Down days. We all have them. Perhaps you didn't final in a contest or you received a pass from an agent or editor. Maybe even both in one fell swoop. Unlike down times, which can last for weeks or months, down days only set us back a short time... Read More
What do you think of when you hear the word "edit"? Manuscripts bleeding red ink, perhaps, coupled with the desire to weep, wail, or consume copious amounts of chocolate as you mutter dark things about the editor, critique partner, or contest... Read More
Who do you write for? The reader, right? I used to think I did, but I was wrong. I went through five stages during the first five years I was writing. I’m going to be brutally honest and tell you what they are in the hope that you can learn... Read More
Readers want strong main characters. No one wants to read a story with a weak one. I knew that. Really I did. Why, then, did I end up with a weak heroine? Soon after my awesome agent offered representation, I received my first set of Revision... Read More
Have you ever felt like the writing road is lined with ledges? I certainly have. I felt like I was living on the Ledge for several months this past year. But I survived. Following is what I learned as I leaned on others during that tough time. I... Read More
One of the first things I learned about life post-contract is that waiting is part of the publishing world no matter where we are in the process. Selling a book doesn’t magically change things. We still wait. And we wonder. Since each step... Read More