Has the world ever seen a writer who never wrestled with the question:
What do I do when the words won’t come?
Others have written about the horrors of writer’s block. If you have time, presumably because the words are …
The Writer’s Understudy
What’s the writer’s equivalent of a theater understudy? It’s the project waiting in the wings in case the lead project is unable to perform or is temporarily sidelined.
Understudy Wonder
One of my clients had a former life on Broadway. …
We Hold These Truths
We hold these truths…but they’re not always as self-evident as you’d think.
Professional writing holds a number of truths that sometimes receive a mere nod rather than being adopted as habit, developed as practice, and sustained until the Chicago Manual …
Twelve Words of Christmas
blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
For a writer, the idea of having only twelve words of Christmas may seem like an impossible word count limit, doesn’t it? With minimal commentary, let’s ponder twelve important words for writers inspired by the one word–…
Give Thanks
blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
Whether your table is small and spare or large and abundant…
Whether your dreams were thwarted or realized this year…
Whether you have found, are still looking, or have said goodbye to the love of your …
Breathing Room
People’s tastes in homes are as widely varied as their tastes in hairstyles. Both change with trends, seasons, and waves of creativity.
I’ve been watching home improvement and renovation shows from England, Scotland, Ireland, and France recently. Research? What …
Hooks for Books
blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
Sounds a little Seussian, doesn’t it? Hooks for books and books on hooks and looks at hooks that hook the books.
It’s no surprise that a book needs a hook. We navigate much of our lives with …
When An Agent Doesn’t Reply
blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
When an agent doesn’t reply to your query, proposal, burning question, or manuscript submission, is it because she/he doesn’t care?
Admittedly, sometimes writers–whether aspiring or veteran–choose the default answer, “Yes! That must be it! I’m not important …
It’s a Flexible Life
blogger: Cynthia Ruchti
Contrary to popular belief, the writer’s theme song is not “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Not that it isn’t wonderful. So much of what we do–musing, creating, building story worlds, research, interviews, developing characters, or finding ways to …
Before You Hit SEND
You’ve worked on your book proposal/manuscript for twelve weeks/months/years. An editor or agent you met at a writers conference last week/last year/eleven years ago invited you to send it when it was ready.
Is it? How can a writer know …