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On Writing

Want to Write a Book that Sells? Start With an Outline

/ On Writing, The Mail Bag / By / 9 Comments

writing From the mailbag: Hannah writes: I’ve been writing a novel and have been stuck for weeks. That’s my pattern: I write a little, get stuck, have a breakthrough, write again, etc. It often feels like torture. I’m wondering if you also have this problem and if you’ve found a way to overcome it. I’ve read that it’s a good idea to start with an outline, but doesn’t that work better for non-fiction? For fiction, it seems like it would clash … Read More

A Writing Life

/ My Dogs and Me, On Writing / By / 7 Comments

I haven’t needed an alarm clock for years now, because I have two furry ones. Today, it’s 4:10 AM, a little early even for me. Graidy usually has the decency to wait until about 5:00 AM before rousing me out of bed. (Another quality people should be aware of when getting high energy/herding dogs is that they’re ready to go at the crack of dawn–literally. ) Fortunately, I like to get up early to write, in the quiet, when everyone … Read More

Mad Hatter: No wonder you’re late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow.

/ On Writing / By / 12 Comments

That’s me these days. The faster I try to catch up, the hurried-er I fall behind. Too many projects and not enough clocks running two days slow. So, it’s getting to be that time again… Time for another intermission.

In the meantime, what was it that sign said on the doorknob? Ah, yes…

“Doorknob: Read the directions and directly you will be directed in the right direction.“

Okay, off I go.

See ya back here when I’m all … Read More

Do You Have to Have an Agent to Sell a Book?

/ On Writing, The Mail Bag / By / 8 Comments

From the mailbag: Sue writes: Is it necessary to have an agent to sell a book? I’m having trouble finding one to take me on, so I was wondering if I could just try to sell my novel by myself? What do you think of self-publishing?

Dear Sue, there aren’t many publishing houses that accept unagented submissions anymore. Certainly, none of the major houses do. That said, there are still some small houses that will let a writer submit without … Read More

Because Sometimes Ya Just Need…

/ Life, On Writing / By / 13 Comments

…some fresh air.

chimnea

I can only take so much of being cooped up inside. Didn’t matter that it was only 41 degrees out. I needed some sunlight and fresh air. Not only was I toasty warm with my dogs playing around me, but I finished my proposal too. YAHOO!!!

There’s gonna be some celebrating tonight!… Read More

I love WordPress but…

/ On Writing / By / 10 Comments

I hate how hard it is to upgrade! Grrr…. After two miserably failed attempts which have messed up my RSS feeds among causing other problems (if you read through an RSS feed, you may need to resubscribe to automatically get the current posts), I’m giving up! For now anyway.

Yes, for a few hours, I’d lost the whole kit and kaboodle into cyberspace! I’m happy to have recovered my old version for your viewing pleasure.… Read More

Wanderings — Worst Analogies Ever Written

/ Funnies, On Writing / By / 6 Comments

I am often asked to play the role of book doctor for writer friends whose manuscripts need a little work. I am able to keep charging through, because at least I haven’t come across any of these! If you need a good laugh, go ahead and click.

Here are just a few of the gems awaiting you.

They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan’s teeth.

He spoke with the wisdom that can

… Read More

My First Rule of Writing

/ On Writing / By / 11 Comments

Rory, over at Clean Cut Blog has a Group Writing Project . He instructs: “Write your own blog post presenting your first rule of writing. Not a top three, or five – what would you say is the most important rule according to you, and why? What would come before anything else?”

Okay, then. I’ve got my assignment; let’s get to it.

Your’s is one of a few hundred queries sitting on an editor’s desk. He’s hit the mid-morning … Read More

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