Connect
On sale now!
Mailing List Sign Up
Search
Favorite Posts
Recent Comments
- How To Be A Grownup in 10 Steps (8)
- dallas food poisoning lawyer: Hello.This post was really interesting, particularly because I was browsing for...
- My daughter wants to dance, but the dance recital machine sucks. What are we to do? (3)
- dallas food poisoning lawyer: Hey there, You’ve done an excellent job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally suggest...
- Bookstore Heather: I couldn’t even hear any music in the video (was it very soft? or – even better...
- Deprived youth (18)
- dallas food poisoning lawyer: You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most persons...
- Redefining the Author Appearance: Four Proposed Categories (3)
- CarolK: This is a very well thought out plan and I hope authors, book stores, libraries and other places that hold...
- How To Be A Grownup in 10 Steps (8)
Categories
- Appearances
- Autobiography
- Books
- CHICKEN SHACK
- Contests
- Critic
- Current Affairs
- Ethicist
- Family
- Favorite
- Film
- Food and Drink
- Gratitude Journal
- Guest post
- History/Politics
- Home
- Idea
- Magazines/Newspapers
- Marketing and Publlicity
- MEMOIRS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND
- Moth
- Music
- New Year's Resolutions
- Nonfiction
- Podcast
- Poetry
- Proverbs
- Publishing
- Quandry
- Reader Question
- Recommended Reading/Viewing
- Religion
- Review
- Rock Opera
- Science
- SOMETHING MISSING
- Spamming Scumbag
- Speak Up
- Sports
- Storytelling
- Teaching
- Television
- The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs
- The Writing Process
- To-do lists
- Travel
- Unacceptable platitudes
- Uncategorized
- UNEXPECTEDLY, MILO
- Unfair assumptions
- Verbal Sparring
- Web/Tech
- Weblogs
- Words
-
Recent Posts
Archives
Category Archives: The Writing Process
The two best pieces of writing advice that Roger Ebert ever received
I’m listening to Roger Ebert’s memoir and loving every minute of it. The two best pieces of writing advice that he was ever given (forgive me for forgetting the source) is advice that I can get behind wholeheartedly. Don’t … Continue reading
Posted in Books, The Writing Process
Leave a comment
I wrote a poem. I need a critique. Please help.
I wrote a poem about my son today. I’ve been working on it for three days, including about an hour this morning. I’m ready to hear what people think. Suggestions? The second line was especially troubling for me (I’ve written … Continue reading
Posted in Quandry, The Writing Process
7 Comments
I was supposed to be writing…
…but fifteen minutes after my wife left for the park with the kids, I abandoned the laptop and followed. Yes, I failed to meet my daily writing goal. Yes, there is still work to be done on my manuscript. Yes, … Continue reading
Posted in Family, The Writing Process
1 Comment
Kid words for future characters
I keep a list of all the invented and divergent words and phrases that my daughter uses in hopes of sprinkling these gems into future dialogue. Two that I recently added to the list are pancholeen and last day. Panchleen … Continue reading
Posted in The Writing Process, Words
1 Comment
Done.
When my wife doesn’t like something I’ve written, she tilts her head, squints her eyes and rereads, as if doing so will make it look better. I fear that look. I despise that look. But it also forces me to … Continue reading
Aimee Mann’s theory on creativity matches my own perfectly.
On a recent podcast, musician Aimee Mann said, “Being stuck in one place and bored out of your mind is the key to creativity.” I couldn’t agree more. My writing career only began because I was bored out of my … Continue reading
The Matthew Dicks Pre-Obituary Contest (including fabulous prizes for the winner)
Slate recently named the obituary of Harry Weathersby Stamps as their current leader for obituary of the year. Excerpts from this incredible obituary (though you really should read the obituary in its entirety) include: Harry Weathersby Stamps, ladies’ man, foodie, … Continue reading
Posted in Autobiography, The Writing Process
Tagged harry weathersby stamps, obituary, obituary contest, pre-obituary
Leave a comment
When do I write? In the cracks between my toddler’s poops and my wife’s contractions.
Two years ago, I spoke at a nursing home about my most recent novel. I take any gig that I can get. In a sparsely furnished basement room, standing in front of a 78-inch television, I read a little bit … Continue reading
Posted in The Writing Process
4 Comments
The majesty and utility of the Baby Mum Mum
When I’m desperately trying to squeeze out a few more sentences of my manuscript and Charlie is demanding my attention, I can always depend on a Baby Mum Mum, a tasteless rice treat, to give me the the few more … Continue reading
Posted in Family, The Writing Process
Tagged baby mum mum, manuscript, the writing process, writing
Leave a comment
Recent editorial comments
In working on a short piece of nonfiction with my editor, I was recently offered the following comments: “Much too self-effacing. People are going to think you’re Canadian.” “Incredibly stiff. Not your voice at all.” “Wiffle. Waffle. Adds nothing.” I’ve … Continue reading
Posted in The Writing Process
Leave a comment