In my work as a Short Story Acquisitions Editor at History Through Fiction, I frequently have to deliver bad news. Your story was not selected. Most authors are great about it. They understand that I don’t like telling them we can’t publish their story, but it is my job to choose which stories History ThroughContinue reading “Rejection isn’t personal, really..”
Tag Archives: writing
Is Your Draft a Little Jaga Jaga?
In a previous blog post, I wondered whether your draft might be like a hoarder’s house. In this post, we will look at a different issue, the scattered draft. One of my volunteer gigs is to teach a children’s Bible class in Tallinn at our church. My class is very small, and the students areContinue reading “Is Your Draft a Little Jaga Jaga?”
Is reading your novel like trying to walk through a hoarder’s house?
I love to work on manuscript reviews. When an author has a completed draft that they are willing to let an Editor Book Coach review, it signals their commitment to the writing process and to doing the best work they can. They are serious about writing a good book. As you may suspect, there tendContinue reading “Is reading your novel like trying to walk through a hoarder’s house?”
Looking for a Virtual Writing Conference in 2024?
Consider The History Quill Virtual Conference! It is just two days this year, and you can attend live or watch the records. Read more and register here. Note: this is an affiliate link. Readerly.net will receive compensation when writers use it to register, but the cost to writers for the convention will remain the same.Continue reading “Looking for a Virtual Writing Conference in 2024?”
What Beethoven has to do with writing…
Not too long ago, I was able to attend a live performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony here in Tallinn. Full disclosure, I have sung this opus many times as part of a chorus and it never gets old! It is joyful, it is uplifting, it is a transcendent experience, each and every time. This time,Continue reading “What Beethoven has to do with writing…”
How is Group Coaching Different to a Critique Group?
Are there too many voices in your head? Lots of writers are members of critique groups, and they can be extremely helpful. If you listen to interviews with authors, or sometimes read the acknowledgements in the front of a book, you will see plenty of evidence that when a critique group works well, it canContinue reading “How is Group Coaching Different to a Critique Group?”
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”
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?”