Writing Through Distractions

To clarify, I’m not offering advice here, I’m asking for it. I remain about 65k words into my latest WIP, where I’ve been stuck since just before Thanksgiving. Why? Because I got distracted and I’m having trouble getting the ball rolling again. But wait, what’s that, there on the horizon? It’s an even bigger distraction!Continue reading “Writing Through Distractions”

Are Any of You in IRL Writer’s Groups?

Something has come over me recently. I don’t know why now, of all times, but it has. I’ve been thinking about writer’s groups. Writing is a highly solitary endeavor most of the time, as you all know. I guess I’m yearning for some camaraderie, and having people willing and able to ready work and offerContinue reading “Are Any of You in IRL Writer’s Groups?”

Where Do You Find Inspiration?

Inspiration for writers can sometimes be hard to come by. We’re all out there, grinding as best we can, but sometimes that doesn’t cut it. Sometimes it feels like being a writer is nothing but a huge exercise in futility. You write, you submit, you get rejected, rinse, repeat. After a while you can startContinue reading “Where Do You Find Inspiration?”

Unsolicited Advice From an Unqualified Source

Well, I don’t know if I’d call myself *completely* unqualified. Partly qualified? Sure, let’s go with that. I just thought the title was catchy and went with it. What I’d like to do is offer a little advice/encouragement to writers at nearly every stage of their journey. And what gives me, a largely unpublished writerContinue reading “Unsolicited Advice From an Unqualified Source”

Word Count Is Only Important If You Want It to Be

So it’s almost the end of Spooky Season (not really a fan of that term and yet here I am using it, good grief), and I know for a lot of you that means one thing: National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo, aka NaNo) is almost upon us. Starting on November 1st, many of youContinue reading “Word Count Is Only Important If You Want It to Be”

We Are One Month Away from #PitDark!

Are you one of the many writers out there with a finished manuscript, currently querying agents or publishers in an attempt to find it a home? If you are, you may already know about #PitDark, but if not you should definitely read on. Like #PitMad, the other pitch event, #PitDark is a twice yearly queryingContinue reading “We Are One Month Away from #PitDark!”

Do You All Know This Ira Glass Quote?

Actually, I guess I should back up a step—do you all know Ira Glass? He’s a journalist and host of the radio program This American Life on NPR. If you’ve never heard it, I’ve seen it described as “journalistic non-fiction.” Between that phrase and the fact that it’s on public radio, you might think itContinue reading “Do You All Know This Ira Glass Quote?”

Publisher vs Agent: Grudge Match

Just kidding, there’s no grudge. In my last post I alluded to having a decision to make regarding the fate of my novel, since it is now fully back in my hands after the rights were returned to me by the previous almost-publisher. And that decision is one I suspect a lot of writers canContinue reading “Publisher vs Agent: Grudge Match”

Proof of Life Post

I’ve never liked it when I read someone’s blog and the first thing the blogger says is “Sorry I haven’t posted in so long.” I always think, Don’t apologize! Life happens, it can be a lot. Post when you can. So I won’t apologize, but…It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted anything, so IContinue reading “Proof of Life Post”

Almost Published to Unpublished, Just Like That

So, last week I got some news about my debut novel that was due to be published by an indie publisher in Colorado. My editor decided to resign from the publishing company, and they said they simply had no other editors with room on their plate to take on another project. The publisher sent meContinue reading “Almost Published to Unpublished, Just Like That”