Being spunky, happy, and nice can take you far - or at least, that’s what this article seems to say.  Some of it may be bull, though I think having a certain amount of chutzpah and joi de vivre helps if you’re a writer. … [Read more...]

You know, I think Tiger Eye has been nominated for the Quills Award.  Wow.  The awards show will be broadcast on NBC in October.  At the moment, about 120 romances have been nominated by The Quills Nominating Board which is “comprised of approximately … [Read more...]

Howdy, all.  I received a nice email yesterday from someone with questions about writing, and I thought I’d post some of my responses: I’m working on an original novel now, but man, it’s hard to work the writing in around a job and a social life and a … [Read more...]

There are many different ways to tell a story.  This was hammered home to me when I found, via the NY Times, a blog called PostSecret.  An online confessional for people who want to “exhibit themselves anonymously and publicly,” PostSecret allows the highly … [Read more...]

It is Memorial Day, a day for memory, of those lost, of those being lost, and those who will be lost.  It is a day to honor sacrifice.  Both my grandfathers fought in WWII, one for America and the other for China, on the same side but for different countries, and their … [Read more...]

Years ago, we used to have this stubborn little darling rascal of a dog, Thumbelina, who never stayed home.  She liked to run, and in certain neighborhoods, you just can’t let your babies do that.  So we had to keep her tied up quite a bit.  We also had a … [Read more...]

PBW has another useful (at least to me) entry on tweaking your book proposal for maximum wattage.  Number 5 of “Things That Slog a Proposal” is my favorite: Not enough passion for the story. Don’t write anything just to write it. Write it because you love … [Read more...]

I’m reading Annie Dillard’s The Writing Life.  It is beautiful.  “When you are stuck in a book; when you are well into writing it, and know what comes next, and yet cannot go on; when every morning for a week or a month you enter its room and turn … [Read more...]

Wendy has tagged me.  Oh, boy.  Before I start, though, I must insist that all of you read this 1964 interview with Harper Lee, the author of To Kill A Mockingbird.  It’s very inspiring.  Total number of books I own: Several thousand.  … [Read more...]

Again, links. A Baker’s Dozen Antidotes to “Meh” Writing by Holly Lisle and Tess Gerritsen’s blog, especially her top two entries on reading and reviews (link courtesy of PBW) The X-Men are clipping along at a nice pace.  I should be done writing … [Read more...]