Writing Tips

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The Next Big Thing: Learn A Little About the Author

Posted by on Oct 1, 2012 in Writing Tips | 7 comments

I’m it!! I was tagged by Christy English, talented writer and lovely person, in the blog game– THE NEXT BIG THING. In this game, authors talk about their Work In Progress and tag other talented writers to share theirs. FUN! Let’s rock this. What is the working title of your book? BECOMING JOSEPHINE Where did the idea for the book come from? I had just decided to pursue my dream of writing fiction and literally, the next day, I could hear Josephine’s voice in my head. I...

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Dealing with Criticism

Posted by on Sep 21, 2012 in Writing Tips | 19 comments

You’ve been DYING to hear back from that critique partner, editor, agent, friend. You stalk your inbox. When the document finally arrives, you break out into a sweat. What if they HATED everything? Then you think, naaah. That’s not possible. Your pages are so shiney you’ve gotta wear shades just to read them. So you open your manuscript with confidence only to find the page is bleeding, okay, GUSHING in ink. You gasp! How do you deal with the mountain of criticism? Most of us...

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In Absentia: Where For Art Thou Blogger?

Posted by on Aug 27, 2012 in Writing Tips | 1 comment

I’ve been on another planet lately, left with only my manuscript and those I’m critiquing. Dearest blog, I haven’t abandon you. I swear. Just so you’ll believe me, I’ll leave you with a set of great links to read while I’m gone for another week, as well as a list with the amazing things to come. COMING SOON Interview with bestselling author Michelle Moran, author of MADAME TUSSAUD & THE SECOND EMPRESS Interview with Erika Robuck, author of...

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Announcements and a Toast Of Course

Posted by on Aug 2, 2012 in Foodie Advice, Writing Tips | 5 comments

I’m still away on vacation, but I thought I’d leave you with happy news and a toast or two before I return next week. Drum Roll Please Congratulations to my gaming, dim sum lovin’, darling friend Susan Spann for being selected as one of the belles of The Debutante Ball, a very selective blog featuring five debut authors each year. Susan’s first novel, CLAWS OF THE CAT, about a ninja detective and his Portuguese priest sidekick in 16th century Japan, releases July 2013. A...

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OUTLANDER to TV

Posted by on Jul 20, 2012 in Writing Tips | 6 comments

I couldn’t resist writing about this topic. I mean, who on the planet Earth does NOT love OUTLANDER and the  indomitable, saliva-worthy Jamie Fraser? Lord help the poor bastard who miscasts the actors or fumbles the plot. The wrath of millions will come down upon them. So what’s so great about Jamie in OUTLANDER anyway? MEN WANT TO BE HIM Jamie is everything a man wishes he had– 1. a striking physique, but not in the usual way 3. a way with a sword, stick, horse, and best of...

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Taking the Ouchie out of Rejection

Posted by on Jul 10, 2012 in Writing Tips | 10 comments

I’ve been chatting with some writer pals about the big Rs lately. There are all kinds of them: a crit partner doesn’t like your work, an agent says “no thanks”, a publisher gives you the shrug off, or there’s the ever-unpleasant bad review.  Without a doubt, they can make you gain five million pounds in peanut butter ice cream weight, cry, or worse, give up on writing altogether. Don’t even think about it! So then what? How do we  deal with those hurtful...

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