When All Else Fails… PLOT JUMPSTARTERS

When All Else Fails… PLOT JUMPSTARTERS

Feb 9, 2021 | On Writing

“When in doubt, have a man come through a door with a gun in his hand.” –Raymond Chandler Whether you outline first or simply plunge in by the seat of your pants, there may come a time when you realize your story engine is failing and you need a jumpstart, fast,...
Writing Lessons from the Garden

Writing Lessons from the Garden

Oct 20, 2020 | On Writing

During this wild and crazy pandemic year I planted my first potager garden. Something I’d always planned to do but finally managed to pull off. Like writing my first novel. I learned a lot, and a lot of what I learned applied to writing as well as gardening. You amend...
The Organizing Principle, for Fun and Profit

The Organizing Principle, for Fun and Profit

Sep 22, 2020 | On Writing

One of the most often overlooked tools in the storyteller’s toolbox is the organizing principle. All kinds of stories can benefit from organizing principles—from memoir and literary fiction to creative nonfiction and genre fiction. An organizing principle is not the...
Publishing Proverbs You Should Know

Publishing Proverbs You Should Know

Jul 6, 2020 | On Writing

Publishing is rife with conventional wisdom but some of it is actually useful. Here are some of the best. The first page sells the book, the last page sells the next book. I repeated this recently at a Zoom event and like an old dog full of old tricks I was surprised...
Stalking the Big Idea

Stalking the Big Idea

Jun 10, 2019 | On Writing

These days, it’s all about The Big Idea. That’s what publishers are looking for. Think Hollywood, with more words. As an agent, I hear this every day from editors: I really like this story, but…. …but it’s too quiet. …but it’s too old-fashioned. …but it’s too...

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