I miss college. In the five years I’ve been writing this novel, I’ve done everything you’re not supposed to do. I let things sit for weeks or months, until I “felt” like writing. I wrote slow, under the misguided assumption that the words had to come out perfect the first time. I edited, edited, edited well before I ever had a first draft done. Don’t feel much like writing today… I’ll polish that last chapter I wrote! Only to have…
Fork ’em over! You know you wanna! Question: How do you get a writer to agonize for hours over a handful of words that aren’t in her manuscript? Answer: Tell her she has to write her own blurbs, headlines, and website copy! Hey, it’s my choice! I’m not looking for a publisher, so promotion is 100% my responsibility. Great that I have such control over my message and where it appears, but what the heck should that message be? How…
My copy of Volume 1. Kirk and Spock are there for scale. These books will last you a while. Since I’m in the business of making books, I figured you wouldn’t mind if I talked about them from time to time… Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) is one of my favorite authors. I hope I don’t have to explain why. He had one stipulation regarding his official autobiography: that it not be released until 100 years after his death. That…
Seeing our words in print is a dream for a lot of us- maybe even a holy grail at times, impossible to reach. No matter his age, the unpublished writer feels like a kid fresh out of college, trying to land his first full-time job. Everyone who’s hiring wants someone experienced. How on Earth will he get experience if no one hires him? Many writers say “screw it” and self-publish. (Heck, I’m doing the same with my novel.) For those…
(Image credit: imagebase.net) Research is easier than ever these days- thank you, Internet! Depending on what you’re writing, you may perform zero or tons of research to avoid sounding like you have no clue. You may also perform research for inspiration. Maybe a cool new fact is just the what you need to start outlining your next bestseller. Some things to consider regarding research: You may still want to go to the library. If you’re writing nonfiction, or straight historical…