You can tell when it’s stacking up to be a bad writing day.You look at the list of non-writing stuff that needs to get done, throw up your hands and think, No possible way.Or the thought of whatever project you’re working on ignites that gnawing insecure feeling that his … [Read more...]
The Healing Power of Fiction
The best fictional characters are the ones we would be friends with if they weren’t so … you know … fictional.Not to say our favorite book-friends are perfect—their shortcomings are what make them intriguing. Their struggles become our struggles, as we hope, page after page, t … [Read more...]
Where I Write: Authors on their Favorite—and Strangest—Work Places
“Mom! Where are my cleats?!”This is not conducive to writing.Like interruptions to any work of focus, intrusions make the headlong forward motion of imagining a scene, dialogue, motive, setting, physical movement and internal turmoil grind to a screeching, asphalt scr … [Read more...]
Up Close and Virtually In Person
I had been “visiting” book groups by phone for years. I’m always happy to do this—it never gets old hearing that people who are unrelated to me and don’t owe me favors chose one of my books over millions of others to read and discuss.Also, it’s usually really fun. It’s interes … [Read more...]