All authors looking to get traditionally published must endure the submission process. Novelists must query and write synopses. Writers of shorter works must follow submission guidelines for periodicals and anthologies, no two of which agree on formatting rules. It’s exhausting. Submission fatigue is a real thing. Writers need to recognize it and address it. Workshops, podcasts, books, articles, and social media groups everywhere tell you that you must keep submitting. A writer must always have something out there getting looked at by somebody for publication. Get a rejection, submit to the next market on your… Read Article →
Posts Tagged: craft of writing
Becca Syme’s book helped me know what I knew and to do it. For the last month I have studied Becca Syme’s seminal book Dear Writer, You Need to Quit. This book is now on my tight little shelf with the other essential works for writers I keep at my desk. Each chapter showed me–and in many cases confirmed for me–what I needed to quit in my writing life. This book is not about whether or not one should quit writing (though it opens the reader to that option). It is more of a list… Read Article →
I go through phases of obsessive compulsive tidiness. A funk hits me that insists my creativity and productivity would benefit from straightening up my desk and dusting the room. Mostly I keep my office and workspace organized. Mostly. But, when unopened mail piles up, no more bank statements fit in the filing cabinet, and things three months on my desk still await a true home (the trash) I get to work organizing. Organization brings a sense of accomplishment. I look at the results and go, “Well now, isn’t that better? I’ve exposed at least one… Read Article →
Whiskey (or whisky) improves with a bit of age. Be it bourbon, scotch, American, Irish, or Japanese whiskey, they all improve with some time. If you open a bottle of whiskey and pour a dram straight off, you may not like it. Cork the bottle and give it a week or so, the new air will let the lovely breathe. Then try again. You’ll be surprised when what you dismissed first off as shite is now mellow, smooth, heavenly sipping. Air your first draft the same way. With fresh eyes, dig in and start editing…. Read Article →
Know that You Know Nothing To be a master, one must always be a student Today I finished my first read of this awesome little yellow nugget of motivational gold. Austin Kleon’s Show Your Work serves as something of a daily devotional for creatives. You can pick it up, flip to any page and garner wisdom to take on the day. I liken it to Jocko Willink’s Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual in that respect. Only, I don’t feel like shouting OO-RAH! after reading it. Or maybe I do. OO-RAH! One of the tips/lessons Austin… Read Article →
Praise for And…ACTION! (from PPWC 2023) “Excellent presenter, well-spoken, engaging, funny, and with a true wealth of information and experience. I took more notes in this session than in any other all weekend.”“Great workshop! Presenter was dynamic, content was useful.”“Fantastic session! Offered a lot of valuable material with excellent examples.”“I liked how educated this presenter was on fighting and how different people will fight. I think this could make a great master class.”“Standing room only!” 5-time martial-arts black-belt, army veteran, and award-winning author Bowen Gillings breaks down writing the successful fight scene. Looking at a… Read Article →
Most writers understand that receiving criticism is one way to improve their writing. However, giving criticism holds equal value when done correctly. Conducting a good critique of another’s work will help you see the strengths and weaknesses in your own writing. This workshop delves into the techniques of an effective critique: how to listen to yourself as you read, identify the root of problems seen in character, story, and plot, and how to present a clear revision strategy for the other writer, all while dramatically improving your own writing skills. One-hour or Two-hour workshop options… Read Article →