Okay, I know there is always a lot of discussion on the loops, both readers’ and writers loops, about the abundance of paranormal fiction at the moment. Big topics of debate: whether it is a fad, if the market is oversaturated, and how many actual fans of the genre there are or if it is an industry-created phenomenon.
Well, being […]
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Paranormal Is Conquering The World!
September 30, 2007; 12:02 pm
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Depression And The Creative
September 28, 2007; 10:48 am
Or, Excuse Me, But Your Culture’s Choking Me
For one reason and another, dear Reader, I am thinking about the creative in our society, and the attitudes toward creative professionals. I always knew something was hinky with the way writers and artists are treated, but it wasn’t until I read Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way that […] -
Missing in Action
September 27, 2007; 5:00 am
As you’re reading this, chances are that I’m winging my way home from visiting family in St. Louis. I’m originally from there and try to get back at least once a year to visit family and get my fix of things that I miss about the Midwest. I love the Pacific Northwest (despite the rain!), […]
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Research take 2
September 25, 2007; 3:00 am
Last Tuesday I discussed the frustrations of research that authors sometimes go through. In my case, I couldn’t visualize what I needed to in order to make an incredibly important scene work. I chose the San Francisco Presidio, (my “Magic” series is set in SF) and spent hours trying to research it and figure out […]
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Hero angst
September 24, 2007; 10:55 am
Note: Free book to a commenter today — see last paragraph… :-)
I’m going to expose a little of my soft underbelly today. Look away, it isn’t pretty and not just because I haven’t done sit-ups in over a year.
I couldn’t figure out what was preventing me from starting to write (in earnest) my next book, […] -
When A Book Becomes A Village
September 21, 2007; 9:16 pm
Last week I wrote about how you can’t please everyone. About how a book is a singular creation, produced by a writer sitting down and writing. An editor is not a partner in this process–an editor is an editor.
An editor exists to see the holes in your book, plot and otherwise. To help you plug […] -
Try this on for sighs . . .
September 20, 2007; 5:00 am
Sunday I was at a booksigning with three friends—Bonnie Edwards, Susan Lyons, and Donna Anders. We all had a great time, sold enough books to make everyone happy, and got the chance to talk with readers who strolled by in the mall.
We met for lunch beforehand. As usual the discussion is lively and […] -
Experimental Promo Activity
September 18, 2007; 10:52 pm
Okay, so one of the big discussions frequently had between authors is what kind of promo works. Bookmarks, pens, booksignings, naked pool parties with hot men (yeah, that would probably work for me, too) Anyhoodles, I’ve been trying to figure out how to go outside the box. Do things a little different. Experiment.
My husband is […] -
Research
September 18, 2007; 6:02 pm
Research can be one of the most frustrating things in a writer’s life. Unless you’ve been to certain places, actually using them in a book can be difficult.
Take, for example, the Presidio in San Francisco. I’m trying to use it for a very big scene in the 5th Magic book. The problem is–one of the […] -
Behind As Usual
September 16, 2007; 10:55 am
I think I live in a constant state of “almost caught up.” Deadlines, promotional projects, house cleaning. You name it, and I’m almost done with them. Almost. It’s not a good place to live, but I can’t seem to change it. Sigh.
So as usual, I’m behind on even announcing exciting things in my career. First […] -
You Cannot Please Everyone
September 14, 2007; 7:51 pm
Nor am I sure you should try.
This line of thought is brought to you by this most excellent recent Smart Bitches article asking how much of writing is a solitary endeavor. I don’t know about anyone else, but my own efforts are deeply solitary. It’s me and my laptop and the characters in my head.
Once […] -
Books I hate to finish!
September 13, 2007; 9:12 am
I’ve been reading Stephenie Meyer’s books this week, all told about 1600 pages of excellent writing. I read the first book, Twilight, in about three days. It was wonderful, one of the best vampire books I’ve read in a while. I got the book from the library, which is how I often try out writers […]
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Breaking it Down
September 12, 2007; 2:13 pm
Big problems are scary. Big problems can feel insurmountable. Big problems make me want to crawl under my desk and hide, or at the very least, grab a book and pretend the problems don’t exist.
But you know what? When I come out from under my desk or put down my JR Ward book, the […]
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Running on Empty
September 11, 2007; 2:25 pm
Before I start my post, may I very excitedly say that WICKED MAGIC made the USA Today bestseller list its first week on the shelves. :-) Writer’s insecurities led me to start at the very bottom of the top 150 and work my way up. Wasn’t there, wasn’t there, wasn’t there, and then bam! It […]
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TV and me
September 10, 2007; 9:20 am
I’m between novels right now. It’s that odd feeling of having just finished one (my Dorchester Shomi book Countdown that I’m writing as Michelle Maddox) and about to start my next contracted book (Stakes & Stilettos, my third “Sarah Dearly” title). Back when I was younger and more naïve in the ways of the publishing […]