When do you actually become a writer? Is it when you feel comfortable saying "I'm a writer" when people ask what you do? Is it when you publish your first book? I'll probably never get to the point that I'm comfortable enough to call myself a writer absent publishing that first book. Who knows when … Continue reading Metamorphosis
Category: Blog
First Class
If you ever wanted empirical proof that money can't buy happiness, spend a little time in first class. One leg should be sufficient--no need to burden yourself with the experience more than that. There are exceptions to every generalization, of course, but I hardly expect there is a more concentrated collection of wealthy and comfortable, … Continue reading First Class
Agents 3, Chris 0
And that number after "Agents" is certain to climb! I'm solidly in the game now, having received my first three rejections. One was a nicely written and carefully worded form rejection and the other two were more substantive. One of those was particularly thoughtful and detailed, having come after she'd read the first 50 pages. … Continue reading Agents 3, Chris 0
Milestones & Category Wars
I just finished day 2 of the conference put on by the Writers' League of Texas. This was my first writers' conference and what an experience. I felt a real connection with all of these people, as is often the case when large groups who share common goals are brought together. As a rookie, there … Continue reading Milestones & Category Wars
Writers’ Conference & A Second Editor
"Am I overdoing this?" Chris asked as he typed a new entry into his readerless blog. What am I talking about here? Well, I know I'm close to querying. I've said that for over a year now. But it's really true this time. Nevertheless, there are a few more things I'm going to do before … Continue reading Writers’ Conference & A Second Editor
Amid giant raindrops
We have two dogs. They're like most other dogs: their breeds are roughly discernible, they love people, and food and bathing their nether regions. There's Samson, the border collie/Australian shepherd/teenage dirtbag and there's Gretel, the lovable asshole goat/mutt hybrid. They are actually kind of smart but their typical idiot dog baseline regularly overrides any intelligence … Continue reading Amid giant raindrops
Every time I think I’m out, I pull me back in
The problem with writing is that you get better at it. As a result, you'll always find improvements you can make to versions of your story that seemed ready to go at the time of their writing. It's now month 17 of revisions and editing for me and I truly understand the old writer's lament … Continue reading Every time I think I’m out, I pull me back in
Voice Actor, Audience of One
I'm doing what I hope and believe will be the final read on my book before querying agents. Reading the entire thing aloud. Word for word. This is no new thing, of course, and it's commonly advised for a reason. You simply catch things you'd never notice with a silent read-through. I've been a little … Continue reading Voice Actor, Audience of One
Make the Most of the Preseason
You work on a book for two years and excitement creeps in, no matter how hard you try to tamp it down. Excitement about what? You haven't done anything yet. But ooo-boy, the possibilities. Prior to fording the eel-infested waters of agent-finding, everything is still out there for you. Getting published. Huge sales. Critical Success. A … Continue reading Make the Most of the Preseason
Try Writing a Query
You think writing a novel is hard, do you? Try boiling it down to 250 words. I'm on at least the twenty-fifth version of mine and am only now approaching coherence. For anyone trying to get their query letter up to snuff, I highly recommend Janet Reid's QueryShark. Janet has likely put hundreds of hours … Continue reading Try Writing a Query
