Deb Salisbury, Mantua-Maker

Writing Expectations

2012-01-24T23:11:00.002-06:00

Sarah asked the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog’s question this month:

"Where do your expectations for your writing skill or quality come from? Is the source internal, external, or both? And how do you cope when you don't meet them?"

My writing expectations are strictly internal, and they vary wildly depending on the day, or even the hour. I’m definitely my own worst critic. When I’m working on a first draft, I do my best to tune out my Inner Editor and just get the story onto the paper. My expectations are reasonably low, because I’m concentrating on emotions, plot, and to a lesser extent, on flow.

The deeper into revisions I go, the higher my expectations become. And that’s where I run into trouble: I rarely meet my goals. Oh, my copy is clean; my grammar is beautiful. But the exorbitant life I *thought* I had breathed into my novel is – as flat as central Texas. Think shallow rolling hills, but no highs worth mentioning, and no lows at all.

I become discouraged. I start to think I’ll never write a decent story, much less something anyone besides my mom would want to read.

That’s when I go work on a different project, something new and creative. Sometimes it’s writing, but more often it’s crafts. Occasionally I go on a reading binge. (All right, frequently.) But sooner or later I wander back to my novel and try again. There are stories inside me that want to climb out.

What do you do when you don’t meet your writing expectations?

Formal Education and Writing

2011-12-27T23:18:00.000-06:00

Here’s Churchill in my writing corner, wondering what the heck I think I’m doing. Need I admit I’m playing with the camera when I should be working? LOL!

Lydia’s question for the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog:

“What formal writing experience do you have? (classes, degrees, major/minors). Did it shape your writing? Have you ever considered getting an MFA?”

I have a BA in English, earned mumble years ago. Did my education shape my writing?

Maybe. I read many brilliant books for those classes, and a few clunkers, which might not have been so awful if I’d understood them. I’ve always been a painfully literal person, and sarcasm and satire often go right over my head. Novels like Babbitt were excruciatingly boring because I missed the point altogether.

The “bad” novels were painful, but in many ways the great novels were worse. How could I write to that standard? How could I make my characters live and breath? How could I entice readers to see and hear and smell my settings? I knew it would take practice. A lot of practice.

Yet the MFA programs have never tempted me, probably because I’m a genre reader and writer. Literary and mainstream don’t interest me, and all the MFA programs I’ve noticed emphasize literary writing. The extra years of effort didn’t seem worth the possible results.

How do you feel about MFA programs? What formal writing training have you had?

I hope y’all had a happy holiday week, and I’m wishing you a prosperous New Year!

My Reasons for Avoiding NaNoWriMo

2011-11-22T21:39:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Welcome back to the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog.

Laura chose our question for this month:

If you do NaNoWriMo, why do you do it? If not, why not?

No NaNoWriMo for me this month. I have Etsy on my mind. And family. And Thanksgiving. And lots and lots of excuses.

I freely admit that most of my reasons for avoiding NaNo are excuses. It’s hard work! But among my best reasons are: When I attempt NaNo,

I rush through my story. Lots of telling, but very little showing.

I still manage to be tooooooooooooooooo wordy. Out of 50k last year, I suspect 20k needs to go.

By the time I finished my 50k, I was so exhausted I could barely function. And worse, I was tired of my story.

By the end of my 50k, I adored my tersely spoken, non-human characters, but I didn’t much like my humans. I still liked my basic concept, but many of the carefully crafted details had stopped making sense.

And a year later, I still haven’t gotten back to clean up or finish that manuscript. I can’t decide if I simply can’t cope, or if I’ve moved on.

So for now, I’ve decided not to worry about it. I’ll get back to that story eventually. For now I’ll work on the other things that have caught my fancy.

Speaking of new toys, I recently joined Google+, but I really don’t know what to do with it. Are you on Google+? What’s the best way to network when social media is a foreign language?

Animals and writing

2011-10-26T00:23:00.000-05:00

It was my turn to pick the topic this month. My question for the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog was:

How do your pets/kids/plants (something you take care of) influence your writing? Do they help you, or distract you? Do you include them in your stories?

People rarely inspire my fiction, but the animals in my life often have. I’ve even named a kitten after one of my characters, then used his personality to guide the character’s behavior.

I’ve asked what my darling, long deceased Mystic would have done if she’d been human and in such a situation. Her ghost informed me she’d never act as silly as humans do and would never have gotten into such a situation. When I reminded her of some of the stunts she pulled in life, she just stared at me with that cool cat stare that says “You’re thinking of someone else, but I’m too polite to correct you.” LOL! She was good at that.

My family had horses when I was a teen, and horses are often supporting characters in my stories. Occasionally they have more personality than my humans. Horses are more than a mode of transportation. They have feelings and reactions and quirks, and they most certainly are not cars that can run forever without tiring. Horses are fairly fragile, and die from misuse or accident, in real life and in my fiction.

Churchill, my current ~~owner~~ cat, is purely a distraction. He insists he needs to lie upon my keyboard. No way, my lad. That’s one of the few battles I’ve won.

How do animals affect your writing? Do you like stories with animals as significant characters?

Tooting My Horn

2011-10-02T21:14:00.000-05:00

I’m embarrassed to be writing this post. I hate to blow my own horn. I don’t even like to talk about my writing, or myself. But if I don’t tell you what I’m up to, how will anyone know?

Sooooo, I’d like to announce that I’ve released two new Mantua-Maker historical sewing patterns this year.

#1880-15

1870 - 1890 Sunset Knoll Polonaise, Redingote, and Tea Gown

Three major variations for dressy or severe styles. It can be made as a ball gown, an evening gown, or as a working woman's plain, tailored redingote. Personally, I love the Tea Gown version.

#1880-29

1880 - 1895 Artistic Classical Gown

While it really was worn by the Artistic set, this dress with its Grecian-style undergown are perfect for a masquerade. It's surprisingly simple to make, and I think it looks wonderful. (I know, I'm biased. :-)

My other news:

I’ve also opened two shops on Etsy, an online marketplace for handcrafted items. My first shop, MantuaMakerPatterns, was intended for my historical sewing patterns, but my mom asked by to sell her bead work and my dad’s silver jewelry. I said, “Sure thing!”

Four jewelry boxes later (and more still appear intermittently!), I opened a shop for them – I wasn’t sure how many more boxes would appear. Not feeling terribly original that day, I named it MomNDadsJewelry.

I hope you’ll have a look. I’ve included links to both shops in my side bars.

What have you accomplished lately that you’d like to share?

Creating Character

2011-09-28T00:02:00.000-05:00

This month’s question for the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog came from Sarah:

How do you develop your characters? Do you flesh out the details before (like writing as that character, writing backstory, or filling out a questionnaire about their preferences and history) or invent as you go?

When it comes to creating characters, I’m a combination of a plotter and a pantster. I create character sheets with physical info, fears and desires. I determine ages, rages, and backstory. Then I start writing.

But as military strategists will tell you, the best laid plans don’t survive engagement with the enemy. Or in my case, with my subconscious. My characters take on lives of their own, and some of them flatly refuse the plans I’ve made for them. One of my minor antagonists nearly took over the story, and he definitely became a protagonist, helping to save the heroine in the last chapter. If I ever rewrite that novel, I suspect I’ll need to start with him instead of the MC I’d chosen, and base more of the story on his actions.

Because of my pantster tendencies (and that sounds strange from a confirmed plotter), I don’t like questionnaires. Knowing that much about the character confines my imagination too much. Yet pinning down minor attributes, such as hobbies and clothing, can help me add details and subplots for richer and deeper characters.

How about you? How do you create and define your characters?

The Genre Crush

2011-08-23T22:06:00.000-05:00

Thank you to Lexcade for this fun award. Have a look at her blog, Going from Nobody to Somebody at: http://lexcade.blogspot.com

The goal of the Liebster is to showcase up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The rules:

http://lexcade.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-haz-award.html

Lydia selected this month’s topic for the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog:

"I have a genre-crush on______"

This is a fun topic, and one I think about frequently. I have two beloved genres I don’t try to write in: Cozy Mysteries and Historicals.

I adore Cozy Mysteries, especially those in the Aunt Dimity vein, by Nancy Atherton. Murder optional, and no (or very little) blood. They are all about figuring out a mystery, even a little one, and always have a happy ending. My idea of a good evening.

I don’t write them because I’m not well connected to the modern world. I don’t watch television. I don’t even own a cell phone. (And that little beast of technology makes mysteries harder – when it doesn’t make a new and scarier problem for the characters. LOL!). Quite honestly, I have very little interest in modern society. I just love trying to solve the mystery.

Historical novels, on the other hand, I don’t dare attempt – I’d never get past the research stage. I could research forever. I’m not interested in romance or war, so I’ve cut out three quarters of my possible readership. I think I’d have fun writing a mystery set in 1880s California or England. Or in 1780s England – another fun period for me, since I enjoy the clothing styles of both eras. Oh, dear. That shows my priorities, doesn’t it. ;-)

What genre would you like to write in, but haven’t tackled yet?

The Query and the Muse

2011-07-26T23:06:00.000-05:00

I’m happy to announce my muse is back at work. He’s not interested in querying, thank goodness, since I’m only a quarter of the way through the first pass of this rewrite, but he’s wild to write new chapters, and a hard slogger in editing standing chapters. And in my opinion, he has a great voice.

He’d better still be around when I start writing my query!

Speaking of queries, Laura - of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog - asked a hard question this month:

If you're querying now, or have in the past, how do you develop patience to wait for responses?

I’m not sure patience even enters the question for me. Dread, terror, and occasional despair, maybe. ;-) But not patience. I need to push querying out of my mind or I can’t carry on – or at least, not sensibly.

Like Lydia, I try to keep busy. If my fiction won’t flow, I work on non-fiction. Cleaning, on the other hand, is a desperation measure. Lydia, you’re a stronger woman than I am!

One thing I believe writers need to learn in order to survive the query journey is compartmentalization. (Sheesh, do think I could have found a longer word?) But compartmenting helps me function. If I dwell on something I can’t change, I only make myself miserable.

I already have a tendency to keep the different parts of my life separate. Prioritizing can be a problem (it’s waaaaaaay too easy to go play on the web – I really need to read all those agent blogs!), but knowing the internet is a time suck actually helps because I go offline to work. If I’m offline I can’t check my email every five minutes for agent responses.

So I schedule times to check my email. I write, or edit, whenever I can. And I spend a lot of time rubbing Churchill’s tummy – a guaranteed soothing activity.

How do you deal with waiting for agent responses?

Inner Inspiration

2011-06-22T00:05:00.000-05:00

I chose this month’s topic, and in a sense I cheated. I asked the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog: How would you personify your muse?

