The Secret Life of Writers
10. Your story is layered with cliches and tropes. Yes, we're starting off with the big ones. <insert cringe here> There are no twists or turning the cliches on their proverbial heads; instead, every move your protagonist makes is predictable. Soon your reader is wondering, "Haven't I read this story a hundred times?" 9. Too many... Continue Reading →
It usually goes like this: Friend: "So. How are the edits coming along?" Me [grins sheepishly]: "I'm working on another book." Friend: "A SECOND book?" Me: "Well...and another one after that." *long, guilty silence* Me [mumbles]: "I'm writing four books, OK? That's it." Friend: *brings straitjacket* The past few months have been relentless. I write... Continue Reading →
This morning, I sat down with [insert your protagonist's name] and asked them what really irritated them about their author. Their answer? "I don't think we have enough time for everything, but. . . ." 10. You have all control over my life. I just want a safe, calm, relaxing life--- but noooo. You turn... Continue Reading →
You turn the page in a new notebook or open a Word document with dreams of the story to come. If you're like me, you've been thinking of these characters for months, maybe years, and you think you know them inside out. Nothing to surprise you here. You start writing --- and then the miracle... Continue Reading →
My favorite thing is the adrenaline rush that comes from writing a powerful scene, when it's flowing from my fingertips and mind like water and I don't even know what I'm doing, but the story is unstoppable!
Hi, Beckie! Thank you for joining us today. How long have you been writing? I have been writing since I was very young. I started with writing songs and poems. We moved a lot when I was growing up (over 20 times). My friends were in the books I'd read and the stories I would... Continue Reading →
Thank you for joining us, Kyle! How long have you been writing? What inspired your quest to become a writer? I've been writing for about fourteen years. Given that I was twelve when I started, however, it took me a while to actually come up with something fit for human consumption. Ever since I discovered... Continue Reading →
Thank you for joining us today! How long have you been writing? What inspired your quest to become a writer? I've been writing ever since I can remember. As a young child, I enjoyed staying in at recess and creating characters rather than playing on the playground. I've kept journals, diaries, notes, poems, you name... Continue Reading →
These addicts may physically live in our world, but their minds continually seek fresh planets of habitation.
I am a coward. I sat down with an author friend in a coffee shop last week. After sharing stories, she asked what my next step would be. I knew what I'm supposed to say ---follow up with agents and publishers who expressed interest in my book--- but instead I hesitated. "Well?" my friend said. "When... Continue Reading →
