Tag Archives: writing process

Books I Blame

by David E. Sharp I was not born with a laptop and a mug of black coffee in my hands. This is a fact for which my mother is still grateful. It took a lot of tragic, misguiding circumstances to set me on my course to become a writer. The story, as I tell it,Continue reading “Books I Blame”

The Books That Made Me

By Brian Kaufman Along the lines of “everything happens for a reason,” my wife believes that everything that happens and everyone you meet is there to teach you something. I don’t argue with that—if you care to learn from your experiences, you will. The other thing to know is that I have read many booksContinue reading “The Books That Made Me”

The Conference Survival Handbook

By David E. Sharp Blah, blah blah, conferences are a boon to writers. Blah, blah, blah, you are going to learn so much. Buckle up, because this the hard sell. Beyond the panels, the topical sessions, and the opportunity to connect with other writers, a conference grants you the unparalleled prospect of meeting industry professionals.

Do What I Say, Not What I Did

By Brian Kaufman In a previous blog post, I admitted to blocking an editor at the entrance to the men’s room to sell him my first novel. He suffered the pitch, and I left with his business card in my wallet. No surprise that this was not my only embarrassing writer’s conference story. Lest you feel compelledContinue reading “Do What I Say, Not What I Did”

Healthy Habits, Hearty Word Counts

By Katie Lewis You would get a hundred different answers if you asked a hundred authors how often and how much writing we should all be doing daily. From conferences to advice blogs, the recommendations vary widely. Some claim you can only improve your skills by sticking to a daily writing habit, while others sayContinue reading “Healthy Habits, Hearty Word Counts”

Battle of The Bards: Poetry Is A Challenge

By Shelley Widhalm Writing a poem a day is like marriage—it’s a commitment that takes loyalty, honesty, and authenticity.  Saying “I will,” I undertook the Poem a Day Challenge in September 2017 and have written nearly 1,600 poems since. I missed a few days in winter 2020 during surgery recovery and at the end ofContinue reading “Battle of The Bards: Poetry Is A Challenge”

Genre Tropes And Expanding Horizons

By Brian Kaufman My wife and I carpooled with a friend on the way to a writer’s conference. The conversation turned to our chosen genres. My friend wrote fantasy, so my wife—an ardent reader—began asking about favorite authors. Fantasy was not a genre she often enjoyed, but she knew a fantastic number of writers in the field.Continue reading “Genre Tropes And Expanding Horizons”