Writer and Bookworm.
It's time for an update to my resources page! I have some great new sites for submission stuff (synopsis, query letters, literary journal submissions), craft (skin tone words and representation of marginalized groups), and some of that delightful money business we all love (taxes/insurance and publications that pay). As always, I welcome addition suggestions!
Continuing on the theme of jumpstarting one's creativity with great and unnecessary side projects, let's talk about Story A Day. Story A Day is a challenge, often called the Nanowrimo of short stories, that dares you to start and finish one story everyday of May (and sometimes September). There are no word limits on the stories and no... Continue Reading →
The idea of querying an agent is a scary one. You're putting yourself out there for the inevitable rejection with the burning hope for acceptance. Agents and publishers can seem like far off dwellers of ivory towers staring down their noses at you, but Manuscript Wishlist brings them closer to Earth. Manuscript Wishlist is a portal linking... Continue Reading →
Perspective is something that can be elusive when we need it most. It's easy to get wrapped up in our own problems or even everyday routines and forget to look past our own noses. Here are a few different methods of taking a step back and looking at life from another angle. Sometimes the best... Continue Reading →
Money is one of the most troublesome aspects of being creative. We need it to survive but we can't be slaves to it either. I am currently in the process of transitioning from part-time day job to freelance writing and, oh man, is it scary. The loss of a decent steady paycheck (and tips) is hanging... Continue Reading →
As a creative-type, especially one starting out with not much in the way of wide-spread [or you know, even mildly spread] acclaim, it can be hard to keep up the motivation. The self-esteem flags, the doubts bloom like large ugly flowers, and the questions [Can I do this? Am I really as good as I... Continue Reading →
I'm starting a new series called 'Articles of Inspiration' where I pull together awesome motivating sites I find through recommendation and my own meanderings on the internet. The first post comes out tomorrow. I hope to post one a week so stay tuned! Recommendations are welcome.
On Writing is not a typical writing book. For one thing, it isn't an instructional manual, it doesn't give the reader a step by step break down of the process and it only has one, albeit rather interesting, writing exercise prompt. For another thing, it's written by Stephen King. King puts his own stamp on... Continue Reading →
The Writer's Market series is something that should be a building block in any aspiring writer's library. I own the 2016 Novel and Short Story Writer's Market and I have found it amazingly helpful. It has a nice selection of articles on the craft and business of writing, and interviews with established writers. The most useful resource, however, are the extensive listings... Continue Reading →
I came across Steal Like An Artist in the gift shop of the Getty Museum in Los Angeles some years back. The book is by Austin Kleon, a self-proclaimed "writer who draws." Divided in to ten well illustrated chapters that closely resemble commandments, the book urges the reader to absorb the world around them and assign it value as you never... Continue Reading →
Katta Hules 