Don't forget to buy books
Great post by Jody Hedlund: > However, in all of the book giveaways, let’s not forget ONE important thing: We can’t stop buying books. Writers and readers alike can’t become so enamored with getting free books – either for reviewing, endorsing, on our e-readers, or just because we
Allow yourself to be bored
From the excellent Bobulate: > I thought of this recently while in a traffic jam: the sort where a two-hour drive took more than six hours. These unavoidable moments are a complete standstill of hope and forward emotion. And for those who choose not to ride the shoulder, wander the
I want you to stop speed reading
I want you to stop speed reading. I want you to not worry about how many books you’ve read and focus on the one that you’re reading right now. Speed reading is for panicking students and literary agents. It’s not for the likes of you and I.
Edward Hogan: writing about villages, literary versus genre, and coats with big pockets
A smashing interview with excellent author and fellow Derbyshire-born lad, Edward Hogan.
Don't be afraid of being afraid
Nathan Bransford in his post providing ‘five ways to stay motivated while writing a novel: > Develop the idea that you’re letting yourself down if you don’t finish it. Put pressure on yourself. Be afraid the regret you’ll feel the rest of your life if you don’
Postgraduate writing courses: with love or money?
I listened to an episode of the Guardian Books podcast [http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/series/books] last night. It was about first novels and included interviews with students on UEA’s MA Writing course, arguably the most influential and acclaimed creative writing programme in the UK. What caught
You're not a psychopath
Zoraida Cabrera writing for Write Anything: > Yet, when a person writes fiction that is all he or she is writing: fiction. This means that reality can be distorted as much as the writer wants, while still remaining in the story. This is one of the beauties of writing. It
All I want you to do is care
A fantastic piece by Natalie Whipple [http://twitter.com/nataliewhipple] on the mental anguish that comes with being a writer, wanting to be published and trying to persuade yourself that it’s not the most important thing in the world: > Can we say denial? Inside, it felt like I
Jane Travers: Tweet Treats and turning a great idea into a published book
One day, aspiring author, Jane Travers [http://janetravers.blogspot.com/], had a great idea – to collect 140-character recipes via Twitter, put them in a book and give all the proceeds to charity [http://www.msf.org.uk/Tweet_Treats_book_20111006.news]. That book is called Tweet Treat [http://www.
There is writing and there is Writing
Shawn Blanc making an important writing distinction [http://shawnblanc.net/2011/02/writing-vs-writing/]: > There is writing, and then there is Writing. And I am amazed at how often I will shy away from the former because it doesn’t feel like the latter. There are times when I put