This little cat video reminded me of writers conferences.
Every writer at the conference is calmly eating their meal…then SUDDENLY an agent walks by!!!!!
See for yourself at the 45 second mark.
Blog
Why I’m Not Mysterious
I don’t believe in being mysterious, especially as an agent. Since I used to write books for publication, I know what it’s like to put your career in the hands of others. As a writer, I wouldn’t want to send off my precious work and then hear no updates or any word from my agent. I realize any agent will update a client when a contract offer is made. And I realize that, technically, that’s all the …
8 Ways to Write Like Shakespeare (Part 1)
I learn something new in every article or book I write, but perhaps never as much as I learned while composing my book The Bard and the Bible: A Shakespeare Devotional, a book of daily reflections drawn from a quote from Shakespeare and a verse from the King James Bible. Even after more than forty books, hundreds of articles, and thousands of blog posts, I learned from the Bard of Avon at least …
Author Profiling
The issue of profiling can be an inflammatory concept when applied in law enforcement, but the concept is regularly practiced in just about every other walk of life. Prospective employees vying for a position at a company are categorized (profiled) by their experience, education, and references. First impressions mean a lot to the interviewer. Their personal appearance and demeanor are used to …
Rumbles in CBA
News broke late last week that key staff people in CBA (aka Christian Booksellers Association) are no longer working for the association. In what appears to be a purge, Curtis Riskey, president for 11 years, is no longer working there. Other key people are either no longer with the organization or are on their way out. In addition the chairman of the CBA board resigned last month. According to an …
Fun Fridays – September 7, 2018
Today you can enjoy the sheer brilliance of one of the world’s top cellists, Yo Yo Ma. This twelve-minute miniconcert has him playing three short Bach solo pieces. He also talks briefly between his playing. Note his tale of learning the first piece when he was four years old. One measure at a time. What a lesson for every writer. As Bob wrote last Wednesday, we need to be wary of …
A Writer’s Worst Enemy?
If you’re a writer, what would you say is your worst enemy? Distraction? Procrastination? Starvation? I admit, those are all candidates. And thank you for not saying “agents.” Unless you did. But I doubt that I am alone in thinking that my worst enemy, as a writer, is hurry. Don’t misunderstand. I work on deadlines. Daily, in fact. Book deadlines. Article deadlines. Blog-post …
Encouraging Writers
Anyone committed to building a career in writing should spend a good deal of time with others who have a similar desire. Physical proximity to one another is a good thing; but these days, communication and connection can happen using a myriad of tools. Knowing others experience the same things you do is a core benefit of attending gatherings of writers, either aspiring or experienced, at retreats …
Fun Fridays – August 31, 2018
The next time you complain about the commute to your local church or place of worship, consider this congregation. That is commitment! I love the metaphor embedded in the story. “It can be a dangerous thing to go to a house of worship and present yourself before the Living God.”
Daddy is with Jesus Now
My daddy, Herman Bryce Hancock, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday. Thank you for all of your love and support after he suffered two strokes. He was cheerful after major surgery but then experienced a second stroke and fell into a coma. Afterward, he rested peacefully and was under superb care at VCU Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, before he passed. The world is much dimmer now without him. …