I’ve said several times over the years that I’ve gone from being more focused on outlines to being more of a discovery writer. Some writers do well with an outline, and in the past, when I was less sure of my own writing process, I’d obsess over the outline. The truth is, some writers enjoy … Continue reading How to Structure Your Novel When You’re a Pantster: A Guide for Discovery Writers
writing process
One Scene I Almost Cut From The Professor of Eventide (and Why I Kept It)
If you’ve been writing as long as I have, you already know that every novel we write contains scenes that seem to come effortlessly as well as scenes that have to fight to survive. In The Professor of Eventide, there was one scene (or really a series of scenes) that I came very close to … Continue reading One Scene I Almost Cut From The Professor of Eventide (and Why I Kept It)
How I Know a Story is Finished (Or Not)
Since I finished The Professor of Eventide, I’ve had some time to think about how I know when a book is finished. At what point is the book done done and at what point am I still tinkering just for the sake of changing things? I’ll start with the obvious answer: every author is different … Continue reading How I Know a Story is Finished (Or Not)
The No-Tropes Manifesto: Why I Choose the Unknown Over Formula
I feel a little funny saying this, especially since I was the executive editor of a literary journal for 23 years, but I hadn’t paid much attention to the word trope until a few years ago when it seemed like suddenly everyone was talking about it. These days, we see posts or vlogs about How … Continue reading The No-Tropes Manifesto: Why I Choose the Unknown Over Formula
Ask Me Anything: The Professor of Eventide (Author Q&A)
Welcome to The Professor of Eventide edition of Ask Me Anything! Here are some of the questions I received from my newsletter friends and from readers of this blog. This is a spoiler-free discussion, so if you haven’t read the novel yet but you’re curious, you’ll be safe here. When I do my next #AMA … Continue reading Ask Me Anything: The Professor of Eventide (Author Q&A)
The Challenges of Editing a Novel After the Drafting Stage
I’ve been pretty lucky with readers’ responses to my writing style. I’ve had so many questions about how I write the way I do, and what I try to explain to other writers is that I don’t write like that–I edit like that. When I’m writing a draft, I’m simply trying to get the words, … Continue reading The Challenges of Editing a Novel After the Drafting Stage
What Finishing a Book Teaches You as a Writer
Well, friends, as I've said, The Professor of Eventide is done and ready for its close-up. The funny thing is, I’m almost sorry it’s done. It has been quite a challenge bringing this story to life. On the one hand, I’m looking forward to getting back to all the things I love that I’ve been … Continue reading What Finishing a Book Teaches You as a Writer
From Rough to Refined: Tackling the All-Important Second Draft
Starting Draft Two of my WIP Baking time for my current WIP is done, the timer had dinged, and now I’m writing the second draft. While this is the fun part of the writing process for me, it’s also the most difficult to explain because I believe there's magic involved. In her book Big Magic, … Continue reading From Rough to Refined: Tackling the All-Important Second Draft
Writing Inspiration: From Plotter To Pantster
Her Dear & Loving Husband is an Award Winner! Before I get to my post today, I wanted to share some wonderful news. Her Dear & Loving Husband is now officially an award-winning novel. James and Sarah have won the Coffee Pot Book Club Book Award for highly recommended novels. Cool, right? Our Writing Process … Continue reading Writing Inspiration: From Plotter To Pantster