For many years, I couldn’t visualize my muse. I couldn’t define it, or even think of it as separate from myself. But since my fiction dried up, I can see my muse clearly:

Many of you have met Churchill, who I rescued from the Animal Shelter, mostly by accident. After my ancient, long-blind cat died, I heard on the news that blind cats were euthanized at the Pound automatically, because they couldn’t find homes. What an awful thought! Blind cats are quite easy to care for. Off I went to the Shelter, to sign up for the next blind cat who came in.

Churchill isn’t blind (though he has the normal Persian eye problems), but he came home with me anyway.

BUT, as you can see, he’s not exactly inspiring. Sweet-tempered, laid-back, and sleepy, he reflects the state of my fiction writing lately. I can power down on my non-fiction for hours, but when I try to write creatively, my eyes cross, the screen blurs, and I fall flat on my back. ZZZZZZZZZZZ.

This state is more frustrating because two years ago I wrote a book in three months, and revised over the next six months. Since then, I’ve started two other books, only to get stuck halfway through. I’m bored to tears with one, and the other has turned into a sequel to a trilogy that desperately needs a total rewrite. I’m threatening to cut the trilogy down to a single novel …

As you can tell, I’m thinking with my fingertips. I’m so frustrated with my lack of creativity, I don’t even want to go near my fiction.

What do you do when inspiration – and your muse – fails you?

When the words dry up

2011-05-24T23:23:00.000-05:00

The question posed by the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog this month was: "What do you do when you lose your writing mojo?"

This topic hits home with me. The mojo disappeared several months ago, and I haven’t figured out how to get it back. This isn’t writer’s block – I could pound out words, and did for weeks after the problem started.

I’ve completely lost faith in my writing.

The story is dull, the carefully outlined plot is boring, the voice is as flat as a C-movie robot’s. I bore myself.

Still, I’m not willing to completely give up. I turned to a non-fiction project, and I’m currently in the third draft. Since it’s an academic project, I’m not worried about voice. It’s running long, but I’ve decided not to worry about that either. Yet, anyway. I’ll break it into two parts, most likely, assuming I find an agent or publisher. I’m not thrilled about self-publishing, but I could go indy.

Once I finish my non-fiction project, I hope my creativity will return. It’s happened before. Or I might just decide that non-fiction is my strength, and I’ll sit back to read and enjoy other writers’ fiction. I refuse to give up, but I am willing to be realistic.

What do you do when you lose your writing mojo?

In my writing, I always ...

2011-03-22T21:52:00.000-05:00

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog strikes again, and I nearly forgot it was my turn. Oops!

The theme this month is: "In my writing, I have never______" or, in reverse if you so choose, "In my writing, I always______"

There’s so much I’ve never attempted in my writing, so let’s not go there. The list would be too long. ;-) Not that I’m unwilling to attempt most things, but really, I can’t find enough hours in a day to try. We all need to prioritize.

But things I always, or at least, usually do? I research too much. I get an idea or subject in mind, and I research it into powder. By the time I’m done with the research, I don’t want to write fiction about it anymore, though for non-fiction that habit works well.

Unfortunately, my current WIP is stalled, partly because I researched a minor point so deeply I lost interest in the whole story. I need to cut the whole chapter and start over, I think.

Do you get waylaid by research, or do you avoid it altogether? Have you found a middle ground?

Critiquing isn’t easy

2011-02-22T21:37:00.000-06:00

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog’s question for the month is: How do you approach critiquing someone's manuscript? For instance, do you focus on one thing at a time, or do you "let 'em have it" all at once? And once it's out there, do you ever regret sending off a critique because it moved the person in a direction you didn't intend or anticipate?

My goodness, Laura. You don’t ask easy questions. ;-)

I approach all crits with caution, and each novel differently. If the manuscript needs a LOT of work, I might do a line crit, pointing out spelling and grammar errors. The less help I feel I can be to the writer, the more detail-oriented my response is. There may be nothing overall “wrong” with the work, but if I can’t connect to it in some way, all I can offer is proofreading.

Ideally, though, I prefer to give overarching critiques. I like to point out when something worked brilliantly, or when limped along. I like to note good foreshadowing, or when an element popped out of the blue – and not in a good surprise way. I’m particularly fussy about endings that rush by too quickly, or that leave me scratching my head.

My goal is to help the novelist in a positive way. To make him or her say, “Ah-ha, that’s what was bothering me.” And best of all to say, “I can fix that!”

So far, I haven’t regretted a novel crit, though I cringe at my early attempts to crit short stories. I always worry that I’ve depressed the writer, which is the last thing I want to do. All stories have merit. They just might not be marketable in their current form.

Today I’d like to introduce Churchill, my new Muse, to all my bloggy friends. I think he looks like a cross between a stuffy Prime Minister and a thug in fancy dress, but he’s a sweet gentleman. He loves to sit in my lap when I’m writing. And rest his chin on the space bar. Yikes! When I’ve been writing too long he gets up on the desk and sits in front of the monitor. Talk about a hint. LOL!

Goals? Oh, dear.

2011-01-25T23:56:00.000-06:00

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog asked a hard question this month – and I must admit, it’s my own fault, since I chose the question. But I needed to ask it of myself: What are your writing goals for this year?

I hate writing down my goals. I suppose I’m a featherhead, because as soon as I put them in writing, I change my focus. There are too many unfinished projects in my WIP pile.

Now if I have a real deadline – set by an outside source (like the Sisterhood, ahem) – I’ll button down and perform. I’m not good with self-set goals.

But for the sake of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog, I hereby present my goals:

1) Finish four sewing patterns – all technical writing, and my source of income.

2) Finish Iron Core – I’m a bit stuck at the moment. I think I need to rethink and re-outline.

3) Work on my Regency Fabric Glossary – more of a research project, but it goes along with my little business of historical sewing patterns. It’s also my current heartthrob, for some odd reason.

4) Work on Rose Blue – which is also stuck and in need of rethinking. I suspect I need to add a sidekick. But there’s so much ahead of it on the list!

I’m a terribly single-track person, so half my “stuck” problem may be too many projects.

What writing goals have you set for this year? Are you still on track? Were you able to decide on any goals in particular, or do you have trouble committing, like I do?

Social Media Thoughts and Merry Christmas!

2010-12-22T00:01:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas, everyone! I wish you all peace and joy over the holidays.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog’s question for this month was:

How about social media confessions? Do you twitter, FB, etc besides blogging? Why or why not?

I should admit first thing that I’m not a social person. In fact, I’m a borderline hermit. So social networking does not come easily to me.

I didn’t join Facebook because their insistence on sharing all our information horrifies me. Admittedly, we can opt out – with some difficulty, I’m told – but they’ve overridden that setting in the past. I simply don’t trust Facebook.

Tweeting? I’m amazed anyone has the time to follow in Twitter. I certainly don’t have the patience to read reams of everyday chatter. If I want that, I’ll go visit my mom. (Hi, Mom!) (Did I mention I’m a hermit?)

Blogging. Le sigh. I usually forget to blog. I feel I don’t often have anything interesting to say. I do read my friends’ blogs, though it don’t comment as often as I should. And sometimes when I try, Blogger acts up.
More sighs. ;-)

How about you? Do you find the time to Tweet? Do you trust Facebook?

I Survived NaNo

2010-12-01T19:57:00.001-06:00

Better yet, I finished NaNoWriMo, though it was a close thing. Now I have a cute little badge for the blog.

I didn't manage to write every day, though that was my goal. Came down with a bug early on that laid me out for three days. Le sigh. ;-) I forgot to add words to the counter until the next day a few times. But overall I'm pleased with my output.

It needs editing of course, but first it needs finishing - I expect the first draft to clock in between 90,000 and 100,000. I'll need to cut or condense the boring stuff that currently contains nuggets I want to mine for characterization. I surprised myself with the information that popped out of my subconscious when my characters were chattering away. And that's one point of first drafts. The writer can't fix a story until it's on paper or in a file.

I'm a layered editor, so I know I'll need several passes to add description and internal characterization, to clarify emotions, and generally add the sparkle to the story. All of that has to wait for the completed draft and the cooling-off period. Getting to close to a work makes it impossible to edit.

For now, I'll breathe one sigh of contentment, and dig back into my novel.

On a different note, I'd like to remind you that today was Laura's post for the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog: Social Media Confessions. This is a topic I'll need to think about!

Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog

2010-11-24T00:08:00.000-06:00

Thank you again, Lydia, Laura, Danyelle, for inviting me to join the Sisterhood!

And my apologies to all my readers for disappearing – NaNo and holiday preparations are eating my lunch.

What was your favorite childhood book and why? (Is it still on your bookshelf?)

I have many favorite childhood books – I was a prolific reader early on – but the book I most clearly remember discovering was Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle.

I must have been eleven the day I explored my grammar school’s library, a cramped, windowless room in the basement. I was desperate for something new to read when this odd book fell into my hands and changed my life. I’d never read anything like it! It was a fascinating story filled with science and fantasy, bizarre adults and strong parents who still needed their children’s help. It made me feel both empowered and overwhelmed.

That book sent me on a lifelong search for great science fiction and fantasy. Contemporary novels simply didn’t hold the strength of speculative fiction.

At some point I went out and bought my own copy (I didn’t steal it from the library; today I checked the inside to make sure). I still reread it every ten or fifteen years, and each time it impresses me differently. This book is truly a classic!

What is your favorite childhood book?

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T18:48:00.000-05:00

Halloween is my favorite holiday. The nights are getting cool – a bigger deal in Texas than you chilly-weather folk can imagine. The occasional tree has changed colors, and my sweetgum is a gorgeous shade of burgundy. Kids drop by in costume, begging for candy. I adore costumes, even the store-bought kind.

Only five children wandered so far out into the boonies this year, a record for this house. When I lived in town I’d get hundreds of Trick or Treaters, but a few miles on a dirt road discourages most callers. But I was pleased to see my youngest grand-nieces and nephew, who arrived as a sorceress, a princess, a cute little devil in a red dress, and Mrs. and Baby Santa Claus.

I have a bit of news – I’m honored to have been invited to join the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog. That means you’ll hear from me on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Thank you, Lydia, Laura, Danyelle, and the retiring Zoe – I hope you new endeavors go well.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

NaNoWriMo

2010-10-24T21:53:00.000-05:00

NaNoWriMo starts November 1, and I’ve decided to join in. The goal is to write 50,000 words in one month – about half a fantasy novel.

I have about half an outline at this point, and hope to have it finished by Halloween. The beginning is clear, but the ending is shaky. I’d rather have the final chapters settled before I start writing, but I know my current three possibilities have been done many times. I need to think up a twist.

