When I was younger (and life was decidedly simpler), I had this notion that a book could be written and published within a year. A YEAR! That seems preposterous to me now. For one, I understand much more about the grueling process of editing. I understand that the mind needs time–sometimes MONTHS–to mull over plot — Read More
I’m not a writer, I’m a transcriber
Sometimes, that’s how I feel. I get an idea and, often, it seems to come from outside myself, from one of my characters. Stay with me. I don’t have multiple personality disorder, promise. I don’t hear voices. But, really, I couldn’t tell you how my novels or stories get written. I mean, I could tell — Read More
50 shades of shit
Have you read 50 Shades of Grey? I have not. I have no interest. Why? It’s simple: I resent the success of something that is not well written. Of course, I assume it’s not well-written. A friend sent me a link to this post on The Red Pen of Doom blog to validate my assumption. — Read More
Oh, editing.
I’m getting ready to start editing my book. There, I said it. It’s going to happen. I can’t believe how much I’m dreading this. In general, I’m an ambitious go-getter, someone who does not know HOW to procrastinate. But, with writing, I am a champion procrastinator. It seems easy enough, right? Just set aside an — Read More
Sticking it out
A curious thing happened the other day. Just as I let the first draft of my novel go into the hands of some trusted readers, I started thinking about ideas for other books to write. In the past week, I have scribbled down two ideas on post-its. I’ve gotten the itch to just move on — Read More
Marilyn Monroe, poet?
Did you know Marilyn Monroe was an avid reader? I’ve seen her photographed with books, but I thought she was just trying to negate her image as a “dumb blonde.” In truth though, her personal library contained over 400 books–from Dostoyevsky to Hemingway. And she took night classes at UCLA. Who knew? Not me. I — Read More
Authors in the awkward years
I started writing when I was in elementary school. I remember those pages with the wide margins very vividly. But it was when I was a teenager that my writing became less about fun and more about necessity. Those adolescent years are hard for anyone, and especially hard for a quiet, skinny girl who did — Read More
On opening sentences
Most of the books and stories I’ve written have been inspired by a single line. I’ll get that first line in my head and roll it around for a few weeks or months, then I start writing. More often than not, the first line changes from what it was initially, but the original line is — Read More
How to Make Write
BIG NEWS: I “finished” my book. Meaning, I implemented the last of my edits and printed it out. I say finished-in-quotes because I’m sure there will be more edits after I get some feedback from my first readers–my mom and two good friends. Still, it’s something to celebrate. I know there is a long process — Read More
Ten Writers Whose Success You’ll Resent
A great writing friend sent me this article from The Toast. Hilarious. I suggest you click over to nod along to the list. Here are the ones I appreciate most: 10. The Maddeningly Gentle Food Blogger With The Completely Unjustified Book Deal Whose Posts You Read Every Day “This is so stupid,” you tell your best — Read More