There have been a ton of books written about breaking into publishing, which equates to selling that first book. There’s nothing magic about it. It comes down to hard work. You have to have a great cover, great writing and great editing. Then you need to tell the entire world that you exist and that … More Selling Your Second Book
It helps to be obsessive when you’re a writer. That’s pretty much how I have written all of my books. People talk about writing a page or two every day, but I have a hard time switching gears. And so I do what I call “binge writing,” which translates to obsession. For years I had … More Down to the Wire
Just a quick word to let you know how National Novel Writing Month is progressing. After five days (yes, I know, I still have day left today. But it’s a busy day for me.) I am at 12,927 words out of 50,000. But more importantly, I am four and a half chapters away from completing … More Rolling, rolling, rolling
I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m making good time. Actually, I know where I am going. Sort of. I have my story mapped out, I am starting chapter 15 out of 19 or 20 (still debating that one). The story is coming along. The problem comes when you compare fiction with reality. This … More Taking the Good with the Bad
We all need excuses, for good or for bad. I find I always have an excuse not to write, whether it is conflicts at work, my favorite TV show, or getting honey-dos done at home. It’s when I think ahead and commit to a time period for my project that I get the most done. … More Cranking It Out
I got up at 5:30 this morning, both because I am participating in National Novel Writing Month and because I was already awake, thanks to the time change. So I felt it was a good opportunity to get a few pages written on my book. Now I am sitting in the lobby of Community Hospice … More Mobile and Friendly
Just a brief note on two, maybe three, items: 1. If you haven’t signed up for the newsletter, your time is a-wastin’. It comes out tonight. Why should you subscribe? Because it gives you reviews on Christian fiction (not my own). It keeps you abreast of my projects, like Chosen, the upcoming exciting story of … More Tick…Tick…Boom!
One of the questions I traditionally give my Narrative Writing students goes like this: “How does your writing reflect who you are?” I give it to them at the beginning of the semester and tell them that it will be on their final exam. None so far have given me what I would consider a … More What Defines You?
OK, total honesty time…for you and for me. Why do you write? Fame and fortune? Because it’s fun? Because you have something to say? I don’t know for sure, but I would wager that most–if not all–of us write because it’s our shot at immortality. We can believe on our deathbed that our name will … More The Search for Immortality
I was at our regular weekly meeting of the Rough Writers last Thursday, when I asked if any of the students there were planning on participating in National Novel Writing Month. Kaylee raised her hand. “What is it?” “During the month of November, you go to the NaNoWriMo website and pledge with 100,000 other people … More Yes Virginia, There Is an Insanity Clause