Now my problem is my twists usually come from a detail that crops up during the writing. That makes it hard to plan an ending! Right now I’m keeping track of my lame endings (#1 was so lame it limped off a cliff) and I'm hunting for a better one. They say throw away your first ten ideas, so I have a ways to go. :-)

Dealing with the Blues

2010-10-17T17:40:00.000-05:00

I have begun that terrifying journey called querying. After a hundred versions – I could have written a novel in that many words – I have a query that embraces the heart of my story. It’s time to send Anchoring the Rain out into the world.

To distract myself from the sensation that my guts are slinking under the nearest carpet, I’ve started a new project, plotting a novel currently called Iron Core. I’m also working on deep revisions in Wizard’s Route. I’d written it as two books, but the story line became too weak. So I cut 80,000 words and combined several characters. Now I’m creating new transitions and hunting for scenes that no longer make sense or are out of order.

I must admit, I enjoy editing almost as much as writing, but I adore plotting.

Happy writing, y’all!

Current links for writers - October 4

2010-10-04T20:32:00.004-05:00

Sorry - this will be my last post for a while. My internet connection is about to get spotty.

Constructing Your Story Goal at Advanced Fiction Writing

Dialogue: the bare essentials by Jordan McCollum

Internalization, Silence and Avoidance at TalkToYoUniverse - What don't your characters say aloud?

Antagonists in Contemporary Fiction at Kidlit.com

Crunches and Munches at The Alchemy of Writing - Do you read your work aloud?

Got Rhythm? at The Blood-Red Pencil

A Delectation of Supernatural Collective Nouns at Gabrielle Edits

Color Commentary: On the Colors of Horses by Judith Tarr at Book View Cafe

Defeating Your Inner Critic Part I - Track the Problem by Carolyn Kaufman at QueryTracker

Writing Nowadays–Counting Words by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe

Behind the Scenes... "The Call" at Rants & Ramblings

Waiting for My Book's Publication Date, Guest Post by Aggie Villanueva at AuthorCulture

CONTEST

Wisdom--Drivel--Whatever at Seekerville

Current links for writers - October 3

2010-10-03T19:24:00.003-05:00

One of the very best books on writing ever at Janet Reid's

Writers on Writing: black teeth vs everlite candles, or research vs experience by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

#181-FTW For the Win! at Query Shark

Book Ideas atPaperback Writer - and promotion ideas

Current links for writers - October 2

2010-10-02T23:04:00.004-05:00

Three Traits of Compelling Characters by Kathleen Ernst at POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS

Tips For Writing Effective Dialogue at The Blood-Red Pencil

Quick Revision Checklist at Operation Awesome

Excuses…there aren’t any at Behler Blog - read all of the submission guidelines

A Little Something About You at Jennifer Represents...

Online Safety and Presence at Mystery Writing is Murder

Comic: Compulsive Editing Support Group by Debbie Ohi at Writer Unboxed

Current links for writers - October 1

2010-10-02T09:20:00.004-05:00

The Problems With Sarcastic Voice at Kidlit.com

Busted!—Jordan Sonnenblick caught plot-flipping at The Blood-Red Pencil - a technique for writers

CONTESTS

Editing Prizes from CA Marshall for my Blogfest ...Check it out! at Brenda Drake Writes . . . - cool prizes!

Twi-Contest: All White For Twilight at Operation Awesome

Reality Doesn't Bite at Paperback Writer

Current links for writers - September 30

2010-09-30T18:52:00.004-05:00

Dual Protagonists? at Fiction Workbench

T3 - Types of Grief, Part 3 at The Character Therapist - Distorted grief and Disenfranchised grief

Polite and long at edittorrent - a short post on polite language

Obsessive Compulsive Editing Disorder (And How to Fight It) by Jeanne Kisacky at Writer Unboxed

If you don’t research your stories, you’re an idiot at Behler Blog

Sept #2: Top 25 Reasons Your Submissions are Rejected at The Blood-Red Pencil - plus 8 of why she'd ask to see more

Method of wrapping carrier pigeons at How to be a Retronaut - WW I & II story detail

Panama Canal fossils reveal ancient collision of worlds at BBC.com - just too cool!

CONTESTS

Glorious celebrations demand free books! at The Magic District

Original Contest delayed.... ...so we'll run a new one in it's place! - at Coffey. Tea. And Literary.

“It’s All About the Characters” Barbara White Daille at Seekerville

Current links for writers - September 29

2010-09-29T20:07:00.003-05:00

It's All About The Details by Jane Lebak at QueryTracker

Ambiguous Characters at Mystery Writing is Murder

Character arcs - how characters change at TalkToYoUniverse

The Rule of Two at The Laws of Making - what readers see as significant.

Don't Overuse Names in Dialogue at WordPlay

Talking to Agents and Editors at Conferences at Kidlit.com

Ten Ways to Get the Most from a Writers’ Conference at The Blood-Red Pencil

From Query Letter to Cover Copy by Elana Johnson

A BookEnds Rejection at BookEnds - what a typical (if kind) rejection looks like

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Book Sales and one way to help - at The Roving Editor

Soliciting Elves at AuthorCulture - a new(ish) press is taking submissions for SF/F

Save the Adverbs! at Book Dreaming - LOL!

CONTEST

The Rats are Back - Hilary Wagner and Nightshade City! at Market My Words

Current links for writers - September 28

2010-09-28T20:24:00.004-05:00

Better off dead? at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management - Dead parents in YA

Lists for Inspiration and characterization - at Mystery Writing is Murder

Complex sentencing at edittorrent - Double-negative Construction

A Rose By Any Other Name is Still Too Flowery. And Purple. at The Other Side of the Story

Tip Tuesday #56 at Literary Rambles - handling critiques

NaNoWriMo at Paperback Writer

The Importance of a Polished Manuscript - A Guest Blog at Chip MacGregor

More on the series question at Getting Past the Gatekeeper

The boutique query at Behler Blog - Get it right the first time.

Current links for writers - September 27

2010-09-27T18:59:00.004-05:00

FtQ chapter on creating tension at Flogging the Quill

Diverting Attention at Mystery Writing is Murder

Quirk Ten at Paperback Writer - Ten Things to Give Your Characters More Character

Writing Nowadays–Why the Pen Name? by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe

Professional Address at Gabrielle Edits - about your email address

Do some agents give up if a manuscript doesn't sell in the first round of submissions? at Ask a Literary Agent

Demystifying the Mystical Art of Negotiation at Authorial, agently and personal ramblings

Marketing 101: You and Your Marketing Manager at The Roving Editor

Coordinating a book blog tour: Dotting your Rs and Crossing your… Rs by Crystal Patriarche at Writer Unboxed

Working Social Media at BookEnds

Monday Guest Blogging Post by Regan Leigh at GotYA - Why Adult Women Connect with Young Adult Books

Among my people at Behler Blog - Have you ever noticed that people don’t understand your writerly life?

CONTESTS

Birthday Contest! at * Fiction Groupie * - win Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran or a 5 page critique

Trish Perry's The Perfect Blend Review and Giveaway! at The Character Therapist

Current links for writers - September 26

2010-09-26T18:35:00.004-05:00

Banned Books Week: “Put her in the fire!” by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

HIGH CONCEPT BOOKS at Help! I Need a Publisher! - What is high-concept?

So your character's "insane" - what does that mean? at TalkToYoUniverse

#179-FTW at Query Shark - a query that works for agent Janet Reid

Ever wanna know… at Behler Blog - just because it's too cool.
Short video: Bach Duo dance on a giant keyboard.

Current links for writers - September 25

2010-09-25T19:49:00.004-05:00

Pacing Dialogue and Action Scenes -- Your Story at Your Speed by Holly Lisle

One Big Reason Agents are Hard to Come By--Time at Mystery Writing is Murder

Literary agents open the door to self-published writers at The Book Deal

5 Things I Learned After Publication by Jenny Nelson at Writer Unboxed

Current links for writers - September 24

2010-09-25T09:28:00.004-05:00

Specificity in Setting at Kidlit.com

DEVELOPING CHARACTERS at Seekerville

Find Your Plot Fridays: All That Glimmers Could Be Plot at The Other Side of the Story

Revisions, revisions – button your raincoat at Behler Blog

Readerhoods at Paperback Writer

Current links for writers - September 23

2010-09-23T20:30:00.004-05:00

250 Chances at The Other Side of the Story - the critical first page of your novel

Fixing Problems at Seekerville - Characterization and dialogue, and a writer's book contest

Cussing tips at The Blood-Red Pencil

T3 - Types of Grief, Part 2 by Jeannie Campbell at The Character Therapist - Conflicted grief and Chronic grief

5 Questions That Always Surprise Me When I Write a Book at Mystery Writing is Murder

In Defense of Dead/Absent Parents in Children's Literature by Nathan Bransford

I Did What?! at Book Dreaming - the importance of crit partners

Pitching part of a series at Getting Past the Gatekeeper - different advice than I usually read

Thrillers and Mysteries: Compelling and Enticing by Deren Hansen at The Laws of Making

When do you prefer to find out that a writer was formerly represented by another agent? at Getting Past the Gatekeeper

Hostility, Mr. Konrath? I think not at Behler Blog

App Goes PBW at Paperback Writer - with a hilarious definition of "editor"

Current links for writers - September 22

2010-09-22T19:24:00.002-05:00

It's About Time at edittorrent - more on prologues, and why they do or don't work

Favorites at Mystery Writing is Murder - another way to get to know your characters

Intimacy and Invasion at TalkToYoUniverse

Re-Write Wednesday: Oh, What Now? at The Other Side of the Story

Pointers from the Pros: Agent and Author Donald Maass on Great Fiction (Pt. II) at My Daytime Drama

Tools of the trade – MS Word at Behler Blog

Do Political Beliefs Impact Representation at BookEnds

Why, Oh Why, Did I Get Rejected? at Rants & Ramblings

Options! Options! Options! at Jennifer Represents... - the option clause in your contract

CONTESTS

Sixth ''Dear Lucky Agent'' Contest: Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy at Guide to Literary Agents

2K Giveaway! at Neverending Page Turner - two chances to win five books

Forecast: Early Frostfire at Paperback Writer - win an ARC of Lynn Viehl's next book

Current links for writers - September 21

2010-09-21T19:35:00.003-05:00

Making it realistic by Cheree Smith at Justified Lunacy

What. Would. My. Main. Character. Do. by Danielle Meyers at Revelations of a Smoothie Girl

Authentic Details Reflect Character's Inner Life & Change within the Story at Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers

Flirting Fails by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

New Beginnings by Arizela at The Write Life

Pacing Ourselves at Mystery Writing is Murder

Guest Blog Post: How Deliberate Practice Can Make You an Excellent Writer at Writer Beware® Blogs!

Things Writers Should Keep Track Of: Part 2 at Books & Such - After Publication: Promotion

The Tripod of Publishing: Establishing Priorities at Adventures in Agentland

To Multi-book, or Not to Multi-book at Jennifer Represents...

