Writing Blog
How do you know when to give up on a project?
This question was posed in a post over at the fabulous Nathan Bransford blog. Bransford was asking readers when they decide it’s time to lay a current project to rest. It’s an interesting question for writers. After all the effort- and blood, sweat, and tears-writers put into their work, is there a moment when you…
Read MoreLife in the fast lane? … Or not
I’m not referring to authors here. The last time authors lived life in the fast lane may well have been back in 1920s Paris. Instead, I’m interested in novel pacing. As authors, we all know how crucial it is to find the ‘hook’ – that situation that will compel our readers to continue reading after…
Read MoreSign up for early-bird rates for the Matera Women’s Fiction Festival
It’s that time of year again – time to start planning to attend the annual Matera Women’s Fiction festival, held each September in Matera, in southern Italy. If you sign up by 30 June 2014, you can sign up at the early-bird rates – this is meant for you Nicola, Grace, Ashlinn, Claire… and Evelyne,…
Read MoreThe Seven Deadly Sins of Writing
As a Europhile and an admirer of medieval churches, I’m always drawn to the fire and brimstone depictions of the seven deadly sins. I’ve been dragging my kids around with me since they were old enough to toddle across ancient floors, pointing out these fascinating frescoes that would explain to the poor parishioners of old…
Read More#ReadWomen2014 progress: Favorite books so far
I’m so happy to have learned earlier this year from Claire, over at the wonderful Word by Word site about the #ReadWomen2014 challenge, and I’ve written about in an earlier post. I strongly support the objective of this campaign. Talented women writers too often fall into an unfair, second-tier category when it comes to traditional book…
Read MoreLooking for romance, medieval battles, and time travelling adventure all rolled into one? Read Tales of a Traveller.
How exciting for me to have talented British writer N.J. Layouni on my site today talking about her debut novel, Tales of a Traveller: Hemlock. Book One, released on 28 April 2014. I met Nicola virtually when she became a critique partner while we were both writing time travel novels. I loved the early version…
Read MoreLike romance? Read Melinda Dozier’s short story collection
I’ve been lucky enough to announce two of Melinda Dozier’s romance novels on my site. Melinda is a talented (and prolific) romance writer, and a great critique partner. Melinda’s been a guest on my site before, with interesting author interviews when she released Time Changes Everything and Breaking The Rules. In these interviews, in addition to…
Read MoreIt’s beach reading season!
Where I live in central Italy, the 1 May holiday tends to kick off the season for beach-going. Yes, it’s great to go to feel the soft sand beneath your feet, to breathe the clean, sea air and to feel the repetitive ebb and flow of the waves, but really, the beach is primarily a…
Read MoreSelf-publishing vs traditional publishing
I think most authors today are following this debate closely. Each year, I attend the Matera Women’s Fiction Festival, and follow the discussion on this topic with authors who have been on both sides. Over at the fabulous Nathan Bransford blog, ‘hybrid’ author (meaning she has published both traditionally and self-published) Natalie Whipple provides some interesting…
Read MoreThe chicken and egg debate in writing
I was think of the old expression ‘What came first the chicken, or the egg?’ as I was reading W. Somerset Maugham’s foreword to his fabulous The Painted Veil. Maugham claims he always started his novels and short stories from a character, and the setting and story would naturally fall into place. In his foreword,…
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