Category: Dubious Writing Advice
3 Types of Writing Work Days
In general, my writing days fall into three broad categories, which are defined by how quickly and easily I can get to my 2,000-word daily goal. Each day, of course, brings its own rewards and challenges, sometimes heavy on the challenge part. I’m sure the… Continue Reading “3 Types of Writing Work Days”
The Quotable King: Identifying Talent
Stephen King is one of my favorite authors, and his book On Writing is, in my opinion, one of the best books on the craft you can buy. I like King’s no-bullshit approach to the subject and his blunt appraisal of what writing is… Continue Reading “The Quotable King: Identifying Talent”
Understanding Point of View: Eliminating Filter Words
Great post by Cecilia Lewis on her blog Lewis Editorial. Filter words are at the top of my post-draft proofing checklist, and I end up revising a fair bit to remove them. Cecilia offers some great advice on getting rid of filter words and why you should want to… Continue Reading “Understanding Point of View: Eliminating Filter Words”
Staying “Accountable” on Big Writing Projects
You gotta have a system. Every writer does. That thing you do to get from point A to point B, hit your deadlines, and hopefully decrease your stress along the way. I have a system, too, and a major part of it involves word… Continue Reading “Staying “Accountable” on Big Writing Projects”
A Short List of Writerly Woes
I was thinking about things writers do to make themselves miserable (well, things that have made me miserable, anyway). So, I came up with a short list of things I have done (or, regrettably, still do) that can be counterproductive to my writing and what I do to avoid them. Anyway, I thought… Continue Reading “A Short List of Writerly Woes”
On Writing – Book Review
Originally posted on The Book Review Directory:
? I recently finished reading, well actually listening to, Stephen King’s On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. Highly recommended for all writers! There’s a lot of conflicting advice about craft books for writers—some think you can’t learn…
Using Real People as #Fictional #Characters – #ArtisticLicense and #TBT
Originally posted on Optimist Superheroes:
Throwback Thursday to John F. Kennedy’s Presidency! More on him a little later. Artistic License There is a fine line between real people as fictional characters adding an intriguing aspect to a novel versus causing it to crash and burn. Artistic…
Rejection Relief – First Blood
Someone recently asked me to write a post about recovering from a particularly vicious rejection. I’m not talking about getting a vanilla form rejection or gentle constructive criticism from an editor. I’m talking about a severe literary beating, the kind of comment or review… Continue Reading “Rejection Relief – First Blood”
Revise, Retire, or Resubmit?
I got a rejection letter today. (Send cards and flowers to my home address.) It was the sixth rejection this particular story has received in its current incarnation. After five or so rejections, you can’t help but ask yourself, “Should I retire this one?”… Continue Reading “Revise, Retire, or Resubmit?”
How Much/Often Should I Write?
This is a question writers hear a lot. Hell, it’s a question writers ask a lot. The most common answer is something frustratingly vague like, “all the time” or “as much as you can.” Easy, right? I mean who has a day job, a… Continue Reading “How Much/Often Should I Write?”
Effectively Wild – A Baseball Horror Story
Night Walk & Other Dark Paths
Acts of War: Flashpoint
Acts of War: Aftershock
Acts of War: Stormbreak
Aeryn Rudel's Rejectomancy 