How to Move On
Deciding when to move on from a story (or book or poem or play or whatever) is a challenging choice that bedevils many writers. On the one hand, there are those romantic notions of “never give up on your work!” but on the other hand, there is no doubt that as an author you must…
continue readingThe Writing Version of the Dry Heaves
So as you know, I’m not generally a fan of how-to writing books. I always make sure to mention my favorites (Pat Walsh’s 78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published… and John Dufresne’s The Lie that Tells a Truth definitely deserve a place of honor on your writing shelf next to John Gardner…
continue readingConflict, the Passover Question, and Fear of Sentimentality
Today, we wrap up our question-of-the-day from Joshua Henkin, author of the critically acclaimed novel Matrimony. Thanks for Joshua for all this time and great information this week. Slushpile: What is your single-best, most-important, can’t-live-without writing tip you would offer to aspiring authors? Henkin: First of all, I want to thank you, Scott, for having…
continue readingQuery Letter Comparisons and Bragging
Nathan Bransford has a great blog post about bragging. And the comments yield an interesting discussion as well. Bransford’s point is that you should “brag” on yourself all you want in a query letter. Share your relevant achievements and accomplishments. However, then turn off the spotlights. “When it comes to describing the actual work in…
continue readingIt’s All a Question of Balance
Sell yourself. Tell the truth. Both very good advice. Both very necessary if you’re trying to get an agent or editor. The difficulty comes in balancing the two objectives. Seth Godin writes about how marketing creates placebos in order to influence your opinions of a product. “The design of your blog or your package or your…
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