Waaaay back when I was young, it was rather fashionable to read various paper products, including ones that were mailed on a monthly basis. These now-alien pieces of reading material were called magazines. (I hear there are a few that still exist somewhere in a galaxy far, far away.) As a young writer, I spent…
If just the thought of editing makes you want to start pulling your hair out, I understand. I don’t think I know a single writer who likes editing. It’s excruciating. And it doesn’t really get better. Actually, the more you do it, the worse it gets. But everybody needs it. Recently a book marketing guy…
Writers often answer the question “Why do you write?” with “Because I have to.” I get that. If I go too many days without writing, I become cranky and snappish and uncomfortable with myself. No one wants to live with me in that state, not even me. Best if I sequester myself in a quiet warm…
“How do I get better at writing?” Two people close to me have asked me this question recently. They have followed it with one or two (or likely more) fears, anxieties, or giant big problem-reasons why they can’t seem to get over whatever THING is getting in the way of them putting words down.…
So you have all these ideas, right? This idea and that idea and that other one over there. Ideas are everywhere. You have a giant list of them somewhere in your notes, and you add to it whenever something strikes you. (You do this, right? I’m not the only one?) How do you choose among…
If you’re working a day job or going to school AND making art, you’re my hero. If you stay positive about it most of the time, you’re my even bigger hero. Seriously. I know how tough it is. Every day, it hurts you. It drains your energy. It makes you drag your feet. You’re…
What software do you use? A lot of writers use Microsoft Word, and if you’re one of them, I feel for you. I send you my deepest, most heart-felt sympathy. I used to use Word, too. I know how much precious writing time you waste digging around for the right Word document with your research…