I wish more writers would start in the middle of their books, blogs or chapters. That would spare them the angst of feeling that they have to write the perfect lead before they can move on. Whenever I think of writers who crumple up or delete their first pages (or first paragraph) again and again,… Continue Reading
Avoid Writing Paralysis
There are a million ways to write a book and another million ways to edit it. All those possibilities can prove more than daunting; they can prove paralyzing. Thankfully, your perspective as a writer narrows down that list. So as you sift through everything from your ideas to your reading, note your observations. Are certain… Continue Reading
How to Bring Writing to Life Through Details
Details aren’t just luxuries when you’re writing fiction or narrative nonfiction. They’re the glue that will hold your readers’ attention and convince them to stick with you. The judicious use of details brings a story to life, allowing the reader to experience the story instead of just being told about it. That’s just the start.… Continue Reading
Mood-setting Characterizations
Keen observation enriches every writer’s prose. We’ve talked about how detail brings prose to life by bringing readers into the story. As a reminder, saying something is beautiful or sad doesn’t count as detail. You need to get specific, so readers can see the movie you’re filming through your words for themselves. Check out how… Continue Reading
Write a Sloppy Rough Draft
We all like to be proven right. I’m no exception. So I was tickled when I read about V.A.Howard’s and J.B. Barton’s 1986 analysis of the scientific research related to writing. In Thinking on Paper, the authors concluded that we don’t just record our thoughts when we write. Instead, writing is “the father to thought… Continue Reading
Writing Tools
If you’re neglecting to arm yourself with two vital writing tools, then you’re making your job harder than it needs to be. Ideas don’t punch a time clock. They hit at all hours and often in the most inconvenient places. Making sure that you have a small notebook or tape recorder (you probably have one… Continue Reading
Top Seven Reasons Why You Really Do Want to Start a Blog
So you’re thinking of starting a blog. Here are the top seven reasons why you want to start a blog sooner rather than later. As in now. Reason #1: We all have opinions. Why not go big with yours and let the world know? My close friend Silvia Stephenson, the uber-talented web designer who crafted… Continue Reading
Wordplay – It’s an Art
When I worked at the Ladies’ Home Journal, my colleagues and I regularly had to come up with catchy headlines or leads that were plays on words. When the three of us wanted to gag, we knew we’d hit on the one that our bosses would love. Love it or hate it, wordplay is a… Continue Reading
Writing Lessons from My Dogs: Time Blocking
My writing coach clients have taught me one thing above all others. Those who block out time to write, actually work on their books, blogs or other writing projects. Those who don’t practice time blocking usually don’t. It boils down to knowing your priorities, something my dogs excel in. Our mornings start early, with me… Continue Reading
Happy New Year!
Happy 2015 from Me & My Pups! Here’s to a year that delivers on all your writing dreams and that’s as fun as it is productive. Cheers, Linden 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