Writing
November 10, 2009
- Although I change my ways and means of writing to create a *thriller* for almost no reason other than the money (tough times abound), the old ways die hard (in fact, struggle with vigour).I approach 2,000 words with more trouble yet more pleasure than I anticipated.
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November 10, 2009
- Next week I'll be teaching a workshop for some teen writers (that is, teens who write, not writers writing for teens) as they participate in NaNoWriMo, sponsored by their public library (which warms my heart cockles more than I can say). Even the concept of NaNoWriMo used to set my teeth on edge, but I've softened a bit. (Just for the record, my workshop will be called "Pick a Plot: ...
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November 9, 2009
- I’ve reached the age where I know what I do well: I write well. I can structure the heck out of a novel. I can create characters who will make you weep. I’m a pretty good teacher. I enjoy public speaking. Then there are other things that teach me humility. Today, I sat in Starbucks running through my notes for a characterization workshop I’ll be teaching at the November 14th ...
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November 8, 2009
- This seems to be a slow weekend here on the Internet. I can never figure out where people disappear to or why. What could possibly be more fascinating than roaming cyberspace? I realize in some places the weather is too nice to stay inside, in other places it’s too nasty to do anything online. Many writers are involved in National Novel Writing Month. Many others are busy ...
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November 8, 2009
- Nonfiction writers looking for traditional book publishing contracts—wanting to sell their manuscripts to small, medium or large traditional publishing houses, need to find themselves literary representation. While finding an agent may not be necessary for many small publishing houses that accept unagented work, most mid-sized and large publishing houses, indeed, only accept agented book ...
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November 8, 2009
- I've been fortunate to sell most of the books I've begun, usually on proposal. Just one died in its early stages; its demise came about when my editor, talking about the plot of the novel, asked "So what?" Ouch. That was a painful moment, but an instructive one.Like the editor I quoted in my last post, I'm a lover of beautiful prose and well-rounded characters. I love creating ...
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November 7, 2009
- There will be much much more on this over the next few weeks and months, but for right now, head over to Salt's blog to win a copy of Short Circuit - the hot-off-the-press Guide to the Art of the Short Story, edited by my great friend and colleague, the wondrous and extremely hard-working Vanessa Gebbie. Short Circuit includes my essay on flash fiction and I am deeply honoured to be in the ...
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November 7, 2009
- Michael threw down the gauntlet and it landed on my feet. After a toe-throbbing hop about, I think I’ve cracked the new publishing code. Keeping this flash of insight locked in my typing fingers is harder than losing this last 10 pounds! When I awoke this morning, the answer was in my head, fully fleshed out and in living color. Thanks Michael, for implanting the seed in my brain before bed! ...
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November 7, 2009
- In Neil Gaimen's journal he writes this,"And finally, a link to Joanne Leow's blog. It was lovely to see her again, four years on, when I went to Singapore - it was a great interview, and you can watch us chatting about writing, what I'm currently up to, signings, and why I don't write the same sorts of things twice in a row, at the Primetime Morning site: here's part 1 and part ...
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November 7, 2009
- When I was a child, I went through many horrible things. I was a victim of incest. I was four, when my one of my aunts, Judith who’s also biological mother’s youngest sister had an intercourse with me several times. My biological mother, Catherine and her family were calling me names and they use to view me as a person with special needs or a person with down syndrome. When my biological ...
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