I've spent part of my writing group meeting this morning reading my friends bits from this article in The Guardian, in which writers answer some basic questions about the writing life. So why write? Hilary Mantel: It's always worried me, is writing a way of life or is it a way … [Read more...] about Observations
Writing
First lines
If you're new here, you might not know that when I'm not working on WordPress, I'm usually writing fiction. In fact, if you're just here for the WordPress goodies, you might want to subscribe to the WP category feed instead of the main one, because I'm pretty burned out on WP and … [Read more...] about First lines
Announcing Paradise Lost
I'm delighted to announce that the Viable Paradise alumni weekend is on! Paradise Lost will be held April 7-10 at the Wingate conference center in Round Rock, TX. Jay Lake, who's teaching at this year's VP, will be the writer in residence. The schedule, travel details, and … [Read more...] about Announcing Paradise Lost
Like criminals
"Psychologists have found out a little bit about the personalities of writers. They are individualists, skeptics, taboo-breakers, mockers, loners; they are undependable, likely to be behind on their rent; they keep irregular hours and have strange friends. Professional writers, … [Read more...] about Like criminals
Paradise Lost? Calling all Viable Paradise alumni…
If you've attended the Viable Paradise writer's workshop, Sean Kelley and I would like to know whether you're interested in some kind of weekend reunion, workshop, or retreat. Let us know! … [Read more...] about Paradise Lost? Calling all Viable Paradise alumni…
Don’t be that guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9fc-crEFDw … [Read more...] about Don’t be that guy.
Critiquing: Make it Work
We're done! Or almost done, as the case may be. For many of us, after revisions, there will be workshops and group critiques. Tim Gunn's design critiques are a great model for all sorts of criticism. … [Read more...] about Critiquing: Make it Work
The thud is our reward
Last day! We're done! And when we're done, it's thud time. Now, I’m in the final throes of that process. I’m revising. I’m reworking. I’m trudging once again through every page, every word, and someday soon, I will be, finally, done with it. And then? I’m going to kill it. I’m … [Read more...] about The thud is our reward
Letter to a young writer on surviving the first draft
Delia Sherman has some lovely (and very timely) advice to a young relative on surviving the first draft. Whatever you do (and I'm sure there are other things I've never tried or thought of), get that shitty first draft done. You can't fix something that doesn't exist. You … [Read more...] about Letter to a young writer on surviving the first draft
The Nine Circles of Writing Hell
It's the last week. By now, we're all in one of the Nine Circles of Writing Hell. Third Circle - Gluttony No time to eat. No time to work. No time for breaks. No time to attend to essential hygiene. Twenty-six-hours straight. MUST. WRITE. NOVEL. I. WILL. NOT. BURN. OUT. Okay, … [Read more...] about The Nine Circles of Writing Hell
