My writing friends are good at telling me what’s wrong with my manuscript. “Give more backstory, more introspection” are two comments I routinely receive from members of my writers’ group, as they critique the third manuscript in my trilogy. They have not read my first two books. I begged them not to, because I want […]
writing
Aristotle: developing a logical plot
When he wasn’t lecturing on philosophy, nature, politics, metaphysics and ethics, Aristotle was caught up in logic. He even applied logic to writing and expounded a strategy for developing a good plot. Aristotle modeled his strategy after the classic Greek tragedies which had a beginning, middle and ending. Every writer who’s ever attended a workshop […]
Blonnie Bunn Wyche: Always on my fingertips
My dear friend, writing partner and mentor Blonnie Bunn Wyche passed away May 2, 2012 in Wilmington, NC. A May 5 memorial service was attended by her family, members of her two critique groups, book sellers, fellow writers, and the many friends she made throughout her 79 years as a teacher and author. When her […]
Making social media work for writers
The hardest part of being an author, for me, is promoting my books. Writing them is challenging, exhilarating, exhausting, brain-draining, but in a good way. Writing is fun! Promoting is thorny. Publicizing through social media—capitalizing on networks such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.— is touted as the easy, sure-fire way to send your book to […]
Best book On Writing
I’ve read two books by Stephen King: Christine, a novel about a jealous Plymouth Fury, and On Writing, King’s combination memoir/teaching text. I read Christine because my husband had it in the house. On Writing came into my hands because writers I admire claim it’s “the best book on writing ever written.” Inside I found […]
Don’t Sabotage Your Submission: best book
Don’t Sabotage Your Submission by Chris Roerden is the most informative, helpful book I’ve read about writing. A revamping of the award-winning Don’t Murder Your Mystery, the book offers 230 positive examples of effective techniques to save your manuscript from turning up dead on arrival. First-screeners are merciless and will pitch your manuscript into the […]
