Category Archives: writing advice

Pitching a Novel: Nailing Your Synopsis

Posted on September 21, 2017 by

This is the third in a series on pitching your novel, my take on the topic–for many more answers, follow the blog chain led by Joshua Palmatier, editor and author!  In the meantime, read on. . . Personally, I think … Continue reading →

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The Query Quandary: Pitching Your Novel

Posted on September 20, 2017 by

The novel pitching advice and experience continues today, with the all-important query.  For more advice, check out Joshua Palmatier’s hub of all things pitching! Okay, so you’ve got a killer pitch line, and a finished manuscript, and you’re ready for … Continue reading →

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Crafting Your Pitch, Elevator Style

Posted on September 19, 2017 by

This week for all the aspiring novelists out there, Joshua Palmatier invited a bunch of us to share our stories and advice about three stages of pitching a book.  Find more entries here–and happy pitching! I love me a good … Continue reading →

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After “The End”

Posted on April 29, 2016 by

I have had the experience several times now of reading a book that I am very much enjoying–right up until the end.  Then the work either fizzles out, simply stops, or blatantly kicks me in the teeth (as a reader).  … Continue reading →

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Reading like a Writer

Posted on September 4, 2015 by

One of the dangers of crossing the line from reader to writer is that it changes the way you read. For me, it makes me impatient with bad style, slow starters, lack of tension and plot holes. I am much … Continue reading →

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The Mentor Who Knew Too Much

Posted on January 8, 2015 by

I often read unpublished manuscripts, either because I am paid to critique or edit them, or because I am trading beta-reading with author friends.  Recently, I’ve read several manuscripts with a common flaw:  a secondary character who knows almost everything, … Continue reading →

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Book Promotion: Nobody Cares about your Crazy Names (sorry!)

Posted on October 29, 2014 by

Once again, I have had the opportunity to read someone’s blurb for their fantasy novel.  You see these things all over the place–on advertising materials at conventions, on the back covers of books, on blogs or in emails asking you … Continue reading →

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Climbing back on the Bandwagon

Posted on October 16, 2014 by

In the last couple of months, I have sadly fallen off of several bandwagons:  the blogging bandwagon, the exercise bandwagon, the music practice bandwagon, lately the vegetarian diet bandwagon.  I say “sadly” because these are all things I would have … Continue reading →

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Dear Writers, Welcome the New Year with Change

Posted on January 1, 2014 by

Hey, it’s 2014! I have a lot to look forward to, like a royalty statement that will definitively answer the question, “How’s Elisha Barber doing?” And the release of Elisha Magus in July, which I’ll be sure to talk lots … Continue reading →

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Skinning your Own Apes: Researching from Primary Sources

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

An article in the Stanford magazine this month talks about a new method of teaching history to high schoolers using primary source material, having the teens read several documents about an incident and draw their own conclusions based on the … Continue reading →

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