I hate the cold. But cold is subjective. It requires definition. Today it’s under 70 degrees. That’s cold, to me. I love the heat. I’m solar powered. A hundred and five without a cloud in the sky? Fantastic. I always tell people I’m 20 degrees below everyone else. So this morning I woke up cold … Continue reading
Where one’s brain goes
People have this image of people writing and writing and writing, with all the focus and focus and focus in the world. There are times that happens, times when my 70-words-a-minute fingers cannot keep up with my brain. But those flourishes are rare … no, wonderfully rare. As much as I love ripping through a … Continue reading
Sharing a precious piece of reality with our characters
I’m always intrigued by the various ways writers come up with their stories. What influences them. I like reading a massive story and learning of its simple beginnings, its simple roots in reality. My ideas almost always come from imagery. Usually, one simple image. My second manuscript was brought on by seeing someone jingle their … Continue reading
Everything is subjective, except for the things you just know
My last blog post was about growth from one manuscript to the next. If it doesn’t land an agent, if it doesn’t find a publisher, take what you can from it and build for the next one, and the next one, and the next one until you’ve created the piece you know you have in … Continue reading
What’s great about your manuscript?
Sit down. Write novel. The End. Yes, you can do that. I did … twice! But the stars aren’t always going to align for new writers. That first try, the second, third and so on may just be building to that great piece you know you have in you. And yes, I KNOW I have … Continue reading
Got that first chapter done? Great, you’re ready for the query
Got that first chapter done? Great, you're ready for the query. Continue reading
Got that first chapter done? Great, you’re ready for the query
Okay, okay. I can hear the phantom voices of a million agents screaming out at that headline. So, I’ll explain. Do you send queries after writing one chapter? If you think the answer is yes, then do us a favor and run quickly toward the nearest brick wall. Many writers fear the query letter. The … Continue reading