Tag Archives: writing

Why don’t we all write our own versions of War and Peace?

Posted on April 10, 2016 by

If you’re a writer, you’ve heard this before: why don’t you write xyz? If you’re not a writer and you’ve said this to someone who is, then be advised, however kindly your query is received, it is a frustrating question.. … Continue reading →

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WRITERLY DECISIONS

Posted on October 4, 2015 by

The process for writing historical novels generally goes like this. You happen up on something that intrigues you. You do the research – lots of it, more than you can use. You ponder characters and plots. You dream about them. … Continue reading →

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No More Books About Slavery

Posted on September 21, 2015 by

I’ve just finished my last books about slaves and slavery. Elysium, Book IV of the Plantation Series is now out, and in a few days, Orchid Island will be available too. And that’s it for me. I’ve written all I … Continue reading →

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Don’t write what you know Part II

Posted on January 2, 2015 by

Don’t write what you know Part II I subscribe to an online thing, Advice for Writers, that comes to my email daily. It’s great. I recommend it to anyone who is writing or wants to write. Or may will write … Continue reading →

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How do you get started as a writer?

Posted on December 26, 2014 by

As a senior in most every sense, drat it, I’m asked pretty often how one gets started if one wants to write. There really is no great mystery. The answer is just to sit yourself down, open a file (or … Continue reading →

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Ordinary People Doing Bad Things

Posted on December 10, 2014 by

I was trying to make sense of people who live innocuous lives on one plane and yet do really horrible things on another. I’m not talking about the Ted Bundy types who know they’re doing evil. I mean the ones … Continue reading →

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REGAINING THE RIGHTS TO YOUR BOOKS

Posted on November 30, 2014 by

I have just regained the rights to my first two novels. Here’s how it worked to get the rights returned to me: My contract with Kensington Publishing specified that the company would hold the rights to my novels for seven years each. … Continue reading →

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When the Creative Well Goes Dry

Posted on November 20, 2014 by

I feel like I’ve been in the desert, at the bottom of an empty well, in … well, you can supply your own metaphor if you’ve ever felt like your creativity has fled. Do not let mixing metaphors hold you … Continue reading →

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READING FOR EMOTION

Posted on April 15, 2012 by

I have a friend who lives a more cerebral life than most of us, I believe, and we’ve been agreeing to disagree about writing style. She prefers a pretty straightforward accounting of conversations and thought and incident. I like more … Continue reading →

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WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY CRITIQUE PARTNERS THIS WEEK

Posted on December 5, 2010 by

WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY CRITIQUE PARTNER THIS WEEK If you are a new writer and don’t have a critique partner yet, go get one!  Or two or three.  I haven’t done much with on-line critique partners whom I’ve never … Continue reading →

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