To market, to market, to buy a fat book
on Nov 16, 2009 in The Writing Life OK, it’s not like we writers have a choice about where we get published. Being published is a gift, and I for one will be grateful for the privilege–if I get it–all the days of my life. Those naysayers who suspect that, when I’...

I have no sympathy for you
on Nov 8, 2009 in Great Reads The Writing Life This feels like a confession of sorts. I like unsympathetic characters. A good friend of mine whose novel is about to go on sub received passes from agents who said her protagonist wasn’t sympathetic enough. I could never understand these. I...

What to write, what to write
on Oct 30, 2009 in The Writing Life How do we writers find our topics? How do we decide what to write about? The author Michael Connelly–whose work I haven’t yet read, but now will–talks about this topic in two interesting articles today. His angle is actually not fin...

Another way to find an agent
on Oct 28, 2009 in The Writing Life I will probably write about this conference more in the weeks to come, but if you’re a writer with a completed ms (manuscript), looking to get your work in front of editors, here is the best place I’ve found to do so. I will be giving a s...

How to Query a Literary Agent. OK, One Way to Query a Literary Agent. OK, OK, This May Work For You.
on Oct 25, 2009 in The Writing Life Through an area writers network called MEWSIE I’ve met a writer who’s inspired a small group of us to start meeting, critique each other’s work, discuss the writing life. I haven’t done this in a while, and even though while o...

The first great read in a while: NO TIME TO WAVE GOODBYE by Jacquelyn Mitchard
on Oct 20, 2009 in Great Reads Those of you who read this site–really read it, with the proverbial fine tooth comb–have seen Jacquelyn Mitchard’s name already and know the pivotal role she played in my evolution as a writer. But I’m writing about her today...

Getting Kids To Read
on Oct 14, 2009 in Kids and Life When my daughter was two years old, my father took care of her on Mondays when I saw psychotherapy patients. I remember coming home one time and asking how the day went. “It’s amazing how tiring it is,” my dad said, “to read a...

No such thing as too many books
on Oct 13, 2009 in Uncategorized Here’s a woman who really knows the joy of a good book! I don’t know if I could pull this off, but Nina Sankovitch has. I think she is doing a wonderful thing for books and book lovers everywhere. One part that jumped out at me is where t...

Are you a dream author?
on Oct 12, 2009 in The Writing Life Has anyone discovered this site yet? I am brand new to it, but the blogger is an editor, and in just a couple of readings I have gotten a bird’s eye view into what may go on behind those hallowed walls. You know the ones I mean. The ones that f...

Made It Moment: Sara Backer
on Oct 7, 2009 in Made It Moments I read Sara Backer’s terrific novel having no idea what to expect, except that it probably wouldn’t be anything like what I normally read. I don’t read a lot of mainstream fiction. If it concerns other cultures, I am even less likel...