Yes, that’s right. Books. Because, you know, reading one book at a time just isn’t cutting it these days. I need books to make me think, to read before bed ... Read more
Why do I write? Why is it important for me? Is it important to anyone else? Is it IMPORTANT WRITING? I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately as I ... Read more
Writers of historical fiction consult many sources to try to get as complete a picture as possible of the time, place, customs, and characters in their novels. And primary sources ... Read more
It seems every day, even when I’ve thoroughly researched a subject or a person and am in the middle of writing about it or her, a simple session of Internet ... Read more
I wonder how many readers think that writers just sit down and pour out a story onto the page, that maybe with a few little edits and tweaks the story ... Read more
No two ways about it: I’m struggling with the structure of my WIP. It’s as if I’ve spent months making what I hoped would be a beautiful garment, something I ... Read more
I firmly believe that 90% of writing is craft rather than art. But that ineffable 10%, the part that elevates a well-constructed, readable story to something more—where does that come ... Read more
How do you know when you’re finished? How do you know when it’s time to let go of your manuscript and send it out, either to beta readers or to ... Read more
I’ve had a remarkable week or so, the land of both truth and fiction. First, the fiction, because in many ways that’s easier and more predictable. My manuscript is going ... Read more
