This is a fun cover of a popular song. The unfortunate thing is that the chorus is one of those that sticks in your head…all day. But to make it worse the lyrics of the chorus could be the anthem song for either publishers or bookstores. Listen yourself to see if you agree (you can skip the part where the arranger starts talking at the end!):
Creativity
Attract Attention…(Part Three)
BP number one was "Be Professional." Number two was "Be Passionate." The third BP is one I like a lot: Be Plugged In. You need to be the expert on not just your book, but on the readers, the competition, and the craft. Doing that will enable you to equip your team! So…
Know your audience
It’s rare to find a book--or an author--that will be read by everyone. You book should have an …
When Do I Write Book Two?
Recently someone posted a question I get asked all the time:
After finishing my current book should I write the sequel or start something new?
This question is usually posed by a new author whose agent is marketing a series. The editors have not had a chance to weigh in with their interest in the series or lack thereof. Meanwhile, the writer is bored and wants something else to …
Misused Words and Phrases
The English language is full of persnickety quirks, the most despicable of which are buzz words. Words and phrases we’ve decided work better than plain speech. Why say what you mean when you can just toss out a phrase that says what you want, but in such a vague and convoluted manner than people spend so much energy figuring it out that they can’t challenge you? Genius! Or how about those words …
Do Some Plots Break Their Contracts?
In 1995 I watched the movie Cold Comfort Farm. A British comedy, the story was not without charm, though I wouldn't recommend this parody of literature for everyone. Early on, Aunt Ada, who seemed to be a bit crazy, said, "I saw something nasty in the wood shed."
Throughout the movie, I waited to find out what Aunt Ada saw. I waited. And waited. But the question was never answered, at least not …
Leave ‘Em Wanting More?
Do you like stories with unsure endings? Where you don't know if the main characters will live happily ever after?
I am a reader who doesn't like open endings, probably because I enjoy novels that are heavy on romance and I like to know the couple can expect a happily-ever-after. My personal preference is for a novel that doesn't beg for a sequel for the protagonist.
A Satisfying …
Is Your Novel Historical or Whimsy?
As a proud native Virginian, I find it painful to read about the possibility that our early settlers may have practiced cannibalism when my state was but a mere colony. If you have been following the story, you have seen that much of the media presents conjecture as fact but at this point whether or not they resorted to cannibalism during the starving season is speculation. Speculation or not, the …
Looking for a Brown Mule
I am beyond proud of my uncle, Eldridge Bagley.
Uncle Eldridge is a professional artist. He paints in oil on canvas. Most of his scenes depict Southern rural life in the mid twentieth century. The picture above, from 2001, is entitled Looking for a Brown Mule.
This picture speaks to me. Does it speak to you? Why? Why do you think he chose that title?
Now let's have some fun. Use your …
Fancy Schmancy!
I just saw a funny short video about how to go from boring to fancy. Examples included labeling the same bread as "bread" and then "artisan bread" and the identical "cheddar" as "aged cheddar." I would have gone with "artisan" cheddar, myself. The last time our family dined in a restaurant with my in-laws in Connecticut, "Cheese made by Vermont artisans," was offered as an appetizer.
How about …
I DID Finish Your Book…and I Plan to Read it Again!
After reading Steve’s and Tamela’s thought-provoking blogs on why they don’t finish books, I decided to talk about the flip-side. I totally agree with all that Steve and Tamela said. I’m not among the camp that has to finish a book once I've started it. But what a delight it is to find a book that I not only want to finish, but that I wish would never end. Those are rare treasures that live on my …