writing life
Starting a Novel without a Title (but with a Cover)
I usually start a novel with at least a working title. Not this time. However, I am starting with a working cover design.
This is in preparation for my next novel-writing month, which is February—FebNoWriMo?—part of my New Year’s resolution to publish 4 original books during the next year.
You can see a cover template over at [...]
Battling the Post-Revision Blues
I’ve experienced the same thing, as a musician, whenever I give a big musical performance. As you prepare for the big event, you practice, you plan, you’re running on adrenaline. The big night comes. You perform beautifully. The burn of the spotlights, the adulation of the crowd, the feeling of accomplishment. You’re floating on air.
The [...]
The Best Thing You’ve Ever Written
Yesterday, I posted a status on Facebook about my new novel I’m working on: “This is a tear-jerker. Possibly the best story I’ll have written so far.”
That got me to thinking whether I’m conceited or deluded, to say that I’m now writing the best thing I’ve ever written. After all, who am I to say [...]
I Wanna Write like Nora Roberts: 7 Tips for Prolific Writers
As you may know, I’ve never been able to get through a Nora Roberts novel. I’ve always gotten bored or otherwise lost interest. So then why would I say that I want to write like her?
It’s not a joke. I seriously admire Nora Roberts as an author, even though her fiction is not for me. [...]
Literary Rambles: An Interview with Writer-Blogger Casey Mccormick
I was touched by this short interview with Casey Mccormick, the author of Literary Rambles, a blog about writing YA fiction.
The interview went up a month ago at Beth Revis’s blog Writing It Out. In it, Casey talks about her blog and the features she provides through it, including a weekly “Agent Spotlight,” which features [...]
Interview with Humorist Kevin Cummings
I have the pleasure of welcoming humorist Kevin Cummings to BeTheStory.com today.
Hello.
As you can see, what I’ve written is in italics, and what he’s written is in normal type.
Today, we’re going to talk about humor, about writing on a schedule, and about his new book Happily Domesticated, just released and hot off the presses.
So, Kevin, [...]
7 Things I Wish I Knew before Writing My First Book
This appears to be turning into a blog-meme of sorts. No one has (to my knowledge) tagged anyone else, but the topic does seem to be inspiring a chain of posts.
Joanna Penn blogged back in April on 7 things she wish she knew before writing her first book. Then yesterday, Alexis Grant wrote about 4 [...]
Write Every Day: What Does that Mean & Why?
Jeff DeRego is no fan of NaNoWriMo. I can sympathize. What I can’t sympathize with is that he disses the idea of writing “every day.” Listen to his audio commentary for Paula B’s Writing Show. Here’s my audio response.
I agree with him on NaNoWriMo. I agree with him except on one point. I think writers [...]
NaNoWriMo almost Here, and Do I Have a Surprise for You
I never do NaNoWriMo, because I believe if you’re a writer, you should write. Period. One month of excitement is not going to change your life. It’s like one of those one-day self-help seminars. You go; you have an enlightening, emotional experience; you feel good about yourself and your future; and three days later, you’re [...]
You Are Worth Every Word You Write
I know I’ve been away for a while, because I’ve been in the midst of the frantic throes of releasing my new novel, The Conscience of Abe’s Turn and my dad John King’s memoirs, Can You See God in This Picture. (We sold out of the latter on the day of its release, but I [...]