I’ve been writing fiction for almost 25 years. You would think in all that time it would get easier and the writing would go faster. But this is how it really is: I begin my book. Three lines in, I start to agonize. Am I starting in the right place? Is this a dramatic enough…
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KEEP IT TO YOURSELF, SOMETIMES
I remember one of my first writers conferences. I pitched a project to one of the visiting agents or editors, and I remember being so thrilled when he asked to see the first three chapters. Later, one of the more seasoned conference attendees asked me how my pitch went and in my excitement I told…
Is It Enough To Simply Tell An Entertaining Story? … by Glenn Rogers, Ph.D.
Is it enough for a writer to simply tell a good story? No. In the process of telling an entertaining story, a good writer, even if only implicitly, deals with important ethical, social, relational, or personal concerns. A good writer helps readers think about important things while they are being entertained. There is a long…
Fear, Failure, and Respect by Terry Banker
“There are three types of hooks used to open a book: fear, lust, and curiosity.” This is what Dorothy Allison, author of Bastard out of Carolina, told me after we slammed our shot glasses onto the bar*. She added, “…and curiosity is never enough.” Ever since then, Dorothy’s words haunt me. I have a confession….
50 Shades of Happy: How an RMFW “Failure” panel brought this topic home
Welcome to the third installment of my happiness series. If you’re just joining us, you can read the first two installments: The Happiness Advantage – To write better novels, lighten up! The Happiness Advantage – Don’t set a goal without it! As promised, I’ll ask, did you try the “Three Acts of Gratitude” exercise? The…