Still working on the middle for this revision round (which is starting to feel like a rewriting round but I digress, ha). I was looking at my library of craft books to glean any kind of advice and inspiration to push me through to the last third of this novel, and I came across one of the classics: Writing Fiction by Janet Burroway. My copy is dog-eared and I didn't know there is now a seventh edition --- I still have the fifth edition. This book is special to me because it's one of the … [Read more...]
Minute Milestones
September 27, 2010 Read Comments
As writers, we all have different paths or specific goals that we want to reach. But sometimes we get so caught up in the end result that we don't take time to appreciate the process. I had Sunday brunch with a writer friend and I told her about my novel project. This is the conversation: Me: "I hate to admit it but I had such great plans for 2010 and now the year is almost over and I don't know if I'll finish this book." Writer Friend: "I think you're doing great! Look at all the stuff … [Read more...]
Hello Fall!
September 24, 2010 Read Comments
If you haven't heard yet, Fall (or Autumn if you prefer) has arrived. Here's a gorgeous picture that I took last Fall from my office window. One of the things I love about Atlanta is the sea of trees that surround the skyline. This is my *favorite* season! I LOVES me some Fall. I love the football, the change of weather, the Halloween treats, the veggie harvest, the turning of the leaves, and the infamous Thanksgiving dinner. Originally my current novel project took … [Read more...]
In the Moment
September 22, 2010 Read Comments
During this revision phase, I'm looking at my scenes and trying to find ways to deepen my character's personalities, motivations, and emotions. One of the things I learned from my very first writing class is the importance of moments in action. This is one of the reasons I love books more than movies. In books, there are so many ways to break down a moment with character quirks and thoughts. These moments can reveal who your characters are and what makes them tick. I found a great … [Read more...]
