Sep 7
If you write children’s or young adult literature, and even if you don’t, you can learn plenty from author Jane Yolen.
Yolen has written 300 books and has been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America and the Aesop of the twentieth century. In this video interview from FaerieCon 2010, she answers a few frequently asked questions and explains the meaning of the acronyms BIC and HOP. Read more
As writers, we must let nothing deter us from our mission.
Sometimes that is easier said than done. One major deterrent in this age of gadgets and computers is our dependence on electricity — especially when the power goes out. I’ve endured a power outage during a frigid winter when a wind storm blew trees over and knocked out power lines in my neighborhood. For eight days, I scavenged for hotel rooms and went to the library for wireless Internet access.
So when the recent destruction caused by Hurricane Irene blew out power for thousands, I could sympathize with everyone who suffered from outages and flooding.
Chicago Sun Times columnist Andy Ihnatko (@Ihnatko), who went for a full week without power, wrote an informative column about how he navigated the outage and still managed to write. Read more
Whenever I move to a new city, the first thing I do is get my library card, even before a driver’s license.
Not only as a reader, but as a writer, I consider my library card to be my most important card. When I enter a library, I’m stepping into my happy place.
I know several published authors who reserve study rooms at their local libraries when they need a quiet place to work on their books. I’ve done the same thing when I wanted to defeat distraction.
Since today is the first day of National Library Card Sign-up Month, I’m highlighting some of the excellent services available at libraries. Read more
How often are you attracted to a book by its title? Your title is a chance to capture a reader’s attention (not to mention an agent’s or editor’s).
Consider this guide as you settle on a title for your novel, memoir, or short story.
Double meanings can work. But look out for clichés, and make sure the meaning is what you intend and not too obscure or clever. The title of the movie, “The King’s Speech,” could mean the publicly important speech that King George delivers at the end or his speech — his way of speaking. It works.
Think about the tone and voice of your book. A powerful title will match the style of writing readers find on the pages of your book. Read more
I’ve never needed a reason to buy a new notebook, but I have one today.
I’ve decided to start a new commonplace book.
My writing addictions list wouldn’t be complete without adding “journals.” I have separate notebooks for book projects, story ideas, my tiny notebook — in case I’m out without a larger notebook — and think of something I must record immediately.
Years ago, I heard a writer speak at a writer’s conference about his commonplace book, and I began keeping my own. Commonplace books emerged in the 15th century. People would note interesting ideas about books they’d read so they could use them for conversation starters. I no longer remember the name of the speaker, but I remember what he said (because I noted it in my commonplace book): Read more
I’m addicted to making and reading newspaper blackout poems. I learned about them when I stumbled across the book Newspaper Blackout
Kleon discovered newspaper blackout when he was stuck on his writing. He picked up some newspapers lying beside his desk and started marking out words. In his book, Kleon shows examples of newspaper blackout poetry and explains the “20-year history of folks finding poetry in the newspaper,” then goes on to explain how to do it yourself.
As I write this, I’m thinking about following the advice of my blogging partner and taking a nap. That’s because I woke up extra early this morning to write in my dream state.
If you read my last blog post, you know that I decided to turn myself into a morning person after reading the book, “From Where You Dream.”
Here’s more about how I did it and what I learned, starting with a note I had sent to my writer’s group back when I started waking up early: Read more
onewildword 