Straight talk from the sisters about blood, sweat and ink
There are all kinds of cute ideas for what to get writers this holiday season. Writers Helping Writers has a whole Pinterest page full of them! Though I like slogan mugs and book cover necklaces, I don’t really need those things. Instead, in lieu of the usual knick-knacks and novelty presents, here are some practical, …
Continue reading “Writer Wish List: 7 Practical Gifts for the Starving Artist”
Starting in 2015 the WriteOnSisters will be doing their best to add more book reviews to the the blog. Today we jump-start that commitment with this bonus Friday Reads review of two Young Adult books. Robin’s Pick: THIS IS WHAT HAPPY LOOKS LIKE by Jennifer E. Smith I’m not traditionally a big fan of love …
Continue reading “What We’re Reading: Friday Reads Bonus Edition”
Persistence can be defined as the firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. It seems that whether you’re an aspiring writer, or one who’s well established, there is always self-doubt. Times when you feel that no one will love your story as much as you and your …
Continue reading “No Pain No Gain: Persistence in Selling Your Manuscript”
Right about now many writers are feeling a touch disappointed. They attempted a feat of greatness in the eyes of the writing community and they didn’t measure up to the recommended level of success. To every below 50,000-words writers I say: Congratulations! If you tried your best and wrote as much as you could, stand …
Continue reading “The Post-NaNoWriMo Blues”
Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It’s self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can’t try to do things. You simply must do things. ~ Ray Bradbury Does Bradbury’s advice ring true to you? Or do you think he’s gone too far? I have friends who will never finish their novels because …
Continue reading “Don’t Think, Just Write”
In a novel, the main character must go through a life-changing event that transforms them by end of the book. (For more read What Is Character Change and How to Create Character Change.) With that in mind, it should be easy to know who is my protagonist, right? Just build the novel around whoever has …
Continue reading “How To Choose A Main Character”
Like most writers, we at WriteOnSisters are all big readers. The end of the year brings reflection and a sense of accomplishment; we have navigated another fun and rewarding year of books and blogging. To do something a bit different this month, we decided to pick books off the Goodreads Best Books of 2014 list. …
Continue reading “What We’re Reading: Goodreads Best of 2014”
Ah, Black Friday. While all those around you are going shoulder to shoulder, standing in line, credit cards at the ready, or watching football, or cleaning up what was left of yesterday’s festivities, take a moment away from the maddening crowd to focus on how in the world you are going to keep that writing …
Continue reading “Where Do I Find Time To Write?”
I’m taking the day off from blogging today to sit around the Thanksgiving table with my family. I’m stowing away the laptop and focusing on the real world for a change, giving my characters a day off too. I intend to be mindful of the simple things that give my life meaning, making sure to …
Continue reading “A Thanksgiving Pause”
Tomorrow Thanksgiving will arrive in the United States and I’m reminded of all the good things the season adds to my life. It brings my family flying in from far-flung corners. It means a pan of fresh hulled walnut meats and crisp apples is bubbling in a cinnamon sugar bath inside my oven. It creates …
Continue reading “3 Wishes of an Unsatisfied Reader”