blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
WASH YOUR HANDS
Have you been washing your hands like a writer? Like a food service worker? Like a doctor?
During our weekly agent meeting online, the Books & Such agents have been reading and discussing Originals: …
It’s Not About the Turkey
blogger Cynthia Ruchti
It’s not about the turkey, cranberry sauce from a can vs. homemade, crescent rolls vs. biscuits, stuffing vs. dressing…
And today, it’s not about writing, editing, proposals, contracts, marketing, or grammar.
It’s about gratitude.
The Books & …
The Peanut Butter Approach to Fiction
Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
Did you know that one of the first uses of peanut butter was as a protein source for a physician’s patients who had no teeth? “Lost your dentures again, Edgar? Here, have some peanut butter.”
“What’s that …
Writing and Woodcarving
blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
So many similarities–writing and woodcarving.
As I was preparing this blog post, a writing friend with so much good going on in her career was gouged by news of a family medical crisis. A well-known author is …
Creating a Memorable Reading Experience
blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
Dinner with friends at a foodie-worthy restaurant. What could be better?
The lessons it taught about creating a memorable reading experience.
While visiting Nashville recently, two friends and I were privileged to enjoy what might well …
Beefing Up Your Author Bio
blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
Writers are often asked for a bio–usually 30-50 words. Sometimes 100. A strong, compelling bio says a lot about an author.
How can we make sure we’re truly beefing up our author bios without making them muscle-bound?…
Establishing Healthy Habits for Writers
Blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
Healthy writer habits?
No, this isn’t a blog post about walking away from the computer at the top of every hour, although that’s a good idea. It’s not about finding healthy snack alternatives for deadline week. Also …
Book Inventory
blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
Book inventory. It had to happen eventually. When solid wood shelves sag like a swayback horse and avalanches have nothing to do with snow, it’s time to either buy more bookshelves or take inventory of what must …
Acting and Writing
blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
Acting is a unique artform, but it’s also a vital skill for writers.
Accomplished actors become the characters they’re tasked to portray. They “crawl into the skin” of the hero, heroine, villain. Actors often talk about enjoying …
Hold These Truths as Self-Evident
blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
What truths do we hold as “self-evident”? With the United States’ Independence Day just behind us, many of us are still eating cake with strawberry stripes and blueberry stars, picking up yard evidence of expired sparklers, and …