Join Robin, your Novel Whisperer, in Galveston, TX for a week of writing with purpose. You will be inspired by the beauty of the island, focused on writing by setting aside the time for your project, and supported by a book coach and editor who will help you get words on the page and makeContinue reading “Join us in Galveston for a Novel Whisperer Writing Adventure!”
Category Archives: Readerly on Writing
Is Your Manuscript Fixable?
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?”
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”
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?”
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?”
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”
Books can change the world, but not by preaching at people…
Why did Jesus teach in parables? Why do we tell children fables and fairy tales? Why do we use terms like cautionary tale, morality tale, allegory? Because stories help us understand other people. Stories help us remember things. Stories open a window to understanding that preaching at people does not. When you listen to peopleContinue reading “Books can change the world, but not by preaching at people…”
Going on a Personal Writing Adventure, part 2
Last summer, I decided I wanted to attend a writing retreat, and I had very specific goals in mind for this retreat. As luck would have it, my amazing book coach Robin Henry, announced in January that she was offering a personal writing adventure in Estonia. (see the previous post) In this post, I wantedContinue reading “Going on a Personal Writing Adventure, part 2”
Craft Book Review: Story by Robert McKee
Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee is a little older, but it was recommended by Jane Friedman, a publishing professional for whom I have a great deal of respect. I am SO GLAD I read the book. It is insightful about what makes a story work, helpful in explainingContinue reading “Craft Book Review: Story by Robert McKee”
New Podcast Episodes
This pair of episodes discusses unlikeable/self-absorbed main characters. Terry and I read The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz. Take a listen!