Craft
What’s a One Sheet?
So you’ve worked on your pitch, gotten it down to a 30 second sound bite that will knock the socks of an editor. Now what if he/she wants to know more? That’s when I pull out my One Sheet. I rarely have to do a lot of talking in my 15 minute interviews. I just…
Perfecting Your Pitch
For the next couple of weeks on Tuesday & Thursdays we’ll be focusing on conference preparation here at Writer…Interrupted. So you’ve finished your novel and your ready to set your baby loose. But if you were asked to describe your novel in a few sentences, would you be able to do it? Some people call…
First Conference Lessons
For the next couple of weeks on Tuesday & Thursdays we’ll be focusing on conference preparation here at Writer…Interrupted. Early last summer I met Elizabeth Musser at a book signing for her newest release. She signed my copy and I mentioned to her that I write fiction. “Go to a conference,” she counseled me. “That…
Why Are YOU Going to a Writer’s Conference?
For the next couple of weeks on Tuesday & Thursdays we’ll be focusing on conference preparation here at Writer…Interrupted. About eight years ago, I took the first step toward publication. I attended my first writer’s conference. I was young, determined, and naive enough to have the confidence to get on a plane and out of…
THINK Before You Publish
Every January I evaluate my blog and the direction of my writing. Am I where I want to be? Headed where I want to go? This year I discovered a distinct lack of courage. I play it safe too often. Since then I’ve discovered something I should have known all along: hot topics sell. (Brilliant…
Before You Hit Send On Your Manuscript
Nothing is more exciting and unnerving than finishing edits and getting ready to send in a manuscript to an agent or editor. Even if you and your critique partners have gone over your pages several times, doubts still nag. Did I catch every misspelled word and homonym? When I made my last edits did I…
ABCs of the Content Edit
Every step of my journey to publication has been a huge learning experience for me. The revision letter was no different. The content edits for Canyon Walls were pretty extensive. At first, I was disappointed, but now, I realize that it is just another step in making me a better writer. Here are a few of…
How Long Do You Wait Before You Move On?
From the archives: This was first posted on March 8, 2012 This question is first and foremost in my mind as I think about friends and family who have waited and now are celebrating the end to their longing. A prodigal daughter and mother reunited. A divorced mother weeks away from marrying the love of…
What If I Don’t Like My Main Character?
By Carla Stewart Writing a likeable protagonist has plagued my writing on numerous occasions. I think I have the perfect situation and give the protagonist (usually female in my case) an ordinary world where something happens that turns said world on its ear. Decisions have to be made, new roads forged, and of course, there…
My 10 Commandments of Blogging
Writers have it tough. We try to make a living by putting our heart into words, but if people don’t like our words (or our hearts) then they won’t read it. If they don’t read it, we don’t get paid. If we don’t get paid, it’s hardly a living. This catapults us into a maze…