1. You won’t have one if you don’t write. Just in case you thought the writing pixies would finish those notes you have in obscure files on your computer (or worse, only in your head), it doesn’t work that way. Write the story today. 2. Marketing shapes meaning. Writers may loath shameless self-promotion, but we …
Five Things You Need to Know About Your Artistic Legacy by Lani Longshore Read More »
Someone asked me if I had grandchildren. Without thinking, I said, “Oh, no, thank goodness.” I got some funny looks on that one, but it’s very true that I am not grandma material. That got me thinking about the characters in my stories. Do I know whether they are grandparent material? Would they get down …
Is Your Character Grandma Material? by Lani Longshore Read More »
We recently lost another terrific writer, Pat Conroy. The author of The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini, just to name two novels in his remarkable collection, delved into the complicated subjects of family and social relationships, connecting individuals to a larger historical narrative. He wrote, “The most powerful words in the English language …
I once lived where the vernal equinox meant more than spring break was around the corner. Flowers bloomed for the first time in months, trees burst into leaf, snow melted. No one complained too much about a loss in productivity because everyone had spring fever. Then I moved to California. It isn’t that we don’t …
In February I attended the San Francisco Writers Conference. I met other writers, presenters, editors, and agents. Everyone gave us their best advice and did it with kindness. This conference would not exist without the many volunteers who gave their time before, during, and after the conference. Their smiles and friendly attitude added to the …
San Francisco Writers Conference 2016 by Neva Hodges Read More »
There’s an old saying in the writing business: “Kill your darlings.” Some famous writer said it. I thought it was a charming insight into the importance of revising, rewriting and revising again, and cutting. Cuts are required, of course. Sacrifices must be made in the interest of the literary masterpiece flying across the screen on …
Don’t Kill Your Darlings – Put Them in Foster Care by Dan Hobbs Read More »
I belong to several critique groups, and I’m also a beta reader. The process of taking another writer’s words and seeing if I have a moment of inspiration that might make a good piece better is exhilarating. I often benefit as much if not more by the analysis. I have also discovered that I’m becoming …
Enough time has passed that I’ve evaluated my writing resolutions list and wondered what I was thinking at the end of December. Usually I toss my list away, but this year I want to encourage us all to add one more item to it. Let’s resolve to make 2016 the year we get more training. …
This morning I remembered what I had forgotten. Yesterday I made a note to self to check an old to-do list. What I had forgotten was not on that list, but now I’ve remembered, so it’s okay (or will be, as soon as I do what I remembered I had forgotten). The point is, I …
Like Rose Petals, or Why the Paperless Society Is a Terrible Idea by Lani Longshore Read More »
Thanksgiving starts the holiday season, including the Time of Gratitude. Those who completed NaNoWriMo know what I mean. No matter how grudgingly, your friends and family had to give you the gift of time to write or you never would have finished those 50,000 words. The same will be true in December, the King Kong …
