Gift giving is hard. I know. I just bought a whiskey of the month club for a ten year old. (Yes, I know this is an awesome gift for anyone except a ten year old or a recovering alcoholic so no hate email). So to help you, dear partner/friend/relative who is likely regularly ignored by the…
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In Reflection
As I near the end of my term as president of RMFW, I’ve become reflective. As such, I am struck by several things I’ve discovered over the past two years, about RMFW and about myself. Most obvious is that serving as president is a huge responsibility, far bigger than I imagined it would be (though…
The Company of Other Writers
This time of year, the schedule is full of holiday parties. One I don’t miss is the RMFW party (and, yes, it has taken place this year). I also try to make my critique group critique-and-party, and that was yesterday. January in critique will be having me taking in the beautiful-art self-care cards that I…
It’s Full of Stars
In many ways, a writer’s journey has much in common with Arthur C. Clarke’s novel-turned-classic-film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The hapless author boards his-or-her craft (a manuscript instead of a rocket), launches into a hostile space, and spends many months (or, sometimes, years) in what seems like suspended animation. Time passes, the author alternately waiting for something to happen and struggling…
I Have a Strong Opinion – Now What?
If, as a writer, you venture to spout your political beliefs on the internet, you’re going to get yourself in trouble. You’ll alienate readers. You’ll invite trolls. You might get into arguments with other writers. Most agents and marketing and PR people advise their writer clients to button up and stay out of the fray.