Secret Agent Message at edittorrent - what she'd rather not see

10 Ways to Annoy a Literary Agent at Rants & Ramblings

Current links for writers - September 20

2010-09-20T20:13:00.004-05:00

CONFLICT – WHY SHOULD WE CARE? at Help! I Need a Publisher!

Mental Health Monday–Daydreaming is required for good brain functioning at Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone

Write What Your Don't Know at The Other Side of the Story

The quick and dirty guide to structure, or stories are made of threes by Charlene Teglia at GenReality

Writing and Revising in Layers at Mystery Writing is Murder

11 Questions for Crafting a Pitch at Rants & Ramblings

Waiting on an Agent's Reply by Jane Lebak at QueryTracker

Resubmitting a Revision at Kidlit.com

So...Snarky lost his temper this afternoon. - at Getting Past the Gatekeeper - how to send a Full

Things Writers Should Keep Track Of: Part 1 at Books & Such

Writing Nowadays–The Dreaded Reserve by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe

Sticking it to the Ban at Pimp My Novel

Giving a Literary Gift by Julia Buckley at POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS

Current links for writers - September 19

2010-09-19T21:47:00.004-05:00

Props in Fantasy at Chandara Writes

The Two Kinds Of Inspiration by Cassandra Brown at Writer Unboxed

What do Writers Owe Readers? by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

Tapping Our Inner Dog by Steven Popkes at Book View Cafe - who domesticated who?

SPEAK Up. at Adventures in Writing - the shame of censorship

I believe this with all my heart by Janet Reid - also about Speak

Current links for writers - September 18

2010-09-18T20:39:00.005-05:00

A Piggyback Post: When Should They Meet? at edittorrent - this advice applies to your inciting incident, too

A MAJOR FLAW IN TEACHING CREATIVE WRITING (FICTION) EFFECTIVELY LIES IN OUR TERMINOLOGY by Les Edgerton - What we say ain’t always what we mean…

Query Letters by Denise Little

letters from the query wars 9/17/2010 at Arcaedia - when your submission contained a mistake

offended by rank OBJECTIFICATION of writers at A Grammar - LOL

Comic: The Paperless Office by Debbie Ohi at Writer Unboxed

Current links for writers - September 17

2010-09-17T22:57:00.003-05:00

5 Motivations For Your Character to Cross the Road at Cassandra Jade in the Realm

Creating Compelling Characters at The Blood-Red Pencil

Find Your Plot Friday: Tying Up Loose Ends at The Other Side of the Story

All About Execution at Kidlit.com

Don't Be Stupid, Pilgrim at Seekerville

When Persistence Becomes a Vice at Writer Beware® Blogs!

Looking for an Agent—Thoughts and Resources at Mystery Writing is Murder

Publishing Pulse 9/17/10 at QueryTracker

Timing, baby… at Behler Blog - when talking about your book

CONTESTS

Ask An Editor: “The Meet” between Your Hero and Heroine at Romance University

1000 Followers Contest & Mentorship Opportunity! at The Bookshelf Muse - great prizes!

Winning Friday: First Chapter Story Consultation at WordPlay

Current links for writers - September 16

2010-09-16T19:39:00.004-05:00

Inciting Incidents at Mystery Writing is Murder

T3 - Types of Grief, Part 1 at Character Therapist

Characters: Flawed = Strong, Stupid = Weak at The Laws of Making

In the Company of (Best) Friends at The Sharp Angle - sidekicks and conflicts

Grammar and You at The Other Side of the Story

When Dreams Become Expectations by Nathan Bransford

Before You Write a Single Word: Develop a Reader Profile at There Are No Rules

Workarounds–Up Close and Personal at Books & Such - writer's conferences

Current links for writers - September 15

2010-09-15T21:26:00.004-05:00

Plotting from Character at edittorrent

Why Hypocrites Make Excellent Bad Guys at WordPlay

Manuscript Problems—Which to Jump on Right Away at Mystery Writing is Murder

Re-Write Wednesday: So Where Were We Again? at The Other Side of the Story

Does Your Day Job Matter? at Kidlit.com

Glass Houses, Elephants, and the Internet by Carolyn Kaufman at QueryTracker

And this begat success at Behler Blog - another reason to do book signings

How-To Book Review: Make A Scene at All I'm Saying...

CONTESTS

The 2011 Scotsman Calendar is here (giveaway!) at Scotland for the Senses

More WriteOnCon wonderful-ness! Leave a comment on each post to enter.

ARC and Pre-Order of Moonglass by Jessi Kirby

Pre-Order of Hourglass by Myra McEntire

Pre-Order of Mercy Lily by Lisa Albert

Pre-Order of OyMG! by Amy Fellner Dominy

Query Critique by Author Shawn Goodman

Signed ARC of Possession by Elana Johnson + Query Critiques

Signed ARC of The Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker

Signed ARC of The Revenant by Sonia Gensler

Signed Copy of Broken Wings by Helen Landalf

Signed Copy of RIVAL by Sara Bennett Wealer + Critique

Signed Copy of The Eternal Kiss from Author Robin Bridges

Signed Copy of The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander

Signed Copy of Vanished by Sheela Chari

Current links for writers - September 14

2010-09-14T19:11:00.005-05:00

Example of reader-character separation at edittorrent

Through My Eyes. Or Your Eyes. Or Somebody's Eyes. at The Other Side of the Story - about POV

Gender, Sex, Identity and A Bunch of Other Fascinating Issues by Deborah J. Ross at Book View Cafe

Treatment Tuesday - Postpartum Psychosis at The Character Therapist

Sweating Through Writer's Block at No Letters On My Keyboard

Deal Breakers: Do You Know What Yours Are? at * Fiction Groupie *

7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Thomas W. Young at Guide to Literary Agents

The Promotional Quantity at Pimp My Novel

CONGRATULATIONS!

David Bridger's The Weaverfields Heir is sold!

CONTESTS

Today's Agent Pitch Contest! at Market My Words -Win a 1st chapter/query critique from agent Sarah LaPolla

Please welcome The Grammar Queen at Seekerville - Win a copy of Grammatically Correct

So Many Giveaways! at Literary Rambles - Win an ARC of EXTRAORDINARY by Nancy Werlin or a hardcover of WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON by John Green and David Levithan.

Via Elana Johnson - Win LOSING FAITH by Denise Jaden and BREAK by Hannah Moskowitz.

By Jennifer Jackson at Arcaedia - Win a copy of Antiphon by Ken Scholes

At Confessions From Suite 500 - Win a copy of Lisa Desrochers' debut novel Personal Demons

WriteOnCon is have a flurry of contests! Leave a comment on each of the giveaways you wish to enter.

ARC of CHARLIE JOE JACKSON’S GUIDE TO NOT READING by Tom Greenwald

Between Shades of Gray ARC (by Ruta Sepetys) + Swag!!

Critique by author Caroline Starr Rose

Critique by author Tessa Gratton

Critiques, Books, Preorders, Oh My! (from Kendare Blake)

Critiques + Bad Taste in Boys (by Carrie Harris) Swag!

Pre-Order of WARPED by Maurissa Guibord + Unicorn Charm!!

Query + First Chapter Critique from Author Dawn Metcalf

Signed ARC of Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Signed Books from Author Randy Russell

Signed Copy of Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

Pre-Order of Memento Nora by Angie Smibert

Current links for writers - September 13

2010-09-13T20:37:00.003-05:00

5 Ways to Make Your Novel Unforgettable at A. Victoria Mixon

Rule Breaker at AuthorCulture

The First Page at The Blood-Red Pencil

The Character and the Reader-- expanding the response at edittorrent

Mental Health Monday–Multiple Personalities at Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone

How to be a User: The 48 Laws of Power at The Laws of Making - tips for creating an evil overlord.

Writing Nowadays–What Writing Pays by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe

Succeeding as a Writer: Confidence and Determination by Carolyn Kaufman at QueryTracker

In Search of Specific Information at Rants & Ramblings - why an agent can't give it to you

Guest Post: “Be Gentle… It’s My First Time” by Philippa Ballantine at Gabrielle Edits - What to Expect From Your First Professional Edit

An Epic Announcement of Epic Epicness at WriteOnCon

CONTESTS

Agent Pitch Contest - Sarah LaPolla (Curtis Brown LTD) at Market My Words

An Awesome Thanks: 100 Followers Contest!! at Operation Awesome

Current links for writers - September 12

2010-09-12T19:45:00.004-05:00

Females in Fantasy–Guest Post by Cassandra Jade!! at Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone

Agent advice + FtQ chapter on inciting incident at Flogging the Quill

Word Counts for Children's Books at Literary Rambles

Research: When in Doubt, Make It Up at WordPlay

Working with an Out-of-House Publicist by Sarah Pekkanen at Writer Unboxed

Frontlist, Backlist, Midlist at Jennifer Represents...

The many rewards of a hike in Dollar Glen at Scotland for the Senses - pure inspiration

Current links for writers - September 11

2010-09-11T23:17:00.003-05:00

The Role of Gossip or Spreading Tales at Mystery Writing is Murder

Pet Peeves at The Blood-Red Pencil

Flake-out Friday–Tension makes all the difference… at Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone - LOL

9/11

I will never forget at Behler Blog - This clip always moves me.

What we mean when we say we will never forget at Janet Reid's

Current links for writers - September 10

2010-09-10T22:56:00.005-05:00

Creating an Authentic Teen Guy's Voice by Julie Cross at * Fiction Groupie *

A Living, Breathing Main Character ~ Stephanie Morrill at Novel Journey

Killer Openings at Pub Rants

Cheerios and Space - and Language and Culture? at TalkToYoUniverse - especially useful for SF and Fantasy writers

When Author Intrusion Rears Its Ugly Head at The Sharp Angle

"The The Impotence of Proofreading," by TAYLOR MALI at Rants & Ramblings - I didn't watch the video; for me, this title says it all

Apply Triage Techniques to Your Manuscript at The Roving Editor

Tips for Fiction Series at Fiction Workbench

Getting Published is Not a Crap Shoot at Writer Beware® Blogs!

Talking to Agents at Conferences at kt literary

Interview with Literary Agent Elisabeth Weed, Part 2 by Therese Walsh at Writer Unboxed - thoughts on queries

Blogging Tips by Elana Johnson

Reading for Writers: WRITING GREAT BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS at Kidlit.com

CONTEST

Winning Friday: CD at WordPlay

Current links for writers - September 9

2010-09-09T20:27:00.006-05:00

Character Motivation at Gabrielle Edits

Finding the Funny in Your Writing by Margeanne Mitchell at * Fiction Groupie *

Increasing Conflict In Fiction at Fiction Workbench

What ''Show, Don't Tell'' Really Means, by Agent Mary Kole at Guide to Literary Agents

Seven Keys to Writing Good Dialogue by Nathan Bransford

Getting Violently Epic at The Other Side of the Story

Are You Connected? at The Blood-Red Pencil - Sometimes you can’t do the actual research yourself.

