There are at least 10–maybe 14 or 15–holidays this time of year to celebrate. I’m not even counting National Cocoa Day or International Animal Rights Day or even National Joy Day. Whatever you celebrate, I hope your holidays are merry and bright and your New Year is a good one. See you in 2024!
It’s time for another Insecure Writers Support Group Post! December 6 question: Book reviews are for the readers. When you leave a book review do you review for the Reader or the Author? Is it about what you liked and enjoyed about your reading experience, or do you critique the author? I do leave book…
I found I had way more than 25 quotes from famous authors for you, so I’ve broken my post up into two parts. There will still be leftovers, so I may do a third part sometime in the future… “I almost always urge people to write in the first person. … Writing is an act of…
I’ve been looking up content for my writing groups, for our social media platforms. Here are a few I’ve found that seem particularly relevant: “Chain that muse to your desk and get the job done.” ~Barbara Kingsolver “You can’t think yourself out of a writing block; you have to write your way out of a…
At the South Carolina Writers Association StoryFest Conference, agent Amy Collins continued her discussion of the publishing business with a section on impressing an agent (or editor, etc.) Here’s what she had to say: First, find your people: authors like you and readers in your genre. Remember: you are not your readership! Questions: How to Find Your…
I spent last weekend at the South Carolina Writers Association StoryFest Confereence. Here’s some of what I learned there. Amy Collins of Talcott Notch Literary Services agency gave a dynamite workshop on the publishing business. Successful writers know the industry’s wants and needs: The writer must keep market viability in mind at all times. Your…
It’s First Wednesday, so it’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post! This month, we’re focusing on NaNoWriMo! What is that, you ask? Read on to find out! November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not? I have been a loyal NaNoWriMo member since 2011. I wrote a…
I’m not a big autobiography/memoir reader, so I picked this book up on a whim, just to see what sort of voice Patrick Stewart the writer might have (I know, he probably had a ghost writer). I quickly found myself fascinated. Patrick Steward the author sounds exactly like Patrick Stewart the actor – or like…
It’s October, so time for Halloween and spooky stories. So far, my roomie and I have watched Bran Stoker’s Dracula, Sleepy Hollow, Sweeney Todd, and (OK, not spooky) the old Clash of the Titans. The front porch and yard are decorated with lights and props, and we’re stockpiling candy for the kiddies. Ready for the…
It’s first Wednesday, so it’s time for another Insecure Writer’s Support Group post! Today, we’re looking at artificial intelligence. October 4 question: The topic of AI writing has been heavily debated across the world. According to various sources, generative AI will assist writers, not replace them. What are your thoughts? I’ve been watching from the…