advice
When you start querying one manuscript, start writing a new one.
I remember reading on websites, forums, and social media that once I started querying a manuscript, I should focus on writing a new one. The advice was that unless I was getting multiple rejections on fulls, or multiple rejections with similar feedback, I should just leave the manuscript alone. The first three times I queried,…
Read MoreIWSG April: Wishful Writing
The first Wednesday of every month, the IWSG posts an optional question, encouraging members to read and comment on each other’s blogs. April’s Question is: If you could use a wish to help you write just ONE scene/chapter of your book, which one would it be? (examples: fight scene / first kiss scene /…
Read MoreYA: Teens First, Adults who are Young (or young at heart), Second
A few days ago, I read The Many Ways YA Books & The Community Isolates Teens by VICKY WHO READS. It was a thought provoking blog post about Young Adult (YA) fiction that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how teens are isolated from the books that are supposed for them. Because adults are the…
Read MoreWhat I’ve Learned About Pacing from Writing Five Novels.
In order to have a well paced novel, writers need to be patient. They need to trust their process and not rush it.
Read MoreFantasy a No Go with This Years Students
Back in January, you may have seen my post about using novels instead of textbooks for my ENG101 and RWR090 classes. Two of the novels worked out okay, but one was a disaster. Feed by M. T. Anderson This semester’s 101 students weren’t as enthusiastic about Feed as last semesters, but after a rocky start,…
Read MoreWriter Beware: Your Work Is Valuable; Don’t Get Scammed
Most of us start writing because we enjoy it or because we have something we are desperate to share. While some writers hoard their work, afraid to let the public see it, many want or even need their work to be read. Those of us who want to publish aren’t always content to just throw…
Read MoreHow an editor made my day.
This year, I had high hopes for #DVpit. I’d just finished polishing a new manuscript. My query was in good shape. I’d struggled with my pitches, but thought I finally had them down. I scheduled them, went to work, and tried to not to sneak peeks at twitter between each student I tutored. My try…
Read MoreReplacing Textbooks With novels in First Year Writing
For the past five years, I’ve taught first year writing at community college and state universities. I assigned textbooks and/or trade books based on what other teachers used or what seemed like the kind of book college students should read. It didn’t work out so well. Now, I’m using books I get excited about. The…
Read MoreBeta Readers & Remembering my Characters are NOT me.
Good beta readers and critique partners are essential for writers, not just because they make individual manuscripts stronger, but also because they can make writers aware of problematic patterns. My beta readers often comment that my characters don’t react or show emotion to big things – like finding out demons exits, losing a loved one,…
Read MoreBook Review: Walking on Water is a gorgeous and validating read.
Walking on Water by Matthew J. Metzger My rating: 5 of 5 stars I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up an ARC of Walking on Water. I asked to review it because I love merfolk stories as long as they are not Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and have been hungry for…
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