On Breaking the Rules at Pimp My Novel

Behind the Scenes at a Pub Committee Meeting - at Rants & Ramblings

Fish or Cut Bait by Allison Winn Scotch at Writer Unboxed - about that second novel

An Opportunity to Read for Weronika Janczuk

CONGRATS!

I Haven't Snogged on Myself in a While - Stephen Parrish and The Tavernier Stones

Current links for writers - September 8

2010-09-08T19:40:00.004-05:00

Common Manuscript Mistakes, and How to Avoid Them at Adventures in Agentland

Post: Structuralism by Chaz Brenchley at Book View Cafe

Making Sense of Story Structure at Advanced Fiction Writing

Creating Your Main Character by Carolyn Kaufman at Query Tracker

Re-Write Wednesday Golden Oldie: In the Flesh at The Other Side of the Story

That Sneaky Backstory at * Fiction Groupie *

World vs. creatures; contemporary vs. paranormal at Getting Past the Gatekeeper

How I Evaluate Full Manuscripts at Kidlit.com

More on Revision Letters at Rants & Ramblings

Who Do You Love? Or, Reader Obligation. at GotYA - on revision requests

Timing is Everything at Pimp My Novel - after the sale

The Self-Publishing Conundrum by Lynnette Bonner at AuthorCulture

Exploring: New Books for Writers at The Blood-Red Pencil

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Writers at Upstart Crow

The Fabulous Mary Kole is Teaching a Webinar by Jamie Harrington at WriteOnCon

CONTEST

PERSONAL DEMONS Prize Package! by Elana Johnson

Current links for writers - September 7

2010-09-07T20:27:00.004-05:00

Not at This Address by Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming

I Wish by Madeleine E. Robins at Book View Cafe - characterization wish fulfillment

Flirting 101: Bust a Move by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Heroic Traits and Scene Development at edittorrent

Capitalizing on the Strengths in Your Manuscript at Mystery Writing is Murder

Tip Tuesday #53 at Literary Rambles

How to Deal With Contradictory Query Advice by Nathan Bransford

DC4W: Be Friendly, Let Them Talk, and Give Them a Chance to Say, "Yes" by Deren Hansen - includes tips on queries

Earning Money By Writing Fiction? Part 1 at Fiction Workbench

Either ... Or at Joyously Prolific - how the world of publishing is changing

Leaving Your Mark Behind while blogging - by Elana Johnson

CONTEST

Plum Blossoms Everywhere at Stephen Parrish

CONGRATULATIONS!

''How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack'' Comes Out Today!!! by Chuck Sambuchino

Current links for writers - September 6

2010-09-06T23:10:00.004-05:00

Five Ways to Discover Your Unique Voice at The Roving Editor

Medical Mondays: Ondine's Curse at The Word is My Oyster

Close Calls: Abductions That Failed by Julia Buckley at POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS

Emotional Investment in Our Story—When to Have it, When to Lose it at Mystery Writing is Murder

Reading Out Loud: An Effective Editorial Tool by Mary Lindsey at QueryTracker

Tricks of the Trade: Self-Editing Checklist at The Blood-Red Pencil

Writing Nowadays–The Cost of Writing by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe

The Professional Online Presence by Sierra Godfrey at * Fiction Groupie *

Blogging Trifecta Explosion! by Elana Johnson - how to cultivate blog followers

CONTEST

The Final Blue Fire ARC Contest at The Other Side of the Story

Current links for writers - September 5

2010-09-05T22:28:00.004-05:00

Dragging out ending at edittorrent

Is Your Story Mysterious Enough? at Wordplay

Comic: Not An Old Wives’ Tale After All by Debbie Ohi at Writer Unboxed

Writer crash test by Holly Lisle - problems in novels & their fixes -- Holly is a great teacher

Current links for writers - September 4

2010-09-05T12:13:00.003-05:00

Young Characters Are People Too at edittorrent

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Herbalist Shop (Fantasy) by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Reviews – How should an author react? by Chris Dolley at Book View Cafe - about reviews

MONEY MATTERS FOR AUTHORS at Help! I Need a Publisher!

Reader Requests at The Blood-Red Pencil - "I recently asked readers in a Kindle forum what they would like to see more of in novels. Here are their answers, verbatim."

Current links for writers - September 3

2010-09-03T23:04:00.004-05:00

Parallelism ... not as hard as parallel parking at Brenda Drake Writes

How to Know When It Works at Kitlit.com

Looks and Personality at Mystery Writing is Murder

Busted! Mark L. Danielewski caught building on cliché at The Blood-Red Pencil

Find Your Plot Fridays: Come On, What's the Worst That Can Happen? at The Other Side of the Story

Birth Complications – Shoulder Dystocia at Muse Medicine

Author Websites for the "Pre-Published" at * Fiction Groupie * - a good reason to create one

CONTESTS

Humdinger Contest via Book Dreaming - lots of contests

September Seekerville Contest Update at Seekerville

Announcing New CD and Winning Fridays at Wordplay

Current links for writers - September 2

2010-09-02T19:53:00.004-05:00

Lullaby Language: Putting Your Readers to Sleep by Gerald M. Weinberg at Book View Cafe - great tips to use these words to create the effect you want

What's in a name? at edittorrent - the comments are interesting, too.

Writing About People We Know at Mystery Writing is Murder

Washing Clothes across cultures at TalkToYoUniverse - details to consider in your fiction

The Pernicious Momentum of First Ideas by Nathan Bransford

This is Why You Always Meet Your Deadlines at Pimp My Novel

Fiction Book Proposal Questions at Fiction Workbench

Be Confident: Let your writing do the talking for your query - by Janet Reid

What Drives an Agent Crazy? Part 4 at Books & Such - when a client leaves an agent badly

Author Headshots at Rants & Ramblings - tips for the (dreaded) photo

Current links for writers - September 1

2010-09-01T19:20:00.006-05:00

Keep Unfolding by Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming

Of Disasters and Scenes at Fiction Workbench

The Inner Journey by Donald Maass at Writer Unboxed

Re-Write Wednesday Golden Oldie: Get Over Overstating at The Other Side of the Story

The art of paragraphing by Jordan McCollum

Resources for Bloggers at Mystery Writing is Murder

How I Found My Agent by Sarah Page at Literary Rambles

Your Questions, My Answers at Rants & Ramblings - including query tips

Agent Barbara Poelle On: 6 Things Writers Can Do To Make Their September Rock at Guide to Literary Agents

From the Vault: Don't quit! at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management

After the Book Deal at Black Gate

Follow-Up on Writers Earning Money at The Rejecter

Promotion is like Costco at Behler Blog - great tips!

Secrets to Author Promotion by Danyelle Leafty at QueryTracker - more helpful tips

Self-Publishing Realities by Bob Mayer at GenReality

CONTEST

Happy September! at KT Literary - win a galley of Small Persons With Wings

Current links for writers - August 31

2010-08-31T19:27:00.004-05:00

Step Off the Gas at The Blood-Red Pencil

EDITING FOR TOUGHIES at Help! I Need a Publisher! - The difference between a first draft and the final draft should be vast.

5 Ways to Maximize Your Time with an Editor or Agent at The Roving Editor

Talking to Book Clubs at Mystery Writing is Murder

To Endorse or Not to Endorse at Rants & Ramblings

Happy Release Day for The Paperback Shifter by Janice Hardy at The Other Side of the Story

CONTEST

Bio Time at Shooting Stars

Current links for writers - August 30

2010-08-30T19:26:00.004-05:00

Tension in your first sentence at Flogging the Quill

Chapters and Scenes at Kidlit.com

What High Concept Means by Nathan Bransford - think "Snakes on a Plane"

Learning From the Masters by Carolyn Kaufman at QueryTracker

Whom is the Person Which I Know? at The Blood-Red Pencil - quick tips to remember the rules

The science of paragraphing by Jordan McCollum

How to Write a Proposal That an Editor Will Love: Part 2 at The Roving Editor

From the Vault: What we do at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management - more things an agent does

Exclusives seem, to GK, nearly exclusively unwise. at Getting Past the Gatekeeper

Ignorant is as ignorant does at Behler Blog

Writing Online Book Reviews at Rants & Ramblings - tips for writers

Story Structure--Demystified, by Larry Brooks at AuthorCulture - a new writing book on my "I want it!" list

CONTESTS

"The Familiars" - Arc giveaway and Guest Post by Andrew Jacobson at Market My Words - plus a post on log lines.

A New Contest: win a query or one-page critique from Snarky! at Getting Past the Gatekeeper - write a rejection letter for Snarky

Current links for writers - August 29

2010-08-29T20:00:00.004-05:00

Building materials at TalkToYoUniverse

What’s Your Specialty? at Mystery Writing is Murder

Should You Edit As You Go? at Wordplay

Reading your competition at Behler Blog

To Have or Have Not a Facebook Page by Meryl Evans at Writer Unboxed

Setting Thesaurus Entry: Bookstore by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse - just because I love bookstores. :-)

Current links for writers - August 28 - News!

2010-08-28T21:37:00.006-05:00

I am thrilled to announce that my story,

Amber Profits,

was selected to be published in

Aurora in the Dawn

Aurora Wolf's first anthology.

Now available at:

http://www.createspace.com/3454560

Current links for writers - August 27

2010-08-27T21:48:00.004-05:00

Climbing Aboard the Dragon: Maps and the Fantasy Writer by Michael Jasper at Black Gate

Mature Voice for the YA Market at Kitlit.com

The Plot That Swam Away at The Blood-Red Pencil

Find Your Plot Fridays: Parts is Parts at The Other Side of the Story

The Power Of Story—In Any Medium at Pub Rants

On Queries, Part 2 at The Sharp Angle

Social Media Networking has taken all the fun out of my Internet social life. at GenReality

Using Facebook to Amplify Your Reach (and Not Annoy People) by Jane Friedman at Writer Unboxed

Our Name is Awesome....Operation Awesome. at Adventures In Writing

CONTESTS

The TiT's Writing Contest! at Janet Reid, Literary Agent

Win a Free Copy of C.F. Bentley’s ENIGMA via Book View Cafe

Current links for writers - August 26

2010-08-26T19:18:00.005-05:00

Understanding Showing and Telling at Advanced Fiction Writing

Show and Tell by Candace Havens at GenReality

Building Character: Know More Than Your Reader by JC Hutchins at Writer Unboxed

ON WRITING FANTASY: Setting & the Five Senses by John R. Fultz at Black Gate

The Nose Knows at The Blood-Red Pencil

Symbolism Thesaurus Entry: Doomsday by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Writing While Traveling at Mystery Writing is Murder

How can agents help – and make us lurve them even more at Behler Blog

Brainstorming with your agent - at BookEnds

How Many is Too Many? at Jennifer Represents...

