cabin in the Rockies with five other writers, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my writing life. Here’s what I learned, and…
Word Economics 101
As my critique partners can attest, I’m a big proponent of what we call word economy. Not a technical term, exactly, but here’s my definition: using only as many words as the story needs. Of course, every story has different needs. Some need a clipped, concise writing style, while others need a more flowery voice….