Picture this: I’m 23. I’ve just recently completed the Master’s in Professional Writing program at USC. Another graduate is working as an editor for a reputable New York agent. She takes a liking to me and my writing. She invites me to a party at her house in the Hollywood Hills to meet this agent. — Read More
Short stories vs novels, relationships vs flings
In the introduction to his short story collection, Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman, Haruki Murakami says this about writing short stories versus novels: “To put in the simplest possible terms, I find writing novels a challenge, writing short stories a joy. If writing novels is like planting a forest, then writing short stories is more like — Read More
Behind every great writer…
… is a lazy, indifferent cat. This is evidenced here. (Thanks, Meredith, for this link). Some of my favorites: For the record, this is my cat:
Most-rejected novelist dies
My mom sent me this article, saying she thought I would appreciate it. And I do. Here’s a guy, Dick Wimmer, whose first novel, Irish Wine, was rejected 162 freaking times over 25 freaking years before it was finally published in 1989. He laid claim to being history’s most-rejected novelist, with his closest competitor being — Read More
Dealing with rejection
If you’re a writer who has dared to submit something for publication, then you have dealt with rejection. Unless you’re some lucky bastard, in which case go away. Writers, like most creative people, are sensitive, so it’s a cruel irony that the writing business is so insensitive. It’s like bootcamp for those of us born — Read More
When people ask me why I like books…
…I say it’s because the pages come alive. (Source: Grain Edit • Blake Suárez)
Stephen King: On Writing
As a writer, people like to give me lots of books on writing, filled with self-help suggestions and theories on craft. Most of the time, I skim, then toss the books behind the first row of books on my shelf, never to be seen again. A while back, a friend gave me Stephen King’s “On — Read More
Great expectations
When I graduated from my writing program, I had them — great expectations. I thought, “Okay, I’ve taken all the relevant steps. I’ll submit my work, land an agent, get a book deal, see myself on a shelf at Barnes & Noble.” Done, done, and done. The universe said, “No, no, and no.” Actually, I — Read More
“What’s your book about?”
You would think I’d not only welcome this question, but love it. What writer doesn’t want the opportunity to go on and on about the story she’s writing? I’ll tell you what writer — me. It’s not that I don’t enjoy discussing my stories, but I have this childish fear of jinxing them if I talk — Read More
What makes “good” dialogue?
My writing friend: This kid in my class said my dialogue isn’t realistic. Me: What’s that supposed to mean? My writing friend: No idea. Me: It shouldn’t be realistic. My writing friend: Huh? Me: If it was realistic, it would be, like, awful to read. My writing friend: Ya… Well… I guess… But– Nevermind. Right, — Read More