Back in June, I gave a presentation about revision at the Historical Novel Society Conference in San Antonio. One of the questions was very interesting—when do you think there is no hope? The answer is complex. I don’t believe a manuscript is unfixable, though I am also a fan of putting one away for aContinue reading “Is Your Manuscript Fixable?”
Author Archives: Robin Henry
Book Review: Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris
Act of Oblivion is upmarket historical fiction at its best. Harris has taken an interesting event from the past, used real historical characters who disappeared from the record and made up others, to craft a story that is gripping and thought provoking. Edward Whalley and William Goffe were real officers for the Cromwell side during theContinue reading “Book Review: Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris”
ICYMI: my guest post on Jane Friedman’s blog
In my quest to help writers learn from what they read, imagine my joy at having a guest post on this topic accepted by Jane Friedman, a giant in the industry. I love her site, her ethos, and her advice, so it is with gratitude that I am associated with her in this tiny way.Continue reading “ICYMI: my guest post on Jane Friedman’s blog”
Title List for Fall Episodes of the Read Like a Writer Book Club
This season, we will discuss even more books! We are exploring three elements that writers have questions about: Narrators, Agency and Power dynamics, and Secrets—how to keep and reveal them at just the right moment. Take a listen to the shorty episode for booktalks on the titles and get thee to a library or bookshop!Continue reading “Title List for Fall Episodes of the Read Like a Writer Book Club”
Do you need more than a critique group?
Do you need accountability and some guidance to have a breakthrough? Sometimes, just a little bit of positive peer pressure is a good thing. Critique groups can provide this, but frequently they are more focused on “workshopping” pages for members. Nothing wrong with that, but it isn’t the kind of accountability that will spur youContinue reading “Do you need more than a critique group?”
Book Review: My Mother’s Secret by Alina Adams
This followup novel to Nesting Dolls is basically strong, and the setting is a place that many American readers may not be familiar with, the Soviet attempt at creating an “autonomous” Jewish homeland. The novel opens with Regina, our heroine, on the train escaping from the Soviet secret police by traveling without papers to Birobidzhan,Continue reading “Book Review: My Mother’s Secret by Alina Adams”
How do you know if your novel starts in the right place?
One of the most common mistakes in an early draft is not starting the novel in the right place. It’s true, here are the most frequent culprits I have seen in my work on manuscripts, in no particular order: Take a quick look at your beginning—is yours one of these? If it is, it’s okay,Continue reading “How do you know if your novel starts in the right place?”
Book Review: Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu
The cover of the edition I read enticingly promises that Carmilla inspired Dracula. Reading it, one thinks this may be so! If you are a fan of the Gothic, this book is for you. If you like Vampire stories, this book is for you. If you are looking for a novella that encapsulates the fiveContinue reading “Book Review: Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu”
Guest Post: In the Querying Trenches
A wise book coach once advised that the query letter sells agents on reading the pitch. The pitch entices them to want more. When I first started pitching to agents, I had a few full MS requests. (Yay!) Wrong. But I didn’t give up. A few months later, I attended a workshop by Jennie NashContinue reading “Guest Post: In the Querying Trenches”
The Absence of African Europeans In Historical Fiction
Guest post by Tonya Briggs My grandmother instilled a love of reading in her children and many of her grandchildren. In fact, two of us are librarians. Growing up, I had access to the personal libraries of my grandmother, aunt, uncle and mother. In my aunt’s personal library, there were books with characters created byContinue reading “The Absence of African Europeans In Historical Fiction”