Blogger: Mary Keeley
Magnificently written books that readers dive into and remember long after they turn the last page are the goal of all committed writers. But the road to that destination is almost always bumpy and loaded with detours …
Writing Life
Sometimes a Good Laugh Is What’s Needed
Blogger: Mary Keeley
When was the last time your day…or week…was turned completely upside down? I mean…totally. That was my experience this week, and it was a good reminder to be patient and hang onto (okay, clutch tightly) a peaceful …
Lessons from Reality TV
Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
I’m often struck by the similarities between the competition reality shows on TV these days, and life in the publishing environment. The programs bring together hopefuls in an endeavor—baking, fashion, business, movie makeup, singing—and pit them against …
Learn from the Success of Others
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Every so often I bring up an author from the past to find lessons from his or her road to publication that offer instruction and inspiration for writers today. An author I’ve been corresponding with recently mentioned …
Endurance for the Writing Journey
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Authors who achieve their dream of publication share certain habits and traits that bolster their endurance for the long journey to publication and then throughout their publishing career. Negative criticism, discouraging news in the industry, and frustrating …
New Year’s Goal: “Think Negative”
Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
I’m an optimist by nature — I usually expect things will all work out. But for the new year, I plan to maintain a more realistic mindset by “thinking negative.” What do I mean by that?
When …
Launch 2014 Prepared for Success: It’s All about Attitude
Blogger: Mary Keeley
The 2014 winter Olympics begins in five weeks. Athletes have overcome all sorts of competitive odds to land them a trip to Sochi, Russia for their ultimate chance to win a medal. Winners will be determined by …
Launch 2014 Prepared for Success: It’s All about AttitudeRead More
We Have to Believe
Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
We all have dreams of publication. Writers dream of sharing their words with others, whether they’re words of story to entertain and inspire people, or words of non-fiction to share some truth that might help others live …
Now is the Time to Prepare for a Productive Launch in 2014
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Christmas ads and commercials launched in earnest this past weekend. Already an alert sounded in my brain, and I could sense my anxiety level increasing. So many family traditions to prepare for, baking to be done, and …
Now is the Time to Prepare for a Productive Launch in 2014Read More
Writing a First Draft
Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
National Novel Writing Month starts this Friday! For those who don’t know what this is, you can go to the NaNoWriMo site here and learn all about it. The point is to write 50,000 words of …