Following a post from my favorite literary fledgling last week, I found myself inspired to write about a rarely lauded struggle which I believe all literary folk in general–including the “successful” ones–ultimately face: I call it The Eternal Shame of Relatively Obscure ROI. (ROR) < Pronounce this like a dinosaur, for optimal fun. (ESoROR works […]
“In the Now” by Vanessa Robins ’Tis the season for family gatherings and questions. “What have you been writing?” “Have you gotten anything published?” “Still no boyfriend?” (Don’t even get me started on the answer for this one.) And the question to end all questions: “What are you going to do next?” A writer’s world […]
“How Not to Start Writing” by Elizabeth Lynx That title explains perfectly how I became a writer. I will admit things in this post I don’t tell a lot of people. In fact, most writers are probably shaking their heads at me thinking it’s best if no one ever knows any of this. Once you […]
Tim Horton’s: The Awakening by Amy Fish Friend of mine retired. Went back to old work place to gloat about how relaxed I am since leaving to pursue writing career full time see everybody and celebrate retirement. Party featured standard coffee urn and oh-so-festive chocolate fountain. Right next to each other. Are You Thinking What […]
My Secret Life as an Author by Joshua Edward Smith My self-published first novel had been out for a little more than a month, when my wife and I were walking to our favorite restaurant to meet friends for dinner. “Do you think…” I hesitated. “I mean maybe…” Oh, fuck it, I thought. “Would […]
New ideas are the sexy sirens of the writing world. At first blush, they’re so fresh and new and uncomplicated. They catch your glance while you’re hard at work, drawing your focus away from what you should be working on. And hey, who wouldn’t want to fantasize about going with the flow, just dropping it […]
The Subway Ride By Michael Signorile “That’s a really good idea” will be the phrase etched on my tombstone when I die. Actually, no, scratch that. That’s an awful idea. I’d much rather be ashes, floating in the wind, ruining some newlyweds’ picnic in Central Park. That’s a really good idea. “I should write that […]
When Writers Go Wrong (for the Holidays) By Tiffany Rose On the first day of Christmas, My Nano project gave to me An epic on the high sea. On the second day of Christmas, My Nano project gave to me Two characters in love, On the third day of Christmas, My Nano project gave to […]
Night Writing by Emily Ruth Verona It’s not for everyone. It’s not even for me really. I’ve always been a morning person, writing only my darker stories and novels in the latest hours. Night writing used to be a phase I went through every few months. I’d spend a couple nights doing it and […]
Sadism by Kara Wolf (w/a K. Kazul Wolf) The flimsy cup of coffee steams in my hands, and I breathe in the heavy scent of peppermint mocha. Snow falls so thick that I can only see a few feet out of the window next to me. If it weren’t for the soft chatter of the […]
WRITE, WRITE BABY (To the tune of “Ice, Ice Baby”) by Summer Wier Yo, WIP, Let’s kick it! All right stop, turn off your Kindles and listen Time to focus on November’s ambition NaNoMo, yea we don’t it take lightly To hit 50k, we write daily and nightly Will it have a plot? […]
The 5 Stages of Writing on a Deadline By Drew Hayes Writing, much like grief, moves in phases. The ideal process for artistic creation is the slow, gentle growth of an idea, watching it bloom from mere idle thoughts and become a cohesive, beautiful flower of a story. Then, of course, there’s writing on […]
BAD, BAD MOTHER by Melody Winter November – I should have known it would happen. It’s the month when writers really lose it! Like shadows hiding in the corner, the seeds of doubt gather. They only have to wait until the right moment, and then they’ll pounce! As a writer, I persevere, ignoring these seeds […]
When Writers Go Wrong – Part One by Veronica Park Twas the night before deadline, And all through the hovel Gusted loud, ragged breathing, And the clang of a shovel. It started quite suddenly, If truth can be told. With a simple suggestion– No, nothing as bold As a nag or a mockery Or a […]
VP Anderson 