When You Need a Mentor at Rants & Ramblings - Guest blogger: Mary DeMuth

Contemporary vs. Paranormal YA, trends, mojitos, and surfing at Getting Past the Gatekeeper

Why This is a Returnable Business at Pimp My Novel

CONTESTS

PARANORMALCY Giveaway by Elana Johnson

Are You DUFF Enough? (Contest Numero Uno!) at Kody's Blog

Current links for writers - August 25

2010-08-25T20:05:00.004-05:00

Coherence in backstory at edittorrent - The purpose of backstory is to show how the past affects this character in the present.

Controlling The Weather in Your Manuscript at QueryTracker

Unputdownability at Who Ate My Brain? - every book needs this!

Release Your Peeves at The Blood-Red Pencil - writing "rules" that aren't right, from a copy editor

On Queries, Part 1 at The Sharp Angle

Pulling the Trigger: Electronic Self-Publishing at AuthorCulture - things you need to do for success

A Target on Your Back at Rants & Ramblings

Q&A: My Thoughts on Book Publishing Today at There Are No Rules - Jane’s Simple Rules for Forum Participation

Current links for writers - August 24

2010-08-24T20:10:00.004-05:00

Telegraphing (and other pace killers) by Therese Walsh at Writer Unboxed

Tip Tuesday #51 at Literary Rambles - Informing Your Manuscript, or, How to Use Your Friends and Strangers

What I've Learned From Critique Groups by Nancy Fulda

Writer’s responsibility at Behler Blog

Words to Think About From A to V at The Blood-Red Pencil - terms writers should know

Picking an Agent at Story Sensei

The What Ifs in queries - at Elaine English Literary

THE FANTASY AUTHOR’S HANDBOOK INTERVIEWS VIII: ETHAN ELLENBERG at Fantasy Author's Handbook

The Package of Services Publishers Provide Authors and How This Is Changing by Nathan Bransford

Are You a Do-It-Yourself Type? at Rants & Ramblings - about self-publishing

CONTESTS

In Bad Taste: Horrendously Hilarious Query Contest at Adventures in Agentland

Your Monday Giveaway. On a Tuesday. at Coffey. Tea. And Literary.

MOCKINGJAY Day Give-Away!!!! at GotYA

Mockingjay Giveaway! at Market My Words

What I learned while on Retreat by Sasha White at GenReality

Current links for writers - August 23

2010-08-23T19:33:00.004-05:00

Inserting Nonfiction Into Your Novel at Advanced Fiction Writing

On the Naming of Horses by Judith Tarr at Book View Cafe - plus thoughts on character names

Creeps to Watch Out For at Gabrielle Edits - especially about names

Start with kitty-cats in action at Flogging the Quill - LOL, but good advice

Unleash Your Creative Genius! by Suzette Saxton at Query Tracker

Mental Health Monday–It’s All About Perspective at Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone

Special Guest Post: Stop Harping On What We Can't Do And Start Thinking About Who We Are, by Rachel M. at the Rejectionist - about "disabled" characters

Medical Mondays: Of Bulging Neck Veins and Contest Winners at The Word is My Oyster

Guest Blog by Kater Cheek at KT Literary - Congratulations, you’ve finished your novel! Now for the hard parts.

The Drug of Good Writing: the Weronika Janczuk interview by A. Victoria Mixon

At BookEnds - The Reason for "Rules" in query subject lines

TWITTER FOR AUTHORS - PART 1: WHY? at Help! I Need a Publisher!

CONTESTS

How Language Affects Thought -- plus book giveaway! at *A Brain Scientist's Take on Writing*

Great Gassy Goblins it's another writing contest! by Janet Reid

Current links for writers - August 22

2010-08-22T20:38:00.003-05:00

Animals as Characters at Cassandra Jade in the Realm

Director's Corner: Ending Scenes with Power at Odyssey Writing Workshop

Writers, Have You Read This? by agent Weronika Janczuk

“Holy hot banana leaves, I gotta film option!” at Behler Blog - what getting a film option really means

Current links for writers - August 21

2010-08-21T21:01:00.003-05:00

Em and En at edittorrent - about dashes

Character Flaw at Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers

At Behler Blog - Finding a new home for a previously published book

CONTEST

Read, Remember, Recommend (for teens) at Confessions of a Wandering Heart

Current links for writers - August 20

2010-08-21T09:10:00.004-05:00

Tips to spark your creativity at Chandara Writes

Reading Reminder at Cassandra Jade in the Realm - How often should you remind your readers?

Find Your Plot Fridays: Follow the Leader at The Other Side of the Story

TOP TIP 2: PAGE-TURNABILITY at Help! I Need a Publisher!

The Evolution of Rejection at * Fiction Groupie *

Guest Post: Inevitable Envy by Kim Wright at Pimp My Novel

How Much Does a Writer Make? at The Rejecter

CONTESTS

Ask An Editor: Positioning Your Book - at Romance University - great article, contest for a spot in Theresa’s September workshop

Mary Kole's Agent Pitch Contest! at Market My Words

Contest reminder! at The Word is My Oyster

Current links for writers - August 19

2010-08-19T19:58:00.004-05:00

Symbolism Thesaurus Entry: Pride by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

T3 - Stages of Change: Contemplation at The Character Therapist

On cliff-hanger chapter endings by Ray Rhamey at Writer Unboxed

Guest Post: "Honey, I Deleted Your Novel!": An Author's Guide to Avoiding Disaster by Chris Abouzeid at Pimp My Novel

Super-Powered Book Proposals Secret #3: Always Evaluate Online Competitors at There Are No Rules

Current links for writers - August 18

2010-08-18T23:45:00.004-05:00

Voice and Character in MG Boy Books at Kidlit.com

The Romantic Hero's Purpose at edittorrent

Guest Post: What Makes a Good First Sentence by Henriette Lazaridis Power at Pimp My Novel

Be a Better Beta at Got YA

THE FANTASY AUTHOR’S EXERCISES III: A ONE-PAGE SYNOPSIS at Fantasy Author's Handbook

Referrals from Clients at BookEnds

CONTESTS

A writing contest that will knock your sox clean off! by Janet Reid

Mary Kole - Agent interview and Pitch Contest at Market My Words

Current links for writers - August 17

2010-08-17T20:14:00.003-05:00

Creating Dynamic Peripheral Characters at Adventures in Agentland

What is dynamic? at GenReality

Golden Oldies: Are We Done Yet? at The Other Side of the Story

I am JALTG heading toward E by Janet Reid - Consider your advisor's experience. LOL!

Publishers Behaving Badly--Again at Pub Rants - a public service message from Agent Kristin

Thoughts on Group Blogs at Mystery Writing is Murder

Guest Post: Talking Books: Promoting Your Work on Radio by Jacqueline Windh at Pimp My Novel

7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Kim Wright at Guide to Literary Agents

Ride the Hard: Inspirational Words from Nora Roberts at * Fiction Groupie *

'The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination' by J.K. Rowling, at the Harvard Gazette - well worth reading!

CONTESTS

...and the survey says!: The Lodown on LoCash plus GIVEAWAY! at Seekerville

Dawn of the Blue Fire Contest at The Other Side of the Story

Current links for writers - August 16

2010-08-16T19:52:00.008-05:00

Make Your Characters Earn Their Keep---Guest Post by Wendy Lyn Watson at Mystery Writing is Murder

In Case You Missed It… at Kitlit.com - WriteOnCon vlog on character stereotypes

An *Ask Weronika* Question: Online Platform + Web Presence by Weronika Janczuk

#170 at Query Shark - includes a checklist for your query:
There's a simple way to figure out what goes in the first paragraph of a query.
1. What is your main character's name?
2. What problem/choice does the character face? (20 words or fewer)
3. Who wants to foil the main character's plan and why? (20 words or fewer)

The Revision Letter at Rants & Ramblings

Going Mobile at QueryTracker

More on Product Placement in Books at BookEnds

Interview With Nick Harrison of Harvest House Publishing at AuthorCulture

If You're Digging an Endless Ditch, Bill Schulz is Your Best Friend at The Alchemy of Writing

CONTESTS

300's Contest! at The Word is My Oyster

New Contest! YA/MG Pitch to Query Letter Starting 8/19 at Adventures in Children's Publishing

I'm soooo lucky this week! I won some books at Market My Words 1000 Follower surprise giveaway!. Thanks, Shelli!

Current links for writers - August 15

2010-08-15T20:33:00.004-05:00

Sensawunda by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe - Sense of Wonder

How to use historical figures in your novels at Plot to Punctuation

Are You Benefiting From the Intimacy of Pronouns? at WordPlay

Optimizing Your One-Sentence Storyline at Advanced Fiction Writing

#169 at Query Shark - Read the blue parts! Why an agent hates to take on MSS that need work.

Reasons You Want an Agent (That You Haven't Heard a Million Times Before) at Invincible Summer

Why book signings are becoming such a performance by Mario Cacciottolo at BBC News

JUST FOR FUN

A Man, A Plan And A Sharpie: 'The Great Typo Hunt' at NPR

Current links for writers - August 14

2010-08-14T22:39:00.004-05:00

On Writing Convincing Male Characters at Advanced Fiction Writing

How To Confuse Your Reader also at Advanced Fiction Writing

Conflict at GenReality

The Cheater's Guide to Requested Materials at Adventures in Agentland

Reference Book Essentials at The Blood-Red Pencil

CONTEST

The Slay Me With Laughter Writing Contest! at Janet Reid, Literary Agent

Current links for writers - August 13

2010-08-14T10:11:00.004-05:00

Sorry! I read waaay too late last night.

On Plot + Pacing, Part II by Weronika Janczuk

Find Your Plot Fridays: What to do, What to do? at The Other Side of the Story

WriteOnCon Query Winner #1!! at Coffey. Tea. And Literary. - Why a query works for this agent.

Referrals vs. Cold Querying at Kidlit.com

“Wheee doggies! My UK book is being sold in the US!” at Behler Blog - about Foreign distribution.

Current links for writers - August 12

2010-08-12T21:08:00.003-05:00

Language Play at Book Dreaming

Notes from Thrillerfest: POV at Fire and Silk

Foreshadowing at Cassandra Jade in the Realm

Writers are Hookers at The Blood-Red Pencil

Individualizing the Query at BookEnds

What Do You Mean My Hero Isn’t Sexy Enough? at Rants & Ramblings -
Surviving the Editorial Letter by Camille Eide

CONTESTS

A SOCIAL NETWORKING EXPERIMENT at Help! I Need a Publisher!

