Categotry Archives: Writing Life
Suzie at the Crossroads
Every so often I come to a point where I could easily take the Suzie’s House story in a couple of different directions. I am at such a point right now. About a month ago Ash asked for a love scene. I promised to deliver one as quickly as I could arrange it. I believe she was looking for something between Miranda and Vin, but it turns out the first opportunity for one is between Suzie and Drew. Because my […]
Ossification in Writing
What do I mean when I say something I’m writing has ossified? I mean I’ve gotten too ridged in my thinking to be able to work with the material anymore. There is a tendency for writers to suffer from the Written in Stone Syndrome. I know I’m not the only one because my professors discussed it. The Written in Stone Syndrome is the tendency for a writer to think whatever ended up on the page shouldn’t be changed because that’s […]
Building a Web Site
As an unpublished author, what do you put on your web site? I feel so silly pushing myself this way, but want to do something. Everyone says it’s important to have an Internet presence, and it’s never too soon to get started, but really, I’m not so sure. If editors and agents don’t bother to look at a writer’s web site, then it seems like a lot of work. On the other hand, I think it helps other writers see where […]
Kissing the Blarney Stone
How do you make yourself write? I don’t need to know for myself. At this late stage in the game I’m pretty comfortable with writer’s block and getting around it. I need to know so I have something worth saying to those who are suffering. When you have something to write about, but it may not be real clear yet, and you have the time, and the word processor is launched with a blank page waiting, how do you get […]
When Do You Show Your Work?
Do you keep your writing to yourself until the entire book is done? Or do you like to be cheered on as you go? Do you write to your vision, to your audience, or both? My first three attempts at writing a book went bust. The second attempt in particular was spectacular because I spent twenty years on it, and never once got close to the end. I showed it to anyone who would sit still long enough for me […]
Workshops on FanLit Forever
A while back I asked if anyone would be interested in having me run a workshop in The Workshop board on FanLit Forever. The response was a resounding “Yeah, sure.” Despite the fact I am a rank amateur who has never run a workshop in her life, I’ve decided to go for it. Maybe, with luck, we can talk a published author into coming in and doing it right. Actually, I’m going to run two at the same time. I’m […]
Romance In the Air
Am I the only one who sees an awful lot of Romance in the Comics lately? Check it out: Alice
Zack is Ready
Note to self. Today I unleashed Zack in the unsuspecting FanLitters. God forgive me. Alice
Suzie's House – Where Next?
Most of the time I have only a vague idea what I’m going to do with Suzie’s House until I sit down to write it, which I frequently get around to on Thursday. This week I don’t even have a glimmer. So, what would you like to see next? Anyone’s Point of View of particular interest to you? Any particular relationship you’d like to see explored? Any issue on your mind? Let me know. Alice
Truth in Critique
Probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my writing career is critique other people’s writing. You may have noticed I’m a big fan of balance. I seriously believe everything in life comes down to it. Critique is no exception. In critique the balance is between truth and encouragement. It’s easy to critique someone who doesn’t need it. Then truth and encouragement come together for form one big “Wonderful! Excellent! Send it out!” That leaves the other 80 percent of […]
Golden Heart
Got my results back. Sigh. Maybe next year. Did you enter? If so, how did you do? Alice
Patricia McLinn Contest
I do a little work for Patricia McLinn. I help her handle submissions to her contests. The last one she ran involved questions that could only be answered if you had read a book released by a small press. It didn’t get a lot of response. Previous contests didn’t tie in that closely to her work, and brought in hundreds of entries. She has asked me to help come up with a contest idea. I’m drawing a complete blank. Has […]
"I Could Be a Writer"
This one is for Nancy. Did you really think this was going to be easy? Just because Nora whips out half a dozen books a year and you can type 60 words per minute doesn’t mean you can write a book in six weeks. Yes, I did it, but it wasn’t as long of a book and I already had one complete and years of experience under my belt. It wasn’t a whole new experience for me. Nor will that […]
Quick Quote
Mr. Al regarding the need to delete scenes from our books: “It’s so hard to strangle our babie.”
Cudos to Bev!
I’ve only read the first few pages, and recognize them from one of your blogs 😀 but I can see this is going to be a good read. Congrats on writing the book and getting it out! Alice
