By Robin D. Owens Some quick bits of advice for the new writer (or reminders for the experienced, though I expect them to just nod, because they know this and don’t need to be reminded). 1) Writing is work and it can be hard. Even if your original words spring from a wonderful inspired rush,…
Tag: the writing life
Luck and Timing
By Mary Gillgannon “How lucky do you feel you are?” My first editor asked me that question as we were discussing promotion for my second book. She went on to say that for most of the successful authors she knew, luck had played an important part in their careers. Her advice was to do “as…
Friendly Author Mutates Into Envious Villain – Film at Eleven
By Aaron Ritchey So, in a story, you have the hero with a flaw who overcomes their flaw to beat the villain and win the day. Hurray! We all love a good story arc because it gives us hope—deliriously flawed creatures that we are. Let’s flash back, oh, I don’t know, five years. I was…
On Productivity
By Mark Stevens I did the math so you don’t have to. 25 + 38 + 18 + 52 = 133. Left to right—Sue Grafton, Charlaine Harris, Sara Paretsky, J.A. Jance. They are on the panel, dubbed “A Conversation Among Authors.” It should be called “A Conversation Among Crank Monsters.” I mean, holy cow that’s…
Just Right?
By Pamela Nowak So what is it that makes a writing group just right? As a current member of four different writers’ organizations and a former member of others, I’ve discovered each has its unique flavor and that I get something different from each one of them. One of the groups I belong to provides…