Tools and Craft

Tools, Not Rules

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We have, over the course of our life, given away more copies of Strunk and White’s Elements of Style than we can count (it is a point of pride that we have singlehandedly kept the book on the bestseller list). In this excerpt from Ben Yagoda’s book The Sound on the Page, we are reminded that slavish devotion to all advice for writers (and there is more than we can catalogue) is the road to ruin. Yagoda suggests that not even E.B. White followed his dictates to the letter. Style and voice are, in our opinion, the essence of good […]

Tools and Craft

First, Set A Goal

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We admit it (rather shamefacedly): we expected to win our first writing contest. We expected a parade. A party. Angels singing. We got a self-addressed package in the mail. We did very well, but not well enough. Since then, we’ve had some success and some failure. We continue to rend our hair at the sight of a “3” out of five with no accompanying comments. We cherish every smiley face and “good job” anonymous judges have scribbled on our work. And we even move beyond our hurt and disbelief to find merit in the less-than-positive comments. We’ve learned you can’t

Square Pegs, Tools and Craft

Writing as Business

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We have a long list of deep topics to discuss here, but rarely have more than a few minutes at a time these days (we blame this thing called “work”, and would gladly quit eating if we weren’t addicted to food). Thus we must confine our industry rants to our minds. We assure you each topic is thoroughly and brilliantly discussed as we drive to our next destination. However, we believe that any author who doesn’t take the time and effort to learn the business is a foolish author, indeed. Luckily, there are kind souls willing to share their expertise

Square Pegs, Tools and Craft

Help On The Way

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We’ve also received a few tips recently regarding a handy little manual to guide authors through the treacherous process of selling a book (no, not writing a book — there are many other publications to help there). What’s Next focuses on contractual terms, promotion, and the ever-popular “do I need an agent” question. Information is in the right column on the website’s home page. New England Chapter – Romance Writers of America

Tools and Craft

The Great Leap Backward, Or Something Like That

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Every six months or so, our lists buzz with excitement about the AlphaSmart line of products. For some reason, authors get misty eyed and positively cheerleaderish about the tiny machines and their influence on productivity. For the uninitiated, the AlphaSmart is your basic keyboard with memory. You type frantically and upload your work to your computer for editing (the tiny screen on the various machines precludes serious revising). We continue to prefer pencil and paper, but those who use the AlphaSmart take it everywhere — apparently the battery life is amazing. Alphasmart.com

Tools and Craft

Veracity? No, Thank You, We Just Ate

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We are on quite a few email lists (more than we care to admit), and every now and then the subject of extensive, intensive, mind boggling research arises. Generally in the context of making sure every word, thought, and gesture of a novel set in times long past are correct. As if we really know for sure how one cut her meat in 1066. Alexei Sayle discusses the notion that research can sometimes get in the way of the story (using, by way of example, Philip Roth’s glove making digression in American Pastoral). We’ve heard from some authors that they

Tools and Craft

In a Sea of Sharks…

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Our visit to the SFWA website reminded us of a very important service provided by this organization. Shocking as it may seem to seasoned industry veterans, there are unscrupulous editors, publishers, and agents out there, waiting to prey on the naive and/or desperate. SFWA collects information on these, to quote our president, evil doers. Practice safe publishing — check this site early and often. We’ve also included a link to the Preditors and Editors section at Another Realm — clicking on agents or book publishers or just about any other link will provide useful decision-making information. Writer Beware Preditors and

Agents, Publishers and Editors, Tools and Craft

For Procrastinators and Others

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Ultimately, you have to write the book. Honest. But until that fateful moment, there are lots of tools and toys to try. NewNovelist (which, apparently, works for old novelists, too) helps with plotting, characters, even outlining. You know, all those things you’re supposed to do anyway. By the way, if you try this software, let me know how it works out. NewNovelist.com

Tools and Craft
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