A Novel Idea

There’s no denying it – today marks the last day of the four-week period I promised an agent an exclusive look at the “full.”  I’ve reminded myself that my email, months ago, noting that she hadn’t yet responded to my original submission prompted a quick reply and apologies.   She then read the manuscript and suggested [...]

So I’m driving along – you still in the backseat? – on the journey to this novel’s publication, feeling like I’m really making progress.  A lot of miles covered yesterday.  Additional research on a trio of stellar agents to query next, if, by the fast-approaching due date, the agent with the “exclusive” hasn’t responded, or, [...]

Inspiration may be a form of super-consciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness – I wouldn’t know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness. Aaron Copland When I read Linda Sue Park’s A Single Shard, a middle grade novel that won the Newbery Medal in 2002, the powerful writing transported me to 12th century [...]

When you are born, your work is placed in your heart. Kahil Gibran The same week I was putting final touches on the revision of my novel, Garrison Keillor wrote in an op-ed piece:  “… I think that book publishing is about to slide into the sea.”  Referring to today’s writer, “blogging like crazy” and [...]

We fail to realize that mastery is not about perfection.  It’s about a process, a journey.  The master is the one who is willing to try, and fail, and try again, for as long as he or she lives. George Leonard To write is to write is to write is to write is to write [...]