Last week I blogged about finishing the rough draft of the book I’ve been working on. To my surprise, a couple people asked where they could now buy the book. This question reminded me that many readers and new writers don’t understand the steps necessary between finishing the rough draft … Continue reading
Last week I typed “The End” on a story I’ve been working on for four years. I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to write this story. I haven’t suffered any earthshaking catastrophe, loss, or illness (other than a few months of pain when I broke my back), … Continue reading
Do you suffer from exclamation point glut? Not sure? Do a “Find” and type the exclamation point (!) in. How many do you have in your manuscript? More than one? If so, is its use justified? The exclamation point is often used in text messages. Sometimes in abundance!!! But please … Continue reading
Anyone who has read one of my P.J. Benson Mysteries (THE CROWS, AS THE CROW FLIES, EYE OF THE CROW, and EAT CROW AND DIE) knows Baraka, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, plays an important part in each of the stories. No, P.J.’s dog doesn’t solve mysteries, doesn’t talk to her, and … Continue reading
Last week another writer asked me why I wrote a while instead of awhile in the following sentence: After a while, I didn’t notice the cigarette smell. Years ago, I would have written awhile, but after having editors change that to a while so many times, I now automatically split … Continue reading
Writing a contemporary novel is dangerous. The time between when you write it, when it’s published, and when someone reads the story can bring about many changes. With historical novels, the settings, weaponry, devices, language, mores are pretty well set. A writer might fudge a little, have a heroine more … Continue reading
I haven’t been blogging lately because I haven’t felt I had anything new to say. Over the years I’ve written about formatting, grammar and punctuation. I’ve suggested sites that cover marketing, new markets, and markets to avoid. I’ve reported on conferences I’ve attended, what editors and agents want (at least … Continue reading
The coronavirus has made many changes in our lives. Writers are facing new challenges in ways to promote their books. Bookstores have been closed (some are reopening, but author talks and signings have been cancelled); physical author tours have been cancelled; conferences have been cancelled; libraries are still closed, which … Continue reading
You do not need a degree in English or journalism to be a writer, but you do need to be a reader. At least, to be a “good” writer you need to be a reader. And you need to read wonderful books and terrible books. Why? Because you learn from … Continue reading
You’ve written a story that you think is really good. You want it published. Here are 5 questions you need to answer. 1. Is your manuscript in publishable shape right now? No spelling errors, typos, or inconsistencies in the story? Don’t plan on an editor correcting your errors. Yes, the … Continue reading
The Coronavirus has given many writers a guilt-free excuse to sit at the computer and write, but I’m hearing some writers admit to wasting this opportunity. Instead of writing, they’re doing jigsaw puzzles (in March sales of jigsaw puzzles surged), binge watching TV, reading (for pleasure and escape, in many … Continue reading
Do you have a series bible? I wish I did. There are various types of writing bibles. Some include everything from the plot line and motivation for the stories to character descriptions and proposed sequels. Writers who know they’re going to write a series may include the overall arc of … Continue reading
Do you know the correct way to use an ellipsis? I use ellipses a lot. (Note, the spelling switches from an i to an e for the plural.) In fact, according to one person who judged Echoes of Terror for the Florida Writers’ Association’s 2017 Royal Palm Literary Award Competition, … Continue reading
On-line, members of a writers’ group I belong to have been posting what they’ve been doing during the lockdown. I’ve been interested in the responses–which vary from watching a lot of TV to accomplishing a couple thousand words a day–because I’ve done almost no creative writing in the last month. … Continue reading
Talent plays a very small role in a writer’s chances for success. I’ve read wonderful stories that will either (1) never be published or, even if published, (2) will never be financially successful. Oh, persistence helps, along with a good story, knowing the market, and knowing how to present your … Continue reading
I hate interruptions when I’m writing. The deeper I get into a story, the more I become a part of the story–I am the protagonist, the villain, the secondary characters. I am living where they live, seeing what they see, feeling their emotions. That is until… The phone rings. My … Continue reading
I am a phony. I’ve known this since my editor asked for a second book. There I was, I’d submitted a synopsis and three chapters, and now I had a contract and a deadline. All I had to was write the rest of the story. Panic hit. I was sure … Continue reading
Years ago I promised myself if I sold a mystery I would join The Authors Guild. Well, I did and I did. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Since joining, I’ve received information that has been valuable to me personally; have been made aware of laws … Continue reading
My daughter is visiting this week so my writing will be on hold, but I wanted to thank all of the people who sent suggestions to help me name P.J.’s and Wade’s baby. I received more than 35 possibilities, 32 of those were from one person. Thank you Donna Swanson … Continue reading
Reviews are important. Amazon bases its rankings on the number of reviews a book (or item) receives, and many readers determine if they’ll purchase a book or not by the reviews. Publishers urge their writers to get reviews, and writers will ask everyone (and anyone) who purchases their books to … Continue reading
