Tag Archives: mistakes

Okay, I’m Done. Now What?

You’re “done” you say? That begs a few questions. Like: Are you finished with the rough draft/first “complete” manuscript? Are you finished with all the updates of your first draft? Have you given up altogether? Are you ready to start … Continue reading

Posted in editing, Memoir, novel writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Enough dots already! (Encore)

Someone asked me recently why I wasn’t on Twitter. I almost said, “because I’m already on bourbon.” But then I thought that would be a little too snarky, even if it was true. The real reason is more basic. Based … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Edit? You mean I’m not done yet? (Encore)

Whoa. Edit my own book? Where would I even start? For most writers, especially those who haven’t already completed at least a couple full-length novels, you need to let your work cool off before you do anything. Why? Because your brain believes your … Continue reading

Posted in editing, Memoir, novel writing, short fiction, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Details can make or break a story

Have you ever watched a movie where someone missed an obvious mistake? Maybe you saw a Roman soldier wearing a wristwatch in some sand and sandal epic, or there were high tension power lines on the horizon of a Civil … Continue reading

Posted in Historical writing, novel writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Critiques Are A Writer’s Gold

It will come as a profound shock to many beginning novelists to learn that what they’ve written, perhaps even slaved over, is pretty much crap. Dross. Bison snot. Burnt toast bad. I’m not saying that to be mean, rather it’s … Continue reading

Posted in editing, Memoir, novel writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Okay, I’m Done. Now What?

You’re “done” you say? That begs a few questions. Like: Are you finished with the rough draft/first “complete” manuscript? Are you finished with all the updates of your first draft? Have you given up altogether? Are you ready to start … Continue reading

Posted in editing, Memoir, novel writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

A Word About Mechanics

I’m talking about writing mechanics, not the folks who keep our cars running. (That’s a whole different breed of magic about which I’m not qualified to comment.) Of all the many things a novice writer can do to improve his … Continue reading

Posted in editing, novel writing, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Sometimes…

…you’ve just gotta resist temptation. And most especially if you’re writing a memoir. Trouble is, there are several temptations which often crop up during the writing of a memoir, and in almost every case, caving to any of them will … Continue reading

Posted in Memoir, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Editing schmediting

“I’m writing my life story, and no one knows it better then me. So what can an editor do that I can’t do for myself?” For openers, a good editor can help you avoid looking foolish, and that assumes you’re … Continue reading

Posted in editing, Memoir, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Enough dots already! How to write a novel–part 37

Someone asked me recently why I wasn’t on Twitter. I almost said, “because I’m already on bourbon.” But then I thought that would be a little too snarky, even if it was true. The real reason is more basic. Based … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments