Being Humble and Hardworking While also Being a Bit Different
Most longtime readers know of my fascination with the guitar. Many of you also know that I’m working on a book about guitar players. One of the most interesting musicians I’ve encountered in a while is John 5. I’ve spent the morning listening to his new instrumental disc The Art of Malice and I’m amazed…
continue readingTen Rules for Writing
The Guardian in Great Britain approached a number of writers, such as Elmore Leonard, Annie Proulx, Ian Rankin, and Zadie Smith, to get ten rules of writing fiction from each. They have some interesting advice and certainly there’s something in there each of us can learn from. Check it out here. A couple of writers…
continue readingIntensely Focused Practice
When we observe someone who has truly mastered their craft, whether it’s a writer, athlete, musician, or business person, we tend to assume they achieved that level of mastery through a combination of two ways: 1. They worked really, really hard. 2. They were born with some level of natural talent. However, in Talent is…
continue readingCalendar to a Book Deal
Aspiring authors often get enraged at the lack of true, specific information about publishing. We’re constantly told, “There’s no standard timetable for a publisher to respond.” You can substitute timetable for dollar amount or print runs or book tours or literary groupies or type of wine served at booksignings or anything else you can imagine.…
continue readingUseful Advice for the New Year
J.A. Konrath, always a source of useful and helpful writing tips, has an interesting post about setting goals for 2009. While most of us focus on landing an agent, getting published, accumulating a certain number of bylines, Konrath points out that you have little control over these accomplishments. Instead, focus on the things that you…
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