Did cubism originate with Picasso? Did short, pithy poems originate with Emily Dickinson? Did vampire stories originate with Stephenie Meyer? (Okay, you knew I couldn't resist that one.)The truth is something no artist wants to hear: there really is nothing new under the sun. … [Read more...]
Deja Vu Blogfest
Today, I'm participating in the Deja Vu Blogfest, in which myriad bloggers hop, skip and jump about the internet, searching for blog-gems they didn't realize existed. I'm looking forward to finding and following other writerly blogs. I'm also hoping bookinamonthmom will entice some weary … [Read more...]
Hook, Line and Sinker
Yesterday I bungee jumped for the first time, and all would've gone well if that cord hadn't....Did I hook you yet?Nope, I didn't REALLY go bungee jumping (although it's been a wild-girl dream of mine for awhile now). But the purpose of hooks in writing is to pull the reader in so tightly, they … [Read more...]
Who Cares?
Every good writer wants to find a way to make people care about something, even if said author seems to hate life and think that everything is futile.Case in point: Sylvia Plath. "Plath-y" writers do care about something: the fact that life seems random and unfair. They want to make you jump on … [Read more...]
A Writer Gives Thanks
Tis the season for Thanksgiving--though the Christmas music is already playing in Wal-Mart! Let's not skip over giving thanks as we get closer to the end of another year.As a writer who's experienced my fifth tumultuous year on the road to publication, I'm going to stop and give thanks.1) I'd like … [Read more...]
Shaka-POW!
I can't really think of any other words for this post. I'm giddy with excitement, like I'm in love for the first time. Why? I can't stop writing! I've got the seed of a new novel in my head, and ideas are pouring out nonstop.Is this the initial infatuation phase? You'd better believe it! I was … [Read more...]