It’s been quite a month, this June of 2010! Such a whirl of gaiety, glamor, and interviewing amazing people in the publishing industry. Quite a lot of activity, actually, for someone who’s secretly just a rickety 97-year-old bootlegger who once shot the shoe off a revenuer (and would do it… Read more“Passing the Versatile Blogger torch”
Month: June 2010
Writing fiction: an editor’s manifesto
Dear Editor: You keep telling us the publishing industry’s in massive transition. But the simple truth is I want to be a writer. What are my prospects?—E.P.G. Yes, the publishing industry is definitely in massive transition. All kinds of stuff is going on, including publishers throwing out the baby with… Read more“Writing fiction: an editor’s manifesto”
The Forces Within:
the Millicent Dillon interview on Jane & Paul Bowles
Millicent Dillon is the world’s expert on Jane and Paul Bowles, one of America’s most extraordinary and puzzling literary couples—both cutting-edge literary geniuses, expatriates in Tangier before and after WWII, both gay and yet devoted to each other for 35 years, even throughout Jane’s terrible 16-year illness after her stroke… Read more“<i>The Forces Within:</i><br>the Millicent Dillon interview on Jane & Paul Bowles”
Why You’re Not Going to Make It as a Writer,
in 8 Parts
Short answer: you don’t know what you mean by “make it.” Do you mean get an agent? You can get an agent. This country is CHOCK FULL TO BURSTING right this moment with brand new, chomping-at-the-bit, frothing-at-the-mouth, starving agents. People who should not have been allowed to learn to type… Read more“Why You’re Not Going to Make It as a Writer,<br>in 8 Parts”
Tackling your genre market & audience
Dearest Editor, On agency web sites, I often read that a writer should know the market for his genre – know what is getting published – what is selling. However, I’ve also read agent interviews where the agent advises that it takes up to two years to get a manuscript… Read more“Tackling your genre market & audience”
Having the chops to be a writer
Dear Editor, I am ready to begin my second book after spending over two years on my first novel. New characters that have been swimming around in my head for months, scenes I know exactly how to write, a climax that is spectacular – they are all there, and yet… Read more“Having the chops to be a writer”
Starting a chapter with dialog
Is it true that a writer should not begin a chapter with dialogue?—Talkative in Toledo You know, this is another of those rules that get trotted out periodically to (supposedly) offer aspiring writers a short-cut to stardom. “Never use adverbs!” “Never use dialog tags other than ‘said’!” “Never use passive… Read more“Starting a chapter with dialog”
Setting an unfamiliar scene
My novel is historical fiction. Its setting is almost unrecognizable nowadays. From the animals that once lived there to what the people wore, it almost seems like a fantasy. I feel like I have to over compensate with details to explain that it was once real. How do I establish… Read more“Setting an unfamiliar scene”
Honestly or sensationally addressing YA taboos
Dear Editor, Physical violence, sexuality and adult scenarios such as drinking and drugs seem to be filtering down into the younger genres. Must YA writers ride this wave to be successful?—K Dear K, NO. You do not need to push the limits of taboo to write good fiction, for YA… Read more“Honestly or sensationally addressing YA taboos”
Promoting fiction
Dear Editor, So, when should I begin building my promotional platform?—Kathryn For fiction? Screw platform. Focus on your story. Donald Maass and Lisa Rector talked about this in our interview, pilule and what they said makes a lot of sense: the platform thing is a bit blown out of proportion… Read more“Promoting fiction”