My number one question to break the ice during a book signing is, “So do you read much fiction?” But I don’t ask this to everyone I see. No, I’m looking for a particular person to ask. You know the person. He/she is standing within earshot but far enough away to barely read your title. [...]
Entries from August 2006
August 27, 2006
Is anybody doing it right?
Almost every time I go somewhere to speak about writing for publication, someone in the crowd asks me what authors I like to read and who has influenced me. And nearly every time I draw a complete blank. I mumble a couple of names of popular writers who I like well enough, but I can [...]
August 25, 2006
You Know You Are Reading Good Fiction When …
Hey Chris, nice picture. You crack me up.
You guys are putting out some great stuff on fiction. I don’t know who else reads this blog but I am really taking some of this advice seriously. Keep up the quality.
I was hoping and planning on reporting my great strides on my own [...]
August 24, 2006
What I Find Fault With…
…in myself? Where to begin…
O, wait; this is only regarding writing? Phew! You were about to read a pretty sorry session of verbal throwing up!
1.) Spelling. I think I’m a night-mare made manifest for my senior editor. She humors me, truly. But I wish I was a better speller. I have greatly improved and now [...]
August 23, 2006
Flaws and Traps
Beside my grammatical challenges (this is where I would just list them but my list looked too similar to the table of contents to the Chicago Manual of Style!), I have a tendency to repeat the following flaws and traps:
1. Over use of narration to set the scenes. I need to focus more on letting [...]
August 21, 2006
115620917878545770
Sorry for the late start. I had a doctor’s appt this morning that threw off my whole routine. Truth be told, I forgot it’s Monday. But here I am so let’s get started.
First off, a big apology to Sam. Non-fiction writers are just as important to this blog and I’m sure they have the same [...]
August 17, 2006
What We Know Converted to Writing
Well, since I am NOT an experienced fiction writer I do not feel I really have any advice to offer on fiction. I look forward to additional comments since I am learning and want to learn much more. Hey, Aaron, I think I’ll check out that book you mentioned for myself.
It wouldn’t be [...]
August 16, 2006
Don’t Miss the Bus
On my way to work this morning I stopped for a school bus that was picking up kids on the opposite side of the street. Yes, school has started in Florida. As the last student boarded, the bus tucked in its flashing signs and went on to its next stop which I had just passed [...]
August 15, 2006
Dealing With Details
I’m so glad Teresa picked this topic. And that she made mention of it being for the next “few weeks,” as there is far to much to cover this topic in one discussion. Nor do we want to short change you on the depths to which we all struggle with this issue (*I’m referring to [...]
August 14, 2006
Details, Details, Details
Once your first book is published, you become an expert–and perhaps a bit of a celebrity–in the eyes of the world concerning this mysterious world of writing. Everyone believes they have a story to tell. They just don’t know how to go about getting it done. I get asked all the time, “How do you [...]
