Writers Block: Tips for Overcoming the Blank Mind Syndrome
Howdy, fellow Procrastinators! Yes, I am writing blog posts instead of my novel. ::Eh-hem:: Thought you might enjoy these words of wit and wisdom from famous authors. And then...go put your butt in your chair and compose the next scene! Norman…
Writers on Writing: The Hardest Profession in the World?
I don’t know why fiction writers seem so eager to express angst. It seems like the lion’s share of wit and wisdom expressed by authors, who are writing about their profession, focuses on one primary theme: that writing novels is HARD. For…
Writers on Writing: Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain
Writers on Writing: Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain As a child, I was familiar with Tom Sawyer, but I didn't fall in love with Mark Twain until my high school Language Arts class. We were studying The Adventures of Huck Finn, which begins with…
Writers on Writing: Advice from Ernest Hemingway
Writers on Writing: Advice from Ernest Hemingway If you’re going to listen to writing advice, you might as well listen to the most acclaimed authors in the world, right? That’s why I’m featuring this series of posts based on fiction-writing…
5 Ways to Get a Good Review
Welcome back guest columnist, Carrie Slager, who reviews books for The Mad Reviewer blog. This is Part II in Carrie's series. You'll find more tips in Part I of her series, Tips for Dealing with Book Reviewers.] Last week I touched…
Tips for Dealing with Book Reviewers
Have you ever wondered how somebody gets to hang their shingle as a "book reviewer?" Would you like to know how to make "nice" with a reviewer for your own book? Carrie Slager's guest columns have the answers. This post is part one of a…
Ghost Hunters Investigate Haunted Pizza in Austin, Texas
A couple of years ago, word got out around the Austin freelancing community that I "dig" paranormal stuff, like crystal balls, psychics, ghosts -- and especially -- magic. That's when the editor of a small town newspaper, the Oak Hill Gazette,…
Networking for Writers: Conference Etiquette (Part 2)
Networking is a form of word-of-mouth marketing. At a writing conference, you must learn to market your book in ways that make you memorable – but for all the right reasons. This article is Part 2 in a 2-part series that shares networking…
Networking for Writers: Conference Etiquette (Part 1)
If you have ever talked to a friend, passing on a job lead, news of a great sale, or praise for a wonderful novel, then you have “networked.” In essence, networking is word-of-mouth marketing. At a writing conference, you must learn…
Crime Fiction: How Mystery Writers Pen a Chilling Read (Pt 3)
(Part 3 in the 3-part series, Crime Fiction: How Mystery Writers Pen a Chilling Read) While Mystery writers are the undisputed masters of the literary device known as suspense, writers of other popular fiction genres (Romance, Fantasy,…