1000 Follower surprise giveaway! at Market My Words

Come one, Come all, It's an Ice Cream Social in Seekerville at Seekerville

Current links for writers - August 11

2010-08-11T22:12:00.004-05:00

Backstory delivery 201 by Jordan McCollum

On Plot + Pacing by Weronika Janczuk - three long posts

I Hear Voices (Well Actually, I Listen For Them) at Got YA!

A Little Goes a Long Way: Writing Laughs in Chick Lit at Elaine English Literary

ON WRITING FANTASY: Character Is King by John R. Fultz at Black Gate

The Rules of Genre at Books & Such

Re-Write Wednesday: Where Was I Going Again? at The Other Side of the Story

Guest Blogger Jim Warner on Editing at QueryTracker

5 Resources to Assist Your Research (Pants Not Required) at SFWA

Lessons from Queryfest at * Fiction Groupie *

Should You Send a Slew? at Kidlit.com

Should Pubbed Authors Go to Conferences? at Rants & Ramblings

Current links for writers - August 10

2010-08-10T19:36:00.004-05:00

The Craft of Writing: Structure, Shape, and Interest by Deborah J. Ross at Book View Cafe

He Said, She Said at Pimp My Novel

Braincandy for Writers: Post #4 by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start a Revision by editor Kendra Levin from WriteOnCon, via Elana Johnson

Writing a Query Letter by author Jodi Meadows also from WriteOnCon, via Elana Johnson

Reading your competition at Behler Blog

Book Signing Guidelines at 5rivers News, Views and Points of Interest

Public Service Announcement, or, How to Insult Your Local Independent Bookstore at Jennifer Represents...

Current links for writers - August 9

2010-08-09T20:05:00.004-05:00

Medical Mondays: Why Imagination is a Muscle at The Word is My Oyster

Storytellers and How They Force Their Brain Activity on Their Audience at *A Brain Scientist's Take on Writing*

Writing for effect at Flogging the Quill

Destiny Has Many Faces at The Alchemy of Writing - thoughts on common writing advice

Copyrights (and wrongs) by H. L. Dyer at QueryTracker

Pitching beyond plot at edittorrent

How to Pitch Your Novel in 25 Words or Less at The Roving Editor

** What to Ask an Agent at Rants & Ramblings - get ready for The Call **

Online Marketing for Authors: Interactions Are Personal, Not Business at There Are No Rules

Get Ready for WriteOnCon at Literary Rambles

WriteOnCon This Week! at Kidlit.com - She'll be there, too!

CONTEST

Romance Matters: for the reader and the writer at Seekerville - win three romance novels

Oh, my! I won The Writer's Little Helper at Coffey. Tea. And Literary. Too cool! I'm looking forward to reading this book. Anyone want me to write a review?

Current links for writers - August 8

2010-08-08T20:53:00.005-05:00

Woot! I've been given An Award ! Thank you, Cassandra Jade in the Realm

I'd like to pass it on to:

Lena Surbonwey

Brenda Drake

Lydia Kang

Nicole MacDonald

Laura Diamond

Writing Posts for Today:

5 Steps to Dazzling Minor Characters at WordPlay

Italics again at edittorrent - with a link to: How to format a book manuscript properly, part III: yes, the details matter. Really, really matter. at Author! Author! (Long, but interesting)

Series Payoffs by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

Story as river at Flogging the Quill

SELLING OUT? at Help! I Need a Publisher!

Current links for writers - August 7

2010-08-07T20:09:00.004-05:00

The Language of the Senses at edittorrent

Act First, Explain Later by Jodie Renner at The Blood-Red Pencil

Braincandy for Writers: Post #3 by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Planning a Book Tour at Mystery Writing is Murder

Comic: Only A Book Lover Would Understand by Debbie Ohi at Writer Unboxed

Current links for writers - August 6

2010-08-06T22:42:00.003-05:00

How to Start Your Mystery Novel at Guide to Literary Agents - this post applies to all novels!

Find Your Plot Fridays: Back Fill Those Plot Holes at The Other Side of the Story

International Writers and International Settings at Kidlit.com

Query question at edittorrent - how a query to an editor differs from a query to an agent.

WriteOnCon + Wed Winner + News! at Coffey. Tea. And Literary.

CONTEST

The Query Contest of Amazingness via Elana Johnson

Current links for writers - August 5

2010-08-05T21:34:00.004-05:00

Feeling Tense? at Cassandra Jade in the Realm - adding tension to your story

Theme Me Up at The Other Side of the Story

A wee bittie dialect by Juliet Marillier at Writer Unboxed

How to Indent the First Line of a Paragraph at The Blood-Red Pencil - Great tip. I love these editors.

Which Comes First at Bookends - the book deal or the website?

Series synopsis at edittorrent

SYNOPSIS FOR A NON-LINEAR STORY at Help! I Need a Publisher!

The Benefit of Experience at Pimp My Novel

You Can't Get Something For Nothing by Mary DeMuth at Rants & Ramblings - Writing costs you something.

ShortStoryBook.net (Or, it's Not a Good Idea to Spam Writer Beware) at Writer Beware® Blogs!

Current links for writers - August 4

2010-08-04T20:51:00.003-05:00

ON WRITING FANTASY: The Plot Thickens by John R. Fultz via Bibliophile Stalker

Writing Tips: Introducing the Jumper Colon at AuthorCulture

Grounding the Reader at Kidlit.com

Lost and confused: Point of view changes at Elaine English Literary

There and Not by Donald Maass at Writer Unboxed - Characters who don't appear ...

Empowered Beliefs by Cynthia Occelli at Life - Cynthia writes about life, but this post in particular is food for thought for your characters' lives.

Moonrat's Rundown of Publishing Options at Editorial Ass

The Head Bangy Life of Selling to the Bookstores at Behler Blog

Myth: Size matters also at Behler Blog

Why Smashwords Isn't Working at 5rivers News, Views and Points of Interest

Current links for writers - August 3

2010-08-03T19:11:00.005-05:00

Using the bystander effect in your novels at Plot to Punctuation

She's Such a Character at The Other Side of the Story

Trimming sentences at edittorrent

Finding voice at Chandara Writes

Do Agents Have a Voice? at BookEnds - short and thought-provoking

SIMPLY SYNOPSES at Help! I Need a Publisher! - 5 easy rules, plus many tips

Are You Sick and Tired of Editing Yet? at The Roving Editor - about copyediting

Weird and Wonderful: Digital Book World and Guy LeCharles Gonzalez by Sue Lange at Book View Cafe - where is digital publishing headed? (Long, but interesting)

Google Reader at Mystery Writing is Murder - great instructions for use

Braincandy for Writers: post #2 by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

2000 year old technological marvel still in use today by Nora O'Neill at The Bookshop Blog via Writer Beware® Blogs!

CONTESTS

Literary Writing Contests at Blockbuster Plots

Another Slacker Tuesday in Seekerville at Seekerville

Book Giveaway at The Literary Lab

A Big, Fat 49-Author Contest for My Debut, Take 2 by Therese Walsh at Writer Unboxed

Current links for writers - August 2 - Manic Monday

2010-08-02T21:25:00.005-05:00

Writing Nowadays–Opening Patterns by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe

Creating Lifelike Characters at Mystery Writing is Murder

Medical Mondays: Meet Phineas Gage by Lydia Kang at The Word is My Oyster

Mental Health Monday–Fight or Flight? by L. Diamond at Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone

Q&A: Bipolar Disorder and Sociopathy by Carolyn Kaufman at Archetype Writing Blog

Tricks of the Trade: Punctuation at The Blood-Red Pencil - shortcuts for MS Word

Targeting Niche Markets by K.M. Weiland at AuthorCulture

Why You (Still) Want an Agent at Pimp My Novel

Monday, Monday--So Good to Me. Er, to You! at Coffey. Tea. And Literary. - GREAT query advice & a contest, too!

Guest Post-Cynthia Watson: Premature Querying at QueryTracker

An Offer From a Small Publisher at BookEnds

The Substantive or Content Edit at The Roving Editor

Flood of Books at Stephen Parrish - about a family who lost all their books in a recent flood. Would you like to help? Send them books or a book-gift card.

Reasons Why Your Non-Writer Friends Think You're Crazy by Veronica Roth via Adventures In Writing

CONTEST

Contest Entry Form at * Fiction Groupie * - Roni & Julie's Totally Epic Summer Contest! Super prizes!!! (Scroll on the pink banner.) fyi, here is Julie Cross's blog.

Current links for writers - August 1

2010-08-01T20:01:00.004-05:00

What a character at Cassandra Jade in the Realm

Edible Babies? at TalkToYoUniverse - about nicknames

PERSEVERANCE SUCKS at Help! I Need a Publisher!

The Power of Gossip by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe - It's not mentioned in this post, but gossip also effective to transmit info without an infodump. Just use it with care, and hint at more than you tell.

7 Things I've Learned So Far, by Olivia Sharpnack (better known as Lydia Sharp) at Guide to Literary Agents - Yay, Lydia! Good advice.

Art, Information, Theft, and Confusion, Part Two by Ursula K. Le Guin at Book View Cafe

CONTEST

Holly Cupala stops by With a TMAS Party/Contest! at Market My Words

Current links for writers - July 31

2010-07-31T22:27:00.003-05:00

The Power of Touch by Livia Blackburne at *A Brain Scientist's Take on Writing*

Welcome Riley Adams this morning at The World of Book Review - on Small Town Settings

Braincandy for Writers Post #1 by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Are you exceptional? - Janet Reid's thoughts on queries

Comic: Misplaced Apostrophes by Debbie Ohi at Writer Unboxed

CONTEST

I Didn't Go To RWA Nationals Weekend Edition at Seekerville - a NO WHINING ZONE SURPRISE PACKAGE

Current links for writers - July 30

2010-07-30T23:13:00.004-05:00

Prime Real Estate at Kidlit.com

What Star Wars teaches us about character introductions at Plot to Punctuation

What is Writer's Voice? at Rants & Ramblings

Hocus Pocus Focus at The Blood-Red Pencil

The Art of Critique by arizela

Golden Oldie: Luck be a Lady at The Other Side of the Story

When More is Less at Coffey. Tea. And Literary. - about queries

Paying it Forward by Anne Brown at Writer Unboxed

CONTEST

Pipes and Drums all summer long (giveaway!) at Scotland for the Senses

Current links for writers - July 29

2010-07-29T22:55:00.004-05:00

Some Tips for Writing a Series at Guide to Literary Agents

When the set piece has to be UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME... at TalkToYoUniverse

The Pipeline = Panic Reducer? at Writer's Corner

Managing Expectations at Rants & Ramblings

Platform – to have or have not? at Behler Blog

Spending Money to Make Money at BookEnds

CONTESTS

Dorks and Lip Gloss Anyone? at Book Dreaming - Dork Diaries International Giveaway!

