A little fun to help to set the mood for the Christmas season.
Sung by the choir of Clare College, Cambridge. Conducted by Graham Ross.
Blog
Keep Vigilant Online
Since authors must maintain an online presence and many receive scam messages, I’m addressing online safety today. On impulse during a recent trip to the library, I checked out Keanu Reeves Is Not in Love with You by Becky Holmes. The author relates how she communicated with scammers and victims in this lively and well-researched book. The book focuses on romance scams; but the advice …
Point of View #5
We’re back and still talking about point of view because, let’s face it, it can be a hard thing to grasp. So, in review, last time we talked about: Get rid of “distance” words—words that can disconnect the reader from the story. Use strong, vivid verbs, not passive verbs like was and were. Ditch tags like “she thought,” “he pondered,” “she mused,” and so on Now, let’s continue the list: …
Are You Pitch Perfect?
A critical key to landing a book deal is the presentation of your idea in such a way that the editor or agent is completely sold on the concept. In musical terms, perfect pitch is the rare talent to name or pick out a note without having any reference point. This is illustrated by this youtube video where they clear your mind, then give you a tone, and ask you to name the note; most people fail …
Fun Fridays – November 29, 2024
Enjoy today’s “ruff” draft of a short story. (It wasn’t my pun so don’t blame me for your groan of despair.)
Blessed Thanksgiving!
A blessed Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating it. “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” (Psalm 107:8-9, ESV)
A Writer’s Thanks
A Writer’s Thanks Gracious Lord, thank you for the joy of writing. For the honor of being published. For the blessing of being used. The miracle of being paid. The wonder of being read. The blessing of my words being translated and traveling around the world. Amen.
The Anatomy of the Publishing Cycle
If you ask an editor or an agent, “What’s hot right now?” you are too late with the question. The nature of the publishing business is that what you see selling today are books that were conceived, written, published, and marketed over the past couple of years or more. That is why we, on this side of the table, avoid making pronouncements on current trends. In some ways, the agent and the …
Fun Fridays – November 22, 2024
I want to know where I can buy a case of this product! It can change the world. Might even change your Thanksgiving meal time next week (for those in the U.S.). And honey, if you are watching this, I am not “Harold Weathers.” I’m just a little hard of hearing.
Teamwork Makes the Publishing Work
One hundred years ago today, Christopher Tolkien was born to Edith and John Ronald Reuel (JRR) Tolkien. He was the third of four children and the youngest son. Christopher was deeply involved in his father’s work, editing it and drawing the maps used in the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) books. At one point, his dad invited him to join the famous writer’s group The Inklings. Here’s an interesting …