By Janet Lane I saw a terrific movie yesterday, An American Sniper. The director, Clint Eastwood, made a surprising decision that triggered thoughts about, “Show, don’t tell.” It’s the mantra for story telling, and for good reason. Because we all write and read different genres, I’ll mention major movies. Imagine if the slaughtered horse head-in-a-bed…
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Nailing Voice
By Robin D. Owens I watched that reality show, The Voice. I especially like the blind auditions and observing how the coaches work with people – because I like seeing professionals practice their craft in other disciplines, and I wonder if I can use this or that technique in mine. To be honest, though I…
Don’t “Gag” on your Publishing Contract
Today’s guest post relates to a topic I’m seeing more than I’d like to in the publishing lawyer side of my day: contracts containing a “nondisclosure” clause which prohibits the author from discussing the publisher–or the author’s relationship with the publisher–in public. Too many authors sign these contracts without an understanding of industry standards — or…
When You Can’t Do All The Things
If I live to be a hundred and spend all day every day pursuing All The Things recommended for novel marketing, I would still fail. This is a sobering thought, equivalent to the first of the twelve steps.
I, Kerry Schafer, acknowledge that I am powerless to do All The Things.
Guest Post – David Boop: The Snowflake Theory of Characters
By David Boop Over the lifespan of your writing career, you’ll hear lots of catchy sayings about the craft. Write what you know. End chapters on a cliffhanger. Never fight a land war with Russia in the winter. The last one may only pertain to alternate history writers, but I’m sure you’ve heard a bunch….