Tune Up Tuesday with Sally Lippert MY JOURNEY AS A READER... When I first started reading Joanna's pre-published work, my goal was to get through the book or short story as quickly as possible to find out "who done it?" But Joanna encouraged me to take my time and look for problematic areas. As I did, memories of my youth came back to me. You see, I grew up with an aunt, who was head of the English department at my high school. … [Read more...] about Beta Reader (Especially for Kiki) Qualifications
Blog
How to Make Paper Beads, Part II
Now that you have a plethora of long, skinny triangles, it's time to make your beads. For the next step, you'll need: 1. A lot of wooden toothpicks or skewers. They have to be ROUND, not squarish. These will be used as spindles. You'll wrap your paper beads around the toothpicks to shape them. 2. A block of Styrofoam. As you finish your beads, you will stick the toothpicks into the Styrofoam so that they can rest and … [Read more...] about How to Make Paper Beads, Part II
Prologue from Tear Down & Die, My Newest Book–
TEAR DOWN AND DIE The first book in the Second Chances Mystery Series By Joanna Campbell Slan ~ DEDICATION ~ For Sally Lippert, who believes in second chances. Prologue Late August, St. Louis As if he were looking out into the future, the light faded in Sven's brown eyes, and his weight settled in my arms. A sob burst from … [Read more...] about Prologue from Tear Down & Die, My Newest Book–
Improve Your Sequencing To Improve Your Writing
This morning I heard a radio commercial about a pair of work gloves. The announcer explained that these were "more abrasion and tear resistant than leather." I was left wondering, "Does he mean the surface of the gloves is abrasive?" I doubt that. I suspect he meant that the surface of the gloves was "more resistant to tears and abrasion than leather." (And if he had added one word--"tougher"--the whole description … [Read more...] about Improve Your Sequencing To Improve Your Writing
Writing a Book In A Week–Can It Be Done?
Twice a year, my friends at RWA put together an experience that they call "BIAW." That's short for Book In A Week. Last time I participated, I wrote more than 22,000 words that week. My friend Beverly Bateman was the word-wrangler, and bless her heart, she kept cheering me on. After the first day, she emailed me to say, "Can you keep up this pace?" I sure did. We're all different. Our goals vary. We're motivated by different needs. I love … [Read more...] about Writing a Book In A Week–Can It Be Done?
Could Anything Self-Published Be Worse Than This?
One of the big arguments against self-publishing is the idea that publishers perform a valuable service for readers by sifting through dreck. Supposedly, they only publish the best of what's available. Uh, not always. Another argument is that self-published work isn't always edited as well as it should be. The big publishers have fabulous editors working for them, and these magicians can turn a rough manuscript into a gem. Fair enough. I have … [Read more...] about Could Anything Self-Published Be Worse Than This?