August Contest Update at Seekerville

Current links for writers - July 28

2010-07-28T20:11:00.003-05:00

PAULINE IN PERIL: Creating a Sympathetic Heroine at Seekerville - plus a drawing for a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card

Conflict or Tension? at Book Dreaming

Shooting Glances at Kidlit.com

Color me blue... or red or yellow or... by Sandra Parshall at POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS

Re-Write Wednesday: Overcoming Adversity Through Adverbs at The Other Side of the Story

SELF-EDITING - MY GUIDE at Help! I Need a Publisher!

Don't Be Spam at QueryTracker - with good points in Comments

The Positive Side of Rejection by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Rejections! and what they mean, from The Rejecter

Mythbusting at Rants & Ramblings

Mastering the Elevator Pitch at BookEnds

How to Write a Synopsis by Elana Johnson

CONTEST

3 Books + Giveaway at Paperback Writer

Current links for writers - July 27

2010-07-27T19:41:00.004-05:00

Brainstorming Beginnings at Chandara Writes

IN SEARCH OF THE FIRST PARAGRAPH at Fantasy Author's Handbook

Setting with distant POV by Jordan McCollum

Write Small at Book Dreaming

Write It Again, Sam: A Few Thoughts on Revision by Deborah J. Ross at Book View Cafe

I will or will I? by Sharon Wildwind at POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS - about encouragement traps

How I Found an Agent and Editor by Therese Walsh at Writer Unboxed

PNWA conference at Behler Blog - an editor's thoughts on writing conferences

Part I: The Dreaded Macro Edit at The Roving Editor

Current links for writers - July 26

2010-07-26T22:02:00.004-05:00

INSPIRATIONAL

A Chance to Be Creative at Book Dreaming

Surrender Yourself by Elana Johnson

My Annual "We're All Losers" Post by Stephen Parrish

Writing with Sneakers at The Alchemy of Writing

WRITING TIPS

Part 3 — 5 things I’ve learned about writing — Grow a thick skin at The Magic District

Writing Nowadays–the Perfect Wedding by Steven Harper Piziks at Writer Unboxed

Mental Health Monday–Fake It ‘Til You Make It at Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone

Medical Mondays: A Tale of Two C's at The Word is My Oyster

10 Steps to a Better Story at The Blood-Red Pencil

some very quick thoughts on the present tense at Editorial Ass

The First Line Should Kick a Novel Into High Gear at The Roving Editor

AGENT THOUGHTS

Ask Daphne! About Conference Prep at KT Literary

I love it when I'm right at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management - business news

CONTESTS

My Sister and Me Mega-Contest by Therese Walsh

Giveaway!!! at Written in Blood

Current links for writers - July 25

2010-07-25T23:35:00.004-05:00

5 Rules for Writing YA at Guide to Literary Agents

In defense of modifiers at edittorrent

Questions on the Case of Pronouns also at edittorrent

Moving the Plot at Cassandra Jade in the Realm

Feet and Shoes across cultures at TalkToYoUniverse

How Acting Can Help You Write Those Troublesome Scenes by Laura R. Espinosa at Writer Unboxed

Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea at Mystery Writing is Murder - Dealing with rejection

And now a word from...Intern X at Bent on Books - about queries

“Should my agent let me know which publishers/editors have read my work, and provide me with copies of the rejection letters?” at Ask a Literary Agent

Sub Op Ten at Paperback Writer - Ten Things About Submission Opportunities

Social Media--What's the Point? by Elizabeth Riley Adams at HEY, THERE'S A DEAD GUY IN THE LIVING ROOM

5 thoughts on book promotion by The Intern

Contests and Give-Aways! via The Sharp Angle

Current links for writers - July 23

2010-07-23T23:13:00.004-05:00

The Golden Rule of Professionals: Be Specific & Ask Good Questions at Writer Unboxed

Similarities to Existing Clients at Kidlit.com

Headshots at Mystery Writing is Murder - Tips for headshots

Our Friend The Book Distributor by 'S' at Seekerville

CONTEST

The Epic Contest With No Name at * Fiction Groupie *

Current links for writers - July 22

2010-07-22T20:51:00.004-05:00

Psychology in Fiction Q&A: Splitting and Alter Egos by Carolyn Kaufman at Archetype Writing

Cause and Effect in Plot at Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers

Layers at Seekerville - Layers will life your book out of the rejected pile.

Symbolism Thesaurus Superstitions and Signs: Bad Luck Omens by Angela Ackerman at The Bookshelf Muse

Troubleshooting Headers and Footers at The Blood-Red Pencil

Revise First, Celebrate Later at Elaine English Literary

Whoops! There It Is at The Other Side of the Story - Mistakes, especially in a query

Guest Blogger: Jim Warner-Rejection Blues: Part 2 at QueryTracker

Selling Category at BookEnds - especially catagory romance

Current links for writers - July 21

2010-07-21T20:43:00.005-05:00

Withholding for suspense at edittorrent

Time flies...or crawls...in a series by Sandra Parshall at POE'S DEADLY DAUGHTERS

Setting is about people by Jordan McCollum - my ah-ha moment of the day!

Every Character Needs Motivation at The Roving Editor

Using informal language, accents and slang. at Something Persuasive

The Case of Pronouns at edittorrent

Do Unpublished Writers Have Blog at Kidlit.com - She meant to say: Do Unpublished Writers Need to Have a Blog?

Querying for a Series at Linn Prentis Literary

Ouch! My Hands Hurt! by C.E. Bailey at AuthorCulture

CONTEST

Pay it Forward - Awards at Market My Words
Comment today and win a few ebooks: You, Guys Read, The Ivy, and Paranormalcy.

Current links for writers - July 20

2010-07-20T20:49:00.006-05:00

Cloud Profiles at Paperback Writer - interesting tool for characterization

Setting Up and Winding Down at The Other Side of the Story

TOP TIP 2: VARY SENTENCE STRUCTURE at Help! I Need a Publisher!

Is it towards or toward? by Katie Salidas at Written in Blood

Tip Tuesday #46 at Literary Rambles - finding annoying words in your Word MS

Silence is not criticism by Davin Malasarn at The Literary Lab

8 Things No One Told Me About Being a Writer by Elizabeth Craig/Riley Adams at InkSpot

Five Self-defeating Recession Behaviors at The Blood-Red Pencil

Over writing by Janet Reid, Literary Agent - watch points for your queries & MSS

Another Reason To Nail Your Query Pitch Paragraph at Pub Rants

The Learning Curve That Never Ends at Rants & Ramblings - even published writers get rejections

THE FANTASY AUTHOR’S HANDBOOK INTERVIEWS VI: LOU ANDERS - an interview with Hugo-nominated editorial director of Pyr books

CONTEST

Liminal Space at Seekerville - giving away a copy of Cheryl Wyatt's Steadfast Soldier.

Current links for writers - July 19

2010-07-19T21:55:00.004-05:00

Mental Health Monday–I didn’t know I wasn’t pregnant at Diamond–Yup, Like the Stone

Medical Mondays: An Eye for an Eye at The Word is My Oyster

When Plots Go Astray at The Other Side of the Story

The Charles Darwin Moment vs. The Ta-da Moment at Behler Blog

Part 2 of “5 things I’ve learned about writing” — You gotta want it BAD at The Magic District

Review: A Dash of Style at The Alchemy of Writing

Query Red Flags at BookEnds

Leaving Your Agent at Kidlit.com

The intangibles in weighing publishing offers at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management

Writing Nowadays–Writing Smackdown, Part 2 by Steven Harper Piziks at Book View Cafe - what to do when editors change your work

A Taxing Profession at Pimp My Novel

Free Online Writing Conference via QueryTracker

CONTESTS

Teen Panel - Part One at Market My Words - Today's giveaway is a lot of boy's books

Contest Ten at Paperback Writer - Ten Things About Writing Grants and Contests

Clarity of Night is Open via Stephen Parrish

Rejectionist Anniversary Uncontest Announcement! at The Rejectionist

Current links for writers - July 18

2010-07-18T22:14:00.004-05:00

5 Screenwriting Tips All Writers Can Learn From at Guide to Literary Agents

Why Your Character’s Motive Matters at Wordplay

Ten Things I Don’t Want to Read About by Sherwood Smith at Book View Cafe

Has Your Writing Routine Become A Writing Rut? by Suzannah Windsor Freeman at Writer Unboxed

Pitfalls with Scene and Sequel at Seekerville

Author-Speak Cheat Sheet also at Seekerville

Current links for writers - July 17

2010-07-17T21:51:00.004-05:00

Maggie's Inflammatory Blog Post About Parents in Books by Maggie Stiefvater via Maripat at M.S. Sluyter

Secret Emotional Triggers for Your Writing (Capitol City Writers Recap) at There Are No Rules

Breaking All the Rules at Bent on Books

Comic: Writers On Vacation by Debbie Ohi at Writer Unboxed

Current links for writers - July 16

2010-07-16T22:21:00.004-05:00

By Any Other Name at Paperback Writer

The Honorary Male by Marie Brennan at Science Fiction & Fantasy Novelists

Paying Attention to a Problem at Mystery Writing is Murder

That awesome line you just wrote... at TalkToYoUniverse

Internal Consistency and Rules at Something Persuasive

Being Trendy at The Other Side of the Story

Agents: An Editor's First Line of Defense at The Roving Editor

The Myth of the Evil Editor by Victoria Strauss at Writer Beware

The Pros and Cons of Self-Publishing - Scott Nicholson at The Blood-Red Pencil

Book Trailers 101 — plus WU special offer at Writer Unboxed - My question: does anyone actually watch book trailers? I certainly don't, but I know some writers put a lot of time into them. How about you?

CONTEST

This week's writing contest! at Janet Reid, Literary Agent

Current links for writers - July 15

2010-07-15T20:06:00.004-05:00

Use All the Colors at Book Dreaming

Don't Hold Out For a Hero at The Other Side of the Story

Three Ways To Avoid Pantser Pitfalls by Roni Griffin at * Fiction Groupie *

Plot Planner at Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers

Seeing the Forest and the Trees by Joyce Magnin at Rants & Ramblings

So You Want To Commit Novel #7: Revisions by Phyllis Irene Radford at Book View Cafe

Getting an agent by Grant E Brazell

Query Don'ts at BookEnds, LLC — A Literary Agency

Please reply to this message with a copy of your query, synopsis/proposal, manuscript/sample chapters, and proof that you're human. at Getting Past the Gatekeeper - see point 3. - a letter for submitting requested materials

Career Killers: Speed Writing at Books & Such

ARCs 101 at Gabrielle Edits

18 Things I’ve Learned About Marketing at Confessions of a Watery Tart, via Mystery Writing is Murder

Buying Buzz at Paperback Writer - beware of marketing scams