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 at the time), and what […] [ ... ]
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 means talks at libraries have […] [ ... ]
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 both. Whether you’re a person […] [ ... ]
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 editor will probably suggest changes, […] [ ... ]
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 cases), taking up knitting/crocheting/quilting, gardening, […] [ ... ]
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 their main characters from the […] [ ... ]
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, I used the ellipsis way […] [ ... ]
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. I also haven’t been binge […] [ ... ]
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 work to agents and editors. […] [ ... ]
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 husband comes into the room […] [ ... ]
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 I wouldn’t be able to […] [ ... ]
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 and events that can and […] [ ... ]
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 Johnson, you gave me a […] [ ... ]
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 post a review. But what […] [ ... ]
I love it when a reader tells me she or he was surprised by the ending of a book. At least I’m pleased as long as they also say the ending worked. I know when I’m reading a mystery, I like to be surprised. I want all of the clues to be there, but presented […] [ ... ]
“I love the voice.” I’ve heard that said about books, and I’ve heard agents and editors say, “I’m looking for a fresh voice” or “It’s the voice that counts.” So what is voice? According to www.literarydevices.com: Voice in literature is the individual style in which a certain author writes his or her works. Voice includes […] [ ... ]
If you read my January 8, 2020 blog you saw I said there were no rules in writing. I also said there were traditions and reasons for certain ways of formatting. Again, these aren’t rules. For one thing, many of the formatting guidelines have changed over the years. Changes in how writing is published I […] [ ... ]
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Rule #1: There are no rules. There are guidelines. Traditional ways of writing. Requirements for certain forms of publishing or publishing houses. As a writer, you need to be aware of what’s expected, especially if you want to be published by a specific publisher (or publishers) or in a particular form (electronic or paper). Rule […] [ ... ]
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019 was an unusual year for me. It included a fall (backwards), 2 ½ months of pain pills until the reason for the pain was finally diagnosed (fractured L3), 3 months of wearing a back brace 24/7, an early journey south to Florida, the purchase of a condo, and for the last […] [ ... ]