Author: Scott McKenzie

Tip: Focus on the Lesser Known Details

I think one of the best ways to establish authority, either as an author or for one of your characters, is to focus on the lesser known details. The things that only a scuba diver would know. Or that pizza joint that only a lifelong Brooklyn resident would know. Look for the things, or places,…

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Tip: Zen and the Patience of Writing

During an interview with John Dufresne, he mentioned something that although far from revolutionary, really hit home with me. Too often we, as young writers, get caught up in the obsession to publish, to succeed, to make it, to achieve our goals, to get validation for ourselves, to prove mom and dad wrong, to get…

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Here’s Why I’ll Never Make the Corner Office

[Originally posted Tuesday, June 28, 2005] There has been a flurry of reports in the magazine and publishing worlds about a book proposal that, depending on who you talk to, is either a signed deal or never existed in the first place. At one time, Steve Florio was the chief executive at Conde Nast, the…

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Gonna Need a Bigger Boat

[Originally posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005] I could care less about skydiving, bungee jumping, or any of those other extreme adventures. But the one thing I want to do before I die is get in a cage and see a great white shark up close. I???m fascinated by the creatures so I???ll be rushing…

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Author to Write Poker Column

[Originally posted on Thursday, June 23, 2005] Seems that The New York Times is getting into the poker craze. Editor & Publishers is reporting that James McManus has been signed to write a weekly column about the game. The report states ???The newspaper promises the column will ???cover the world of poker including its lore,…

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