With the new year, a lot of us are back to work. For many of my friends, that means back to writing.I've been fielding questions about the process. One friend wrote me to say she's wondering, "Am I on the right track? Can you tell me whether I should write this or something else?"No author ever knows if she/he is on the right track. We all feel "at sea." In fact, as you get into the writing of your book, it will get worse before it gets better. … [Read more...] about Am I on the Right (Write) Track?
Easy Access That Strips Us All of Down Time
So I've been traveling and parenting for the past five days--busy with my family--and when I checked my email, what a shock.You see, I've trained people that I'll respond to their emails in hours or less! I keep my email on all day as I work, and I check my messages frequently. I'm not nearly so available by phone. (I am supposed to clip my cell to my clothes, but that's awkward. I feel like I'm wearing a honking big peace symbol or some other … [Read more...] about Easy Access That Strips Us All of Down Time
If I Died Tomorrow.
I spent two days in Los Angeles last week. Well, actually I was in Huntington Beach at the Balboa Bay Yacht Club.My husband, David, and his partner, Gerry Malzone, and I were driving back to LAX when the topic turned to "what if I died right now"? (This was BEFORE we heard about the airplane crashing into the Hudson River!)Maybe it's because we've all known each other for years. Maybe it's because we're all middle-aged. Or maybe it was because … [Read more...] about If I Died Tomorrow.
They Really DO Close Up Over the Holidays
I've long heard that publishing in New York City "shuts down" between Christmas and the New Year. But what exactly does that mean, I wondered. Does it mean they don't take calls? That they don't read new manuscripts? That they keep unconventional hours?Well, duh. Guess what. It means just what they say...literally.On Friday I wound up here in New York City and across the street from HarperCollins. I told my husband, "I'm going over there and I'm … [Read more...] about They Really DO Close Up Over the Holidays
Jane Lindskold's Free E-Book–and What That Means for All of Us
My sister Jane Campbell is a HUGE Jane Lindskold fan...and so today my sis directed me to Tor's new blog where they are offering Lindskold's free e-book. Go here to download the bookhttp://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=9263This is a grand experiment by Tor (the publisher), and I'm sure many eyes will be on the site to see whether the idea works, but if you've read Predictably Irrational, you have an idea of how … [Read more...] about Jane Lindskold's Free E-Book–and What That Means for All of Us
Ten Honest Scraps about Myself
We'll see if this works. I'm on the computer that hates AOL and likes to freeze up, but here goes...Gwyn Ramsey sent me this--and challenged me to come up with ten honest "scraps" about myself:Honest Scrap AwardI've received the Honest Scrap Award from a blogging friend who has asked me to share with you ten honest scraps about myself. My friend, Morgan Mandel has no idea how hard this is for me to share these scraps with you. I have to dig real … [Read more...] about Ten Honest Scraps about Myself
