Where do great ideas come from? What idea generation techniques work best? This can be a difficult question to answer, since usually, an idea for a novel seems to come out of nowhere. One day you're driving in your car or washing dishes and an idea starts to glow in your mind like the sun coming up, or maybe it glares down on you all at once, as if dark clouds were suddenly blown away and there it is – hot and bright and obvious.
Read MoreGetting published is generally a challenging, frustrating road. It can break your heart, as most writers need to wade through lots of rejection before they reach their first publishing success. Many people quit before they get there. I wrote this post to help writers who might be tempted to quit.
Read MoreI'm fascinated by lists of "recommended reading" - not only do such lists help us discover great books, but they also reveal quite a bit about the person who created the list. (For example, someone over at LibraryThing.com has cataloged the contents of Marilyn Monroe's personal library. Reading through the list reveals a lot about the private interests of such a public person.)
Read MoreAn idea for a novel is the first building block to writing a book. But while a great idea is an important component to a great novel, a great idea alone won’t guarantee a successful book. So what does it take to shepherd that great idea through to a successfully executed story?
Read MoreOver the years, I've read my share of writing guides, most of which have been helpful in one way or another. None of them have made me laugh out loud, however, until I read On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King.
Read MorePerseverance is a necessary trait for writers. Perseverance is defined as “steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.” (dictionary.com) Because the path to publication is littered with rejection, perseverance is a trait all writers seeking to be traditionally published need to cultivate.
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