Writing, on the yoga mat.
Barnes and Noble announced today that it will close a third of its stores over the next decade, so it seems like either a good or slightly ironic time for me to celebrate another in my series of real, versus virtual, pleasures: the bookstore. When I was growing up, bookstores were … [Read more...]
Every four seconds, a romance novel is sold somewhere in the world. Every four seconds. And they (who are "they" anyway?) say publishing is dead. Romance novels, the people who read them, and the authors who write them are the subject of what looks like a totally delightful documentary called … [Read more...]
You know you're over 30 when you're talking to other writers or creative types (which, in my opinion, is anybody), and this question comes up: "I'm so busy writing--do I really have to post on Facebook, tweet on Twitter, and blog, too?" Short answer: Yes. Yes, you do. Longer explanation: … [Read more...]
At last, the novel was finished. Two or three years of thinking, plotting, building characters and a world for them to live in, all down on the page. Now it was off to my beloved agent, who I figured would be as thrilled as I was with the final result. She wasn't. She said the idea was good, the … [Read more...]
"Finally!" you're saying. "She's going to tell me how to get my book published!" Well . . . sort of. Since I hate having to read an entire blog, magazine article, or book to get to the point of the tantalizing title, I'll cut to the chase. The recipe for success, whether you're writing a book … [Read more...]
"'Her hair felt like silk slipping through his fingers'? Let me kill it!" How many times have you read the following worn-out sentences? She padded down the hall in her bare feet. His eyes were wide with horror. He cupped her breast. She fisted her hands by her sides. Fisted? … [Read more...]
I've taken a while to get back to this subject because I wanted to think very carefully about what to say. Which means I've been staring at a blank page for a while. This is NOT where all writing begins. It is, unfortunately, where some writing dreams end. You have an idea for a story. … [Read more...]
Every day I get an e-newsletter called Cynopsis, which is a genius look at what's going on in the wild world of TV production. Most of it is beyond me and I don't always have time to read it all, but one day a small item grabbed my eyes: The first-ever vegan cooking show was coming to TV this fall. … [Read more...]
Whether you're a writer or a gardener, a veterinarian or a web mistress, you have days when you feel like Wonder Woman . . . And then you have days when your tiara's missing and your bracelets aren't deflecting those bummer-inducing bullets the way they should. As a writer, I seek help from … [Read more...]
And I love bloggers. Especially Kelly at 1776 Books, who gave Cherries a rating of 5 out of 5. (The rating means: "Excellent. I would read it again in a heartbeat.") Kelly, you rate a 10 in my book! You should check out Kelly's blog for other good book recommendations, too. And I'm not just … [Read more...]
