That would be NaNoWriMo Free Stuff:Media Bistro has links to a free proof of your novel on CreateASpace, and free usage of Scrivener software (for Macs only).Check out the freebies.
What you know to be true
Molly O'Neill, an editor at Harper Collins, blogged about certain beliefs we might have. You'll want to read the whole post, but here are her questions for how we might enrich our characters by understanding their beliefs.Here's part of the post:So if you're in the mood for a writing exercise, take the main character(s) in... Continue Reading →
Thoughts on attending the NY conference
I pulled this out of our comments--some great advice on when you're ready for the NY SCBWI conference.Cuppa Jolie said...It's a great conference and chance to experience NY and be on the publishers' home turf--a huge piece I love about it.That said, I don't think the local conference should be missed, but if you can... Continue Reading →
Publishers Weekly’s 30 best books of 2009
Several books by our upcoming retreat speaker Cheryl Klein (and the rest of the team at Arthur A. Levine Books, including MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD, TALES FROM OUTER SUBURBIA, and LIPS TOUCH (THREE TIMES). See the whole list.
Holiday book promotion idea
Mitali Perkins has come up with Books with Flair, a site that aggregates indie bookstores willing to sell and ship signed copies of favorite books.Here's how you can get involved:Kid/YA Authors and illustrators (and publicists, too), if an independent bookseller carries your traditionally published books, ask if they'll gift-wrap and ship signed or personalized copies.... Continue Reading →
Wisdom from Gail Carson Levine
My happiest writing moments are when I’m writing something funny. I’m happy reading, too, when what I’m reading is funny, although maybe not happiest. I adore a good book in all its aspects.Writing funny means keeping an eye out for opportunities. We writers make our characters miserable, and one of misery’s faces is humor. After... Continue Reading →
What Elana Roth wants
In lieu of anything profound, I'm just going to put the call out today for a list of things I would like. A wish list, shall we say? Here goes.1.Middle-grade novels. I have been reading a ton of awesome MG novels lately. When You Reach Me is perfect. I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil... Continue Reading →
How to write badly, well
Here's an entry from a blog blog that makes fun of common errors and bad approaches in writing:Write thinly-veiled, self-aggrandising autobiographical fiction Joe Stockley paced the floor of his office and cursed under his breath. Dammit, he thought, why am I such a brilliant writer that no-one ever understands the depth and complexity of my... Continue Reading →
Eoin Colfer fans
Jaime Temairik interviewed him! Find out his favorite writing snack and the latest news on ARTEMIS FOWL (a new book and movie are in the works).Check out Bound on MSN Entertainment.
Showing, telling, and the “author’s filter”
This comes from Anita Nolan's blog, and is a really succinct way of describing a subtle problem that can sneak into your manuscript:Eliminate the filter of the author. This can indicate telling. Some common filters are felt, heard, saw, looked, appeared, knew, realized.For example: Jack felt sad when he heard the screech of tires and... Continue Reading →