As most writers know, rejection is a very large–and very important–part of what we do. For me, it’s actually (and I know this is going to sound totally insane) one of my favorite parts. Not because I find it pleasant, (“how do I find thou lacking, let me count the ways….”) but because I’m one of […]
She wanted to lose it, and *spoiler* it got lost. I’m a bit dubious about the details, though. Sue me.
Dear Friends, I’m afraid today’s post is more like a cry for help than an inspirational and/or amusing rant. The gist is this: I’m attending a conference at the end of April–about which I am very, extremely stoked–and I need to submit the first 10 pages of a WIP for editor critique. The problem? All […]
Inspired by Originality (Or lack thereof) Writers complain about a lot of things. Some might say that it’s an important part of what we do. Dickens liked to complain about class inequality. Hemingway complained about the improbability of lasting true love. Poe complained about some damn bird that wouldn’t leave him alone one night. All […]
Okay, so the title makes this sound a bit like a cereal ad. And I should probably mention that there isn’t really just ONE secret to writing a good query letter, or any letter for that matter. But here’s one thing I can give you that is practically GUARANTEED to take your lackluster, form-rejected query […]
This month, I’m embarking on a somewhat NaNoWriMo-like goal of completing my current WIP within a single month. MARCH MADNESS. This is like NaNo, in that it requires strict attention to time limits, but it is unlike NaNo in that there isn’t a word count, it’s not limited to just writing goals, and there are PRIZES. […]
First off, let me just say I’m sorry for coming so late to the party, and for being such a rule breaker. When I was in grade school, this used to drive my teachers absolutely nuts. So if I haven’t done so already, let me thank Rhiann Wynn-Nolet for being kind enough to invite me to participate […]
When I was seventeen, I got in a really bad car crash. It was my third in less than a year, and ultimately, the straw that broke the insurance company’s back. But more on that later… The weird thing about my “bad things come in threes” series of vehicular mishaps was that NONE of […]
I hate the term “writer’s block.” Not because it isn’t apt, but because I feel like it singles out writers and seems to suggest that we–unlike others who toil in a creative vocation–are the sole owners of this metaphorical brain boulder. Like Sisyphus (apparently), we writers are forever doomed to push this gigantic block before […]
When I was eleven years old, my one goal in life was to achieve the holy grail of pre-teen girl existence: the BFF. (Or, as my favorite book series at the time called it, a “Bosom Friend.”) A little less than a year later, I met my dear friend Colee at summer camp, and we’ve stayed in touch–in spite of the […]
(Bonus points if you can tell me the name of this song ^^^) Acknowledgements: Today’s post is inspired by Rhiann Wynn-Nolet‘s post, “Inspired by Adolescent Boys (and Music).” A lot of my writer friends say they like to listen to music as they write or before they write, and some authors have even gone as far as […]
Once again, just in case anyone forgot, here are the rules of this award: 1. Display this award logo on your blog. PROUDLY. 2. Link back to the person who nominated you. (Hint: it’s me.) 3. State 7 things about yourself. (See previous post on this blog for examples…probably of what you shouldn’t do.) 4. […]
One of my very favorite Twitter followers, who ALWAYS laughs at my lame jokes–or at least pretends to–who goes by the name of Rhiann Wynn-Nolet, has nominated me for this thing: Which I think is totes SFC (aka SUPER-F#%€ING-COOL) and therefore, I am prompted to pass the metaphorical torch to seven lucky others. (Which I will announce […]
Today is a day of mixed emotions. Lately, I’ve been really optimistic about this whole publishing process, happily and busily working away at my next WIP while waiting for good things to happen. And I believe they will, because sometimes life IS awesome. Sometimes, just like when you’re working on a manuscript, there are moments […]
Today’s reader poll comes from a common question asked by writers during the initial drafting phase: How long should each of my chapters be? But in the interest of cutting right to the root of the issue, I’d like to pose a similar question: Q: As a reader, how often do you find yourself noticing chapter length? […]
In dating and in life, there are certain rules a girl is supposed to follow. 1. Dress for the job/title you want, instead of the one you have 2. Always appear less interested/willing/desperate than you actually are 3. Keep your eyes and ears open, and count to three before you talk 4. No matter how much […]
I’ve recently discovered that I write in a genre called New Adult. It almost sounds made up, doesn’t it? Author’s Note: for those of you who frequent this site, you’ll know that I have a lot of strong opinions. That I don’t hesitate to dabble in hyperbole, or make blanket statements for the sake of […]
A man known as Shakespeare once wrote*, “Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.” – (Twelfth Night: Act II, Scene V) *I say “known as” because I recently watched the movie Anonymous, and now find myself doubting along with numerous other skeptics. Regardless […]
‘Twas two weeks til Christmas Down here in “Grenade.” Not a snowflake was falling, But to Santa I prayed. “Please send me an agent, The sooner the better. Ideally, that guy with glasses, Who can really rock a sweater.” When, what to my screen-bleary eyes should appear, But a Skype call from [said Dream Agent] […]
Everyone’s heard the saying “write what you know.” (And if you haven’t, I’m alternately mystified by the possible origin of your existence and jealous because you’ve probably also never heard of Snooki. Damn your enviable peace of mind.) Lately, I’ve had a chance to consider my next project, and the choices are between a past […]
I was searching through my archived files, and found this article I once wrote for a fitness magazine. (Name of publication has been redacted due to bot issues.) It gave me a laugh, and so should you. Propaganda and the American Booty: Why Bigger is Now Better Written for &#*% Magazine by Veronica Park Oh my […]
Like most of my efforts, NaNoWriMo 2012 began with the flash and intensity of cannon fire. The first thirty thousand words flew by. But then, gravity kicked in. Life interceded. Other ideas clouded the trajectory. And before I knew it, my promising young thought comet had stalled in midair. It’s a common problem, or so […]
Everyone has their hang-ups when it comes to writing. For a lot of people, finding the time or motivation to write is their biggest problem. For a friend of mine, it’s discovering the confidence to write, and keep writing until the end of a story regardless of whether it comes out the way she imagined. For me, it’s […]
When I was just a wee lass, I fell in love with mysteries. Before I hit my 8th birthday, I’d already blazed through the entire Nancy Drew Series. I scoured my school library for Caroline Cooney books, especially the ones that were a little bit “too scary” for a kid my age, then finally drew the […]
It’s time for another confession, and (brace yourself) this one is really naughty. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had the tendency to rush things. I started walking earlier than my brothers did, I used to sneak and finish my homework before class was over, and my first word wasn’t “mama” or “dada.” It […]
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