Sometimes, when I am feeling a bit stuck, I walk. I look at Lake Michigan. But today, it’s cold. And icy. On days like that, I step away from the manuscript and try and tackle something short and different and difficult. In other words: I step out of my comfort zone. This morning, I did…
Writing
The Next Big Thing!
The Next Big Thing is an awareness blog campaign that began in Australia and became international. It features authors and illustrators of books for kids and young adults and their recently published books and/or those that are slated to be released this year. Thank you to Anna Levine, who invited me to talk about my…
I need to repeat this….
every morning. NOT perfect. JUST written.
The Jar is BACK!
If you are like me: guilty of constantly going backwards to fix things in the novel, take my advice: start a writing jar. (I am taking out mine today.) Every time you go back to edit: pay $25 to charity. This helps me generate a rough draft. When I realize something, I make a…
If you are slow to get back to work after the long vaca….
REMEMBER: Now, back to work.
1.1.13
Today, in the car, I got my FIRST TIP for the new year: TALK. I’ve had a few ideas percolating…but not quite ready for prime time. (In other words, I’ve been circling the concept….) Today I talked OUT LOUD about both books, both ideas. And BOTH TIMES, the people I shared ideas with came up…
My top ten
I LOVE end of year top ten lists…the best and worst dressed..the most embarrassing political moments….the best/worst movies, books, etc… They are everywhere! Which means we need one, too. So here it is! To inspire you for a great writing year in 2013…..MY top ten list: THE BEST ADVICE I’VE RECEIVED (and often given), 2012…
Great advice: take two
When you read it in the ladies’ room, you KNOW it has to be true. What I love most about this photo? When I was having trouble with a manuscript, the great Deborah Brodie told me: Eat dessert first! In other words: write what you want to. Don’t worry about the hard scenes. OR the…
Best Advice: take one
Don’t save that revelation for later: spend it now! What happens next is ALWAYS more interesting than the filler you would have created, pacing the reader for what you already know.
Give yourself some quiet time
Yesterday, when my writing felt a bit off, I gave myself some quiet time. Such a gift! Quiet time…or still time…often helps me put things in order. Or figure out what isn’t working. Sometimes, I stumble on something (literally) or overhear a piece of dialogue that was just what I needed. Nice view, too. Right?…