For the author who is looking to make a difference between where their book is at today (perhaps just puttering along), or where it can be (with a publicist in tow), let me ask you this: If not now, when? First off, congratulations are in order if you are an author who has made it…
Writing and Reading for Pleasure: January | Douglas Burcham
Douglas continues his writing and reading for pleasure series with some thoughts for January on writing progress and structure, 2015 reading and publishing. I set out in June 2015 to complete a full self-edit and restructuring of my 300k word Gemini storybook by the end of 2015. Alas, I have failed because I have…
Writing and Reading for Pleasure: December | Douglas Burcham
Douglas continues his writing and reading for pleasure series with some brief thoughts for the month on clunking, evil and current publishing prospects. At a local writer’s group, after putting the world to right, we usually sit and listen intently to various readings from members and I marvel at my fellow writer’s inventiveness and…
Writing and Reading for Pleasure: October | Douglas Burcham
Douglas continues his writing and reading for pleasure posts with some October 2015 reflections on TIME and current news. This last month has been a TIME of reflection during my annual break in Tenby. Only a few used books were purchased this year, two old sailing books and two volumes of short stories –…
Where the Magic Was Born: Birthplaces of Our Favorite Fictional Characters – Bojan Mestrovic | Guest Post
Ernest Hemingway once said, “When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people, not characters. A character is a caricature.” What is it that inspired history’s greatest authors, like Hemingway, to develop characters so unforgettable that their names have taken a permanent place in literature? It is no secret that the act of…
Develop Your Writing Style – Florence Mendoza | Guest Post
As an author, your style is everything. When it comes to certain writers, style is something that readers will take note of before plot, characters, or any part of the actual substance of your writing. You don’t have to be a student of literature to see the differences in the writing styles of Ernest…
Writing and Reading for Pleasure: September | Douglas Burcham
Douglas continues his Writing & Reading for Pleasure series with updates about his writing progress, a follow up on his last two posts, and some current news commentary. Trilogy Writing My first thought for consideration for a post on writing trilogies came from reading earlier this year the Regeneration Trilogy by Pat Barker and The…
Top 5 Essential Traits of All Remarkable Writers – Kenneth Waldman | Guest Post
Writers are a curious bunch. Anyone who has ever met one will tell you that. Curious in a sense that it’s hard to lump them into any one of the categories, whether it’s from an artistic, social or any other point of view. Moreover, it’s nearly impossible to put all the writers with each other…
Writing Tips from Famous Writers – Joan Gilbert | Guest Post
According to the list of favorite writers of educational resource IvoryResearch, we have a lot to learn from the struggles of famous authors. When we observe their lives, we can come to a single conclusion: becoming a famous writer is not easy. Unfortunately, talent is not all it takes. Nevertheless, there is always a way…
How to Become a Good Writer: Must-Follow Tips – Janice Kersh | Guest Post
There’s writing and there’s good writing. The difference is as wide as the Pacific. Good writing inspires, provokes revelations and evokes laughter, tears and goosebumps. Most great writers were not born great writers. They were made great by years of practice and labor. They worked to get better at writing. If you want to improve…