This morning, my husband told me he’d been reading some articles on io9 and came across a piece about a new Star Wars anthology of short fiction. It caught his eye because of the headline: DASH RENDAR MAKES A FRIEND IN … Continue reading
It’s THAT time of year, so I’m combining two of my loves: writing and baseball to reprise this post from several years ago with some additional thoughts. The title phrase of this post is from one of my three most … Continue reading
A frequently asked question, especially at writers’ conferences and conventions is: What is point of view, why does it matter, and how do I choose which one to use? Okay, I guess that’s three questions. I shall attempt to answer them. … Continue reading
A well-known politician stated several years into our recovery from the Great Recessions that the US economy was “flatlining.” This was not a statement of fact about the US economy, but rather a metaphor that referred to the loss of … Continue reading
Disclaimer: This is part of a series on being professional about the craft of writing no matter whether you’ve been published or not. My use of the word amateur is in the positive sense of doing something for love. Today … Continue reading
I’ve had a number of writers I’ve mentored or critiqued ask me some form of this question. Sometimes it’s a plaintive wail expressing the writer’s earnest hope that they can overcome their ”issues.” Sometimes it’s a defiant roar: “Craft? Bah! … Continue reading
Most published authors field questions from new and aspiring writers at some point in their careers. They wonder how to get published, who to schmooze and, if they’re really serious, they ask questions about craft and style and substance. More … Continue reading
Scenario: A detective is in a car crash and passes out twice in the flaming wreck, which he escapes at great peril. Five minutes later he just gets up and flags down a passing cop. “Hey,” the detective says as … Continue reading
Sample paragraph: I saw Hal coming toward me across the office commons, waving. “What did the boss say?” he screeched. I shook my head and waved him away. “I don’t want to talk about it, Hal.” “Oh, Ron,” he squealed. … Continue reading
”How did you get published?” is one of the first questions I get from aspiring writers and the merely curious. Too often it is asked by aspiring writers looking for a shortcut to success. Indeed, after my first book was … Continue reading
