The Secret Life of Writers
"I don't have time to read." I hear that comment frequently from other writers, and, to be honest, it baffles me. A life without reading? How do you even live? Without a steady diet of reading, my brain grows lazy and it becomes far more difficult for me to write. [Cue five hours of staring at... Continue Reading →
Protagonist: Look, I hope you know I'm here unwillingly. I still have several scenes to appear in today, and if I'm a no-show, things are really going down. Me: Exactly what I want to talk to you about. [Protagonist glowers at the wall.] Me: Let's pretend for a few minutes that we've never met. What... Continue Reading →
When we first start our books, it's magic. We're captivated by the stories playing in our heads, by the characters, by (let's be honest) everything that spills across the pages. But as time goes on, we grow tired. Distracted. New stories torment us from a distance, and all we want to do is step back... Continue Reading →
You paint me larger than life. Who is the reader supposed to fear? ME. Who has the power to change the outcome of a book? ME. I'm the most powerful character in the book. Listen to me roar. 2. Free publicity. You generally set up the stage before I make my appearance. The reader knows... Continue Reading →
Hi, Pam! Thank you for joining us today. How long have you been writing? What inspired your quest to become a writer? I think my first finished story was in fourth grade (it was a mystery - the case of the missing skateboard!) but I have always loved reading – adventure, mystery, history, contemporary, whatever I... Continue Reading →
It usually goes like this: Friend: "So. How are the edits coming along?" Me [grins sheepishly]: "I'm working on another book." Friend: "A SECOND book?" Me: "Well...and another one after that." *long, guilty silence* Me [mumbles]: "I'm writing four books, OK? That's it." Friend: *brings straitjacket* The past few months have been relentless. I write... Continue Reading →
This morning, I sat down with [insert your protagonist's name] and asked them what really irritated them about their author. Their answer? "I don't think we have enough time for everything, but. . . ." 10. You have all control over my life. I just want a safe, calm, relaxing life--- but noooo. You turn... Continue Reading →
My favorite thing is the adrenaline rush that comes from writing a powerful scene, when it's flowing from my fingertips and mind like water and I don't even know what I'm doing, but the story is unstoppable!
You control destinies by your pen. You summon adventure and love and death. You are the ruler of worlds that readers can only dream of. You, my friend, are a writer. Books offer escape and vision, and you are the one who opens the portal. You show them the path out of the real world... Continue Reading →
Hi, Beckie! Thank you for joining us today. How long have you been writing? I have been writing since I was very young. I started with writing songs and poems. We moved a lot when I was growing up (over 20 times). My friends were in the books I'd read and the stories I would... Continue Reading →
