So, this is not a blog post about Jessica (Wait! Don’t wander off!) This is a blog post about knowing when to listen to your inner critic (I know, I know, not nearly as entertaining and I would be tempted to wander off, too). Still with me? Thank you muchly. I was thinking about this in…
Tag: The Writing Craft
On taking shortcuts
Last week I talked about taking risks, about how sometimes you just need to get your work out there. This week I am going to talk about how sometimes you don’t. In my many years as a book author and freelancer, I have met hundreds of writers, professionals and wannabes, and it has struck me…
A plain, simple recipe
The other day I was at a restaurant trying to get a margarita. The waiter pointed to the menu and suggested some god-awful abomination that included pineapple and herbs. Before he could spout all of the ingredients in this hideous affront to civilized drinking, I put my hand on his arm and said, “No. Margarita.…
The next step
I recently mentioned Terry Pratchett, who occasionally writes about a young witch, Tiffany Aching, and her obnoxious chums, the Wee Free Men, and if you haven’t read Sir Terry, you should. At any rate, he was still on my mind when I started writing this post, and I thought it appropriate to give a nod…
On knowing the future
Terry Pratchett is wicked smart and his comic novels come with a sting. He found out a few years ago that he is suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s, and to read his most recent novel, I Shall Wear Midnight, with that knowledge is enough to make you cry. His young protagonist, Tiffany Aching, and her sidekicks,…
Working in themes
So last week’s post was a little short on specifics other than the admonition to do the damned work. It’s a good admonition, and you really can’t go wrong with it, but here’s one thing I do to impose some sort of shape and coherence on all of the things that want my attention. I…