My pups have taught me about using unpredictability in writing as well as being open to surprise. As my friends, Deborah and Frank, and I headed out for a scenic walk, I didn’t expect that I would wind up with a lesson about pacing in writing. The Deschutes River never disappoints. Less than 20 minutes… Continue Reading
I should have known. After all, it was a drought year. Instead, I plunged in full of anticipation, still reveling in the prior year’s unprecedented success. Yes, this year, once again, my newfound prowess as the tomato whisperer would be on display in the garden and on the plate, and I would receive the kind… Continue Reading
I talk a lot about what I call story showing. Letting readers experience what you’re writing about rather than just telling them about it is clearly the best way to communicate, an insight I share liberally. “Show don’t tell,” I say again and again in as many ways as I can come up with. Still,… Continue Reading
So, you want to write a kids’ book? I know the feeling. I came up with the idea for my children’s easy reader book series after a friend told me the nicknames she and her little brother had been given growing up. That gave me my children’s book characters. I quickly figured out the broad… Continue Reading
Barbara Hinske never expected to be able to quit her full-time job as an attorney and pursue a writing career. But her initial novel, Coming to Rosemont, has mushroomed into a bestselling series. “Look what we’ve done—and we’ve had a blast doing it!” reads the inscription to me in her seventh Rosemont novel Restoring What… Continue Reading
I recently read a terrific article about the problems writers face and what to do about them. Writer, life coach and therapist Dana Shavin–or the editors at The Writer Magazine–called the piece “15 of the Most Common Causes of Writer’s Block – and How to Cure Them.” I’m not sure I would lump everything in… Continue Reading
“Is that a Newfie puppy?” asked a woman whom my dogs and I passed on a path that runs along Bend’s Deschutes River. I knew she was asking about my zealous girl Sophie. I looked at the woman’s full-grown, chestnut-colored Newfoundland and laughed. Whether Sophie is at the river, in the High Sierra or manning… Continue Reading
Do you have a great book idea? Fantastic! But now what? How do you turn that book idea into a book? First, get the idea down on paper. And I mean now! If it hits in the middle of the night, force yourself to get up and jot down your idea in enough detail so… Continue Reading
Last month, I went over book categories for younger kids. This time we’re focusing on older readers. Middle Grade Books (Ages 9-12) Now we’re stepping up in terms of story, language and length, with books ranging from 20,000- to 50,000 words. While they may feature a few illustrations, especially with chapter headings, the readers’ imaginations… Continue Reading
As more of my writing clients are finishing their books, I’m finding some shared formatting mistakes in their manuscripts. While I don’t recommend worrying about formatting while writing your initial sloppy copy, establishing a few basic formatting parameters before you’re too far along will help. Let’s start with the overall look of your page, one… Continue Reading
Literary Agent:
Ted Weinstein
Ted Weinstein Literary Management
Mechanics’ Library Building
57 Post Street, Suite 512
San Francisco, CA 94104
tw@twliterary.com
www.twliterary.com